Evaluation of 13N-amines as tracers.

The organ distribution and the metabolic fate of the 13N-amines 13N-beta-phenethylamine, 13N-n-octylamine, and 13N-3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine, were studied in detail. After administration 13N-amines were rapidly transferred to tissues and oxidized by MAO. 13N-ammonia formed thereby was converted into amino acids (mainly glutamine by glutamine synthetase) and trapped. 13N-amines were found to be potential metabolic trapping tracers for the study of disposition and metabolism of amines.