PubMed · 10906486
A physiological method to selectively decrease brain serotonin release.
Abstract
In this protocol the effect of both an acute and chronic tryptophan (TRP)-free diet on brain serotonin (5-HT) release was studied in rats. Extracellular levels of cortical 5-HT, assessed by in vivo microdialysis, revealed a decrease in the release of this monoamine. Indeed, 120 min after the acute administration of a TRP-free diet, cortical 5-HT release decreased significantly by about 40% with respect to a balanced diet and the decrease persisted for more than 6 h. The chronic intake of a TRP-free diet induced a gradual reduction in 5-HT release. Five days after the diet consumption, our HPLC system detected no 5-HT in cortical dialysate. On the contrary, the acute or chronic administration of the TRP-free diet made no significant change in extracellular noradrenaline content in the frontal cortex, suggesting a specific action of the diet on the serotonergic system. Therefore, the administration of a TRP-free amino acid diet offers a non-pharmacological means for effectively decreasing brain 5-HT release. This diet can be used to study the physiological and behavioral effects of reduced brain 5-HT function.
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F Fadda, S Cocco, R Stancampiano. 2000. A physiological method to selectively decrease brain serotonin release.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1385-299x(00)00016-7
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