Urinary Excretion Levels of β-Phenylethylamine, Tyramine and Tryptamine in Healthy Adults

Sex Difference and Effects of Their Precursors Administration

Abstract

Sex difference in urinary excretion levels of β-phenylethylamine, tyramine and tryptamine in healthy male and female adults was investigated. These amines were determined by the method of Watanabe et al. In female subjects, changes of urinary excretion levels of these amines during menstrual cycle were also examined. Tyramine and tryptamine levels in urinary excretion were not different between male and female. But, the amount of β-phenylethylamine excretion in the premenstrual period was increased significantly when compared with that of male subjects. Effects of administration of precursors on the urinary excretion of these three amines were examined. A load of 1g tryptophan produced an increase of tryptamine excretion in four subjects out of five.