Studies on tryptophan accumulation in brain during methiothepin-induced enhancement of 5-hydroxyindole synthesis.

The elevation of brain tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoles (serotonin + 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid) that results from a tryptophan load is potentiated by prior administration of methiothepin, a serotonin receptor antagonist. Co-administration of valine with tryptophan attenuates these effects even in animals receiving methiothepin pretreatment. Administration of methiothepin and tryptophan to rats with widespread reduction of brain 5-hydroxyindole levels resulting from raphe lesions or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine pretreatment still enabled brain tryptophan levels to rise considerably above the sum of increases found in animals receiving one or the other. Following transection of the spinal cord, the cranial portion still exhibited enhanced uptake of tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindole synthesis following methiothepin plus tryptophan treatment, however, both these events were absent in the caudal segment. Apparently, enhanced tryptophan uptake can proceed in the presence of minimal neuronal activity; however, when nerve impulse flow is eliminated, both 5-hydroxyindole synthesis and tryptophan uptake is impaired.