Tranylcypromine Concentrations and Monoamine Oxidase Activity in Tissues from a Fatal Poisoning

Abstract

The case of a 55-year-old woman who died following the ingestion of 300 mg of tranylcypromine and several other drugs is presented. High concentrations of tranylcypromine were found in blood, brain, liver, and urine by gas-liquid chromatography. Monoamine oxidase activity in liver was markedly diminished from that of the control case, although the cerebral cortical activity of this enzyme did not differ significantly from the control. Pathological findings were limited to pulmonary edema and congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys.