Metabolic Fate of N6‐Benzyladenosine and N6-Benzyladenosine-5′-phosphate in Rats

• Published in: Journal of pharmaceutical sciences 1979-08, Vol.68 (8), p.1054-1056
• Main Authors: Chheda, G.B., Mittelman, A., Hong, C.I., Gurwara, S.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine - analogs & derivatives; Adenosine - metabolism; Adenosine - urine; Adenosine Monophosphate - analogs & derivatives; Adenosine Monophosphate - metabolism; Adenosine Monophosphate - urine; Animals; Antineoplastic agents-benzyladenosine; Antineoplastic agents—benzyladenosine, metabolism, rats; Benzyl Compounds - metabolism; Benzyl Compounds - urine; Benzyladenosine phosphate-metabolism; Benzyladenosine phosphate—metabolism, rats; Benzyladenosine-metabolism; Benzyladenosine—metabolism, rats; Carbon Radioisotopes; Chromatography, Paper; Feces - analysis; Male; metabolism; Rats; Tissue Distribution
• ISSN: 0022-3549; 1520-6017
• DOI: 10.1002/jps.2600680836

The radiolabeled antitumor nucleoside (14C‐8)‐N6‐benzyladenosine and its (14C‐8)‐5′‐phosphate were administered to rats intravenously, and their metabolic fate was studied. Twenty‐nine percent of the radioactivity was recovered in the 48‐hr urine collection after (14C‐8)‐N6‐benzyladenosine administration. The following metabolites were isolated: unchangedN6‐benzyladenosine (20%), adenine (12%), uric acid (5%), andN6‐benzyladenine (0.3%). In the case of (14C‐8)‐N6‐benzyladenosine‐5′‐phosphate, a total of 28% of the radioactivity was recovered in the 48‐hr urine collection and the following metabolites were isolated:N6‐benzyladenosine (40%), uric acid (12%), adenine (trace), and unidentified urea derivatives (30%). Metabolism ofN6‐benzyladenosine appears to involveN‐debenzylation to some extent, followed by conversion to adenine and uric acid.N6‐Benzyladenosine and its 5′‐phosphate differ from other adenosine analogs in being retained in significant amounts by the animals.