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Significance of Tryptophane in Human Nicotinic Acid Metabolism

Nature volume 165, pages 112–113 (1950)Cite this article

Abstract

THERE is much evidence that tryptophane can replace nicotinic acid in the nutrition of the rat (for literature, see Spector1); but relatively little is known about the significance of tryptophane in human metabolism of nicotinic acid. Perlzweig et al. 2, and Sarett and Goldsmith3,4, demonstrated an increase in the urinary excretion of N-methylnicotinamide after oral administration of l- or d,l-tryptophane to humans; but since this substance is not the main metabolite of nicotinic acid5,6, and since its fate in the body is still not clear7, it is not possible from their results to estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of nicotinic acid produced from the dose of tryptophane.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg

    W. I. M. HOLMAN & D. J. DE LANGE

Authors
  1. W. I. M. HOLMAN
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  2. D. J. DE LANGE
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HOLMAN, W., DE LANGE, D. Significance of Tryptophane in Human Nicotinic Acid Metabolism. Nature 165, 112–113 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1038/165112a0

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