J. Casida, E. C. Kimmel, H. Ohkawa
Feb 1, 1975
Citations
1
Influential Citations
60
Citations
Journal
Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology
Abstract
Abstract The microsome-NADPH system of mouse liver oxidizes each of benthiocarb, butylate, cycloate, EPTC, molinate, pebulate, and vernolate herbicide chemicals to the corresponding thiocarbamate sulfoxide which is then cleaved by the liver soluble-glutathione system. These sulfoxides are also detected as transient metabolites in the liver of mice injected with EPTC, molinate, pebulate, and vernolate but not with the other three thiocarbamates. Thiocarbamate sulfones are not detected as metabolites of the thiocarbamates. Studies in vivo and in vitro with [14C]EPTC and -pebulate or their corresponding sulfoxides and/or sulfones further indicate that sulfoxidation is the initial metabolic step in cleavage of the thiocarbamate ester group. Sulfoxidation appears to be a detoxification mechanism for thiocarbamate herbicides in mammals.