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. 1986 Jun;83(12):4566–4567. doi: 10.1073/pnas.83.12.4566

Presence and formation of codeine and morphine in the rat.

J Donnerer, K Oka, A Brossi, K C Rice, S Spector
PMCID: PMC323775  PMID: 3459191

Abstract

Endogenous codeine and morphine were identified in rat brain by immunological determination following HPLC. To demonstrate occurrence of a biosynthetic pathway to morphine in mammals similar to that used by the poppy plant, (+)-salutaridine, (-)-thebaine, and (-)-codeine were administered to rats intravenously. These compounds, which are intermediates in the synthesis of morphine in Papaver somniferum, caused a marked increase in the codeine and morphine levels in rat tissues. This provides evidence for a biosynthetic pathway to morphine in mammalians.

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Selected References

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