Dopamine and Serotonin sulfation decreased by low PST

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Reduced platelet phenolsulphotransferase activity towards dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in migraine Journal European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Publisher Springer Berlin / Heidelberg ISSN 0031-6970 (Print) 1432-1041 (Online) Issue Volume 49, Numbers 1-2 / November, 1995 Biomedical and Life Sciences Monday, November 29, 2004 Pharmacokinetics And Disposition Reduced platelet phenolsulphotransferase activity towards dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in migraine A. L. Jones1, G. L. Rubin1, M. W. H. Coughtrie1 Contact Information, R. C. Roberts2, 3 and W. Colvin3 (1) Department of Biochemical Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, DD1 9SY Dundee, Scotland, UK (2) Department of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, DD1 9SY Dundee, Scotland, UK (3) Department of Neurology, Dundee Royal Infirmary, DD1 9ND Dundee, Scotland, UK Received: 1 August 1994 Accepted: 31 May 1995 Abstract Objective: The sulphation of the neurotransmitters dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine, and of the prototypical xenobiotic 4-nitrophenol, by phenolsulphotransferases was measured in platelet homogenates prepared from a group of migraine sufferers and a group of control subjects. Results: The activity of the M form of phenolsulpho-transferase, responsible for the sulphation of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine was significantly reduced in the migraine population, by 28% with dopamine as substrate and by 20% with 5-hydroxytryptamine. The activity of the P form of the enzyme towards 4-nitrophenol was the same in both groups. We also report that the selective inhibition of P form phenolsulpho-transferase by red wine is much more potent than previously thought, with a 2000-fold dilution of dealcoholised red wine having the ability to inhibit sulphation by this enzyme by 50%. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a reduced capacity for sulphation and inactivation of biogenic amines and catecholamines may be related to susceptibility to migraine.