THE EFFECT OF DIETARY DEFICIENCIES OF TRYPTOPHAN AND NIACIN ON CATECHOLAMINE PRODUCTION IN THE RAT

Abstract

The effects of dietary deficiencies of tryptophan and of niacin on the catecholamine production of various organs of the young, growing rat were studied. It was found that a dietary deficiency of niacin had little effect on the production of catecholamines in any of the organs investigated when the deficient diet was fed over a period of up to 41 days. On the other hand, when a diet deficient in tryptophan was administered for a similar period of time, there was a marked diminution in the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline of the adrenals, the noradrenaline of the brain, liver, and spleen, and the 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-ethylamine of the brain. The diminution effect of tryptophan deficiency was not observed in the adrenals unless prior treatment of the animals with reserpine had been carried out.