The Contribution of cocoa additive to cigarette smoking addiction

Page 156 of 207 RIVM report 650270002
Phenylethylamine
Phenylethylamine (5 mg) produced symptoms like headache, dizziness and
discomfort in some volunteers (n = 27). The LD50 value in rats varies between 100
mg/kg (i.p.) to 800 mg/kg (oral). No data are available on the inhalation toxicological
effect of phenylethylamine. Therefore, no conclusion can be drawn whether the
phenylethylamine dose in one cigarette (0.49 mg/cigarette) will exert significant
systemic and local toxicological effects.
Phenylethylamine reacts with aldehydes and cyanides in cigarettes and forms adducts
with those cigarette components. These adducts have MAOI properties. MAO
metabolises phenylethylamine in the pulmonary system. Therefore, MAOI increase
the phenylethylamine level in the body. It is plausible that phenylethylamine
availability from cigarette smoking will be increased when MAO is inhibited.
Phenylethylamine has reinforcing properties qualitatively comparable to
amphetamine. Whether phenylethylamine in cigarette plays a role in the reinforcing
effect of cigarette smoking is unknown.
Phenylethylamine could be used to treat depression disorder in human. Whether
phenylethylamine in cigarette plays a role in the possible anti-depressive effect of
cigarette smoking is unknown.
Based on the metabolisation by MAO, it seems that pulmonary MAO will reduce the
bioavailability of phenylethylamine through cigarette smoking. However, since no
data are available on pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and toxicological effects of
phenylethylamine exposure through inhalation, the shortterm and longterm effects of
exposure to phenylethylamine 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 phenylethylamine in
cigarette smoke;
- the local (respiratory system) effects of long-term use of phenylethylamine alone
and its pyrolysis/combustion products via inhalation;
- the local (respiratory system) effects of long-term use of phenylethylamine in
combination with other biogenic amines via inhalation.
- Biavailability of phenylethylamine via respiratory exposure
Date this sheet was generated
Based on literature available in march 2002.
REFERENCES
(1) Dictionary of substances and their effects (DOSE). The Royal Society of
Chemistry, editor version 10/2000, 2001. Electronic version.
(2) Brandweerinformatiecentrum voor gevaarlijke stoffen (BIG). Electronic version