Evaluation of 5-hydroxytryptophan administration as a test of pineal function in humans

A. Cavallo, G. E. Richards, W. J. Meyer, R. D. Waldrop

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that acute 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) administration would cause an increase in concentrations of plasma melatonin to levels observed during the spontaneous nocturnal melatonin surge. We administered 5-HTP orally (5-12 mg/kg) to 10 healthy children and 5 healthy adults, and measured melatonin concentrations in plasma samples obtained every 30 min for 3-6 h. There was no appreciable increase in melatonin after 5-HTP stimulation, even though a melatonin increase has been reported in sheep treated with 5-HTP.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)69-73
Number of pages5
JournalHormone Research
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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