Formaldehyde-derived tetrahydroisoquinolines and tetrahydro-β-carbolines in human urine

• Published in: Journal of chromatography. B, Biomedical applications Biomedical applications, 1996-08, Vol.683 (2), p.163-176
• Main Authors: Musshoff, F., Daldrup, Th, Bonte, W., Leitner, A., Lesch, O.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcoholism - etiology; Alcoholism - urine; Alcoholism and acute alcohol poisoning; Biological and medical sciences; Carbolines - chemistry; Carbolines - urine; Formaldehyde - chemistry; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Isoquinolines - chemistry; Isoquinolines - urine; Medical sciences; Tetrahydro-β-carbolines; Tetrahydroisoquinolines; Toxicology
• ISSN: 0378-4347; 1572-6495
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-4347(96)00106-5

Human urine samples were examined for the occurrence of formaldehyde-derived tetrahydroisoquinolines and tetrahydro-β-carbolines generated by condensation of the methanol oxidation product with biogenic amines. Positive results were obtained for the tryptamine condensation product 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline and the serotonine condensation product 6-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline as well as for the condensation products with tyramine, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, 6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, N-methyl-4,6,7-trihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, 4,6,7-trihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, and the metabolite 6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. Negative results were obtained for N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and 6,7-di-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline, 6-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline, and 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline in samples of chronic alcoholics as well as in the urine of healthy volunteers. No correlation between alcohol ingestion or state of alcoholization could be demonstrated.