Metabolism of theanine, gamma-glutamylethylamide, in rats.

The metabolism of theanine, one of the major amino acid components in tea (Camellia sinensis), was studied in rats. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorometric detection was used to evaluate the nature of theanine's metabolites in plasma, urine, and tissues. In the urine samples collected after administration of 100, 200, and 400 mg each of theanine, intact theanine, L-glutamic acid, and ethylamine, these compounds were detected in a dose-dependent manner. When 200 mg of theanine was orally administered to rats, the plasma concentrations of theanine and ethylamine reached their highest levels about 0.5 and 2 h after administration, respectively. It seems most likely that the enzymatic hydrolysis of theanine to glutamic acid and ethylamine was accomplished in the kidney. These results indicate that orally administered theanine is absorbed through the intestinal tract and hydrolyzed to glutamic acid and ethylamine in the rat kidney.