IDENTIFICATION OF 4-O-METHYLDOPAMINE IN RAT-TISSUES BY REVERSED-PHASE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

Identification of 4-O-methyldopamine in rat tissues by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. 4-O-Methyldopamine was identified and assayed in tissues from l-dopa treated rats by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The initial steps in the separation of catecholamines were performed by alumine, a weak cation-exchange resin, and thin-layer chromatographic techniques. After L-[3H] dopa administration, the radiochromatogram was superimposed on the fluorochromatogram obtained with authentic marker 4-O-methyldopamine. This metabolite was detected in kidney but not in brain. The 4-O-methyldopamine:3-O-methyldopamine ratio was 0.032 in kidney. The influence of various treatments on this ratio was investigated. A 160% increase was found after l-dopa administration. This effect was potentiated by nialamide pretreatment (550% increase). © 1979.