PREFERENTIAL S-SULFONATE FORMATION IN LUNG AND AORTA

S-sulfonate (S-SO3-) compounds have previously been identified as metabolites of sulfite m the plasma of several species of mammals [6-8]. We now report the formation of non-diffusible and relatively stable S-sulfonates in the aorta and lung lobes of rabbits exposed intravenously to constant arterial sulfite concentrations of approx. 550 μM. Under these conditions the kinetics of S-SO3- formation were first order with coefficients in the range of 0.3-0.4 h-1 and asymptotic concentrations of approx. 900 and 9000 nmol S-SO3-/g dry wt. of lung and aorta respectively. The kinetics of this reaction in aorta tissue were closely approximated in vitro. Clearance of S-SO3- from both lungs and aorta appeared to be first order with a half-life of 2-3 days. © 1979.