The disposition of sodium 4-[(3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)propyl)sulfonyl]-gamma-o xo benzenebutanoate (L-648,051) was determined in rats and dogs. L-648,051 is a potent receptor antagonist for leukotriene D4 and is potentially useful in the treatment of asthma and other allergic disorders. After a dosage of 10 mg/kg iv, L-648,051 declined rapidly with a half-life of approximately 2 min in rat and dog plasma. Although the compound was well absorbed, it exhibited poor bioavailability due to efficient first-pass metabolism. In rats receiving 25, 50, and 150 mg/kg po, bioavailabilities were 0.5, 4.8, and 38.7%, respectively. In dogs, bioavailability of 10 and 50 mg/kg po was 0 and 23%, respectively. Two metabolites were identified, 4-[(3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)propyl)sulfonyl-gamma- hydroxybenzenebutanoic acid (metabolite I), formed by ketoreduction, and 4-[(3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)propyl)sulfonyl] benzeneacetic acid (metabolite II) formed by catabolic oxidation of the butanoic acid moiety of L-648,051. Ketoreduction resulted in the production of a chiral center and two enantiomers of metabolite I. In vitro studies suggest that rat erythrocytes formed the (+)-enantiomer exclusively. When L-648,051 was administered orally or iv to rats, both the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers were observed in the plasma. The data suggest that either two L-648,051 ketoreductases were present or that inversion of the hydroxyl stereocenter of metabolite I occurred.