Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2026

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices
Published on: August 11, 2021
Styrene inhibits monoamine oxidase A, but not monoamine oxidase B in monkey brain mitochondria
T Egashira1, F Takayama, K Sakai
1Department of Pharmacology, Oita Medical University, 1-1, Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, 879-5593, Oita, Japan. egacy@oita-med.ac.jp
Abstract:
The effects of styrene on mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in rat and monkey brains were compared in vitro. After preincubation at 25 degrees C for 20 min with 1 mM styrene monomer MAO-A activity in monkey brain was inhibited potently using 5-HT (for MAO-A substrate), but MAO-B activity in monkey brain and platelets were slightly inhibited using beta-PEA (for MAO-B substrate). Styrene monomer also competitively inhibited MAO-A activity in a dose-dependent manner. MAO-A in monkey brain was inhibited by styrene in ascending order of potency: styrene trimer>styrene dimer>styrene monomer. In contrast styrene monomer slightly inhibited both MAO-A and MAO-B activities in rat brain mitochondria. In the present study styrene monomer potently inhibits MAO-A activity, but not MAO-B activity, in monkey brain mitochondria in vitro. These results indicate the inhibiting action of styrene differs depending on animal species and MAO isoforms.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Aromatic ring substitutions: Substituting the aromatic ring with –OH groups at positions 3 and 4 yields catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which have a high affinity for adrenoceptors. Hydrogen bonding between –OH groups and receptors enhances adrenergic activity.
Separation of the aromatic...

