GAMMA-GLUTAMYL DOPA AND GAMMA-GLUTAMYL DOPAMINE - EFFECT ON PLASMA-GLUCOSE LEVELS

γ-Glutamyl-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (γ-glutamyl DOPA) and γ-glutamyldopamine (γ-glutamyl DA) are kidney specific prodrugs. Their effect on plasma glucose levels in the rat was compared to that of L-DOPA and dopamine (DA) after a 30 min intravenous infusion. L-DOPA and DA induced hyperglycemia after 15 min of drug infusion. A more marked and protracted elevation of plasma glucose was observed after infusion of γ-glutamyl DA. By contrast γ-glutamyl DOPA had no effect on plasma glucose levels in spite of the high accumulation of DA in the pancreas after this prodrug. Of the various dopamine prodrugs studied only γ-glutamyl DOPA was not hyperglycemic in doses that are known to increase renal plasma flow in the rat. A simplified new procedure for the snynthesis of γ-glutamyl DA is described. © 1979.