Effects of seven low-dose combined contraceptives on vitamin B6 status

Tryptophan as a link between psychopathology and somatic states

OBJECTIVE

Several somatic illnesses are associated with psychiatric comorbidity. Evidence is provided that availability of the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is the precursor of serotonin, may cause this phenomenon.

METHODS

We performed a database search to find relevant articles published between 1966 and 2002. For our search strategy, we combined several diseases from the categories hormonal, gastrointestinal, and inflammatory with the search terms "tryptophan" and "serotonin."

RESULTS

The catabolism of tryptophan is stimulated under the influence of stress, hormones and inflammation by the induction of the enzymes tryptophan pyrrolase (in the liver) and IDO (ubiquitous). Because of the reduction in blood levels of tryptophan under these circumstances the formation of cerebral serotonin is decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

It is argued that the coupling of peripheral tryptophan levels and cerebral serotonin levels has physiological significance. The clinical implications and therapeutic consequences of changes in tryptophan and consequently serotonin metabolism are discussed.

Long-term effect of low-dose combined steroid contraceptives on body iron status

The present study was aimed to evaluate iron metabolism in active and healthy adult women having taken oral contraceptives (OC) long-term. Mean dietary iron intake in age-matched control and experimental groups was adequate. Serum ferritin used as a marker for body iron stores was marginal in both groups underlying a high prevalence of deficient-iron reserves among subjects. This parameter was not correlated to the iron content of the diet. The serum iron concentration was significantly higher in OC users than control subjects (p less than 0.001). Biochemical results commanded a discussion on the pertinence of evaluating the total dietary iron intake and on the sensitivity of biochemical methods used to assess the iron status.