Abstract
In rat brain slices, phenylethylamine derivatives were converted predominantly to acidic metabolites, whereas the β-hydroxylated derivatives (norepinephrine, normetanephrine and octopamine) were converted predominantly to neutral metabolites. Normetanephrine-H3 incubated with guinea-pig brain slices was converted mainly to 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, whereas normetanephrine incubated with liver slices was metabolized primarily to 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid. Studies comparing metabolism of i.v. and intracisternally injected normetanephrine indicate that reduction of the intermediate aldehyde is the predominant route of metabolism of β-hydroxylated phenylethylamine derivatives in vivo as well as in vitro in brain tissue.
Footnotes
- Received June 7, 1968.
- Accepted September 16, 1968.
- © 1969, by The Williams & Wilkins Company