VANILLINSÄURE ALS ENDPRODUKT DES ABBAUES VON ADRENALIN UND NORADRENALIN

Abstract

Incubation of homogenates of rat liver or human liver with D,L-3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-mandelic acid yielded 3 diazopositive compounds. In addition to the starting material, vanillic acid could be isolated by means of column chromatography. It was identified by the shape of its crystals, micro melting point, mixed melting point, UV- and IR-spectra, and paper chromatography in 3 different solvent systems. The third substance has not yet been identified. Since acid hydrolysis does not result in any cleavage a conjugate can be ruled out. The yield of vanillic acid was about 12 per cent with rat liver, 3 per cent with post mortem liver and 7-8 per cent with liver obtained at operation. Vanillic acid is not further metabolized by liver homogenates and can also be considered as the final metabolite of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the human liver.