METABOLIC RELEASE OF METHYL GROUPS FROM A SERIES OF N-METHYLPYRIDINIUM COMPOUNDS.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH the capacity of the mammalian organism to N-methylate pyridine compounds and thus deprive itself of ‘labile methyl groups1’ is well known and forms an ever-extending list2,3, the capacity for demethylation of the resultant compounds is less understood. Early nutritional investigations have indicated4 that N1-methylnicotinamide has lipotropic properties. This has led to the suggestion that methylation of nicotinamide is reversible under certain conditions, thus affording a biological conservation of methyl groups.