Identification of tetrahydronorharmane (tetrahydro-beta-carboline) in human blood platelets.

The present paper shows that tetrahydronorharmane (tetrahydro-beta-carboline) exists in human platelets. The concentration of tetrahydronorharmane in platelets from 10 ml platelet rich plasma was in the range of 9.3 to 25.6 pmol (n=8). Ingestion of tryptamine hydrochloride (n=4) three times daily for three consecutive days and of 19.6 mmol D,L-tryptophan (n=7) the evening (10 p.m.) before the blood collection did not lead to an increase of tetrahydronorharmane in platelets.