title: beta-Glucuronide and sulfate conjugation of scopolamine and glycopyrrolate.
abstract: The metabolism of scopolamine and glycopyrrolate was studied in 11 healthy parturients undergoing cesarean section. After a single intramuscular injection of scopolamine (5 micrograms/kg, n = 7) or glycopyrrolate (6 micrograms/kg, n = 4), the concentrations of the drugs in the urine were determined up to 8-12 h using a radioreceptor assay. This assay measures scopolamine and glycopyrrolate with their possible active metabolites. The effect of beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase incubation on the drug concentrations was also studied. The concentrations of scopolamine and/or its active metabolites were on the average 7 times higher after incubation indicating that beta-glucuronide or sulfate conjugation is an important metabolic pathway for scopolamine. On the contrary, the glycopyrrolate concentrations increased only slightly between 1 and 3 hours after the drug injection. Thus, beta-glucuronide or sulfate conjugation plays only a minor part in the metabolism of glycopyrrolate.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Turku, Finland.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Kentala
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kaila
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Ali-Melkkilä
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kanto
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006024:Glycopyrrolate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D011247:Pregnancy; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D013429:Sulfatases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012601:Scopolamine; D013429:Sulfatases; D005966:Glucuronidase; D006024:Glycopyrrolate