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Re: reversible chemical distinctions? -- Adam?

Posted by Adam on November 8, 1999, at 16:49:56

In reply to Re: reversible chemical distinctions? -- Adam?, posted by dj on November 8, 1999, at 2:29:42

> 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.

Sorry, I hope I wasn't overly discursive.

>I take it then that monamine oxidase is what MAO refers to and that

Yes, MAO=monoamine oxidase. MAOI=monoamine oxidase inhibitor.

>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?)

I'm not sure MAOs have a "negative impact" per se. They chemically alter neurotransmitters in a way that inactivates them. This is a normal process, and messing
with it can cause problems. Since depression can be treated by boosting neurotransmitter levels in the synapse, MAOIs can be used to treat it. The cost is side
effects.

>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?

I'm not certain I understand this sentence correctly, but here's what I can say: The two enzymes are quite close in structure but are not exactly alike. They have some
overlap in function, and also have some distinctive functions. One overlapping function is the deamination of tyramine. To put it simply, if tyramine gets into your brain,
it somewhat mimics the action of another neurotransmitter and causes a cascade of events that can culminate in what is known as "hypertensive crisis," a sickening and
potentially dangerous elevation in blood pressure. By targetting one but not both of the MAOs, you do not so much "positively inhibit" this adverse response as simply allow
some portion of the body's normal biochemistry to do its job.

> 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.

That's exactly it.


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