Effect of Stress and Psychotropic Drugs on Rat Liver Tryptophan Pyrrolase

The activity of tryptophan pyrrolase in rat liver was significantly increased by stress and by chlorpromazine administration. Adrenalectomy did not prevent the increase in enzyme activity produced by chlorpromazine, but hypophysectomy eliminated the enzyme induction. The effect of several hormones and of psychotropic drugs was also studied. It was indicated that the pituitary as well as the adrenal was involved in the regulation of rat liver tryptophan pyr. rolase activity. (Endocrinology 76:1190,1965)