Utilization of 35S from radioactive methionine or sulfate in the detoxification of cyanide by rats.

Weanling rats were fed a semipurified diet based on 10% casein and 1,500 ppm potassium cyanide. The diet was supplemented with varying levels of DL-methionine and/or potassium sulfate such that all diets were iso-sulfurous except for the basal which had no additional sulfur. The animals were fed for 2 weeks after which half of the rats in all groups except the basal were used in a radioactive study. Urine was collected and analyzed for thiocyanate. Animals which received labeled methionine were more efficient in producing labeled thiocyanate than those which received labeled sodium sulfate, although the latter did contribute to the detoxification of cyanide. Increases due to additional methionine were larger for weight gain, feed consumption, and urinary and plasma thiocyanate than with supplemental sulfate.