Tetranor prostaglandin E metabolite-d₆(tetranor-PGEM-d₆) contains six deuterium atoms at the 13, 13, 14, 14, 15, and 15 positions. It is intended for use as an internal standard for the quantification of tetranor PGEM by GC-or LC-mass spectrometry. Tetranor PGEM-d₆is the major urinary metabolite of PGE₁and PGE₂. It is used as a urinary marker of PGE₂biosynthesis, and to monitor metabolism after infusion or injection of PGE₁as a pharmaceutical.^1,2Normal healthy males excrete 16-30 µg of tetranor PGEM over a 24-hour period. Females excrete less by about a factor of three. Following oral administration (4 x 50 mg/24 hours) of the COX inhibitor, indomethacin, urinary levels of tetranor PGEM decrease by 75-98% indicating the almost complete loss of PGE₂biosynthesis.¹

1.Hamberg, M.Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in manBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications49720-726(1972) 2.Honda, H., Fukawa, K., and Sawabe, T.Influence of adjuvant arthritis on main urinary metabolites of prostaglandin F and E ratsProstaglandins19259-269(1980)