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European Journal of Nutrition

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01-02-2014 | Original Contribution

Effects of high-tryptophan diet on pre- and postnatal development in rats: a morphological study

Authors: Paola Castrogiovanni, Giuseppe Musumeci, Francesca Maria Trovato, Rosanna Avola, Gaetano Magro, Rosa Imbesi

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, precursor of serotonin. Serotonin (5HT) regulates the secretion of pituitary growth hormone (GH), which in turn stimulates the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) that is necessary for development and growth. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of an excess of tryptophan in the diet of pregnant rats on the differentiation of skeletal muscle tissue.

Methods

We conducted an immunohistochemical study on the IGF-I expression in hepatic and muscle tissues in offspring, and then, we associated this molecular data with morphological effects on the structure of the muscle fibers and hepatic tissue at different postnatal weeks, from birth to sexual maturity. Measurements of 5HT, GH in blood, and of tryptophan hydroxylase (Tph) activity in gastrointestinal tracts tissue were also taken.

Results

Hyperserotonemia and higher values of Tph activity were detected in both pregnant rats and pups. Very low levels of GH were detected in experimental pups. Morphological alterations of the muscle fibers and lower IGF-I expression in hepatic and muscle tissue in pups were found.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that an excess of tryptophan in the diet causes hyperserotonemia in fetus. Hyperserotonemia results in an excess of serotonin in the brain where it has an adverse effect on the development of serotonergic neurons. The affected neurons do not regulate optimally the secretion of pituitary GH that consequently decreases. This limits stimulation in the liver to produce IGF-I, crucial for development and growth of pups.

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Title: Effects of high-tryptophan diet on pre- and postnatal development in rats: a morphological study
Authors: Paola Castrogiovanni
Giuseppe Musumeci
Francesca Maria Trovato
Rosanna Avola
Gaetano Magro
Rosa Imbesi
Publication date: 01-02-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0528-4

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