Oxidation of desmethylpromethazine catalyzed by pig liver flavin-containing monooxygenase. Number and nature of metabolites.

Homogenous preparations of pig liver flavin-containing monooxygenase catalyze the oxidation of desmethylpromethazine to six distinct metabolites. The products, identified with the aid of chemically synthesized reference compounds, arise by N-oxygenation of the side-chain nitrogen and by S-oxygenation of the phenothiazine ring sulfur. Although kinetic constants (KM) differ somewhat for the R and S isomers, both are initially oxidized to either the desmethylpromethazine sulfoxide or a secondary hydroxylamine. All other metabolites detected are formed by further oxidation of the latter product. Reaction rates determined with intermediates indicate that the secondary hydroxylamine is oxidized to an oxime sulfoxide via the following intermediates: nitrone-->N-hydroxydidesmethylpromethazine-->oxime-->oxime sulfoxide. All of the steps, except for the hydrolysis of the nitrone, are enzymic, and the data presented demonstrate unambiguously for the first time that the oxidative steps in the metabolism of a secondary amine to the oxime are enzymic. In addition, sulfoxidation of desmethylpromethazine is the first demonstration that flavin-containing monooxygenase can catalyze sulfoxidation of a phenothiazine drug bearing a basic side-chain nitrogen.