Faculty Collaboration Database

The chronic ingestion of diets containing different proteins produces marked variations in brain tryptophan levels and serotonin synthesis in the rat. Neurochem Res 2011 Mar;36(3):559-65

Date

01/06/2011

Pubmed ID

21207140

DOI

10.1007/s11064-010-0382-1

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-79954417291 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   19 Citations

Abstract

Serotonin (5HT) synthesis in brain is influenced by precursor (tryptophan (TRP)) concentrations, which are modified by food ingestion. Hence, in rats, a carbohydrate meal raises brain TRP and 5HT; a protein-containing meal does not, but little attention has focused on differences among dietary proteins. Recently, single meals containing different proteins have been shown to produce marked changes in TRP and 5HT. The present studies evaluate if such differences persist when rats ingest such diets chronically. Male rats were studied that ingested diets for 9 days containing zein, wheat gluten, soy protein, casein, or α-lactalbumin (17% dry weight). Brain TRP varied up to eightfold, and 5HT synthesis fivefold among the different protein groups. TYR and LEU concentrations, and catecholamine synthesis rate in brain varied much less. The effects of dietary protein on brain TRP and 5HT previously noted after single meals thus continue undiminished when such diets are consumed chronically.

Author List

Choi S, DiSilvio B, Fernstrom MH, Fernstrom JD

Author

Sujean Choi PhD in the School of Allied Health department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Body Weight
Brain
Diet
Dietary Proteins
Leucine
Male
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Serotonin
Tryptophan