Quantitative investigation on the urinary excretion and metabolism of 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamine in schizophrenics and normal individuals
Hempel, K.; Ullrich, H.; Philippu, G.
Biological Psychiatry 17(1): 49-59
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-3223 PMID: 7059639 Document Number: 187262
A quantitative method for the detection of DMPEA 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine in urine was developed. It is based on the fluorometric determination of DMPEA in the form of its phosphopyridoxyl derivate. The limit of detection is 2 .mu.g DMPEA/1 g creatinine. The DMPEA content was measured in urine from healthy persons, from schizophrenics and from psychiatric patients without schizophrenia hospitalized with the schizophrenics. From each person five to ten 24-h urine samples were investigated. DMPEA could be found neither in schizophrenics nor in controls or healthy persons. The urinary excretion of parenterally applied 14C-DMPEA was determined in 3 healthy volunteers and in 3 rats. In man .apprx. 25% of the label was excreted as DMPEA. The main metabolite in urine was homoveratric acid. Both compounds were excreted as conjugates.