Posted by dj on November 8, 1999, at 2:29:42
In reply to Re: reversible chemical distinctions?, posted by Adam on November 7, 1999, at 22:08:02
Adam,
Thanks for the learned dissertation. After reading it twice I believe I have the gist of it, though some of the scientific jargon still leaves me a bit puzzled. I take it then that monamine oxidase is what MAO refers to and that MAOs have a negative impact on one's neurotransmitters that is treated in different ways by different MAOI's (what would the I stand for, then?) which because of their configuration have differing impacts on one's bio-chemistry and those that most negatively effect either but not both MAO's A & B most positively inhibit negative side effects from forbidden foods. Is that an apt summarization?
> By unbreakable I mean it cannot be dissociated by the enzyme itself or under conditions that would preserve
> the enzyme. Because of where this bond is formed, MAO cannot react with its normal substrates. This effectively destroys the enzyme.
>
> Reversible MAOIs do not form unbreakle bonds with monamine oxidase. They can be dissociated from MAO without destroying it under normal physioligical conditions, leaving the enzyme unaltered by the interaction.
Because of the placement, strength, and duration of this interaction, the reversible MAOI can still interfere with the enzymes ability to catalyse reactions with its normal substrates.
>
> In either case, the result is increased levels of some neurotransmitters.
>
> "Specific" MAOIs have greater affinities for one or the other of the two MAO species, MAO-A or MAO-B. MAO-A preferentially breaks down (oxidatively deaminates) serotonin and norepinepherne, though it does degrade dopamine to a lesser extent. MAO-B breaks down only dopamine and phenylethylamine. Both forms of the enzyme can break down tyramine.So, an MAOI that inhibits one but not both of the MAOs will lessen the danger of the "cheese effect", the adverse reactions one can experience from elavated levels of the amino > acid tyramine in the brain.
poster:dj
thread:13758
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991108/msgs/14793.html