The effect of tryptophan on biogenic amines in the hepatic portal circulation of the dog.

Mongrel dogs were fitted with indwelling hepatic portal catheters. After recovery from surgery, experiments were conducted in fasting, unrestrained, fully conscious, normal dogs which were accustomed to handling and withdrawal of blood samples. L-Tryptophan, a specific serotonin precursor, was injected into a saphenous vein, 10 microM/kg body weight, dissolved in saline. Plasma serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine were determined by radioenzymatic assays in blood samples withdrawn at frequent intervals for 2 h, simultaneously from the indwelling catheter and from a catheter temporarily inserted into a saphenous vein other than the one used for the injection of tryptophan. The injection of the amino acid caused a significant elevation of the concentration of platelet-free serotonin within 60 min and this was accompanied by a reduction in the concentration of the catecholamines, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. The changes occurred only in the portal circulation and were not detected in peripheral blood samples. The results of these experiments indicate the existence of a cause and effect related interdependence between the splanchnic serotonergic and adrenergic systems in that the tryptophan-stimulated increase in serotonergic activity resulted in a concomitant reduction in gut adrenergic activity.