Relative Lack of Pharmacologic Action of 3-Methoxy Analogue of Norepinephrine.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown O-methylation at the 3-position to be a major metabolic pathway of norepinephrine. The present studies were undertaken to determine the degree to which this O-methylation alters the physiological actions of norepinephrine. Neuropharmacological studies in anesthetized and in unanesthetized cats, and studies of circulatory and psychological effects in man showed that the 3-methoxy analog of norepinephrine possessed none of the characteristic actions of the parent substance. These results suggest that O-methylation at the 3-position is an effective means of inactivating norepinephrine.