Plasma Norharman (β‐Carboline) Levels are Elevated in Chronic Alcoholics

Abstract

Based on the hypothesis that condensation products of neurotransmitters with aldehydes are involved in the pathogenesis of alcoholism, aromatic beta-carbolines (norharman and harman) were measured in the blood plasma of alcoholics and nonalcoholics. The identity of the extracted compounds was confirmed by various elution conditions of the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), newly developed radioreceptor assays, and the mass spectrum of norharman. The levels of norharman and harman in nonalcoholics were unchanged after a load with ethanol (1 g/kg body weight). The norharman levels of the alcoholics were significantly higher than that of the nonalcoholic controls (99.5 +/- 26.6 pg/ml vs. 26.9 +/- 10.7 pg/ml; p less than 0.001) and did not change significantly during a 3-week detoxication period. In the subgroup of alcoholics with delirium or hallucinosis, a slight increase of norharman during detoxication could be detected while in alcoholics with vegetative withdrawal symptoms norharman levels dropped slightly over time (p = 0.07). No difference was found with respect to harman between nonalcoholics and alcoholics. These results suggest disturbed regulatory processes in the formation and/or metabolism of norharman in alcoholics. Further investigations are needed to reveal a possible marker function of norharman in alcoholic patients.

Elevated blood harmane (1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole) concentrations in essential tremor

“…Therefore, we cannot assess the extent to which the case-control difference reflects a difference in dietary intake of harmane. However, our data indicate that log blood harmane concentration is not a function of time since last food consumption (r = -0.097, p = 0.49) and other investigators have demonstrated stable blood concentrations following food ingestion (Rommelspacher et al, 1991). Also, we did not assess liver function, variability in the cytochrome P450 system, or renal function to see whether factors that might influence the metabolism of harmane differed between cases and controls.…”

“…The concentration remained stable. The same investigators also demonstrated that variability in concentration was minimal over a longer (three week) period (Rommelspacher et al, 1991). Our own data indicate that log blood harmane concentration is not correlated with the time latency since last food consumption (r = -0.097, p = 0.49 [N = 52]).…”

“…Most evaluations were home visits, and therefore were performed in the late morning or early afternoon, making fasting blood harmane concentrations impractical. Data suggest that plasma concentrations of harmane do not change significantly during the day (Rommelspacher et al, 1991). In one study (Rommelspacher et al, 1991), human subjects ingested food or ethanol, and plasma harmane concentrations were measured hourly for eight hours.…”

“…Data suggest that plasma concentrations of harmane do not change significantly during the day (Rommelspacher et al, 1991). In one study (Rommelspacher et al, 1991), human subjects ingested food or ethanol, and plasma harmane concentrations were measured hourly for eight hours. The concentration remained stable.…”

Greater Monoamine Oxidase A Binding in Alcohol Dependence

“…Alcohol metabolism may lead to the formation of a beta-carboline compound called harman (33,34), and alcoholic beverages frequently contain harman (35), which has moderate affinity for MAO-A. To avoid temporary occupancy effects of harman (10), [ 11 C]-harmine PET scanning was timed at a point when harman levels were negligible (36), which was verified by plasma sampling.…”