METABOLISM OF EXOGENOUS MELATONIN IN SCHIZOPHRENIC AND NON-SCHIZOPHRENIC VOLUNTEERS

The metabolism of [β-14C]melatonin has been studied in three schizophrenic and two non-schizophrenic patients. The general pattern of metabolism was found to be similar to that in rats, the major metabolic products being the sulfate and glucuronide conjugates of 6-hydroxymelatonin. Some free 6-hydroxymelatonin was also excreted together with an unidentified acidic metabolite. 6-Hydroxymelatonin and its O-sufhate conjugate were identified by comparison with the authentic compounds. The number of cases studied is too small to permit any significant comparisons to be made but there may be a somewhat higher excretion of the minor acidic metabolite by the three schizophrenic patients than by the two non-schizophrenic patients. © 1969.