Toxicity and metabolism in mice of 2,6-dithiopurine, a potential chemopreventive agent.

2,6-Dithiopurine (DTP) has been proposed as a possible chemopreventive agent because of its facile reaction with the electrophilic ultimate carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide, and other reactive electrophiles. Previous studies in mouse skin indicated almost complete inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-induced tumorigenesis by DTP, suggesting the possible utility of this compound as a chemopreventive agent. However, little is known of the metabolism of DTP or of its possible long-term toxicity. Mice were fed diets containing up to 4% DTP in AIN-76A for a period of 7 weeks, and possible toxicity was monitored by weight gain and histopathological examination of all major tissues. No toxicity was observed at any dose of DTP. DTP was found to be a good substrate in vitro for two enzymes known to metabolize 6-mercapto-purine: xanthine oxidase and thiopurine methyltransferase. The in vitro metabolites were 2,6-dithiouric acid and an apparent monomethylated derivative, respectively. In vivo, the major urinary metabolite was 2,6-dithiouric acid, which attained levels as high as 34 mM in the urine of mice receiving the 4% DTP diet. DTP was also excreted unchanged in the feces and urine. DTP, 2,6-dithiouric acid, and an unidentified, relatively nonpolar metabolite were also detected in the serum of experimental animals. Although large interindividual variation in the serum DTP concentration was found, there was a dose-dependent increase in serum DTP as the dietary level of DTP was increased. These results suggest that neither toxicity nor metabolism will severely limit the utility of DTP as a chemopreventive agent.