Why do so many drugs work on this tryptophan pathway? I need some comments/ideas.

by Self | 12/11/2005 | Tom (aka oxcart)

[oxcart]

In the 60's to 1989 research into tryptophan grew rapidly, millions used it for depression. In 1989, a contaminated batch forced the FDA to pull tryptophan off the US market, never to return. This destroyed all research into this critical amino acid and cleared the way for pharmaceutical drugs and billions of profits for them.

I am asking the question, why do so many drugs work on the tryptophan oxygenase (pyrrolase) pathway?

We have antidepressants (all classes). Related articles; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7126996

And here; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1826617

Then we have alcohol; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10721064&query_hl=9

Then we have asprin; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7082905&query_hl=15

Nicotine, morphine, phenobarbitone http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=989&query_hl=17

then we have Narcan (naloxone) the overdose drug which has the opposite effect on tryptophan metabolism here; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=6664250&query_hl=17

Tryptophan pyrrolase (oxygenase) is induced by stress (lowering brain TP), is this the flight or fight response?

Is too much stress a cause for alcoholism and other drug addiction?

Why do so many drugs act on this tryptophan pathway?

And why was tryptophan never let back on the market?

Any Freepers want to touch this subject?

PLEASE, NO TURKEY JOKES!

[Coleus]

It's vitamin B3

http://www.vrp.com/art/1194.asp

http://www.smart-drugs.com/ias-tryptophan.htm

tryptophan is used to make niacin/niacinamide so if you supplement with b3 then more tryptophan will be available to act as an ssri.

[oxcart]

Christmas Bump