Tyramine: characteristics of this monoamine-type neurotransmitter.

A type of monoamine that has a neurotransmitter function in the brain. Let's see what it looks like.

For proper functioning of the organism, we naturally secrete a number of substances that help to promote it; others, on the other hand, we extract from food, and others we secrete and ends.

Tyramine is a substance that forms part of the latter; it is a monoaminic amino acid (neurotransmitter) that helps regulate blood pressure. We also find it in foods such as cheese, nuts or herring.

Tyramine: characteristics of this neurotransmitter

Tyramine is a vasoactive amino acid.. This means that it widens (vasodilation) or narrows (vasoconstriction) blood vessels. Specifically, it is a monoamine, a type of neurotransmitter.

All monoamines are derived from aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and thyroid hormones through the action of the enzymes l-amino acid aromatic decarboxylase. Tyramine is found in some foods such as aged cheese, walnuts, chicken liverand herring (belonging to the sardine family).

In terms of its effects, tyramine stimulates the release of the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline. On the other hand, it helps regulate blood pressure, and, in addition to being found in certain foods, it is produced naturally in the body.

Tyramine produces headaches in some people, and is a product that is obtainedIt is a product obtained by converting tyrosine (an amino acid present in many proteins) into epinephrine (an active hormone produced internally in the adrenal gland).

Pharmacology

At the drug level, it is important to know that Antidepressant drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block monoamine oxidase, which is an enzyme that breaks down excess tyramine in the body. monoamine oxidase, which is an enzyme that breaks down excess tyramine in the body..

Blocking this enzyme helps alleviate the symptoms of depression. This is why MAOIs are indicated for this type of mood disorders (depression), and especially indicated for atypical depressions.

Foods with this substance

Tyramine is found naturally in small amounts in certain protein-containing foods. in certain protein-containing foods. As these foods age, tyramine levels increase. On the other hand, tyramine levels may vary among different foods, due to their different methods of processing, storage and preparation. In addition, even if cooked, tyramine levels in foods cannot be reduced.

Examples of foods with a high level of tyramine include the following:

• Strong or aged cheeses, such as aged cheddar, Swiss and Parmesan.
• Cured meatsCured meats, which are meats treated with salt and nitrate or nitrite.
• Smoked or processed meats, such as hot dogs, bologna, bacon, corned beef or smoked fish.
• Canned or fermented foodssuch as sauerkraut, kimchi, caviar, tofu or pickles.
• Sauces, such as soy sauce, shrimp sauce, fish sauce, miso and teriyaki sauce.
• Soybeans and soy products.
• Peas, beans and their pods.
• Dried or overripe fruits, such as raisins or prunes, bananas or avocados.overripe bananas or avocados.
• Alcoholic beverages, such as beer, especially draft or homemade beer, red wine, sherry and liqueurs.

Effects

As we have seen, tyramine-containing foods can produce headache (migraine), since this substance triggers a chain reaction that results in the most common causes of headache, such as cerebral vasoconstriction, followed by dilation of the blood vessels in the head.

On the other hand, tyramine could also cause, in particularly sensitive individuals, arrhythmias and high blood pressure.

Relationship with MAOIs

In case you are following a pharmacological treatment with MAOI antidepressants, their combination with foods containing high levels of tyramine, such as those mentioned above, should be avoided.

This is because if you take an MAOI and eat foods with high tyramine content, tyramine can quickly reach dangerous levels, tyramine can quickly reach dangerous levels, leading to a severe increase in blood pressure, which can eventually lead to a severe increase in blood pressure.which can eventually lead to hypertensive crises or heart attacks.

Hypertensive crises

In the event of a rapid and severe rise in blood pressure (with risk of hypertensive crisis), it is advisable to be aware of the symptoms that may appear (emergency signs), which would include the following:

• Severe headache.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Sweating and severe anxiety.
• Nosebleeds.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Chest pain.
• changes in vision
• shortness of breath
• confusion

Bibliographic references:

• Hall-Flavin, D. (2019). Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and diet: is tyramine restriction necessary? Mayo Clinic.
• National Headache Foundation. (2007). Tyramine.
• Stahl, S.M. (2002). Essential psychopharmacology. Neuroscientific bases and clinical applications. Barcelona: Ariel.