5-Hydroxytryptophan

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with
5-hydroxytryptamine
.

5-Hydroxytryptophan
Skeletal formula
Ball-and-stick model
Names
IUPAC name
2-amino-3-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid
Identifiers
3D model (
JSmol
)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard
 100.022.193 Edit this at Wikidata
IUPHAR/BPS
KEGG
MeSH 5-Hydroxytryptophan
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C11H12N2O3/c12-9(11(15)16)3-6-5-13-10-2-1-7(14)4-8(6)10/h1-2,4-5,9,13-14H,3,12H2,(H,15,16)/t9-/m0/s1 checkY
    Key: LDCYZAJDBXYCGN-VIFPVBQESA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C11H12N2O3/c12-9(11(15)16)3-6-5-13-10-2-1-7(14)4-8(6)10/h1-2,4-5,9,13-14H,3,12H2,(H,15,16)/t9-/m0/s1
    Key: LDCYZAJDBXYCGN-VIFPVBQEBZ
  • O=C(O)[C@@H](N)Cc2c1cc(O)ccc1[nH]c2
Properties
C11H12N2O3
Molar mass 220.228 g·mol−1
Density 1.484 g/mL
Melting point 298 to 300 °C (568 to 572 °F; 571 to 573 K)
Boiling point 520.6 °C (969.1 °F; 793.8 K)
Pharmacology
N06AX01 (WHO)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), also known as oxitriptan, is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor as well as a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Uses

5-HTP is sold

sleep aid. It is also marketed in many European countries for the indication of major depression under the trade names Cincofarm, Levothym, Levotonine, Oxyfan, Telesol, Tript-OH, and Triptum.[1]

A 2002 review concluded that although the data evaluated suggests that 5-HTP is more effective than placebo in the treatment of depression, the evidence was insufficient to be conclusive due to a lack of clinical data meeting the rigorous standards of the day.[2] More and larger studies using current methodologies are needed to determine if 5-HTP is truly effective in treating depression.[3][4] In small, controlled trials 5-HTP has also been reported to augment the antidepressant efficacy of the antidepressant clomipramine.[5][6][7] A 2020 meta-analysis found oral 5-HTP supplementation had a large effect size on depression symptom severity. However, the included studies were considered relatively weak and the methods and treatment duration varied between the seven studies examined.[8]

5-HTP use after MDMA

recreational
, though sometimes also therapeutic, purposes. Among users of MDMA, the serotonergic effects of the drug are often of particular interest and concern: After consuming MDMA, serotonin concentrations are greatly reduced in the brain. 5-HTP is necessary for serotonin production and its concentrations in the brain also decrease after taking MDMA.

Other usage

At high doses, or in combination with carbidopa, 5-HTP has been used to treat obesity (by promoting weight loss).[9][10]

In clinical trials of various design, 5-HTP has also been reported to treat fibromyalgia,[11] myoclonus,[12] migraine,[13] and cerebellar ataxia.[14] However, these clinical findings, as for all therapeutic findings with 5-HTP, are preliminary and need confirmation in larger trials.

Drawbacks

5-HTP's short half-life (<2h)

OxyContin) or morphine (MS-Contin
) are intended to, via novel delivery mechanisms, permit pain relief for up to twelve hours with an active ingredient which only provides relief for 3–6 hours. However, the inherent variability amongst different people with respect to drug metabolism makes this task challenging.

Side effects

Potential side effects of 5-HTP include

nightmares, and muscle problems.[18] Because 5-HTP has not been thoroughly studied in a clinical setting, possible side effects and interactions with other drugs are not well known. According to the US National Library of Medicine, 5-HTP has not been associated with serotonin syndrome or any serious adverse events in humans.[19] Across multiple studies, 5-HTP has also been reported to not cause any noticeable hematological or cardiovascular changes.[20] 5-HTP had also been associated with eosinophilia, but later studies have not found any causal connection.[21]

Interactions

When combined with antidepressants of the

SSRI class, very high parenteral doses of 5-HTP can cause acute serotonin syndrome in rats.[22][23] It is unclear if such findings have clinical relevance, as most drugs will cause serious adverse events or death in rodents at very high doses. In humans 5-HTP has never been clinically associated with serotonin syndrome, although a case report suggests 5-HTP can precipitate mania when added to an MAOI.[24]

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.[25] As mentioned below under pharmacology, cases of scleroderma-like illness have been reported in patients using carbidopa and 5-HTP.[26]

Oral 5-HTP results in an increase in urinary

5-HIAA, a serotonin metabolite, indicating that 5-HTP is peripherally metabolized to serotonin, which is then metabolized. This might cause false positive results in tests looking for carcinoid syndrome.[27][28] Due to the conversion of 5-HTP into serotonin by the liver, there could be a risk of heart valve disease from serotonin's effect on the heart, as based on preclinical findings.[29][30] However, 5-HTP has not been associated with cardiac toxicity in humans.[21][20][19][31]

It has been suggested that 5-HTP may cause

eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), a serious condition which results in extreme muscle tenderness, myalgia, and blood abnormalities. However, there is evidence to show that EMS was likely caused by a contaminant in certain 5-HTP supplements.[32]

Production

5-HTP is produced from the amino acid

biopterin-dependent aromatic amino acid hydroxylases. Production of 5-HTP is the rate-limiting step in 5-HT (serotonin) synthesis. 5-HTP is normally rapidly converted to 5-HT by amino acid decarboxylase.[33]

Absorption

After oral administration, 5-HTP is absorbed by the upper intestine.[15] The mode of absorption is not known, but presumably involves active transport via amino acid transporters. 5-HTP is adequately absorbed via oral cavity.[34] With a decarboxylase inhibitor, the bioavailability of 5-HTP can be higher than 50%.[35]

Pharmacokinetics

5-HTP is rapidly absorbed with a tmax of ≈1.5 h, and rapidly eliminated with a half-life of ≈1.5 – 2 h. Co-administration of a decarboxylase inhibitor (e.g. carbidopa, benserazide) doubles the half-life of 5-HTP to ≈ 3 – 4 h,[36][15] and enhances exposure several-fold, depending on the dosing regimen.[15][37]

Metabolism

5-HTP is

aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase with the help of vitamin B6.[38] This reaction occurs both in nervous tissue and in the liver.[39] 5-HTP crosses the blood–brain barrier,[40] while 5-HT does not. Excess 5-HTP, especially when administered with vitamin B6, is thought to be metabolized and excreted.[41][42]

5-HTP AAAD Serotonin
 
PLP
 
 


Pharmacology

The psychoactive action of 5-HTP is derived from its increase in production of serotonin in central nervous system tissue.[43]

Metabolic pathway from tryptophan to serotonin.
Metabolic pathway from tryptophan to serotonin.

Research shows that co-administration with carbidopa greatly increases plasma 5-HTP levels.[44] Other studies have indicated the risk of a scleroderma-like condition resulting from the combination of 5-HTP and carbidopa.[45]

Regulatory status

There are currently no approved drug products containing 5-HTP approved by the

nutraceuticals and are as such not regulated or verified for purity, integrity, or clinical efficacy or safety, mandating caution regarding human consumption.[47]

As of 25 August 2020, Hungary added 5-HTP to the controlled psychoactive substances list, prohibiting production, sale, import, storage and use, becoming the first country to do so.[48]

5-HTP slow-release

5-HTP's short half-life is impractical for chronic drug therapy. Research conducted at Duke University in mice have demonstrated that 5-HTP when administered as slow-release appears to gain drug properties.[49] Slow-release delivery attenuates or abolishes the peaks and valleys in 5-HTP exposure during treatment.[50] Slow-release delivery of 5-HTP markedly improved the safety profile of 5-HTP and conferred stable plasma exposure of 5-HTP and strong and sustained enhancement of brain serotonin function.[49] This discovery indicates that 5-HTP slow-release medications represent a new avenue for treatment of brain disorders responsive to serotonergic enhancement.

Dietary sources

See also: Tryptophan § Dietary sources

Though 5-HTP is found in food only in insignificant quantities, it is a chemical involved intermediately in the metabolism of tryptophan, an amino acid found in all unfractionated foods, with lower total amino acid content correlating with increased tryptophan absorption.[51]

The seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia, a climbing shrub native to West Africa and Central Africa, are used as an herbal supplement for their 5-HTP content.[52][53][54] In one 2010 trial, Griffonia simplicifolia extract appeared to increase satiety in overweight women.[55]

See also

References

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