Toluene-induced Decrease in Rat Plasma Concentrations of Tyrosine and Tryptophan

Abstract
The organic solvent toluene is demonstrated to cause a decrease in rat plasma concentrations of tyrosine and tryptophan both after i.p. injections and after inhalation. Tyrosine and tryptophan are precursors to neurotransmitters and are transported from plasma into the brain. As the concentrations of these amino acids in plasma could influence the monoamine synthesis in the brain, this phenomenon might be of importance for the pathophysiology behind solvent-induced effects on brain function.