[L-tryptophan. An essential amino acid for structural and functional metabolism]
1Arzt für Pharmakologie/Klin. Pharmakologie, Universität Frankfurt, Wuppertal.
Abstract:
Since the nineteen-sixties, L-Tryptophan has been used with success to treat depressive states and sleep disorders. When, in 1989, the substance was suspected of causing severe adverse reactions (EMS), approval for its use was initially suspended. It has since been shown that the undesired side effects were due not to L-Tryptophan itself, but to contaminations of the basic substance, and the suspension of approval was therefore lifted. In September 1996, L-Tryptophan was re-introduced onto the market as Ardeytropin. The present paper takes a look at the substance L-Tryptophan and discusses in particular its biochemical significance and its biokinetics/pharmacokinetics. The pharmacological basis for the use of L-Tryptophan to treat sleep disorders and depression is examined.
Related Concept Videos
Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes
There are several different mechanisms used to attenuate transcription. In ribosome mediated...
Proteins: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Overview of Protein Metabolism
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Amino Acid Catabolism
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways
Repressible Operon: trp Operon


![Radiosynthesis of 1-(2-[18F]Fluoroethyl)-L-Tryptophan using a One-pot, Two-step Protocol](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F63025.jpg&w=3840&q=50)