Identification of metabolites of 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil (FT-207) formed in vitro by rat liver microsomes.

Abstract
Four metabolites of the antitumor agent 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil, formed in vitro by rat liver microsomes, were isolated by thin-layer chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography. On the basis of mass spectrometry, 1H-NMR spectral analysis, and comparison with authentic samples, these metabolites were identified as 1-(trans-4-hydroxytetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil, 1-(cis-4-hydroxytetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil, 1-(trans-3-hydroxytetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil and 1-(4, 5-dehydrotetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil. These metabolites were also found in the plasma and urine of rats after administration of 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil.