Dieting decreases plasma tryptophan and increases the prolactin response to d-fenfluramine in women but not men.
We studied the effect of 3 weeks of moderate calorie restriction on 5-HT-mediated prolactin (PRL) release in healthy volunteers using the 5-HT-releasing agent d-fenfluramine. In women, dieting significantly lowered plasma total and free tryptophan (TRP) and increased the PRL response to d-fenfluramine. None of these measures were altered in men who dieted. These findings add to the data indicating that dieting alters brain 5-HT function in women, perhaps as a consequence of reducing the availability of plasma TRP.
Walsh
A E
AE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Littlemore Hospital, UK.
Oldman
A D
AD
Franklin
M
M
Fairburn
C G
CG
Cowen
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood*
D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D011388:Prolactin