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ENHANCEMENT OF RAT BRAIN METABOLISM OF A TRYPTOPHAN LOAD BY CHRONIC ETHANOL ADMINISTRATION
Author(s) -
BADAWY A.A.B.,
EVANS M.,
PUNJANI N.F.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1980.tb10694.x
Subject(s) - tryptophan , ethanol , metabolism , tryptophan metabolism , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , pharmacology , biochemistry , amino acid
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.