Whole body autoradiographic study on the distribution of C-14-D-serine administered intravenously to rats

The distribution of radioactivities in rats following intravenous administr ation of C-14-D- or -L-serine was investigated by whole body autoradiograph y. The radioactivities were distributed throughout the whole body in both c ases with the greatest amount being found in the pancreas. D- and L- Serine levels in the pancreas were determined by high-performance liquid chromato graphy with a chiral column which revealed, for the first time, the existen ce of D-serine in the rat pancreas (12.6 +/- 7.90 nmol/g wet tissue) togeth er with a much higher concentration (924 +/- 116 nmol/g) of L-serine. The r esults suggested that exogenous D-serine of dietary origin contributed at l east in part to the D-serine levels found in mammalian tissues. The accumulation of radioactivity in the kidney, especially in the corticom edullary area, even at 24hr after administration of C-14-D-serine suggested a possible link between acute necrosis of the renal proximal tubules and t he administration of a large dose of D-serine [Am J Pathol 77: 269-282 (197 4)].