New characteristics of harmaline inhibition of intestinal transport systems

Harmaline strongly inhibits the uptake of phenylalanine by slices of guinea-pig intestine in vitro. The lowest concentration having a significant effect is 0.1 mM. The drug also inhibits the unidirectional flux of phenylalanine from the mucosal to serosal face of the tissue provided it is added to the solution bathing the mucosal surface. The unidirectional flux of sodium from the mucosa to the serosa was similarly reduced. Ion and water absorption in the perfused dog intestine in vivo is also diminished in the presence of harmaline. These results support the hypothesis, previously proposed in view of the rapid onset of harmaline inhibition of sodium-dependent uptake mechanisms in a variety of tissues, that harmaline interacts with the sodium-site of non-electrolyte carrier complexes. The effect of harmaline on phenylalanine uptake by the intesting is duplicated by other psychotropic indole analogues. The actions of harmine and harnalol are similar to that of harmaline, despite great differences in the liposolubility of the different compounds. N:N-dimethyl-tryptamine is equally inhibitory, but serotonin is inactive. Mescaline and lysergic acid diethylamide also inhibit phenylalanine transport, but to a much lesser extent than harmaline.