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Tryptophan intake influences infants' sleep latency

Article Abstract:

Exogenous tryptophan was added in infants' milk formula to determine if supplementation with the amino acid altered behavior and sleep latency. A comparison was also done between the effects seen with infants fed human milk and the commercially-available formula. Behavioral, dietary and biochemical assessments were performed on infants fed the different diets. Results indicated that milk composition, especially of tryptophan, affected sleep latency by its influence in central nervous system maturation. Supplemental tryptophan however, did not alter the quality of behavioral performances.

Infants, Nutrition, Behavioral assessment, Sleep

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Studies with compounds that compete with tryptophan binding in rat hepatic nuclei

Article Abstract:

In vitro studies of rat hepatic nuclei were made to determine whether hydroxytryptophan compounds compete with L-tryptophan in binding with rat hepatic nuclei. The studies showed that such compounds all have the alpha-amino-proprionic acid structure. Among them are 5-fluoro tryptophan, 7-aza-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy tryptophan, alanine and phenylalanine. However, these compounds do not stimulate protein synthesis. This suggests that only L-tryptophan can stimulate nucleocytoplasmic transfer of mRNA that in turn increases protein synthesis.

Protein binding, RNA, Nutrient interactions, RNA synthesis

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Route of administration of tryptophan and tyrosine affects short-term food intake and plasma and brain amino acid concentrations in rats

Article Abstract:

The effect of intraperitoneal and intragastric administration of tryptophan and tyrosine on food intake and selection and on plasma and brain levels of tryptophan and tyrosine was studied. The relation of plasma and brain tryptophan and tyrosine levels to feeding responses was also investigated. Results show that intragastric introduction of tryptophan or tyrosine reduced food intake compared to interperitoneal administration but this cannot be correlated to their lower brain and plasma concentrations.

Ingestion, Amino acid metabolism, Tryptophan metabolism

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