MORE ACIDIC METABOLITES OF DELTA-1-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL ISOLATED FROM RABBIT URINE

The in vivo metabolism of Δ1‐trahydrocannabinol (Δ1‐THC) was further investigated in the rabbit after i.v. administration. Nine acidic metabolites were isolated from a previously not investigated fraction of the urine and identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The major metabolites were side‐chain hydroxylated monocarboxylic acids. Three side‐chain monocarboxylic acids hydroxylated in allylic positions in the isoprene moiety were also characterized. The metabolites 4″‐hydroxy‐Δ1‐THC‐7‐oic acid and 7‐hydroxy‐4”,5″‐bisnor‐Δ1‐THC‐3”‐oic acid were hitherto not identified. An earlier described dicarboxylic metabolite was present in high concentration. Further, the identity of an O‐glucuronide as an in vivo urinary metabolite of Δ1‐THC was here for the first time unambiguously established by m.s. and p.m.r. 1979 Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain