Hypoxanthine is a naturally occurring purine derivative and a reaction intermediate in the metabolism of adenosine and in the formation of nucleic acids by the salvage pathway. Hypoxanthine is a necessary additive in the certain cell, bacteria, and parasite cultures as a substrate and nitrogen source. For example, it is commonly a required reagent in malaria parasite cultures, since Plasmodium falciparum requires a source of hypoxanthine for nucleic acid synthesis and energy metabolism.

3-Tyrosine, in contrast to the para isomer, is readily racemized. The majority of the load was metabolized to m-hydroxyphenylacetic acid but m-hydroxymandelic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid were also detected. Low circulating levels of m-tyrosine in the plasma suggest that most of the load is held due to a first pass effect somewhere in the enterohepatic system and that this portion of the load is not in equilibrium with the plasma m-tyrosine. The metabolism of a m-tyrosine may give further insight into the deficiencies of the phenylalanine hydroxylating system found in the various phenotypes of phenylketonuria. 3-Tyrosine has been used experimentally as a substitute for L-DOPA in the treatment of Parkinsonism. 3-tyrosine mimics the action of Dopa in two experimental animal models. It was also obvious from the experiments with d,l- and l-m-tyrosine that only the l-isomer (3-Tyrosine) is active.