Methylamines and Polyols in Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Urine, Liver, Brain, and Plasma

Methylamines and polyols are known to behave as organic osmolytes in the adaptation of many cells to hyperosmolar conditions. Using 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to analyze perchloric acid extracts we have examined several tissues in the rat for the presence of these compounds. Methylamines such as glycerophosphorylcholine, choline and betaine were observed in the renal inner medulla, urinary bladder, urine, liver, brain, and plasma. Myo-inositol was relatively abundant in the renal inner medulla and brain whereas sorbitol was detected only in the inner medulla. A variety of unidentified compounds was also detected in each tissue. Although these methylamines and polyols are known to respond to osmotic changes in the renal inner medulla, their responses in other tissues remain to be investigated.