Study of metabolism of psychotomimetic indolealkylamines by rat tissue extracts using liquid chromatography.

Using liquid chromatography techniques, metabolites of the psychotomimetic compounds N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine were separated and characterized after incubation with rat tissue extracts. In liver, kidney, and brain extracts, metabolic routes included oxidative deamination, N-demethylation, O-demethylation, and N-oxidation. The quantitative importance of each route was assessed using N,N-dimethyltryptamine as a substrate.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The use of a series of liquid chromatographic techniques involving cation-exchange, reverse-phase and normal-phase chromatography has permitted the separation and characterisation of a number of metabolites of the psychotomimetic indolealkylamines N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine which were isolated following incubation of these compounds with rat tissue extracts. In liver, kidney and brain tissue extracts the routes of metabolism identified included oxidative deamination, N-demethylation, O-demethylation and N-oxidation. The quantitative significance of individual routes of metabolism in these tissues was assessed using N,N-dimethyltryptamine as a substrate.