2-Amino-3-(methylamino)propanoic acid (BMAA) bioavailability in the primate.
2-Amino-3-(methylamino)-propanoic acid (BMAA) is a low potency excitatory amino acid present in the cycad plant that has been proposed as a factor in the high incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism dementia (ALS-PD) in the western Pacific region. We employed stable isotopic forms of BMAA to assess the oral bioavailability of this compound in cynomolgous monkeys (n = 3). The stable isotope labeled BMAA ([15N]-BMAA) was injected i.v. at the same time that the unlabeled compound was administered orally. Both forms of BMAA were then quantified in a 48h urine sample by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Following oral dosing, 80% of the administered BMAA was absorbed into the systemic circulation; thus, oral bioavailability was high and other routes of administration could not result in significantly higher circulating levels of BMAA for a given administered dose.
Duncan
M W
MW
Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Markey
S P
SP
Weick
B G
BG
Pearson
P G
PG
Ziffer
H
H
Hu
Y
Y
Kopin
I J
IJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008252:Macaca fascicularis
D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; C001824:beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine