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L-tryptophan supplementation does not affect postoperative pain intensity or consumption of analgesics
Anders Ekblom1, Per Hansson, Mats Thomsson
1Department of Physiology II, Karolinska Institutet, Box 60400, S-104 01 StockholmSweden Department of Neurology, Karolinska Sjukhuset, Box 60500, S-104 01 StockholmSweden Department of Oral Surgery, Södersjukhuset, Box 38100, S-100 64 StockholmSweden.
Abstract:
Aiming at optimizing serotonin levels in endogenous pain-modulating systems, L-tryptophan supplementation pre- and postoperatively (2 g/day for 7 days) did not affect pain development or analgesic consumption after third molar surgery. Biological effects related to an increase in mood were observed, however, indicating transport of L-tryptophan to the central nervous system. The findings are discussed in relation to earlier reports on favorable effects of L-tryptophan on experimental pain in healthy subjects and in chronic pain patients.