No detectable effects of acute tryptophan depletion on short-term immune system cytokine levels in healthy adults.

Recent research suggested an influence of diminished central nervous serotonin (5-HT) synthesis on the leptin axis via immunological mechanisms in healthy adult females. However, studies assessing immunological parameters in combination with dietary challenge techniques that impact brain 5-HT synthesis in humans are lacking.  In the present trial, a pilot analysis was conducted on data obtained in healthy adult humans receiving either different dietary acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) challenge or tryptophan (TRP)-balanced control conditions (BAL) to study the effects of reduced central nervous 5-HT synthesis on serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 concentrations.

Differences in serum zinc levels in acutely ill and remitted adolescents and young adults with bulimia nervosa in comparison with healthy controls - a cross-sectional pilot study.

Background: Research has implicated that changes in zinc (Zn) metabolism may be associated with the biological underpinnings of eating disorders, in particular anorexia nervosa. However, to date research on the role of Zn in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) is scarce.

Objective: We aimed to explore serum Zn concentrations in young patients with BN, with a focus on the stage of the disorder, comparing acutely ill and recovered patients with BN with healthy controls.

Dietary tryptophan depletion in humans using a simplified two amino acid formula - a pilot study.

Background: Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) is a well-established dietary method in translational brain research used to briefly lower central nervous serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) synthesis. A simplified two amino acid ATD formula (ATD) was developed while reducing the overall amount of amino acids (AAs), with the objective of administration especially in children and adolescents in future studies.

Objective: This study investigated tryptophan (TRP) influx rates across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after dietary ATD administration relative to the ATD Moja-De protocol that has been established for use in children and adolescents.