Abstract
Studies of the urinary excretion of tryptophan metabolites in normal subjects have been reported by many investigators, but comparison of these results is difficult because of differences in body-weights, the doses of tryptophan and experimental methods. The metabolism of tryptophan in 20 normal children was studied by the present author using ion exchange column chromatography. The urinary excretion of tryptophan metabolites in normal children before and after the administration of 2g of L-tryptophan was as follows (μmoles per kg per 24hrs). Tryptophan 0 and 2.7,kynurenine 1.4 and 6.2,kynurenic acid 1.0 and 3.3,xanthurenic acid 0.3 and 1.3,anthranilic acid 0.5 and 2.9,pyridone 1.8 and 3.7. The conversion rate of given tryptophan was 3.23%.
