Phenylpyruvic acid may be a direct precursor of mandelic acid without intermediate transamination of phenylalanine.
A series of compounds related to phenylalanine was administered to rats. Output of mandelic acid, a major but unexplained metabolite in phenylketonuria, was increased after the administration of phenylethanolamine or phenylpyruvic acid, whereas phenylethylamine or phenylalanine increased its excretion only marginally. Phenylacetic acid, previously suggested as a possible precursor in man, was almost without effect. It seems likely that mandelic acid can be formed from phenylpyruvic acid directly, without intermediate transamination to phenylalanine.
Godwin
B L
BL
Department of Chemical Pathology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, U.K.
Ruthven
C R
CR
Sandler
M
M
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008333:Mandelic Acids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010667:Phenylpyruvic Acids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D008333:Mandelic Acids; D010627:Phenethylamines; D010667:Phenylpyruvic Acids; D010649:Phenylalanine; C037938:mandelic acid; C031606:phenylpyruvic acid