The Metabolism of Ouabain in the Rat

Abstract

The urinary and biliary excretion of ouabain by rats has been estimated by paper chromatographic, colorimetric and biological methods of assay. After a dose of 1 μg./g., ouabain was excreted to the extent of approximately 90 per cent in bile and 4 per cent in urine. No metabolites of ouabain retaining the unsaturated lactone ring could be detected at this dose, but after extremely high doses traces of such metabolites were present. The influence of the polarity of the molecule on its excretion is discussed.