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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 42, 1240-1245, Copyright © 1985 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Evidence for diminished brain 5-hydroxytryptamine biosynthesis in obese diabetic and non-diabetic humans

DV Ashley, MO Fleury, A Golay, E Maeder and PD Leathwood

Obese persons are often reported to have marked cravings for simple carbohydrate-rich foods. Because of the proposed relationships between protein/carbohydrate selection, plasma tryptophan (TRP) to large neutral amino acids (LNAA) ratios, and brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurotransmission, we examined the plasma TRP/LNAA ratios in four categories of obese subjects, before and 120 min after oral glucose tolerance test (GTT). Plasma TRP/LNAA ratios were reduced in obese, non- diabetics by 18%, the same extent as for older (approximately 52 yr old) nonobese subjects. In more advanced obesity, ie obesity associated either with glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia or hypoinsulinemia, plasma TRP/LNAA ratios were reduced by 25%. One hundred twenty minutes after a 100 g glucose load plasma TRP/LNAA had not been normalized. Based on animal data, these results suggest there may be diminished 5- HT neurotransmission in obese diabetics. The implications of these findings for the cravings of obese for carbohydrate-rich foods is discussed.


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L. Breum, M. H Rasmussen, J. Hilsted, and J. D Fernstrom
Twenty-four-hour plasma tryptophan concentrations and ratios are below normal in obese subjects and are not normalized by substantial weight reduction
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2003; 77(5): 1112 - 1118.
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Copyright © 1985 by The American Society for Nutrition