title: Behavioral effects of 5-hydroxy-N-acetyltryptophan, a putative synthetic precursor of N-acetylserotonin.
abstract: 1. Adult male rats were injected with either 5-hydroxy-N-acetyltryptophan (5-OHNAT), a synthetic putative precursor of N-acetylserotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the serotonin precursor, and behavioral effects were observed. Pretreatment consisted of carbidopa and nialamide. 2. The behavioral effects of systemic injections of 5-OHNAT and 5-HTP were qualitatively similar i.e. head weaving, forepaw treading, etc., but the effect of 5-OHNAT was appreciably delayed in onset. 3. 5-OHNAT loading may cause an increase in central nervous system 5-HT via initial deacetylation to 5-HTP. Alternatively, 5-OHNAT may cause a delayed increase in brain NAS and the "serotonin syndrome" may reflect increased conversion of 5-HT to NAS.
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; C006392:N-acetyltryptophan; C037077:5-hydroxy-N-acetyltryptophan; D014364:Tryptophan; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; C006389:N-acetylserotonin