Effects of the haem precursor 5-aminolaevulinate on tryptophan metabolism and disposition in the rat.
5-Aminolaevulinate administration to rats inhibits cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis by decreasing tryptophan availability to the brain secondarily to activation of hepatic tryptophan pyrrolase. The results show that tryptophan metabolism and disposition can be influenced by changes in liver haem concentration, and are discussed briefly in relation to mood disorders in the hepatic porphyrias.
South Glamorgan Health Authority, Biomedical Research Laboratory, Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff, Wales, U.K.
A A
AA
Badawy
C J
CJ
Morgan
N R
NR
Davis
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007982:Levulinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014366:Tryptophan Oxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D007982:Levulinic Acids; D012701:Serotonin; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D014364:Tryptophan; D014366:Tryptophan Oxygenase