Metabolism of the nitrofurans. II. Incubation of Furacin with mammalian tissues.

Furacin* (5-nitro-2-furaldehyde semicarbazone) is an antibacterial agent effective against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms (l-3). It has also been studied extensively, along with other nitrofurans, to determine its fate during metabolism in the body (4, 5). Certain of these nitrofurans having chemotherapeutic activity partially withstand metabolic breakdown in the body and are excreted in the urine (4). To extend further the metabolic studies on the nitrofurans, information was sought on the site and mechanism of breakdown of Furacin in the body. Preliminary incubation studies on Furacin with various body tissues are reported in this paper. The studies on intestinal tissue received emphasis because of their significance in connection with concurrent work on the Furacin-xanthine oxidase system (6).