A. Booth, M. S. Masri, D. J. Robbins
Nov 1, 1959
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1
Influential Citations
99
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Journal
The Journal of biological chemistry
Abstract
The discovery in this laboratory that 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl compounds such as caffeic acid and 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)n-alanine undergo 0-methylation as well as dehydroxylation in the animal body (1) has been confirmed by others (2-4). We are not aware of any reports of monohydroxyphenyl compounds undergoing either of these metabolic changes. The question is raised as to what the metabolic fate would be of trihydroxyphenyl compounds such as gallic (3,4,5trihydroxybenzoic) and 2,3,4trihydroxybenzoic acids. According to a report by Tompsett (5)) the pyrogallol detected in human urine was probably derived from gallic acid by decarboxylation in the alimentary tract. In a subsequent report this worker presented evidence that oral ingestion of tannic acid by man leads to an increased excretion of both 3,4-dihydroxyphenolic and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenolic compounds (4). Interest in the metabolic fate of gallic acid also stems from its natural occurrence in foods, the use of propyl gallate as an antioxidant in fats and oils, and the earlier use of tannic acid in the treatment of burns (6). In the present study it will be shown gallic acid and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic major metabolitcs in the urine of rats and compounds.