Carbamates in the chemotherapy of leukemia. VIII. Overall tracer studies on carbonyl-labeled urethan, methylene-labeled urethan, and methylene-labeled ethyl alcohol.

Abstract

Summary Over-all tracer studies have been carried out on carbonyl- and methylene-labeled urethan, NaHC 14 O 3 , and methylene-labeled ethyl alcohol. The rate of expiration of C 14 following injection of these compounds, the percentage of the total activity retained by mice at 24 hours, and the general distribution of radioactivity suggest that urethan is eventually hydrolyzed in vivo to carbon dioxide, ethyl alcohol, and ammonia. A mouse with advanced spontaneous mammary carcinoma has been observed to retain 36 per cent of the C 14 from methylene-labeled urethan at 24 hours, while normal controls retained but about 7.3 per cent of the same atom from this radioactive compound.