Abstract:

In order to study the possible relationship between the changes of behavior/personality and metabolic changes of 5 hydroxytryptamine(5 HT) in Antarctic expedition members,plasma tryptophan(Trp) and urinary 5 hydroxy 3 indoleacetic acid(5 HIAA) were studied in 24 winter over and 19 summer over members of the 8th and the 11th time teams respectively. Results showed that plasma Trp decreased significantly after 1￣3 months staying at Great Wall Station, and did not recover on returning back to Beijing from Antarctica after two weeks' travelling. Urinary 5 HIAA increased significantly after 6 months' staying at Great Wall Sation,and recovered after returning back to Beijing from Antarctica. The decrease of plasma Trp may relate to the decline of brain 5 HT, which might play a role in the changes of behavior/personality. The changes of urinary 5 HIAA might not only reflect metabolic changes of 5 HT , but also show that cold weather affects the releasing response of platelet. Therefore, supplement of related food rich in Trp or intervention of L Trp might be valuable.