RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Intestinal absorption of S-adenosyl-L-methionine. JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 323 OP 326 VO 209 IS 3 A1 G Stramentinoli A1 M Gualano A1 M Galli-Kienle YR 1979 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/209/3/323.abstract AB The gastrointestinal absorption of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is demonstrated by evaluating plasma levels and gastrointestinal content of the unmodified molecule after oral administration. When [methyl-14C]SAMe is given orally, the radioactivity found in the liver is associated both with SAMe and phosphatidylcholine, a compound known to be derived from the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine with SAMe as a methyl donor. These results and low plasma levels after the oral administration may be suggestive of a first-pass effect of SAMe characterized by an extensive uptake of the drug by the liver where it is rapidly metabolized.