Key indicators of serotonin synthesis in rat brain under chronic alcohol effect

• Main Authors: V. V. Konopelnyuk, V. V. Voitenko, O. M. Savchuk, L. I. Ostapchenko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Львівський національний університет імені Івана Франка 2013-04-01
• Series: Біологічні студії
• Subjects: serotonin; tryptophan; chronic alcohol intoxication
• Online Access: http://publications.lnu.edu.ua/journals/index.php/biology/article/view/223

Key indicators of serotonin synthesis in the brain of rats with experimental chronic alcohol intoxication were investigated. Content of tryptophan in rat brain during the period of chronic alcohol intoxication was increased. During withdrawal symptoms, a reduction in tryptophan content in comparison with its value during the administration of alcohol solution was shown. An increased activity, a key and rate limiting enzyme of serotonin biosynthesis path – tryptophan-hydroxylase in rat brain at later stages of experimental chronic alcohol intoxication was shown. Serotonin content in rat brain decreased during the period of chronic alcohol intoxication. At the 11th day of administration of 30% solution of ethanol and during the withdrawal syndrome, growth of monoaminoxygenase activity – enzyme that controls the degradation of 5-hydroxytryptamine – was shown. These results suggest the involvement of serotonergic neurotransmitter systems in pathogenesis of brain development at chronic alcohol intoxication in rats.