5htp And Vitamins Interactions

5-Hydroxytryptophan ( 5-HTP ; Oxitriptan ) is a naturally occurring amino acid, a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and an intermediate in tryptophan metabolism. It is marketed in the United States and other countries as a dietary supplement for use as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant, and sleep aid. However, according to a 2001 meta-analysis, no sufficient high quality research has been done to establish its effectiveness for treatment of clinical depression or dysthymia.

Metabolism

5-Hydroxytryptophan is decarboxylated to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) by the enzyme aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase with the help of Vitamin B6.

This reaction occurs both in nervous tissue and in the liver. 5-HTP crosses the blood-brain barrier , while 5-HT does not. Excess 5-HTP, especially when administered with Vitamin B6, is thought to be metabolized and excreted.

Pharmacology

The psychoactive action of 5-HTP is derived from its effect on the production of serotonin in central nervous system tissue. More specifically, 5-HTP increases the production of serotonin. Thus, it has been used to treat diseases, e.g. depression, for which the lack of serotonin is thought to be a contributing factor.

Research shows that co-administration with carbidopa greatly increases plasma 5-HTP levels. However, several studies have reported that 5-HTP is effective even without a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (e.g. carbidopa). Other studies have indicated the risk of a scleroderma-like condition resulting from the combination of 5-HTP and carbidopa.

As a therapeutic supplement

5-HTP, which is found in minute amounts in certain foods like cheese and the white meat of poultry, is often sold as an over-the-counter therapeutic supplement. In this case, it is usually sourced from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia . 5-HTP in supplement form is typically sold in 50 mg or 100 mg gelatin or vegetarian capsules.

5-HTP has been known to be used as a remedy to counter the withdrawal symptoms that can occur after taking MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy), a drug known for depleting the serotonin in the brain. Many users report that taking 5-HTP after Ecstasy use reduces its negative side-effects, including depression, that they experience in the days after.

Research

5-HTP has been studied and shown to be of benefit in the following conditions: primary fibromyalgia syndrome, Friedreich's ataxia, LSD-induced psychosis, chronic headaches (primary or otherwise), depression, anxiety, binge eating associated with obesity, and insomnia.

A 2001 meta-analysis found that of 108 studies on 5-HTP published between 1966 and 2000, only two met the authors' quality standards for inclusion. The two studies that were deemed of sufficient quality did not deal with 5-HTP exclusively, instead combining results for 5-HTP and tryptophan, so the results may not be completely applicable for 5-HTP alone. While the combined analysis of the two 5-HTP and tryptophan studies showed significant effectiveness over placebo in treating depression, the authors state that overall "the evidence was of insufficient quality to be conclusive." They also state that "because alternative antidepressants exist which have been proven to be effective and safe, the clinical usefulness of 5-HTP and tryptophan is limited at present."

Possible risks or side effects

Because 5-HTP has not been thoroughly studied in a clinical setting, possible side effects and interactions with other drugs are not well known.

Due to the conversion of 5-HTP into serotonin by the liver, there is a possible yet unproven risk of heart valve disease from serotonin's effect on the heart.

5-HTP can cause hypertension by increasing plasma renin activity, when not co-administered with a peripheral aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, such as carbidopa or benserazide .

Direct and indirect evidence for possible yet unproven risks and side effects associated with 5-HTP when overdosed:

• Heart valve damage or disease.
• When combined with MAO inhibitors or SSRIs, 5-HTP can cause acute serotonin syndrome.
• When combined with carbidopa (as a treatment for symptoms of Parkinson's disease), 5-HTP causes nausea and vomiting; however this can be alleviated via administration of granisetron.

See also

• Serotonin
• Tryptophan
• Vitamin B6
• Pyridoxal Phosphate (PLP) - Bioactive form of vitamin B6

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Shaw K, Turner J, Del Mar C (2001). "Tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan for depression". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (3): CD003198. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003198 . PMID 11687048.  
2. ^ Rahman MK, Nagatsu T, Sakurai T, Hori S, Abe M, Matsuda M (1982). "Effect of pyridoxal phosphate deficiency on aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity with L-DOPA and L-5-hydroxytryptophan as substrates in rats". Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 32 (5): 803–11. doi: 10.1254/jjp.32.803 . PMID 6983619.  
3. ^ Bouchard S, Bousquet C, Roberge AG. Characteristics of dihydroxyphenylalanine/5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase activity in brain and liver of cat. J Neurochem. 1981 Sep;37(3):781-7. PMID 6974228
4. ^ Gomes P, Soares-da-Silva P. (1999). "L-DOPA transport properties in an immortalised cell line of rat capillary cerebral endothelial cells, RBE 4.". Brain Res. 829 (1-2): 143–150. PMID 18445233.  
5. ^ Bouchard S, Roberge AG (1979). "Biochemical properties and kinetic parameters of dihydroxyphenylalanine--5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase in brain, liver, and adrenals of cat". Can. J. Biochem. 57 (7): 1014–8. PMID 39668.  
6. ^ Amamoto T, Sarai K (1976). "On the tryptophan-serotonin metabolism in manic-depressive disorders. Changes in plasma 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels and urinary 5-HIAA excretion following oral loading of L-5HTP in patients with depression". Hiroshima J. Med. Sci. 25 (2-3): 135–40. PMID 1088369.  
7. ^ "5-HTP: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD" . http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-794-5-HTP.aspx?activeIngredientId=794&activeIngredientName=5-HTP . Retrieved 2009-10-05 .

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