Abstract
This chapter presents some reports that show that brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) content is increased after rats voluntarily consume certain types of food. The ingestion of dietary carbohydrate elevates the concentrations of tryptophan in the plasma and the brain by eliciting the secretion of insulin. The increase in tryptophan concentration within 5-HT-producing neurons causes brain 5-HT content to rise by accelerating its rate of biosynthesis. This chapter provides an overview of the relationships between the plasma tryptophan rhythm and the concentrations of tryptophan and 5-HT in rat brain. The injection of insulin or the consumption of a carbohydrate meal causes sequential elevations in the concentrations of plasma tryptophan, brain tryptophan, and brain 5-HT in rats. These observations suggest that 5-HT-containing neurons in the rat brain act as sensors for food consumption and metabolic state. Protein consumption leads to elevations in the concentrations of brain tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoles, which are more dependent on the ratio of plasma tryptophan to other amino acids than on tryptophan levels alone.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
