title: Enhancement of rat brain metabolism of a tryptophan load by chronic ethanol administration.
abstract: We have previously shown that chronic ethanol administration enhances brain 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis by increasing the availability of circulating tryptophan to the brain secondary to the decreased liver tryptophan pyrrolase activity. We now find that ethanol enhances the brain metabolism of a tryptophan load by the same mechanism. The results are discussed in relation to ethanol preference and the need for further clinical work on the effects of alcoholism on tryptophan metabolism.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D012701:Serotonin; D000431:Ethanol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014364:Tryptophan