title: Identification and quantification of 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid in human urine.
abstract: A putative pineal metabolite, 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid, was quantified in human urine by a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method. Excretion of 4.77 +/- 2.25 microgram/day (mean +/- SD) was consistent from each of three normal subjects over 2-4 weeks. Excretion did not vary with regard to menstrual cycle. The daily pattern of excretion bore no relationship to that of 6-hydroxymelatonin, the major metabolite of melatonin, indicating that the major portion of urinary 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid does not derive from melatonin.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higa
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Markey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C001736:5-methoxyindoleacetic acid; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D008550:Melatonin; C012365:6-hydroxymelatonin