Reaction of Cysteine and Glutathione with Derivatives of Many Sympathomimetic Amines

Abstract

THE mechanism of the reactions between cysteine and glutathione and oxidation products of epinephrine and norepinephrine^1,2 in vitro has remained obscure. Examination of the reactions between these sulphydryl substances and derivatives of the many Sympathomimetic compounds³ other than the catecholamines promised to clarify the subject. Because it oxidized almost all the Sympathomimetic amines to pink compounds⁴, hydrogen peroxide was used to examine the Sympathomimetic amine–SH group reaction. For nearly every Sympathomimetic substance, the presence of hydrogen peroxide and cysteine or glutathione led to the rapid formation of a yellow solution. Further investigation disclosed that the phenyl ring was necessary for the appearance of the yellow colour.