The Contribution of cocoa additive to cigarette smoking addiction

RIVM report 650270002 Page 171 of 207
Octopamine
Octopamine stimulates α2 and ß3-adrenergic receptors in rats. Furthermore, it affected
the cAMP level in the cell via the D1-receptor. Not enough data are available on
pulmonary effects of octopamine. Because octopamine is much less potent than
noradrenaline on the α and ß-adrenergic receptors, it is likely that a large amount of
octopamine needs be inhaled to affect the pulmonary system.
No data are available on pulmonary absorption of octopamine and on pulmonary
bioavailability in human. In vitro studies with rabbit lung showed that 35 % of
octopamine was inactivated by the pulmonary MAO. Considering the presence of
MAO in human lung tissue, it is likely that in situ elimination will occur in humans
after inhalation. Octopamine is widely distributed in the body. It is accumulated in the
platelets. Mainly MAO-A metabolises octopamine. Octopamine is excreted in
conjugated and unconjugated form. No data are available on the kinetic parameters of
octopamine. Because, octopamine is deaminated by MAO, it is likely that the
octopamine turnover in the body is high and thus also in the pulmonary tissue.
No human toxicological data are available on octopamine inhalation. Mainly animal
LD50 data are available.
Octopamine level in the body is affected by MAO inhibitors and α-adrenergic
antagonists.
Based on the octopamine metabolisation by MAO, it seems that pulmonary MAO
will reduce the bioavailability of octopamine through cigarette smoking. However,
since no data are available on pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and toxicological
effects of octopamine exposure through inhalation, the shortterm and longterm effects
of exposure to octopamine 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 octopamine level in cocoa and cigarette smoke
- the determination of pyrolysis/combustion products of octopamine in cigarette
smoke;
- the local (respiratory system) effects of long-term use of octopamine alone and its
pyrolysis/combustion products via inhalation;
- the local (respiratory system) effects of long-term use of octopamine in
combination with other biogenic amines via inhalation.
Date this sheet was genereted
Based on literature available in april 2002.
REFERENCES
(1) Octopamine-RTECS. Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances . 2001.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Electronic
version.
(2) Chemfinder website: http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com/ chemfinder . 2001.