Bentiromide is a peptide used as a screening test for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and to monitor the adequacy of supplemental pancreatic therapy. Bentiromide is not available in the United States or Canada; it was withdrawn in the US in October 1996. on bentiromide.
Side effects Headache and gastrointestinal disturbances have been reported in patients taking bentiromide.
Mechanism of action Bentiromide is given by mouth as a noninvasive test. It is broken down by the pancreatic enzyme chymotrypsin, yielding p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The amount of PABA and its metabolites excreted in the urine is taken as a measure of the chymotrypsin-secreting activity of the pancreas.
Chemistry XLogP=3.201 H_bond_donor=4 H_bond_acceptor=5
Synthesis
It is synthesized by amide formation between ethyl p-aminobenzoate and N-benzoyl-tyrosine using N-methyl-morpholine and ethyl chlorocarbonate for activation. The resulting L-amide is selectively hydrolyzed by sequential use of dimsyl sodium (NaDMSO) and dilute acid to give bentiromide (4).
See also Chronic pancreatitis
References