Hepatotoxicity of α-naphthylisothiocyanate congeners with particular emphasis on phenylisothiocyanate

Abstract

A structure-action study of compounds related to the hepatotoxic agent, α-naphthylisothiocyanate indicates that an aryl compound of planar configuration with a substituent radical containing N, C, and S are the probable necessary conditions for production of hyperbilirubinemia. Of sixteen congeners, only one, phenylisothiocyanate, was found to exhibit this action. Phenylisothiocyanate qualitatively and quantitatively affects liver function in mice in the same manner as α-naphthylisothiocyanate, as shown by increases in plasma bilirubin and sulfobromophthalein retention. The effects of a single oral treatment with phenylisothiocyanate persist for about 10 days. This action is similar to that of α-naphthylisothiocyanate. Effects due to phenylisothiocyanate treatment develop more slowly than effects due to α-naphthylisothiocyanate treatment.