Summary
Nicotine-Δ1′(5′)-iminium ion, either as the diperchlorate or the hydrochloride, is rapidly converted into cotinine by a hepatic cytoplasmic enzyme. Incubations in an atmosphere of nitrogen indicated that the oxygen incorporated into cotinine is derived from water.
Following the intraperitoneal administration of nicotine-Δ1′(5′)-iminium ion to guinea pigs or rats, cotinine, and nicotine1′-N-oxide were found in the urine.
The results support the idea that nicotine-Δ1′(5′)-iminium ion is an intermediate in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to cotinine.
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Gorrod, J.W., Hibberd, A.R. The metabolism of nicotine-Δ1′(5′)-iminium ion,in vivo andin vitro . European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics 7, 293–298 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03189632
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03189632