L-tryptophan supplementation does not affect postoperative pain intensity or consumption of analgesics.
Aiming at optimizing serotonin levels in endogenous pain-modulating systems, L-tryptophan supplementation pre- and postoperatively (2 g/day for 7 days) did not affect pain development or analgesic consumption after third molar surgery. Biological effects related to an increase in mood were observed, however, indicating transport of L-tryptophan to the central nervous system. The findings are discussed in relation to earlier reports on favorable effects of L-tryptophan on experimental pain in healthy subjects and in chronic pain patients.
Ekblom
Anders
A
Department of Physiology II, Karolinska Institutet, Box 60400, S-104 01 StockholmSweden Department of Neurology, Karolinska Sjukhuset, Box 60500, S-104 01 StockholmSweden Department of Oral Surgery, Södersjukhuset, Box 38100, S-100 64 StockholmSweden.
Hansson
Per
P
Thomsson
Mats
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010551:Personality; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013515:Surgery, Oral; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000700:Analgesics; D014364:Tryptophan