Acetaminophen mercapturate

Acetaminophen mercapturate is a metabolite of acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, which is commonly used as a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is formed when acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver and conjugated with glutathione, a tripeptide composed of cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. Acetaminophen mercapturate is excreted in urine and can be used as a biomarker to assess acetaminophen exposure and toxicity. Chemically, acetaminophen mercapturate is a conjugate of acetaminophen and cysteine. It has a molecular weight of 313.38 g/mol and a chemical formula of C14H19N3O6S. It is a white or off-white crystalline powder that is soluble in water and has a melting point of 177-179 °C. Acetaminophen mercapturate has been studied for its potential role in acetaminophen-induced liver injury. It has been suggested that the formation of acetaminophen mercapturate may reduce the amount of toxic acetaminophen metabolites in the liver, thereby protecting against liver damage. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved. Overall, acetaminophen mercapturate is an important biomarker for assessing acetaminophen exposure and may have potential therapeutic uses in the future.