title: Presence and formation of codeine and morphine in the rat.
abstract: Endogenous codeine and morphine were identified in rat brain by immunological determination following HPLC. To demonstrate occurrence of a biosynthetic pathway to morphine in mammals similar to that used by the poppy plant, (+)-salutaridine, (-)-thebaine, and (-)-codeine were administered to rats intravenously. These compounds, which are intermediates in the synthesis of morphine in Papaver somniferum, caused a marked increase in the codeine and morphine levels in rat tissues. This provides evidence for a biosynthetic pathway to morphine in mammalians.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Donnerer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brossi
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spector
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003061:Codeine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine; D003061:Codeine