Pyridoxine, regardless of serotonin levels, increases production of 5-hydroxytryptophan in rat brain

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of pyridoxine and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on lipid peroxidation and on levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin. Methods. Thirty rats (30 days of age) were used in the survey, measuring levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), hemoglobin, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and serotonin (5-HT) after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 4 and 10 mg/kg/day of pyridoxine HCl during 20 days and a single dose of 2 muM/kg (440 mug) of BHT. Results. Levels of TBARS and 5-HTP increased considerably (p < 0.05) in all vitamin-and/or BHT-treated groups, and 5-HT increased partially (p < 0.05) only in B(6) with or without BHT-treated groups compared with control group. Conclusions. Results suggest that pyridoxine plays a role in tryptophan metabolism, increasing production of 5-HTP. (C) 2004 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc.