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Regional brain studies on indoles and tyrosine in Mongolian gerbils during nutrition with artificial mixtures high in branched chain amino acids compared to a protein rich diet

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Summary

Up till now evidence is lacking regarding the regional distribution of indoles, like tryptophan (TRP), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) as well as tyrosine (TYR) in the brains of Mongolian gerbils. Therefore using a microdissection technique and pooling regional brain samples, it can be shown that there is a regional distribution of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the brain of Mongolian gerbils which is highest in the raphe + reticular formation system followed by the rest of the brainstem and lenticular nuclei. A longterm fast (22 hours) increases TRP and 5-HIAA but not 5-HT, indicating an increase in the turnover rate of 5-HT. Brain TYR and TRP are only slightly increased after a protein rich diet, whereas 5-HT and 5-HIAA are not changed. Artificial nutrition with amino acid mixtures highly concentrated with branched chain amino acids lead to a decrease of TYR and TRP as well as 5-HT and 5-HIAA. Competing amino acid as well as inhibition of 5-HT synthesis is suggested to be responsible for these effects.

Mongolian gerbils show higher brain values of TRP and lower ones of TYR in comparison with other species of mice.

In peripheral organs, specially in the liver and lung, similar effects are observable. However, the changes are only mild in comparison to that observed in the brain. Moreover, TYR and TRP are significantly increased in peripheral organs after a protein rich diet.

Zusammenfassung

Die regionale Verteilung von Indolen wie Tryptophan (TRP), Serotonin (5-HT) und 5-Hydroxyindol-3-essigsäure (5-HIAA) sowie von Tyrosin (TYR) wurde in Gehirnen von mongolischen Springmäusen untersucht. Mit Hilfe einer Mikrosektionstechnik sowie durch „Poolen“ von Gewebeproben war es möglich, regionale Unterschiede speziell für 5-HT und 5-HIAA festzustellen, wobei die höchsten Werte in Raphe + Formatio reticularis, restlichem Hirnstamm und Linsenkern meßbar waren. Ein 22stündiger Nahrungsentzug resultierte in einem Anstieg von TRP und 5-HIAA, nicht aber von 5-HT, was auf eine gesteigerte Umsatzrate von 5-HT hindeutet.

Die Verabreichung einer proteinreichen Diät führt nur zu einem leichten Anstieg von TYR und TRP, 5-HT und 5-HIAA zeigen keine signifikanten Unterschiede. Ernährung mit künstlichen Aminosäuregemischen, welche hohe Konzentrationen von verzweigtkettigen Aminosäuren enthielten, ergab einen signifikanten Abfall von TYR und TRP, 5-HT und 5-HIAA. Die kompetitive Wechselwirkung der aromatischen und verzweigtkettigen Aminosäuren um die Transport- und Aufnahmemechanismen in das Gehirn sowie die Hemmung der 5-Hydroxytryptophansynthese durch verzweigtkettige Aminosäuren dürften für die beobachteten Effekte verantwortlich sein.

Mongolische Springmäuse weisen im Gehirn, verglichen mit anderen Mäusearten, höhere Konzentrationen an TRP und geringere an TYR auf.

In peripheren Organen, speziell in Leber und Lunge, wurden ähnliche Ergebnisse erzielt. Die Unterschiede sind aber im Vergleich zum Gehirn geringer ausgeprägt. Proteinreiche Kost führt im Gegensatz zum Gehirn zu einem stärkeren Anstieg von TYR und TRP.

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  1. P. Riederer

    Present address: L. Boltzmann Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Lainz Hospital, Vienna, Austria

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    Riederer, P. Regional brain studies on indoles and tyrosine in Mongolian gerbils during nutrition with artificial mixtures high in branched chain amino acids compared to a protein rich diet. Z Ernährungswiss 18, 94–103 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02023723

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