Identification of the urinary metabolites of tacrine in the rat.
Tacrine (THA) is a potent cholinesterase inhibitor being studied for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The metabolism and excretion of THA were studied in rats following a single oral dose of 20 mg/kg of THA. The results show THA was extensively metabolized in rats after oral administration. Three major urinary metabolites were isolated by HPLC on a semi-prep analytical phenyl column, and subsequent purification of the individual fractions on a semi-prep analytical cyano column. The major metabolic pathways involve the hydroxylation of the saturated ring at positions 1, 2, and 4. The structures of the metabolites 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-1-ol (1-OH-THA), 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-2-ol (2-OH-THA), and 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-4-ol (4-OH-THA) were determined by electron impact mass spectrometry and/or 1H-NMR, and compared with synthetic references. The urinary excretion of THA and metabolites was quantitated by HPLC with UV detection. About 60% of the oral dose was eliminated as total THA, 1-OH-THA, 2-OH-THA, and 4-OH-THA over a 48-hr collection interval; and the non-conjugated THA and hydroxylated metabolites accounted for 45% of the dose.
Hsu
R S
RS
Chemical Research Department, Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals.
Shutske
G M
GM
Dileo
E M
EM
Chesson
S M
SM
Linville
A R
AR
Allen
R C
RC
D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006900:Hydroxylation; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012015:Reference Standards; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013619:Tacrine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*
D013619:Tacrine