Episodic release of methane bubbles from peatland during spring thaw.

Methane (CH(4)) flux into the atmosphere during spring thaw was investigated in a small ombrotrophic peatland (141 degrees 48'E, 43 degrees 19'N, Japan) using the conventional chamber method. More than 50 chamber deployments on top of the snow cover were carried out and continued for more than 165h until the surface snow and underlying ice cover on top of the peat layer had thawed completely. Methane emissions were almost absent in the presence of snow cover. At the very moment the surface ice cover thawed, a large CH(4) flush (>10mgCH(4)m(-2)h(-1)) was recorded, which was on the same order of magnitude as episodic ebullition previously observed in the high-summer. Gas bubbles trapped in the ice layer on top of the waterlogged peat were preliminarily analyzed for the volumetric percentage in the total ice volume and their gas species compositions. Results showed that the bubbles occupied about 3.2% volume and that the mixing ratio of CH(4) in the bubbles was about 20%. The abundance of the bubble-form CH(4) was sufficient to explain the observed episodic CH(4) release during the thaw. Results of this study show that CH(4) emissions during the thaw season have great temporal variability; emission occurs as an episodic release of bubble-form CH(4) stored in the frozen layer. The results also imply the possibility that gas-phase CH(4) plays an important role, not only during the growing season but also in cold-season CH(4) dynamics in northern peatlands.

Identification of rat faecal metabolites of ebastine by B/E linked scanning liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry.

The identification of rat faecal metabolites of a new antihistaminic agent, ebastine, 4'-tert-butyl-4-[4-(diphenylmethoxy)piperidino]butyrophenone, is presented. After oral administration of (14C)ebastine (20 mg kg-1) to rats, 84% of the radioactive dose was excreted in the 24 h faeces. Unchanged drug and five metabolites were isolated from the faeces by thin-layer chromatography and solid-phase extraction, and their structures were identified by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry using the B/E linked scanning technique. The main metabolic pathways were oxidation of a terminal methyl group to give the hydroxymethyl and carboxyl derivatives, and hydroxylation of a phenyl ring in the diphenylmethoxy moiety. In addition to the oxidative mechanism, metabolism of ebastine involved sulphate conjugation. It is noteworthy that M-4, having both phenolic and alcoholic hydroxyl groups, was sulphated selectively in the latter position.

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of [14C]ebastine after a single administration in rats.

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of ebastine (4'-tert-butyl-4-[4-(diphenylmethoxy)piperidino]butyrophenone, LAS-90, CAS 90729-43-4), a novel antihistamine, were investigated with 14C-labeled compound in rats after a single oral or intravenous administration, in comparison with [14C]carebastine, an active metabolite of ebastine. After intravenous administration of [14C]ebastine at 2 mg/kg, the plasma level of radioactivity decreased biphasically with alpha-phase half-life (t1/2 alpha) of 1.6 h and beta-phase half-life (t1/2 beta) of 3.1 h. After administration of [14C]carebastine, a similar plasma level-time profile was observed with t1/2 alpha of 0.7 h and t1/2 beta of 2.1 h. Following oral administration of [14C]ebastine at a dose of 2 mg/kg, the plasma level reached the maximum (Cmax) of 102 ng eq./ml at 2 h and decreased monophasically with t1/2 of 3.9 h. At 20 mg/kg, a monophasic decrease was also observed with Cmax of 1110 ng eq./ml at 4 h and with t1/2 of 4.0 h. After oral administration of [14C]carebastine at 2 mg/kg, the plasma level reached Cmax of 129 ng eq/ml at 2 h, followed by a monophasic decrease with t1/2 of 2.9 h. Half-lives after administration of [14C]ebastine were somewhat longer than those after administration of [14C]carebastine. The level of [14C]ebastine radioactivity in the liver was about 36 times higher, and in kidney, mesenteric lymph nodes, lung, adrenal, submaxillary gland or pancreas 2-4 times higher than in plasma at 2 h after oral administration. The brain level was lower than the reliable limit of measurement. Other tissue levels were similar to or lower than plasma level. Radioactivity in most tissues decreased essentially in parallel with that in plasma. In pregnant rats, [14C]ebastine radioactivity level in fetus was about 1/4 of the maternal plasma level 1 h after administration. In lactating rats, milk levels of [14C]ebastine radioactivity were similar to maternal plasma levels over 8 h. Serum protein binding of [14C]ebastine was more than 99.8%. After intravenous administration of [14C]ebastine, about 6% of the dose was excreted in the urine and about 93% in the feces. Similar results were observed after oral administration at 0.2, 2 and 20 mg/kg. Following administration of [14C]carebastine, the recovery of radioactivity in urine and feces were around 2% and 96% of the dose, respectively, irrespective of administration route. In the plasma 2 h after oral administration of [14C] ebastine, carebastine and the polar metabolite(s) were observed as major components, whereas ebastine was hardly detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Absorption, distribution and excretion of [carbonyl-14C]mosapride citrate after a single oral administration in rats, dogs and monkeys.

Absorption, distribution and excretion of mosapride citrate ((+/-)-4-amino-5-chloro-2-ethoxy-N-[[4-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-morph oli nyl] methyl]benzamide citrate, AS-4370, CAS 112885-42-4), a novel gastric prokinetic drug, were studied with 14C-labeled drug in male and female rats mainly after a single oral administration. Plasma concentrations and excretion following oral administration of [14C]mosapride were also investigated in dogs and monkeys of both sexes. The main experimental dose was 10 mg/kg. After oral administration, [14C]mosapride radioactivity was rapidly absorbed through the intestinal tract. In male rats, concentration of plasma radioactivity reached the maximum (Cmax; 1410 ng eq./ml) 1 h after administration and decreased biphasically with half-lives of about 2 h in alpha-phase (t1/2 alpha) and in beta-phase (t1/2 beta) of about 8 h. t1/2 beta was virtually constant in the dose range from 1 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg, and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was proportional to the dose. In female rats, biphasic plasma concentration-time profile with similar half-lives was also observed, but Cmax (2070 ng eq./ml) and AUC were larger than those in male rats, suggesting the sex difference in pharmacokinetics. In dogs and monkeys, Cmaxs of plasma concentration were about 1000 ng eq./ml and 2000-3000 ng eq./ml, respectively, and sex difference was not observed. Plasma concentrations declined in a biphasic manner and t1/2 alpha and t1/2 beta were about 4 h and 15 h in dogs and about 3 h and 10 h in monkeys, respectively. The [14C]mosapride radioactivity was distributed to many tissues including the stomach and small intestine at the higher concentration, while to the brain and eye ball at the lower concentration than the plasma in male rats. Radioactivities in most tissues decreased essentially in parallel with those in plasma. In pregnant rats, concentrations of radioactivity in fetus were a little higher than those in the maternal plasma. In lactating rats, milk radioactivity concentrations were about 5 times higher than corresponding plasma concentrations, and both of them decreased with similar half-lives. Mosapride was bound to serum protein of various animal species, albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, in about 93-99%. After oral administration in rats, about 40% of dosed radioactivity was excreted into urine and about 60% into feces via bile. Neither dose dependency nor sex differences was observed in excretion. In dogs, about 20% of dosed radioactivity was recovered in urine and about 70% in feces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mechanism of hydrolyses of phenyl alpha-maltosides catalyzed by taka-amylase A.

Michaelis constants (Kms) and molecular activities (kos) of phenyl, p-nitrophenyl and p-methylphenyl alpha-maltoside for taka-amylase A catalyzed hydrolyses were determined in H2O and in D2O at pH or pD 5.3 and at 25 degrees C. Production of alpha-maltose in the hydrolysis was confirmed by 1H NMR. Neither substituent nor solvent deuterium isotope effects on Kms for phenyl, p-nitrophenyl and p-methylphenyl alpha-maltosides were detected. On the other hand, substituent effects on kos of these compounds were evident, but the isotope effects on kos were not marked, so that protonation of the substrate in the catalytic reaction might not be rate-limiting. The result indicates that nucleophilic attack of a carboxylate anion of the enzyme upon the protonated substrate is the rate-limiting step in the hydrolysis proceeding through the nucleophilic double displacement mechanism, which involves a covalently bonded glycosyl intermediate. The molecular orbitals of phenyl alpha-D-glucosides as model compounds of phenyl alpha-maltosides were calculated by the AM1 method. From the results, it was concluded that the lowering of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels and the increase of distribution of LUMO on the anomeric carbon, C-1, of the compounds are caused by protonation at the glycosidic oxygen from the protonated carboxyl group of the enzyme. This causes acceleration of the hydrolysis of a substrate by the enzyme.

Synthesis of [carbonyl-14C]sparfloxacin.

A new antimicrobial quinolone, sparfloxacin (5-amino-1-cyclopropyl-7- (cis-3,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline -3- carboxylic acid, AT-4140; CAS 110871-86-8), was labeled by 14C for studies of disposition and metabolism. Ethyl pentafluoro[carbonyl-14C]benzoylacetate (I) was reacted with ethyl orthoformate, cyclopropylamine and then potassium tert-butoxide to give a quinolone intermediate (IV). A benzylamino derivative (V) obtained by condensation of IV and benzylamine was subject to catalytic hydrogenolysis and hydrolyzed to give the carboxyl derivative (VII), which was condensed with cis-2,6-dimethylpiperazine to form [carbonyl-14C]sparfloxacin. The average yield of 3 preparations was 41.5% and specific activities were 310.8-366.3 MBq (8.4-9.9 mCi)/mmol. Both chemical and radiochemical purities were greater than 99%.

Direct radioimmunoassay for haloperidol in human serum.

A direct radioimmunoassay for the accurate determination of haloperidol in human serum has been developed. Based on recent information about the metabolism of haloperidol, a new haloperidol hapten, in which a (3-carboxypropionyl)methylamino group was attached as a bridge in the place of fluorine atom, was synthesized and coupled to bovine serum albumin through the bridge to provide a new immunogen. Guinea pigs were used for the immunization. Since the antisera obtained by the new immunogen still cross reacted greater than 10% with reduced haloperidol, the immunological tolerance to reduced haloperidol was induced by administration of a copolymer of D-glutamic acid and D-lysine linked with reduced haloperidol. This gave an antiserum in guinea pigs which was highly specific for unchanged haloperidol with negligible cross reactivity (less than or equal to 1.0%) to any haloperidol metabolites including the newly found ones. With the newly developed antiserum and [3H]haloperidol, serum haloperidol levels can be determined over the concentration range from 0.3 to 20 ng/mL, using 0.1 mL of human serum, without an extraction procedure.

Use of antisera in the isolation of human specific conjugates of haloperidol.

1. Three conjugated metabolites of haloperidol were isolated from urine of patients on haloperidol and purified by h.p.l.c. with immunological detection, using three types of anti-haloperidol antisera. 2. Structures of the metabolites were: a sulphate conjugate of the 2-hydroxylated 4-fluorophenyl ring of reduced haloperidol (MH-1), a glucuronide conjugate at the same position as MH-1 (MH-2), and a glucuronide conjugate of the hydroxy group of haloperidol (MH-3). 3. MH-3 was the main urinary metabolite in volunteers receiving haloperidol, who excreted 18% of the dose in the 24 h urine as MH-3, while other conjugates were less than 1%. MH-3 could not be hydrolysed with beta-glucuronidase, due to steric hindrance. 4. Immunological detection of conjugated metabolites is very useful in metabolic studies in humans because of its sensitivity and specificity.

Disposition and metabolism of [14C]-amezinium metilsulfate in rats.

Disposition and metabolism of [14C]-amezinium metilsulfate (4-amino-6-methoxy-1-phenylpyridazinium methylsulfate, Risumic) were systematically studied in rats after intravenous (5 mg/kg) or oral (20, 100 mg/kg) administration. After oral administration at 20 mg/kg, blood level reached the maximum (Cmax) of 0.65 microgram eq/ml at 3 h (tmax) and decreased with t1/2 of 8.1 h. Levels in plasma and most tissues elevated to the Cmax at 3 h. The liver level was the highest (61 times as high as plasma level) of all examined tissues. Most tissue levels decreased thereafter essentially in parallel with plasma levels. The findings by whole-body autoradiography essentially agreed with those by radiometry. In lactating rats, milk levels were virtually similar to plasma levels. [14C]-Amezinium metilsulfate radioactivity in fetus and fetal blood was around 0.3 microgram eq/g, being about 1/10 level of maternal plasma level. About 24, 72 and 42% were excreted in urine, feces and bile, respectively. Re-absorption of biliary metabolites accounted for about 31%, being about 13% of orally given [14C]-amezinium metilsulfate. Plasma and aorta contained unchanged amezinium and glucuronide of hydroxyl amezinium MIII. In the brain, the major metabolite was O-demethyl amezinium MV and unchanged drug was not detected. Urinary metabolites were largely MIII glucuronide and the unchanged drug. Biliary metabolite was found composed mostly from MIII glucuronide. In feces, MIII and the unchanged amezinium were found. MIII and its glucuronide were novel metabolites which were identified by thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Determination of L-6-keto-piperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucyl-L-proline amide (RGH-2202), a new analog of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, in plasma by radioimmunoassay.

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay has been developed for the determination of L-6-keto-piperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucyl-L-proline amide (RGH-2202), a new analog of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), in plasma. An antiserum was produced in guinea pigs immunized with RGH-2202 which was conjugated to bovine serum albumin by an N-succinimidyl ester method. Iodine-125 labeled L-6-keto-piperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucyl-L-prolyltyramine [( 125I]RGH-2202) was used as a tracer. Polyethylene glycol was used to separate bound and free [125I]RGH-2202 in the reaction mixture. The assay of RGH-2202 in plasma was possible over a concentration range from 0.1 to 6.4 ng/ml, using 0.1 ml of plasma without the need for an extraction procedure. The antiserum used for the assay was highly specific for RGH-2202, and did not cross-react with TRH and the hydrolyzed derivatives of RGH-2202 such as L-6-keto-piperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucyl-L-proline, L-6-keto-piperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucine and L-leucyl-L-proline amide, which were assumed to be present in plasma as metabolites. The coefficients of variation were 4.6-6.7% for within-assay and 6.0-8.8% for between-assay. Plasma levels of RGH-2202 in rats were determined after an intravenous administration of RGH-2202 at a pharmacologically effective dose (0.625 mg/kg).

Disposition of 125I-labeled recombinant human tumor necrosis factor in the tumor-bearing mouse.

Disposition of [125I]rHu-TNF was elucidated in BALB/c mice bearing Meth A fibrosarcoma 7 days after transplantation. After i.v. administration, [125I]rHu-TNF measured by radioactivity and immunoreactivity biphasically decreased in plasma. Tumor level of [125I]rHu-TNF was the maximum at 1 h, then decreased and finally remained essentially constant. After i.t. administration, plasma level reached the maximum at 1 h. Tumor level decreased quickly and then became essentially constant. [125I]rHu-TNF was suggested to be degraded to small fragments in the tumor. Significant distribution of [125I]rHu-TNF was found in the kidney, lung, liver and tumor. Most tissue levels decreased with time in parallel with plasma levels. [125I]rHu-TNF radioactivity was found in proximal convoluted tubules of kidney and in those areas of tumor consisting of degenerating cells with pyknotic nuclei. Urine contained most of administered radioactivity, which being neither immunoreactive nor protein-bound.

Determination of ISF-2405, an active metabolite of cadralazine, in plasma and tissues by radioimmunoassay.

A radioimmunoassay has been developed which makes possible sensitive and specific determination of an active metabolite of cadralazine, (+/-)-6-[ethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-3-hydrazinopyridazine (ISF-2405), in plasma and tissues. On account of its lability in a sample solution, ISF-2405 in biological samples was selectively derivatized to a stable form, (+/-)-6-[ethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl) pyridazine (ISF-3349), by treatment with acetylacetone. The concentration of ISF-2405 was determined by the assay of the resultant ISF-3349. Antiserum against ISF-3349 was elicited in guinea pigs immunized with the ISF-3349 derivative coupled with bovine serum albumin. The obtained antiserum was highly specific for ISF-3349, and did not cross-react with either cadralazine or its metabolites. [Pyrazole-4-3H]labeled ISF-3349 with a specific activity of 13.9 Ci/mmol was used as the radioligand. Assays of ISF-2405 in plasma and tissues were possible over the concentration range from 0.4 to 6.4 ng/ml with 1 ml of plasma, and from 2 to 64 ng/g with 100 mg of tissue. Plasma and blood vessel levels of ISF-2405 in rats after single oral administration of cadralazine have also been determined by the present method.

Determination of proscillaridin in plasma by radioimmunoassay.

The development of a sensitive and selective radioimmunoassay for determination of proscillaridin in plasma is described. Antiserum against proscillaridin was obtained from guinea pig immunized with an immunogen prepared by conjugating methylproscillaridin, 14 beta-hydroxy-3 beta-[(4-O-methyl-alpha-L-rhamnosyl)oxy]bufa-4,20,20, 22-trienolid to bovine serum albumin. Methyl N-[3-[(14 beta-hydroxybufa-4,20,22-trienolid-3 beta-yl)oxy-carbonyl] propanoyl]-L-[3',5'-125I2] diiodotyrosinate ([125I] SST) was used as a radioactive ligand. [125I] SST and antiserum were added to the recovered sample from plasma using a Bond Elut column. After overnight incubation, the antibody-bound and free [125I] SST were separated using polyethylene glycol. The mean coefficients of variation of intra and interassay at four different plasma concentrations were 4.0 and 5.0%, respectively. The assay was able to determine as little as 125 pg/ml of proscillaridin in plasma by using 1.5 ml of sample. Beagle dogs were orally administered one tablet (Talusin) containing 0.25 mg of proscillaridin. Proscillaridin was rapidly absorbed, exhibiting plasma maximum concentration of 2.06 ng/ml at 20 min. Thereafter, the plasma level declined biphasically with half-lives of 0.6 and 25.4 h.

[Syntheses of [prolyl-U-14C]alacepril and its related compounds].

In order to study the metabolic fate of alacepril, an anti-hypertensive agent, the 14C-labeled compound of alacepril and its related compounds were synthesized. [Prolyl-U-14C]alacepril was synthesized in over-all yield of 32.7-38.0% by the mixed anhydride condensation of L-phenylalanine with [prolyl-U-14C]DU-1163, which had been prepared from L-[U-14C]proline and N-(S-3-acetylthio-2-methylpropanoyloxy)succinimide. [Prolyl-U-14C]captopril and [prolyl-U-14C]DU-1227 were prepared in high yields by hydrolysis of [prolyl-U-14C]DU-1163 and [prolyl-U-14C]alacepril, respectively. [Prolyl-U-14C]captopril-cysteine was synthesized by condensation of [prolyl-U-14C]captopril with cystine S-monoxide in 55.0% yield.

The metabolism of gliclazide in man.

Gliclazide, 1-(3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]oct-3-yl)-3-(4-methylphenylsulphonyl)urea, was orally administered to five healthy male volunteers at a dose of 40 mg. Urine contained seven metabolites classified into two types according to the site of biotransformation. Two major metabolites, 1-(3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]oct-3-yl)-3-(4-carboxyphenylsulphonyl)urea and 1-(3-azabiyclo[3,3,0]oct-3-yl)-3-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenylsulphon yl)urea, of the first type were oxidized at the methyl group of the tolyl group. Five metabolites of the second type including two glucuronides were hydroxylated at a specific site in the azabicyclo-octyl ring (b beta, 7 beta and 7 alpha). The molecular conformation of this type of metabolites could explain the existence of conjugates of the beta-hydroxy groups in the azabicyclo-octyl ring and the absence of those of the alpha-hydroxy group. Only the unchanged drug was detected in plasma. The peak concentration at four hours after dosing was 2.6 +/- 0.2 microgram/ml, and the elimination half-life in plasma was 8.1 +/- 1.1 hours which was apparently determined by the rate of metabolism. Identified metabolites excreted in urine accounted for 45% of the dose in 24h and 61% in 96h, indicating that this was the major excretory route.

[Disposition and metabolism of 14C-dehydrocorydaline in mice and rats].

Dehydrocorydaline, an alkaloid from Corydalis bulbosa possessing anti-ulceric activity, was labeled by methyl-14C at position 13, and its disposition and metabolism were studied in mice and rats after oral (50 mg/kg) or intravenous (6.8 mg/kg) administration. Blood levels were as low as 0.5 (mice) and 0.06 (rats) microgram eq./ml at maximum, conceivably due to its poor absorption from digestive tracts. Radiometric and autoradiographic studies after oral administration of 14C-dehydrocorydaline revealed that appreciable radioactivity was distributed in rather restricted organs, namely, digestive tracts, liver and kidney. Comparison of distribution with that after intravenous administration suggested that the compound is subject to the significant first pass effect by the liver. The distribution pattern of radioactivity in the liver was heterogeneous regardless to administration routes. Radiometry and autoradiography also revealed that the disposition did not differ significantly from each other in normal rats and those with experimentally induced gastric ulcer. Excretion of radioactivity occurred largely in feces. Excretion via urine and bile was quite minor. Metabolite analysis suggested that dehydrocorydaline was metabolized by O-demethylation and subsequent conjugation with glucuronic acid. However, metabolites were minor relative to the unchanged compound.

Absorption, distribution and excretion of 3-(sulfamoyl[14C]methyl)-1,2-benziosoxazole (AD-810) in Rats, Dogs and Monkeys and of AD-810 in Men.

Disposition of 3 - (sulfamoyl[14C]methyl) - 1,2-benzisoxazole ( [14C]AD-810) in rats, dogs and monkeys after oral administration in 20 mg/kg was studied. In preliminary human studies, healthy subjects ingested 200 mg of AD-810. [14C]AD-810 was found to be completely absorbed from digestive tracts in animals, since urinary and biliary excretion accounted for virtually total recovery of dosed radioactivity. Plasma levels reached maxima at several hours after administration in all species examined and decreased exponentially. In rats, tissue levels were virtually similar to plasma levels indicating rather even distribution in the body, and tissue radioactivity disappeared with the similar rate to plasma. Autoradiographic findings on the distribution were consistent with radiometric results. Radioactivity was evenly distributed in fetus in the pregnant rat with the similar level to maternal tissue levels. Like other sulfonamide derivatives, AD-810 was markedly taken up by erythrocytes in all species. [14C]AD-810 radioactivity was mostly excreted within 48 to 72 h after administration and its major route was urine in animals. In men, excretion of unchanged AD-810 and its metabolite in urine was found to be rather slow. No significant differences were found in absorption, distribution and excretion of radioactivity after 7 consecutive daily oral dosings of [14C]AD-810 in rats.

Determination of a new hypoglycemic drug, gliclazide, in human serum by radioimmunoassay.

radioimmunoassays have been developed which enable accurate and sensitive determination of gliclazide in human serum. Antisera A and B against gliclazide were obtained from guinea pigs immunized with conjugates A and B prepared by coupling gliclazide homologues, 1-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-3-(4'-carboxypiperidino)urea and 1-(4-methyl-3-carboxybenzenesulfonyl)-3-(3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]oct-3-yl)urea, to bovine serum albumin. 3H-Gliclazide was used as a tracer. Dextran-coated charcoal was used to separate bound and free 3H-gliclazide in the reaction mixture. The assays of gliclazide in serum were possible over a concentration range from 0.25 to 20 microgram/ml with the antiserum A and from 0.1 to 10 microgram/ml with the antiserum B, respectively, using 0.01 ml of human serum without the need for an extraction procedure. The antisera used for the assays were specific for gliclazide. Data obtained by the radioimmunoassay with the antiserum A are in good agreement with those by the radioimmunoassay with the antiserum B and gas-liquid chromatography. Serum levels of gliclazide in healthy volunteers receiving single oral dosing (40 mg/subject) have also been determined.

Determination of haloperidol in human serum by radioimmunoassay.

A radioimmunoassay has been developed which enables accurate determination of haloperidol in human serum. Antiserum was prepared by immunizing guinea pigs with haloperidol (O-carboxymethyl)oxime derivative (III) coupled with bovine serum albumin. With the antiserum, 3H-haloperidol and dextran-coated charcoal, the assay of haloperidol in serum was possible over a concentration range of 1 to 50 ng/ml, using 0.1 ml of human serum without the need of an extraction procedure. Data obtained by radioimmunoassay are in good agreement with those obtained by gas chromatography. No appreciable cross-reactivity was observed neither with haloperidol metabolites nor with other butyrophenone neuroleptics. Serum levels of haloperidol in schizophrenic patients receiving single oral dosing (6 mg/subject) have also been determined.