L. J. Weber, A. Horita
Jul 1, 1965
Citations
3
Influential Citations
66
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Biochemical pharmacology
Abstract
Abstract Three methods have been developed to study, in the rat, the synthesis of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from the amino acid precursor L-tryptophan (Try): the first involves perfusion of the small intestine in situ with a Tyrode's solution containing Try; the second involves i.p. injections of the amino acid into unoperated and into partially or totally eviscerated rats; the third consists in infusing Try into the brain via the internal carotid artery. All these procedures showed synthesis of 5-HT in the brain as measured by fluorometric techniques. The results showed that the brain formed 5-HT from Try and that the brain did not depend on the stomach, intestine, spleen, kidneys, or liver for 5-hydroxytryptophan.