S-(1,2-Dichlorovinyl)-cysteine (hydrochloride) is a nephrotoxin and metabolite of trichloroethylene.1,2,3 It is formed via a dichlorovinyl glutathione intermediate and its subsequent cleavage by dipeptidase.1 S-(1,2-Dichlorovinyl)-cysteine (hydrochloride) (1 mM) is cytotoxic to isolated human renal proximal tubule cells. It increases urine levels of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, total protein, and glucose in rabbits when administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg.2 S-(1,2-Dichlorovinyl)-cysteine (hydrochloride) induces renal necrosis and lethality in rats (LD50s = 66-83 mg/kg).3
1.Cummings, B.S., and Lash, L.H.Metabolism and toxicity of trichloroethylene and S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine in freshly isolated human proximal tubular cellsToxicol. Sci.53(2)458-466(2000) 2.Davis, J.W., Blakeman, D.P., Jolly, R.A., et al.S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine-induced nephrotoxicity in the New Zealand white rabbit: Characterization of proteinuria and examination of the potential role of oxidative injuryToxicol. Pathol.23(4)487-497(1995) 3.Terracini, B., and Parker, V.H.A pathological study on the toxicity of S-dichlorovinyl-?-cysteine Food Cosmet. Toxicol.367-74(1965)