title: Effects of phenylalanine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on seizure severity in mice.
abstract: The degree of audiogenic seizure was measured in DBA/2J (phenylalanine hydroxylase deficient) mice as a function of dietary phenylalanine (Phe) and injected 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the precursor of serotonin (5-HT). Phe was shown to exacerbate seizures significantly, and seizure severity was found to be directly related to dietary concentration when animals were not treated with exogenous 5-HTP. 5-htp was observed to significantly ameliorate seizures. The seizure-intensifying effect of Phe was reversible by 5-HTP injection and protection against seizures was directly related to 5-HTP concentration for animals on a high Phe diet. The results of this study indicate that Phe and 5-HTP are mutually antagonistic in modulating audiogenic seizure suceptibility.
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D010649:Phenylalanine; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan