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The interaction of some kynurenine pathway metabolites with 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine

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Abstract

The kynrenine pathway metabolites kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine and xanthurenic acid have been tested against 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced head twitches in the mouse in a dose-range of 0.5–5.0 mg/kg. Kynurenine and 3-hydroxykynurenine were highly active. Low doses caused marked potentiation of the twitch response to both 5-HT and 5-HTP with increased toxicity of 5-HT. High doses caused antagonism of both responses. Xanthurenic acid was inactive over the same dose range. The effects of kynurenine could not be duplicated in the guinea-pig ileum. The relevance of these results to the involvement of kynurenine pathway metabolites in depressive illness is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacology Laboratories, Department of Pharmacy, University of Aston, B4 7ET, Birmingham, UK

    Sheila L. Handley & Ruth C. Miskin

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  1. Sheila L. Handley
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  2. Ruth C. Miskin
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Handley, S.L., Miskin, R.C. The interaction of some kynurenine pathway metabolites with 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Psychopharmacology 51, 305–309 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431641

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431641

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