A comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan effects on rat lumbar spinal cord serotonin release and monosynaptic response amplitude.
The physiological effects of injections of the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) are thought to result from increased serotonin (5-HT) release, although release has not been directly measured in vivo. This study compared the effects of 5-HTP on rat lumbar spinal cord monosynaptic response (MSR) amplitude and on 5-HT release into lumbar extracellular fluid as measured by in vivo dialysis. 5-HTP significantly increased the amplitude of the MSR and significantly increased the amount of 5-HT in dialysate samples suggesting that 5-HTP enhances the lumbar MSR amplitude by increasing 5-HT release.
Samathanam
G
G
Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6520.
Duffy
P
P
Kalivas
P W
PW
White
S R
SR
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012023:Reflex, Monosynaptic; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D012701:Serotonin; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan