IDENTIFICATION OF A MAJOR SELENIUM EXCRETORY PRODUCT IN RAT URINE

1. 1. Very few organic metabolites of selenium have been identified from mammalian systems. The objective of this study was to isolate selenium-containing metabolites from rat urine. 2. 2. A new selenium metabolite was isolated from the urine of rats injected with [75Se]selenite. The metabolite was identified as a trimethylselenonium ion. Infrared spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, cocrystallizaton data and cochromatography data confirm the identity of the metabolite. 3. 3. Substantial amounts of trimethylselenonium ion (30-50% of urinary selenium per 24 h) are excreted after a single injected dose of selenite. It is a normal excretory product of selenite selenium. © 1969.