m-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid formation from L-dopa in man: suppression by neomycin.

Abstract

The increased excretion of m-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the urine of patients with parkinsonism being treated with L-dopa was reduced by gut sterilization with neomycin. The p-de-hydroxylation step is thus brought about solely by the action of gut flora; the pathway is unlikely to be involved in the events within the brain leading to the therapeutic benefit effected by L-dopa.

• Authors: M Sandler, F Karoum, C R Ruthven, D B Calne
• Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.) (Science) Vol. 166 Issue 3911 Pg. 1417-8 (Dec 12 1969) ISSN: 0036-8075 [Print] United States
• PMID: 5350345 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Phenylacetates
• Dihydroxyphenylalanine
• Neomycin

Topics

• Dihydroxyphenylalanine (metabolism)
• Humans
• Intestines (microbiology)
• Neomycin (administration & dosage)
• Parkinson Disease (drug therapy, metabolism, urine)
• Phenylacetates (urine)