Serum tryptophan levels in alcoholics.
An oral load of L-tryptophan was administered to alcoholics and non-alcoholic control subjects in order to determine whether prolonged ethanol consumption influences serum tryptophan levels. Both samples were taken under fasting conditions and after the load. No differences in fasting serum tryptophan levels were noted. In alcohol addicts and in alcoholics treated with disulfiram (Antabuse) serum tryptophan levels were below normal after the load. No differences were observed in serum tryptophan levels between treated alcoholics not receiving disulfiram and control subjects. The findings suggest that chronic consumption of ethanol-containing beverages can enhance removal of tryptophan from the blood. Explanations to account for this finding are considered.
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D014364:Tryptophan; D004221:Disulfiram