[Serotonin and tryptamine metabolism in the acute hepatic failure model--changes in tryptophan and its metabolites in the liver, brain, kidney and serum].

When trinitrophenylated (TNP) hepatocytes and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are intravenously injected into TNP-liver protein sensitized guinea pigs, massive hepatic cell necrosis was induced in most of mice. Using this experimental acute hepatic failure model, the tryptophan metabolism in the liver, brain, kidney and serum was studied. As a result, the tryptophan level was remarkably high in all three organs and serum, and the metabolism of both the tryptamine pathway and serotonin pathway was induced. Also, in the brain, the tryptamine metabolism was more induced compared to the serotonin. These results suggest that the metabolites of tryptophan may be involved in this acute hepatic failure model.