Increased Formation of β-carbolines in Alcoholic Patients following Ingestion of Ethanol

Human monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibition by coffee and β-carbolines norharman and harman isolated from coffee

“…They alter the concentrations of brain neurotrasmitters by interaction with serotonin, benzodiazepine, opioid, and imidazoline receptors, and MAO and cytochrome P450 enzymes (Adell et al, 1996;Airaksinen and Kari, 1981;Baum et al, 1996;Ergene and Schoener, 1993;Husbands et al, 2001;Kawanishi et al, 1994;Kim et al, 1997;Pawlik and Rommelspacher, 1988;Rommelspacher et al, 2002;Yu et al, 2003a,b). The presence of these compounds in the human brain has been interpreted as possible mediators in alcoholism and addiction (Myers, 1989;Rommelspacher and Schmidt, 1985). On the basis of the amount of h-carbolines measured in MAO-inhibiting coffee, other compounds present in coffee should also account for MAO inhibition.…”

Chemical and technological factors determining tetrahydro-.beta.-carboline-3-carboxylic acid content in fermented alcoholic beverages

“…Minor amounts could form in the stomach with its relatively low pH, but at blood pH level any formation would be extremely slow. Part of the tetrahydro-d-carbolines detected after consumption in the blood plasma and urine of alcoholics or healthy humans (Rommelspacher and Schmidt, 1985 Tryptophan concentration in the grape juice and its pattern of uptake and release by the yeast determine the content of tetrahydro-/3-carboline-3-COOHs in wine. Rapid formation of acetaldehyde when tryptophan is still available is also a major factor.…”

Tetrahydro-β-carboline Alkaloids Occur in Fruits and Fruit Juices. Activity as Antioxidants and Radical Scavengers

“…They inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), monoamine uptake, and bind to benzodiazepine-GABA receptors and imidazoline binding sites ( 1 , 2 , − . THβCs and βCs have also been studied in relation to alcoholism or in pathological states ( − ). They may act as co-mutagens, precursors of mutagens, or N -nitroso compounds ( − ) or be bioactivated to give endogenous neurotoxins ( , ).…”