Abstract
CHANGES in brain tryptophan (Trp) associated with feeding are relevant to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)-mediated function, because in the brain Trp levels modulate 5-HT synthesis1. Using rodents, some investigators2–5 have confirmed our observations6,7 that after ingestion of balanced diets plasma Trp increases but brain Trp decreases or is unchanged. Other such dissociations between plasma and brain Trp have been observed during fasting, and after eating in hypophysectomised rats, indicating that the changes are not secondary to stress or pituitary mechanisms7. The dissociation is also independent of diurnal or nocturnal variations in plasma Trp4,7, but there is no explanation for it.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jequier, E., Lovenberg, W., and Sjoerdsma, A., Molec. Pharmac., 3, 274 (1967).
Curzon, G., Joseph, M. H., and Knott, P. J., J. Neurochem., 19, 1967 (1972).
Knott, P. J., and Curzon, G., Nature, 239, 452 (1972).
Morgan, W. W., and Yndo, C. A., Life Sci., 12, 395 (1973).
Tagliamonte, A., Biggio, G., Vargin, L., and Gessa, G. L., and Gessa, G. L., Life Sci., 12, 277 (1973).
Pérez-Cruet, J., Tagliamonte, A., Tagliamonte, P., Stern, S., and Gessa, G. L., Clin. Res., 18, 694 (1970).
Pérez-Cruet, J., Tagliamonte, A., Tagliamonte, P., and Gessa, G. L., Life Sci., 11, 31 (1972) .
Fernstrom, J. D., and Wurtman, R. J., Science, 173, 149 (1971).
Fernstrom, J. D., and Wurtman, R. J., Science, 178, 414 (1972).
Madras, B. K., Cohen, E. L., Fernstrom, J. D., Larin, F., Munro, H. N., and Wurtman, R. J., Nature, 224, 34 (1973).
Tagliamonte, A., Tagliamonte, P., Pérez-Cruet, J. Stern, S., and Gessa, G. L., J. pharmac. exp. Ther., 177, 475 (1971).
Shubert, J., Psychopharmacology, 32, 301 (1973).
Lipsett, D., Madras, B., Wurtman, R. J., and Munro, H. N., Life Sci., 12, 57 (1973).
McMenamy, R. H., and Oncley, J. L., J. biol. Chem., 233, 1436 (1958).
Gessa, G. L., Biggio, G., Tagliamonte, A., Fedn. Proc., 31, 599 (1972).
Goodman, H. M., The Physiologist, 13, 75 (1970).
Steffens, A. B., Physiol. Behav., 4, 215 (1969).
Fermstrom, J. D., Larin, F., Schonfeld, G., and Wurtman, R. J., Fedn. Proc., 30, 250 (1971).
Costa, E., Spano, P. E., Groppetti, A., Algeri, S., and Neff, N. H., Atti Accad. med. lomb., 23, 1100 (1968).
Thithapandha, A., Maling, H. M., and Gillette, J. R., Proc. Soc. exp. biol Med., 139, 582 (1972).
Atack, C. V., and Magnusson, T., J. pharm. Pharmac., 22, 627 (1970).
Snedecor, G. W., Statistical Methods (Iowa State College Press, Ames, Iowa, 1956).
Macdonal, I., and Braithwaite, D. M., Clin. Sci., 27, 23 (1964).
Ashcroft, G. W., Crawford, T. B. B., Cundall, R. L., Davidson, D. L., Dobson, J., Dow, R. C., Eccleston, D., Loose, R. W., and Pullar, I. A., Psychol. Med., 3, 326 (1973).
Moir, A. T. B., Ashcroft, G. W., Crawford, T. B. B., Eccleston, D., and Guldberg, H. C., Brain 93, 357 (1970).
Bulat, M., and Zivković, B., Science, 173, 738 (1971).
Weir, R. L., Chase, T . N., Ng, L. K. Y., and Kopin, I., Brain Res., 52, 409 (1973).
Garelis, E., and Sourkes, T. L., J. Neurol., Neurosurg. Psychiat., 36, 625 (1973).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
PÉREZ-CRUET, J., CHASE, T. & MURPHY, D. Dietary regulation of brain tryptophan metabolism by plasma ratio of free tryptophan and neutral amino acids in humans. Nature 248, 693–695 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/248693a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/248693a0
This article is cited by
-
Collagen peptide supplementation before bedtime reduces sleep fragmentation and improves cognitive function in physically active males with sleep complaints
European Journal of Nutrition (2024)
-
Dietary Amino Acids and Brain Serotonin Function; Implications for Stress-Related Affective Changes
NeuroMolecular Medicine (2008)
-
The Impact of Tryptophan Depletion and 5-HTTLPR Genotype on Passive Avoidance and Response Reversal Instrumental Learning Tasks
Neuropsychopharmacology (2007)
-
Effect of glucose on tobacco craving. Is it mediated by tryptophan and serotonin?
Psychopharmacology (2005)
-
Serotonin-immune interactions in major depression: lower serum tryptophan as a marker of an immune-inflammatory response
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience (1997)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
