ABSORPTION, METABOLISM AND DISTRIBUTION OF [14C]‐O‐METHYLDOPA AND [14C]‐l‐DOPA AFTER ORAL ADMINISTRATION TO RATS

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
1 The absorption, tissue distribution, and metabolism of [14C]-O-methyldopa were compared with those of [14C]-l-DOPA after oral administration to rats. 2 Total radioactivity in the plasma and brain of rats treated with [14C]-O-methyldopa was significantly higher (2 fold and 30–50 fold, respectively) than that of rats treated with [14C]-l-DOPA. 3 Total radioactivity in the gut washings and intestinal tissue 2 h after oral administration was significantly higher in rats treated with [14C]-l-DOPA than in rats treated with [14C]-O-methyldopa. The reverse was observed in the stomach tissues. 4 Peripheral metabolism of [14C]-O-methyldopa was much lower than that of [14C]-l-DOPA; the major metabolite of [14C]-O-methyldopa in the plasma is l-DOPA, whereas l-DOPA is mainly metabolized to phenylcarboxylic acids.