title: [Changes in the kinetics of erythrocyte membrane transport of tryptophan in depression].
abstract: The initial rate of L-tryptophan uptake into human red cells as a function of its concentration in the medium was measured in a group of 8 depressed patients hospitalized included 2 bipolar disorders (296.5x, DSM III), 3 major depressions, single episode or recurrent (296.3x and 296.2x, DSM III) and 3 dysthymic disorders (300.40x, DSM III), which were out of antidepressive treatment, with age ranging from 34 to 64 years compared to a group of 11 healthy volunteers with age ranging from 23 to 54 ans. Kinetic constants were measured at 37 degrees C on red cells incubated with tritiated L-tryptophan and cold L-tryptophan over the concentration range 0.1 to 10 mM. The maximum velocity (Vmax) of the saturable transport is severely lowered in a significant manner in the patients compared to controls (mean +/- s.e.m. = 48.9 +/- 5.5 mumol/l cells/min and 92.0 +/- 14 which represents 47% in decrease). In return, the Michaelis constant is unaffected. The linear component of tryptophan transport, which corresponds to the participation of nonspecific transport systems, is not modified. The possible incidence of such a deficit in the plasmatic reserve of tryptophan in depressed patients on the central availability of serotonin synthesis precursor is postulated.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Psychiatrie Biologique, L.N.F.-C.N.R.S., Marseille.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jeanningros
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grignon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giusiano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tissot
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001692:Biological Transport; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D014364:Tryptophan
vernacular_title: Modifications des cinétiques du transport membranaire érythrocytaire du tryptophane dans les dépressions.