Evaluation of 5-hydroxytryptophan administration as a test of pineal function in humans.
We tested the hypothesis that acute 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) administration would cause an increase in concentrations of plasma melatonin to levels observed during the spontaneous nocturnal melatonin surge. We administered 5-HTP orally (5-12 mg/kg) to 10 healthy children and 5 healthy adults, and measured melatonin concentrations in plasma samples obtained every 30 min for 3-6 h. There was no appreciable increase in melatonin after 5-HTP stimulation, even though a melatonin increase has been reported in sheep treated with 5-HTP.
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D008550:Melatonin