Abstract
A method is described for the assay of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in human blood plasma following administration of the compound. The procedure involves extracting the amino acid into butanol, returning the 5-HTP to an aqueous phase, and separating it from other interfering 5-hydroxyindoles on a column of Dowex 50W-X4, a strong cation-exchange resin. The concentration of 5-HTP in the buffer eluate is determined spectrofluorometrically in 3 N HCl; 25 ng/ml plasma can be detected. Using this method, it was possible to determine the time-course of plasma 5-HTP concentrations during the 24-h period after a single 300-mg dose. 5-HTP is being utilized in clinical trials for several psychiatric and neurological disorders.
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Angwin, P., Berger, P., Zarcone, V. et al. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: A method for monitoring human plasma content during clinical administration. Neurochem Res 1, 649–657 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00965605
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00965605