Salsolinol and norsalsolinol in human urine samples.
The tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids salsolinol and norsalsolinol were found in human urine samples in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 29.5 ng/ml. Great interindividual variation was found in urine levels of these alkaloids in a collection of chronic alcoholics and in a group of nonalcoholics. Thus, levels of the individual alkaloids are insufficient markers for distinguishing between alcoholics and nonalcoholics. However, by using the concentration ratio of norsalsolinol and salsolinol, the so-called dopamine-aldehyde adduct ratio (DAAR), significant differences between alcoholics (median 1.3) and nonalcoholics (median 0.6) were detected. This concentration ratio could serve as a marker for the processor state of the dopaminergic system.
Musshoff
F
F
Institute of Legal Medicine, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany.
Daldrup
T
T
Bonte
W
W
Leitner
A
A
Lesch
O M
OM
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000378:metabolism*; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000652:urine*; D012490:Salsoline Alkaloids / Q000652:urine*
D000470:Alkaloids; D007546:Isoquinolines; D012490:Salsoline Alkaloids; C036617:salsolinol; C020784:norsalsolinol