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Plasma tryptophan levels and anorexia in liver cirrhosis
Author(s) -
Laviano Alessandro,
Cangiano Carlo,
Preziosa Isabella,
Riggio Oliviero,
Conversano Laura,
Cascino Antonia,
Ariemma Serena,
Fanelli Filippo Rossi
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199703)21:2<181::aid-eat9>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - anorexia , cirrhosis , medicine , anorectic , serotonergic , endocrinology , tryptophan , serotonin , pathogenesis , anorexia nervosa , chemistry , body weight , eating disorders , psychiatry , amino acid , biochemistry , receptor
Objective Increased brain tryptophan (TRP) availability for serotonin synthesis may play a role in the pathogenesis of anorexia. Since in chronic liver failure, increased plasma and cerebrospinal fluid TRP concentrations are characteristically reported, we hypothesize that also in liver cirrhosis increased brain TRP availability may constitute the pathogenic mechanism of anorexia. To test this hypothesis, the association between anorexia and plasma TRP was investigated. Methods: Anorexia and plasma amino acid concentrations were evaluated in 16 patients with liver cirrhosis and compared with those obtained in 13 healthy volunteers. Results: According to a questionnaire, 11 cirrhotic patients were considered as anorectic. In these patients, brain TRP availability was significantly higher than in nonanorectic patients and controls. Discussion: Increased brain TRP availability is also associated with anorexia in liver cirrhosis, and supports the hypothesis that increased serotonergic activity may constitute the common pathogenic mechanism for anorexia associated with different diseases. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 21: 181–186, 1997.