Abstract

PIP: Studies on metabolism of prostaglandin E2 in man have led to the identification of a dicarboxylic acid as a major urinary metabolite. This study examiens the structure of urinary metabolites of PGF2 alpha in man. Female subjects were injected intravenously with radioactive PGF2 alpha (35 mcg, 200 mcCi/mcmole) and unlabeled PGF2 alpha. Urine samples were collected and processed as described. Gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to analyze the C values of the derivatives. The structures of the different derivatives are described. A metabolite of the PGF2 alpha is shown to correspond to a metabolite formed from PGE2. The metabolites were found to differ only in the functional group at C-5. Further studies on the structure of the remaining urinary metabolites of PGF2 alpha are being conducted in the authors' laboratory.