The hepatotoxicity of thiobenzamide-S-oxide

Administration of thiobenzamide (TB) (0.18 mmol/100 g b.w.) to rats caused the appearance in serum and urine of a compound identified as thiobenzamide-S-oxide. When synthesized and given by oral administration, this compound induced the early appearance of liver centrilobular necrosis, impairment of glucose-6-phosphatase and aminopyrine demethylase activities, and diminished cytochrome P-450 content. Liver necrosis was suppressed by the prior administration of 20-methylcholanthrene. It is concluded that TB-S-oxide is involved, possibly as a proximate precursor, in TB-induced liver damage.