Metabolism of the psychotomimetic tryptamine derivative 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine in humans: identification and quantification of its urinary metabolites

Drug Metab Dispos. 2006 Feb;34(2):281-7. doi: 10.1124/dmd.105.005835. Epub 2005 Nov 9.

Abstract

The urinary metabolites of 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT) in humans have been investigated by analyzing urine specimens from its users. For the unequivocal identification and accurate quantification of its major metabolites, careful analyses were conducted by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, using authentic standards of each metabolite synthesized. Three major metabolic pathways were revealed as follows: 1) side chain degradation by O-demethylation to form 5-hydroxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-OH-DIPT), which would be partly conjugated to its sulfate and glucuronide; 2) direct hydroxylation on position 6 of the aromatic ring of 5-MeO-DIPT, and/or methylation of the hydroxyl group on position 5 after hydroxylation on position 6 of the aromatic ring of 5-OH-DIPT, to produce 6-hydroxy-5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (6-OH-5-MeO-DIPT), followed by conjugation to its sulfate and glucuronide; and 3) side chain degradation by N-deisopropylation, to the corresponding secondary amine 5-methoxy-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-NIPT). Of these metabolites, which retain structural characteristics of the parent drug, 5-OH-DIPT and 6-OH-5-MeO-DIPT were found to be more abundant than 5-MeO-NIPT. Although the parent drug 5-MeO-DIPT was detectable even 35 h after dosing, no trace of its N-oxide was detected in any of the specimens examined.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5-Methoxytryptamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • 5-Methoxytryptamine / metabolism
  • 5-Methoxytryptamine / poisoning
  • 5-Methoxytryptamine / urine
  • Adult
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Dementia / chemically induced
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Hallucinogens / metabolism*
  • Hallucinogens / poisoning
  • Hallucinogens / urine
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine
  • 5-Methoxytryptamine