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. 1989 Dec 1;264(2):597–599. doi: 10.1042/bj2640597

Liver tryptophan pyrrolase. A major determinant of the lower brain 5-hydroxytryptamine concentration in alcohol-preferring C57BL mice.

A A Badawy 1, C J Morgan 1, J Lane 1, K Dhaliwal 1, D M Bradley 1
PMCID: PMC1133620  PMID: 2481450

Abstract

The lower brain 5-hydroxytryptamine concentration in alcohol-preferring C57BL, compared with -non-preferring CBA, mice is caused by a decrease in circulating tryptophan availability to the brain secondarily to a higher liver tryptophan pyrrolase activity associated with a higher circulating corticosterone concentration. Activity or expression of liver tryptophan pyrrolase and/or their induction by glucocorticoids may be important biological determinants of predisposition to alcohol consumption.

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Selected References

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