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Abstract
l-Tryptophan was administered orally to 7 patients with progressive myoclonus epilepsy
(PME) without Lafora bodies and 7 controls. Total and free plasma tryptophan were
subsequently measured at intervals. Concentration of free tryptophan was equal in
the two groups. Total tryptophan was significantly lower in PME patients and the difference
became marked at 120 and 240 min after the oral dose. At the same time urinary excretion
of indican rose in PME patients but not in controls but the change was not statistically
significant. Urinary 5-HIAA excretion was a little lower in PME patients. The increase
of 5-HIAA after administration of l-tryptophan was equal in both groups. Intravenous administration of l-tryptophan produced an equal increase of plasma concentrations in PME patients as
in controls, measured at 2-h intervals. These findings suggest incomplete absorption
of l-tryptophan through the intestinal tract in PME patients.
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 13,
1980
Received in revised form:
February 4,
1980
Received:
June 18,
1979
Identification
Copyright
© 1980 Published by Elsevier Inc.
