The metabolism of dopamine in the blood of ruminant animals: Formation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. C, Comparative pharmacology Vol. 86; no. 1; pp. 151 - 155
• Main Author: Sharman, D.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 1987; New York, NY Pergamon Press
• Subjects: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid - analogs & derivatives; 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid - blood; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biotransformation; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Dopamine - blood; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Monoamine Oxidase - blood; Oxidation-Reduction; Peripheral nervous system. Autonomic nervous system. Neuromuscular transmission. Ganglionic transmission. Electric organ; Phenylacetates - blood; Phenylethyl Alcohol - analogs & derivatives; Phenylethyl Alcohol - blood; Ruminants - blood; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Dopamine; Ruminant animal; Biogenic amine; Neurotransmitter; Sheep; Artiodactyla; Catecholamine; Metabolism; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0306-4492; 0742-8413
• DOI: 10.1016/0742-8413(87)90158-7

1. A stable derivative of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) has been prepared that yields a solution of the parent aldehyde when dissolved in 1 M-hydrochloric acid. 2. Dopamine, when injected into the bloodstream of a sheep, is metabolized to DOPAL which is then converted to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol by aldehyde reductase activity associated with the cellular components of the blood, most probably the erythrocytes. 3. In vitro, dopamine is metabolized by ruminant blood plasma to DOPAL, not to DOPET as previously reported. 4. Dopamine is as good a substrate for sheep plasma amine oxidase as benzylamine. 5. The plasma amine oxidase of ruminant animals could be a protection against the effects of dopamine released from the mast cells in these species.