Involvement of Leptin in Hypophagia Induced by the Serotonin Precursor 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in Mice

We previously demonstrated that a serotonin (5-HT) precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) increases serum leptin levels in mice. It was reported that administration of 5-HTP elicits hypophagia in rodents and humans. In the present study, we examined involvement of leptin in 5-HTP-elicited decreases in the milk intake of fasted mice. Serum leptin levels increased with increases in milk intake in mice, while 5-HTP strongly decreased milk intake in fasted mice compared to that in the control group. Serum leptin levels in fasted mice treated with 5-HTP were similar to those control mice after milk intake. As leptin is a powerful anorectic signal, 5-HTP-induced anorexia may be mediated by facilitation of leptin secretion.