Abstract
1. 3-Acetylpyridine was metabolized extensively to 1-(3-pyridyl)ethanol when the hepatic enzyme source was the soluble fraction (140 000g supernatant). 3-Acetylpyridine-N-oxide was identified as a metabolite using the 10 000g or the microsomal fraction.
2. 1-(3-Pyridyl-N-oxide)ethanol was not detected as a metabolite of 1-(3-pyridyl)ethanol using tissue preparations. However, 3-acetylpyridine was formed in trace amounts when the alcohol was incubated with the 10 000g or the microsomal fraction.
3. Incubation of 3-acetylpyridine-N-oxide with the soluble or 10 000g fraction resulted in the formation of 1-(3-pyridyl-N-oxide)ethanol (keto-reduction) as the major metabolite. 3-Acetylpyridine was formed in trace amounts (N-oxide reduction) with the 10 000g and the microsomal fractions.