Selective inhibition of sulfate conjugation in the rat: pharmacokinetics and characterization of the inhibitory effect of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol.

The pharmacokinetics of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DCNP) have been studied in the rat. Upon i.v. injection the plasma decay curve of DCNP showed a rapid distribution phase. After 30 min the plasma concentration reached a value that was constant for at least 90 min, indicating very slow elimination of DCNP. The volume of distribution was 88 ml/kg and a high degree of binding (over, 99%) of DCNP in vitro to bovine serum albumin was found. The concentration of DCNP in the liver was between 30 and 50% of the plasma values. While in vivo the effect of DCNP persisted for a long time, its action was readily reversible in the single-pass perfused rat liver. In vivo, the effect of the dose of DCNP on the inhibition of sulfation of the phenolic compound harmol was investigated. Upon the i.v. injection of 26 mumole DCNP/kg an instantaneous and complete inhibition of sulfation of harmol was found. Using this property of DCNP, the rate of sulfation of harmol in vivo was evaluated in relation to the dose and the time after injection of the substrate. Saturation of sulfation apparently occurred because the consumption of inorganic sulfate was extremely small.