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MASS FRAGMENTOGRAPHY OF PHENYLETHYLAMINE, m ‐ AND p ‐TYRAMINE AND RELATED AMINES IN PLASMA, CEREBROSPINAL FLUID, URINE, AND BRAIN
Author(s) -
Karoum F.,
Nasrallah H.,
Potkin S.,
Chuang L.,
MoyerSchwing J.,
Phillips I.,
Wyatt R. J.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1979.tb11722.x
Subject(s) - tyramine , chemistry , urine , chromatography , octopamine (neurotransmitter) , excretion , phenylethanolamine , endocrinology , medicine , biochemistry , enzyme , serotonin , biology , receptor , tyrosine hydroxylase
—A mass fragmentographic method for the assay of phenylethylamine (PEA) and a number of related amines in several biological materials is described. The gas chromatographic column employed for this analysis is a 12ft 1/8 in. o.d. steel column packed with 0.5% OV 22 + 2% SE54 + 1% OV 210 coated on 80/100 mesh chromosorb W (HP). The mass spectral characteristics of these amines are illustrated, compared, and discussed. Of the various monoamines which could be measured, only PEA, m ‐ and p ‐tyramine were detected in measurable quantities. Phenylethanolamine and p ‐octopamine were found in trace amounts in urine, plasma, cerebrosponal fluid, and rat brain. No diurnal variation in the urinary excretion of PEA, m ‐ and p ‐tyramine was observed. Plasma concentration of PEA or p ‐tyramine did not significantly change 1 h after eating a breakfast. Furthermore, consuming 200 g of Cadbury milk chocolate containing about 1 mg of PEA, 0.1 mg of phenylethanolamine and 10 mg of p‐tyramine did not significantly alter urine excretions of these three amines. In the brain, as has been reported by others, we found that PEA and p ‐tyramine are not evenly distributed and that the highest concentrations are found in the hypothalamus and caudate. From the results obtained we concluded that PEA, m ‐ and p ‐tyramine are probably produced from endogenous sources and that the direct contribution of diet to their urine excretion is small.