3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol
Names
IUPAC name
1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) ethane-1,2-diol
Other names
MHPG
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
KEGG
MeSH Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C9H12O4/c1-13-9-4-6(8(12)5-10)2-3-7(9)11/h2-4,8,10-12H,5H2,1H3 checkY
    Key: FBWPWWWZWKPJFL-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C9H12O4/c1-13-9-4-6(8(12)5-10)2-3-7(9)11/h2-4,8,10-12H,5H2,1H3
    Key: FBWPWWWZWKPJFL-UHFFFAOYAR
  • COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(CO)O)O
  • Oc1ccc(cc1OC)C(O)CO
Properties
C9H12O4
Molar mass 184.18918
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG, MOPEG) is a metabolite of norepinephrine degradation. In the brain, it is the principal norepinephrine metabolite. It is released into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid,[1] and a blood sample of it may therefore be an indication of recent sympathetic nervous system activity.

Low levels of MHPG in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid are associated with anorexia nervosa and pathological gambling, indicating that norepinephrine may play a role in these behaviors.[2]

Norepinephrine degradation. 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol is shown at right. Enzymes are shown in boxes.[3]

References

  1. ^ Increase in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4- hydroxyphenylglycol in acute stroke T Kanda, K Azuma, F Sakai and Y Tazaki. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan.
  2. ^ "Pharmacologic Approaches to the Treatment of Pathological Gambling". Mental Health eJournal. 1998;3(3). Medscape.
  3. ^ Figure 11-4 in: Rod Flower; Humphrey P. Rang; Maureen M. Dale; Ritter, James M. (2007). Rang & Dale's pharmacology. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0-443-06911-6.
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