Distribution and Metabolism of H³‐atropine in Mice

Abstract

Abstract The distribution of tritium labelled atropine in the mouse has been studied with whole body autoradiography. The proportions of unchanged atropine in different tissues were established with paper chromatography. It was found that H 3 ‐atropine is rapidly taken up by the iris and ciliary body, the lung, salivary glands and certain endocrine glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreatic islets and adrenal medulla. It is also rapidly accumulated in the secretory epithelium of the stomach and secreted into the lumen. Except for the choroid plexus and epiphysis very low concentrations of radioactivity are present in the brain. Very little passed the placenta barrier into the foetus. Although atropine is extensively metabolized in the mouse almost all the radioactivity present in submandibular gland and stomach was in the form of unchanged atropine.