BIOTRANSFORMATION OF MORPHINE TO DIHYDROMORPHINONE AND NORMORPHINE IN MOUSE, RAT, RABBIT, GUINEA-PIG, CAT, DOG, AND MONKEY

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (4) , 335-342
Abstract
Biotransformation of morphine to dihydromorphinone and normorphine was studied in several mammalian species. Free and total dihydromorphinone, morphine and normorphine in the urine were determined, as propionyl derivatives, with a gas-chromatographic technique. Dihydromorphinone was detected as a morphine metabolite in acid-hydrolyzed urine of all species studied except the dog and morphine-dependent man. Normorphine in free and conjugated forms was detected in all urine studied. Degree of biotransformation of morphine sulfate, 25 mg/kg, daily for 28 days. Small amounts of dihydromorphinone and normorphine produced as metabolites make it unlikely that they play any significant role in modification of morphine''s pharmacologic effects.