ABSTRACT
We previously reported that violent offenders with paranoid symptoms or whose violent actions had been directed against family members had higher urinary levels of bufotenin than other violent offenders. In the present study, patients were evaluated with the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP), and urinary levels of bufotenin were determined by mass spectrometry. In drug-free patients suspiciousness was positively correlated, and socialization was negatively correlated, with urinary bufotenin excretion. These two personality variables were strongly interdependent. In drug users, bufotenin excretion was correlated positively with social desirability and negatively with irritability, but not with suspiciousness. Bufotenin excretion was not found to be associated with violence toward family members in the present study. The results are in keeping with the earlier finding that violent offenders with paranoid personality traits have higher urinary levels of bufotenin than other violent offenders.
Subject(s)
Antisocial Personality Disorder/urine , Bufotenin/urine , Hallucinogens/urine , Paranoid Personality Disorder/urine , Violence/psychology , Adult , Antidepressive Agents/adverse effects , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Antisocial Personality Disorder/diagnosis , Antisocial Personality Disorder/psychology , Domestic Violence/psychology , Humans , Insanity Defense , Male , Middle Aged , Paranoid Personality Disorder/diagnosis , Paranoid Personality Disorder/psychology , Personality Inventory , Social Desirability , SocializationABSTRACT
Nialamide, an MAO inhibitor, was given per os (PO) to a normal man who volunteered in two separate trials (total intake 300 mg and 1000 mg, respectively), and his bufotenin excretion was followed by consecutive urine samples. In both experiments the excretion rose well above the values measured from the same test subject when not taking nialamide (median 0.089 nmol/mmol creatinine, range 0.002-1.78). At its highest, the excretion was 16.5 nmol/mmol creatinine, and the maximum urinary output was 495 nmoles (56 micrograms) in 24 hr. The levels of bufotenin in plasma required for the excretion of the latter amounts are not far from those that produce psychic symptoms in man.
Subject(s)
Bufotenin/urine , Nialamide/pharmacology , Administration, Oral , Adult , Humans , Male , Reference ValuesSubject(s)
Bufotenin/urine , Mental Disorders/urine , Serotonin/analogs & derivatives , Adult , Aged , Creatinine/urine , Female , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/drug therapy , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Department, Hospital , Psychotropic Drugs/therapeutic useSubject(s)
Bufotenin/urine , Family , Paranoid Behavior/urine , Serotonin/analogs & derivatives , Violence , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Paranoid Personality Disorder/urineABSTRACT
The N,N-dimethylated derivative of serotonin, bufotenin , is excreted into normal human urine as a free amine. Conjugation of bufotenin is, however, possible because of the phenolic hydroxyl group on the molecule. In the present study the urinary excretion of free and conjugated bufotenin of ten healthy, drug free subjects was examined. Acid as well as enzymatic hydrolysis was used to liberate the amine from its conjugate. Quantification was achieved by isotope dilution mass fragmentography. Of total urinary bufotenin a relatively constant amount, 59.9 - 69.0%, was excreted in conjugated form. The conjugate was tentatively identified as a glucuronide.
Subject(s)
Bufotenin/urine , Serotonin/analogs & derivatives , Escherichia coli/enzymology , Glucuronates/urine , Glucuronidase/metabolism , Humans , Kinetics , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
A specific and sensitive method is described for the identifcation and quantification of the N-mono- and dimethylated derivatives of tryptamine and serotonin by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Deuterated analogues of the amines have been prepared for use as internal standards. The technique has been applied to the determination of indoleethylamine N-methyltransferase activity in rabbit and human lung. No interference from the beta-carboline formation or other side reactions between the substrates and the methyl donor was observed.