Related Experiment Videos
Tryptophan in human hair: correlation with pigmentation
A Bertazzo1, M Biasiolo, C V Costa
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, and Centro di Studio sulla Chimica del Farmaco e dei Prodotti Biologicamente Attivi, CNR, Padua, Italy.
Farmaco (Societa Chimica Italiana : 1989)
|January 2, 2001
Summary
Tryptophan levels in human hair vary by sex, age, and hair color. Higher concentrations are found in males, younger children, older adults, and darker or graying hair, indicating accumulation with age and keratinization.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Human Biology
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and a precursor to vital biomolecules like serotonin, melatonin, and niacin.
- Hair pigmentation is a significant factor influencing the incorporation of substances, including drugs, into hair.
- Understanding tryptophan distribution in hair is crucial for various applications, from nutritional studies to forensic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and accumulation patterns of tryptophan in human hair.
- To determine the influence of sex, age, and hair color on hair tryptophan content.
- To explore the relationship between tryptophan levels, hair pigmentation, and the aging process.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tryptophan content in 1211 hair samples from healthy individuals of diverse ages and sexes.
- Categorization of hair samples based on color: blond, dark blond, red, light brown, brown, black, grey, and white.
- Statistical evaluation of tryptophan levels in relation to demographic factors (sex, age) and hair characteristics (color).
Main Results:
- Tryptophan levels were significantly higher in males (37.83 µg/g) than in females (26.62 µg/g).
- Tryptophan content showed variations with age, peaking in early childhood and later adulthood (61-80, >80 years).
- Hair color correlated with tryptophan levels: higher in brown and black hair than blond, with the highest concentrations in grey and white hair, suggesting age-related accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Tryptophan distribution in human hair is influenced by sex, age, and hair color.
- Tryptophan accumulates in hair fibers over time, particularly evident in grey and white hair.
- The findings highlight the dynamic nature of amino acid composition in hair and its potential implications for drug analysis and biological studies.