Analysis and the effects of some drugs on the metabolism of phenylethylamine and phenylacetic acid.

Phenylethylamine has been reliably measured using radioenzymatic, gas chromatographic, mass spectromatic and gas chromatographic - mass spectrometric methods. Phenylacetic acid has been measured using gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods. Phenylethylamine concentrations are increased primarily by phenylalanine, its amino acid precursor and by such monoamine oxidase inhibitors as L-deprenyl and pargyline. Phenylethylamine administration influences other neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. It also effects the tyramines and possibly tryptamine.