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Berlowitz I, Egger K, Cumming P. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition by Plant-Derived β-Carbolines; Implications for the Psychopharmacology of Tobacco and Ayahuasca. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:886408. [PMID: 35600851 PMCID: PMC9121195 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.886408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The monoamine oxidases (MAOs) are flavin-containing amine oxidoreductases responsible for metabolism of many biogenic amine molecules in the brain and peripheral tissues. Whereas serotonin is the preferred substrate of MAO-A, phenylethylamine is metabolized by MAO-B, and dopamine and tyramine are nearly ambivalent with respect to the two isozymes. β-Carboline alkaloids such as harmine, harman(e), and norharman(e) are MAO inhibitors present in many plant materials, including foodstuffs, medicinal plants, and intoxicants, notably in tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) and in Banisteriopsis caapi, a vine used in the Amazonian ayahuasca brew. The β-carbolines present in B. caapi may have effects on neurogenesis and intrinsic antidepressant properties, in addition to potentiating the bioavailability of the hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which is often present in admixture plants of ayahuasca such as Psychotria viridis. Tobacco also contains physiologically relevant concentrations of β-carbolines, which potentially contribute to its psychopharmacology. However, in both cases, the threshold of MAO inhibition sufficient to interact with biogenic amine neurotransmission remains to be established. An important class of antidepressant medications provoke a complete and irreversible inhibition of MAO-A/B, and such complete inhibition is almost unattainable with reversible and competitive inhibitors such as β-carbolines. However, the preclinical and clinical observations with synthetic MAO inhibitors present a background for obtaining a better understanding of the polypharmacologies of tobacco and ayahuasca. Furthermore, MAO inhibitors of diverse structures are present in a wide variety of medicinal plants, but their pharmacological relevance in many instances remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilana Berlowitz
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Ilana Berlowitz,
| | - Klemens Egger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paul Cumming
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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2
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Wu X, Zhang Z, He Z, Wang Z, Qin F, Zeng M, Chen J. Effect of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on the Oxidation of Protein and Fat and Its Relationship with the Formation of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines and Advanced Glycation End Products in Raw Meat. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051264. [PMID: 33652771 PMCID: PMC7956273 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of the number of freeze–thaw cycles (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7) on porcine longissimus protein and lipid oxidation, as well as changes in heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their precursors. We analyzed the relationship among HAAs, AGEs, oxidation, and precursors and found the following results after seven freeze–thaw cycles. The HAAs, Norharman and Harman, were 20.33% and 16.67% higher, respectively. The AGEs, Nε-carboxyethyllysine (CEL) and Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML), were 11.81% and 14.02% higher, respectively. Glucose, creatine, and creatinine were reduced by 33.92%, 5.93%, and 1.12%, respectively after seven freeze–thaw cycles. Norharman was significantly correlated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS; r2 = 0.910) and glucose (r2 = −0.914). Harman was significantly correlated to TBARS (r2 = 0.951), carbonyl (r2 = 0.990), and glucose (r2 = −0.920). CEL was correlated to TBARS (r2 = 0.992) and carbonyl (r2 = 0.933). These changes suggest that oxidation and the Maillard reaction during freeze–thaw cycles promote HAA and AGE production in raw pork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingge Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (X.W.); (Z.H.); (Z.W.); (F.Q.)
- International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Safety Technology for Meat Products, Yinxiang Group, Xianmen 361100, China;
| | - Zhiyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (X.W.); (Z.H.); (Z.W.); (F.Q.)
- International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Zhaojun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (X.W.); (Z.H.); (Z.W.); (F.Q.)
- International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Fang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (X.W.); (Z.H.); (Z.W.); (F.Q.)
- International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Maomao Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (X.W.); (Z.H.); (Z.W.); (F.Q.)
- International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Correspondence: (M.Z.); (J.C.); Tel.: +86-510-85919065 (M.Z.)
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (X.W.); (Z.H.); (Z.W.); (F.Q.)
- International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Correspondence: (M.Z.); (J.C.); Tel.: +86-510-85919065 (M.Z.)
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3
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Stocco MR, Tolledo C, Wadji FB, Gonzalez FJ, Miksys S, Tyndale RF. Human CYP2D6 in the Brain Is Protective Against Harmine-Induced Neurotoxicity: Evidence from Humanized CYP2D6 Transgenic Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4608-4621. [PMID: 32761352 PMCID: PMC8865091 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02050-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
CYP2D6 metabolically inactivates several neurotoxins, including beta-carbolines, which are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Variation in CYP2D6 within the brain may alter local inactivation of neurotoxic beta-carbolines, thereby influencing neurotoxicity. The beta-carboline harmine, which induces hypothermia and tremor, is metabolized by CYP2D6 to the non-hypothermic/non-tremorgenic harmol. Transgenic mice (TG), expressing human CYP2D6 in addition to their endogenous mouse CYP2D, experience less harmine-induced hypothermia and tremor compared with wild-type mice (WT). We first sought to elucidate the role of CYP2D in general within the brain in harmine-induced hypothermia and tremor severity. A 4-h intracerebroventricular (ICV) pretreatment with the CYP2D inhibitor propranolol increased harmine-induced hypothermia and tremor in TG and increased harmine-induced hypothermia in WT. We next sought to specifically demonstrate that human CYP2D6 expressed in TG brain altered harmine response severity. A 24-h ICV propranolol pretreatment, which selectively and irreversibly inhibits human CYP2D6 in TG brain, increased harmine-induced hypothermia. This 24-h pretreatment had no impact on harmine response in WT, as propranolol is not an irreversible inhibitor of mouse CYP2D in the brain, thus confirming no off-target effects of ICV propranolol pretreatment. Human CYP2D6 activity in TG brain was sufficient in vivo to mitigate harmine-induced neurotoxicity. These findings suggest that human CYP2D6 in the brain is protective against beta-carboline-induced neurotoxicity and that the extensive interindividual variability in CYP2D6 expression in human brain may contribute to variation in susceptibility to certain neurotoxin-associated neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlaina R Stocco
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cole Tolledo
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fariba Baghai Wadji
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sharon Miksys
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel F Tyndale
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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4
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Jing J, He Y, Wang Y, Zeng M. Inhibitory effects of Portulaca oleracea L. and selected flavonoid ingredients on heterocyclic amines in roast beef patties and Density Function Theory calculation of binding between heterocyclic amines intermediates and flavonoids. Food Chem 2020; 336:127551. [PMID: 32795783 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitory effects of Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) and its flavonoid ingredients on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in roast beef patties were investigated. Ten HAs were found in control patties, and the total content was 212.73 ± 7.13 ng/g. With the addition of PO (1%, 5%, and 10%, w/w), HAs decreased by 62.39%, 68.03%, and 73.75%, respectively. The main flavonoid ingredients (rutin, hesperidin, and flavanone) also present a similar inhibitory effect. The Density Function Theory (DFT) methods were adopted to investigate the inhibitory mechanism. These ingredients bonded with the intermediate to block the formation of norharman. Both experimental and calculated data of the ingredients were analyzed on their HAs inhibitory capacity. Our results provide a novel and valuable strategy to reduce HAs via a low additive level of medicinal and edible plants. And the correlation between experimental and calculated data could be applied to predict the inhibitory ability of inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau; School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yonghui He
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry in Ethnic Medicinal Resources, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Ministry of Education, Yunnan Nationalities University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Quality and Standard, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730101, China
| | - Maomao Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
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5
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Rasse-Suriani FAO, García-Einschlag FS, Rafti M, Schmidt De León T, David Gara PM, Erra-Balsells R, Cabrerizo FM. Photophysical and Photochemical Properties of Naturally Occurring nor
melinonine F and Melinonine F Alkaloids and Structurally Related N(2)- and/or N(9)-methyl-β
-carboline Derivatives. Photochem Photobiol 2017; 94:36-51. [DOI: 10.1111/php.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico A. O. Rasse-Suriani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH); Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Chascomús Argentina
- INIFTA - CONICET; Universidad Nacional de La Plata; La Plata Argentina
| | | | - Matías Rafti
- INIFTA - CONICET; Universidad Nacional de La Plata; La Plata Argentina
| | - Tobías Schmidt De León
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Departamento de Química Orgánica; Universidad de Buenos Aires; Ciudad Universitaria Buenos Aires Argentina
- Centro de Investigación en Hidratos de Carbono (CIHIDECAR - CONICET); Universidad de Buenos Aires; Ciudad Universitaria Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Pedro M. David Gara
- Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas (CIOP - CONICET - CIC); Universidad Nacional de La Plata; La Plata Argentina
| | - Rosa Erra-Balsells
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Departamento de Química Orgánica; Universidad de Buenos Aires; Ciudad Universitaria Buenos Aires Argentina
- Centro de Investigación en Hidratos de Carbono (CIHIDECAR - CONICET); Universidad de Buenos Aires; Ciudad Universitaria Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Franco M. Cabrerizo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH); Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Chascomús Argentina
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6
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van Dam A, Aalders MC, Todorovski T, van Leeuwen TG, Lambrechts SA. On the autofluorescence of aged fingermarks. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 258:19-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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7
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Wojtowicz E, Zawirska-Wojtasiak R, Przygoński K, Mildner-Szkudlarz S. Bioactive β-carbolines norharman and harman in traditional and novel raw materials for chicory coffee. Food Chem 2015; 175:280-3. [PMID: 25577081 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.11.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The β-carboline compounds norharman and harman exhibit neuroactive activity in the human body. Chicory coffee has proved to be a source of β-carboline compounds. This study assessed the norharman and harman contents of traditional and novel raw materials for the production of chicory coffee, as well as in samples of chicory coffee with novel additives. The highest content of the β-carbolines among the traditional raw materials was recorded in roasted sugar beet (2.26 μg/g), while roasting the chicory caused a 25-fold increase in the content of norharman in this raw material (from 0.05 to 1.25 μg/g). In novel raw materials not subjected to the action of high temperature, β-carboline was not detected. Among the roasted novel raw materials, the highest contents of harman and norharman were found in artichokes. High harman levels were also recorded in roasted chokeberry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Wojtowicz
- Department of Food Concentrates and Starch Products, Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, Starołęcka 48, 61-361 Poznań, Poland
| | - Renata Zawirska-Wojtasiak
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Przygoński
- Department of Food Concentrates and Starch Products, Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, Starołęcka 48, 61-361 Poznań, Poland
| | - Sylwia Mildner-Szkudlarz
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
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8
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Maisuls I, Wolcan E, Piro OE, Etcheverría GA, Petroselli G, Erra-Ballsels R, Cabrerizo FM, Ruiz GT. Norharmane rhenium(i) polypyridyl complexes: synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization. Dalton Trans 2015; 44:17064-74. [DOI: 10.1039/c5dt02790j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Novel Re(i) polypyridyl complexes with norharmane as a ligand were obtained and characterized by different techniques. The nature of the electronic transitions was established by TD-DFT calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Maisuls
- INIFTA
- UNLP (CCT La Plata-CONICET)
- La Plata
- Argentina
- IIB-INTECH – UNSAM-CONICET Int. Marino Km 8
| | | | - Oscar E. Piro
- Instituto IFLP (CCT La Plata-CONICET) y Depto. de Física
- FCE-UNLP
- 1900 La Plata
- Argentina
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9
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Fekkes D, Spijkerman R, Bongers I, van den Eijnden R. The role of norharman in alcohol dependence and smoking: The potential inhibitory role of norharman on the urge for alcohol and nicotine use. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/1465980512331344084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Durk Fekkes
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Inge Bongers
- Tranzo, Scientific Center for Transformations in Health and Social Care, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
| | - Regina van den Eijnden
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Lenaz G, Fato R, Formiggini G, Genova ML. The role of Coenzyme Q in mitochondrial electron transport. Mitochondrion 2007; 7 Suppl:S8-33. [PMID: 17485246 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2007.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2006] [Revised: 03/20/2007] [Accepted: 03/22/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In mitochondria, most Coenzyme Q is free in the lipid bilayer; the question as to whether tightly bound, non-exchangeable Coenzyme Q molecules exist in mitochondrial complexes is still an open question. We review the mechanism of inter-complex electron transfer mediated by ubiquinone and discuss the kinetic consequences of the supramolecular organization of the respiratory complexes (randomly dispersed vs. super-complexes) in terms of Coenzyme Q pool behavior vs. metabolic channeling, respectively, both in physiological and in some pathological conditions. As an example of intra-complex electron transfer, we discuss in particular Complex I, a topic that is still under active investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Lenaz
- Dipartimento di Biochimica, Università di Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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11
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Alves RC, Casal S, Oliveira BPP. Factors influencing the norharman and harman contents in espresso coffee. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2007; 55:1832-8. [PMID: 17291006 DOI: 10.1021/jf063128u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Espresso coffee (EC) brews were analyzed for beta-carboline [norharman (NH) and harman (H)] contents, by RP-HPLC with fluorescence detection. The influence of the coffee species (arabica or robusta), the roast degree, and the brew length was studied. The results show that the content of NH and H in EC is dependent primarily on the coffee species, followed by brew length. The roast degree has only a minor influence on the final content of NH and H in EC. When compared with other coffee brews, EC has an amount of these beta-carbolines (in micrograms per liter) similar to that of mocha coffee, both being more concentrated than filter and press-pot coffees. Therefore, the consumer's preferences will determine the amount of NH and H ingested daily. For the caffeinated 30 mL of EC, the arabica coffees contain about 4.08 microg of NH and 1.54 microg of H. Commercial blends (usually with a maximum of 30% robusta) range from the cited arabica values to 10.37 microg of NH and 4.35 microg of H.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita C Alves
- REQUIMTE/Serviço de Bromatologia, Faculdade de FarmAcia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Aníbal Cunha 164, 4099-030 Porto, Portugal
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12
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Nishigaki R, Totsuka Y, Kataoka H, Ushiyama H, Goto S, Akasu T, Watanabe T, Sugimura T, Wakabayashi K. Detection of Aminophenylnorharman, a Possible Endogenous Mutagenic and Carcinogenic Compound, in Human Urine Samples. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007; 16:151-6. [PMID: 17220344 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-06-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutagenic/carcinogenic 9-(4'-aminophenyl)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole [aminophenylnorharman (APNH)] is formed from norharman and aniline in the presence of cytochrome P450 3A4/1A2. Because both precursors are widely distributed in the environment, human exposure is unavoidable. To clarify APNH formation in the human body, amounts of the compound in 24-h human urine collected from smokers and nonsmokers, eating a normal diet, were analyzed by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, norharman and aniline were also analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, respectively. APNH could be detected in all urine samples at levels 49 to 449 pg for smokers and 21 to 594 pg for nonsmokers per 24-h urine, respectively. The amounts of norharman and aniline were 46 to 185 ng and 0.70 to 8.10 microg for smokers and 52 to 447 ng and 0.49 to 5.72 microg for nonsmokers, respectively, per 24-h urine (none of the levels differing significantly between smokers and nonsmokers). To exclude exogenous exposure to norharman and aniline, we analyzed the levels of APNH, norharman, and aniline in urine samples collected from inpatients receiving parenteral alimentation. Similar to the healthy volunteers, all urine samples contained 12 to 338 pg of APNH, 6 to 75 ng of norharman, and 0.33 to 1.86 microg of aniline per 24-h urine. These results suggest that APNH should be considered as a novel endogenous mutagen/carcinogen; thus, it is very important to determine the biological significance of this carcinogen for human cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rena Nishigaki
- Cancer Prevention Basic Research Project, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 1-1 Tsukiji 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
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13
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Bonnet R, Pavlovic S, Lehmann J, Rommelspacher H. The strong inhibition of triosephosphate isomerase by the natural beta-carbolines may explain their neurotoxic actions. Neuroscience 2004; 127:443-53. [PMID: 15262334 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2004] [Accepted: 05/03/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The natural beta-carbolines (BC) closely resemble the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in structure. The N-methylated beta-carbolinium ions (BC+) are potent inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration and are nigrostriatal neurotoxins. Utilizing [3H]BC, we have identified several proteins to which BC binds with high affinity (e.g. the chaperone member glucose regulated protein 78, the enzyme carboxylesterase, the cytochrome P450 2E1, the enzyme monoamine oxidase B and a small G-protein of the Rho subfamily). In the present study we isolated a protein from bovine brain to which [3H]BC binds with high affinity and identified it being the enzyme triosephosphate isomerase (TPI; EC 5.3.1.1.). 2,9-Dimethyl-BC+ was the most potent inhibitor of TPI, clearly more potent than the known inhibitors. TPI deficiency is a rare disorder in humans characterized by a severe progressive extrapyramidal course. Thus, TPI inhibition could contribute to neurodegeneration observed after injection of BCs into substantia nigra. Furthermore, the findings fit into the hypothesis of BCs as endogenous toxins responsible for neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bonnet
- Section of Clinical Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Free University, Eschenallee 3, 14050 Berlin, Germany
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14
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Abstract
The aromatic beta-carbolines norharman and harman have been implicated in a number of human diseases including Parkinson's disease, tremor, addiction and cancer. It has been shown that these compounds are normal body constituents formed endogenously but external sources have been identified. Here, we summarise literature data on levels of norharman and harman in fried meat and fish, meat extracts, alcoholic drinks, and coffee brews. Other sources include edible and medicinal plants but tobacco smoke has been identified as a major source. Exposure levels from these different dietary sources are estimated to a maximum of 4 microg norharman per kg body weight (bw) per day and 1 microg harman per kg bw per day. Exposure via tobacco smoke depends on smoking habits and type of cigarettes but can be estimated to 1.1 microg/kg bw for norharman and 0.6 microg/kg bw for harman per package of cigarettes smoked. Studies on toxicokinetics indicate that inhalative exposure leads to a rapid increase in plasma levels and high bioavailability of norharman and harman. Oral bioavailability is lower but there are indications that sublingual absorption may increase dietary uptake of beta-carbolines. Endogenous formation can be estimated to be 50-100 ng/kg bw per day for norharman and about 20 ng/kg bw per day for harman but these rates may increase with high intake of precursors. Biomarker studies on plasma levels of beta-carbolines reported on elevated levels of norharman, harman or both in diseased patients, alcoholics and following tobacco smoking or consumption of beta-carboline-containing food. Cigarette smoking has been identified as major influence but dietary exposure may contribute to exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Pfau
- Umweltmedizin Hamburg eV and Institute of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Hamburg University, Vogt-Kölln-Strasse 30, 22527 Hamburg, Germany.
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15
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Van Den Eijnden R, Spijkerman R, Fekkes D. Craving for cigarettes among low and high dependent smokers: impact of norharman. Addict Biol 2003; 8:463-72. [PMID: 14690883 DOI: 10.1080/13556210310001646457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Besides nicotine, other chemicals in tobacco smoke, such as norharman, may contribute to the addictive properties of cigarettes. More specifically, elevated blood plasma levels of norharman may reduce feelings of craving among tobacco-dependent individuals. To test this hypothesis, plasma concentrations of norharman were measured in 38 male smokers (at least 15 cigarettes per day) at three time-points on 3 different days spread over a 4-month period. The first measurement (T0) was conducted in the morning at 8.30 a.m., after 12 hours of smoking abstinence. The T1 and T2 measurements were conducted at 13.00 p.m. and 16.30 p.m., during a period of ad libitum smoking (after the T0 measurement, participants were not restricted in their smoking behaviour). At each of the nine time-points, craving was assessed by means of a shortened version of the Questionnaire of Smoking Urges. The Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence was used to obtain an indication of nicotine dependence. The results showed that, after a period of smoking abstinence, craving was stronger in those with a high tobacco dependence than in those with a low tobacco dependence. After resumption of smoking, craving declined to a similar low level in both low and high dependent smokers. Measurements during periods of ad libitum smoking indicate that plasma levels of norharman are related negatively to craving among low nicotine-dependent smokers, but not among high dependent smokers.
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Spijkerman R, van den Eijnden R, van de Mheen D, Bongers I, Fekkes D. The impact of smoking and drinking on plasma levels of norharman. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2002; 12:61-71. [PMID: 11788242 DOI: 10.1016/s0924-977x(01)00143-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The hypothesized role of the beta-carboline norharman in processes of drug dependence forms the basis for several studies on plasma levels of norharman among substance-using populations, particularly among alcoholics and smokers. However, it is not clear whether norharman is implicated in processes of dependence to both substances, or only to tobacco smoke. In the present study plasma concentrations of norharman were measured among four groups of participants regarding heavy smokers who do or do not drink alcohol excessively and nonsmokers who do or do not drink alcohol excessively. All measurements were conducted on three different days with an interval of 2 months in between and at three times during the day to account for possible circadian or seasonal variations. Results showed that elevated plasma levels of norharman appear only in heavy smokers regardless of their drinking profile. The norharman plasma levels of nonsmoking excessive drinkers showed a similar pattern to that of the control group. The findings indicate that elevated plasma levels of norharman are due to heavy smoking and not to excessive drinking.
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