Chemical Properties
Off-White Solid
Uses
antineoplastic; inhibitor DNA methylation
Uses
DL-Ethionine is used as a dietary supplement to accelerate cholangiocarcinogenesis in vivo. It is also used to induce oxidative stress in liver to study the levels and activities of anti-oxidative enzymes and compounds such as glutathione.
Definition
ChEBI: A non-proteinogenic alpha-amino acid that is methionine in which the S-methyl group is replaced by an S-ethyl group.
General Description
White crystalline flakes.
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
A synthetic thio-substituted amino acid.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: When heated to decomposition DL-ETHIONINE emits toxic fumes of NOx and SOx.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for DL-ETHIONINE are not available; however, DL-ETHIONINE is probably combustible.
Biochem/physiol Actions
DL-Ethionine is a racemic mixture of the anti-methylation agent L-Ethionine and its enantiomer D-Ethionine. DL-Ethionine is used as a dietary supplement to accelerate cholangiocarcinogenesis in vivo. DL-Ethionine is used to induce oxidative stress in liver to study the levels and activities of anti-oxidative enzymes and compounds such as glutathione.
Safety Profile
Mddly toxic by
ingestion and intraperitoneal routes.
Suspected carcinogen with experimental
carcinogenic and tumorigenic data. An
experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data
reported. When heated to decomposition it
emits toxic fumes of SOx and NOx.
