Effects of ethanol on plasma amino acids mediated via β-adrenergic mechanisms

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Abstract
Ethanol has been demonstrated to cause a marked decrease in plasma concentrations of the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan. This effect of ethanol could be inhibited by the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. The β-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline causes a similar decrease in plasma amino acids. These data suggest that ethanol in one way or another influences some β-adrenergic mechanisms. Furthermore, this effect of ethanol on plasma aminoacids might be of importance in elucidating the mode of action of ethanol, since the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan in the brain are precursors to the monoamine neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline). Tomas Erliksson är legitimerad läkare och tjänstgör som universitetslektor vid Farmakologiska institutionen vid Göteborgs Universitet. Arvid Carlsson är professor i farmakologi vid Farmakologiska institutionen vid Göteborgs Universitet.