Study of 5-Hydroxytryptophan 5HTP to Improve Lung Function and Anxiety Symptoms in Children with Mild to Moderate Allergic Asthma

What this Trial Is About

The purpose is to learn whether the over-the-counter amino acid supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan 5HTP, isolated from the plant Griffonia Simplifolia, can reduce allergic lung responses, improve lung function, and reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in children with allergic asthma. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 5HTP or a placebo and will later crossover to the other group. There are 5 study visits over about 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in FEV1. The investigators anticipate that 5HTP at the proposed doses will improve lung function as seen in preclinical studies using clinically relevant 5HTP. Other outcomes include blood eosinophil counts, eosinophil numbers in nasal fluid, lung inflammation, and changes in anxiety and depression scores measured using CES-DC and SCARED questionnaires. The study also examines whether 5HTP increases cortisol and prolactin without altering systemic plasma concentrations of 5HTP, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid 5-HIAA, and dopamine. The results have the potential to influence approaches to improve lung function and asthma-associated anxiety and depression.

5HTP Regulation Of Asthma In Children