Tyramine: characteristics and functions

As you know, The nervous system uses a variety of neurotransmitters and other neurochemicals to function. They are the ones who get us to carry out integrated and coordinated behaviors. And tyramine is one of them.

Tyramine belongs to a family called biogenic amines.. These biogenic amines are products of “secondary” amino acid metabolism. These have an important role in many physiological processes, specifically cellular processes.

In the group of biogenic amines, norepinephrine and adrenaline are the most important in vertebrates. While, tyramine and octopamine are more important in invertebrates.

In invertebrates, tyramine is produced in higher concentrations than those found in vertebrates. However, originally, this neurochemical was considered only as a biosynthetic intermediate of octopamine and not as a neuroactive chemical.

Where is tyramine found in the nervous system

Tyramine is synthesized from tyrosine by the enzyme tyrosine decarboxylase.. However, this neurochemical is also the precursor to octopamine, which causes octopamine neurons to also have tyramine inside them.

For its part, Tyramine exerts an immunoreactive function in some places in the nervous system. This immunoreactivity is found in:

The neurons of the brain. The subesophageal ganglion. The thoracic abdominal ganglia.

Where can we find it too?

Not only can we find tyramine in the brain and nervous system in general.. There are several foods that contain tyramine, especially those with a high protein value. As these foods age, tyramine levels increase (2).

Examples of foods that contain tyramine

Here are some examples of foods that contain tyramine in large amounts (2):

Strong or cured cheeses. Some cheeses such as aged cheddar, Swiss and parmesan, blue cheeses or camembert contain high levels of tyramine. In general, cheeses made from pasteurized milk typically contain lower levels of tyramine. Some examples are American cheese or ricotta.cured meats. These are meats that have been treated with salt and nitrate or nitrite. Some examples of this are salami or pepperoni.Smoked or processed meats. These are some like mortadella, bacon or smoked fish.Canned or fermented foods. Sauerkraut, caviar or tofu are examples of this.Sauces like soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.Soybeans and derived products of soybeans.peas, beans and its pods.Dried or overripe fruits. Some examples are raisins, bananas or overripe avocados.Yeast-Extracted Spreads. This is, for example, brewer’s yeast.alcoholic beverages. Beer, red wine, spirits…Combined foods containing any of the above ingredients. Improperly stored foods or spoiled foods.

On the other hand, caffeinated drinks They may also contain high levels of this neurochemical.

When should a low tyramine diet be consumed?

Medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block monoamine oxidase. This is an enzyme that breaks down excess tyramine in the body. Blocking this enzyme helps relieve depression. That is why, if our psychologist or psychiatrist has prescribed an MAOI, it is important to reduce tyramine levels in the diet. Otherwise, a serious increase in blood pressure may occur and require emergency treatment.

In the case of stopping taking MAOIs, also It may be advisable to follow a diet low in tyramine, even weeks later. Although MAOIs are effective, have generally been replaced by more modern antidepressants, which are safer and produce fewer side effects. Still, an MAOI may be a good option for some people in their depression (2).

Some examples of MAOIs used for depression are the following (2):

Isocarboxazid (Marplan).Phenelzine (Nardil).Selegiline (Emsam).Tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Some emergency signs of a rapid and severe increase in blood pressure (2):

Severe headache.Nausea and vomiting.Severe sweating and anxiety.Nosebleed.Rapid heartbeat.Chest pain.Vision changes.Shortness of breath.Confusion.

So that, Tyramine can be very key in diseases such as depression, especially in the case of being treated with MAOIs. In this way, it is important to consult with a specialist if there is an overdose of thiamine in our diet.

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