The Contribution of cocoa additive to cigarette smoking addiction

Page 120 of 207 RIVM report 650270002
Tryptamine
induced toxicological effects. The LD50 mice ranged from 100 mg/kg body weight
(ipr.) to 500 mg/kg bodyweight (sc.).
Tryptamine can be oxidized and thereby radicals are formed. It forms adducts with
other cigarette components and forms also carbolines via Pictet-Spengler
condensation. Tryptamine derivatives, such as carbolines, which are readily formed in
cigarette smoke, affect the monoamine oxidase system. Tryptamine inhibits the
CYP2A6 enzyme and could therefore inhibit the nicotine degradation. No data were
available on respiratory interaction effects via inhalation.
The regulation of the serotoninergic system in the brain by tryptamine and the role of
this system in the tobacco dependency seems to indicate that tryptamine has a role in
the tobacco dependency process. From literature on chocolate craving, it seems that
exogenous tryptamine does not contribute to chocolate craving.
Tryptamine is used as a raw material for the synthesis of the vasodilator and
antihypertensive, vincamine.
Since no data on pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and toxicological effects of
tryptamine exposure through inhalation are available, the shortterm and longterm
effects of exposure to tryptamine through smoking on the respiratory system cannot
be established. Furthermore, its additive effects on other biogenic amines present in
cigarette smoke are also not known and have to be studied.
More studies are needed on:
- the determination of pyrolysis/combustion products of tryptamine in cigarette
smoke;
- the local (respiratory system) effects of long-term use of tryptamine alone and
their pyrolysis/combustion products via inhalation.
- the local (respiratory system) effects of long-term use of tryptamine in
combination with other biogenic amines via inhalation
Date this sheet was generated
Based on literature available in October 2001.
REFERENCES
(1) The Merck Index. Electronic version 12:1, 1996. Chapman & Hall EPD.
(2) ChemData Merck Catalog. ChemData, The Merck Chemical Database [2.1.1,
Edition 2000'1*NL]. 2001. Electronic version.
(3) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 79th edition . 1999. CRC, Electronic
version by William Andrew Publishing, USA.
(4) Chemfinder website: http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com/ chemfinder, 2001.
(5) Songstad DD, De L, V, Brisson N, Kurz-Wolfgang GW, Nessler CL. High
levels of tryptamine accumulation in transgenic tobacco expressing