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Dyachenko EI, Bel’skaya LV. The Role of Amino Acids in Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Mechanisms in Cancer: A Review. Metabolites 2023; 14:28. [PMID: 38248831 PMCID: PMC10818545 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, the antioxidant properties of amino acids and their role in the physicochemical processes accompanying oxidative stress in cancer remain unclear. Cancer cells are known to extensively uptake amino acids, which are used as an energy source, antioxidant precursors that reduce oxidative stress in cancer, and as regulators of inhibiting or inducing tumor cell-associated gene expression. This review examines nine amino acids (Cys, His, Phe, Met, Trp, Tyr, Pro, Arg, Lys), which play a key role in the non-enzymatic oxidative process in various cancers. Conventionally, these amino acids can be divided into two groups, in one of which the activity increases (Cys, Phe, Met, Pro, Arg, Lys) in cancer, and in the other, it decreases (His, Trp, Tyr). The review examines changes in the metabolism of nine amino acids in eleven types of oncology. We have identified the main nonspecific mechanisms of changes in the metabolic activity of amino acids, and described direct and indirect effects on the redox homeostasis of cells. In the future, this will help to understand better the nature of life of a cancer cell and identify therapeutic targets more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lyudmila V. Bel’skaya
- Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Omsk State Pedagogical University, Omsk 644099, Russia;
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2
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Lu X, Hong J, Zhang J, Liu Q, Liao G, Shi Y, Tang H, Liu X. Triphenyl phosphate disrupts placental tryptophan metabolism by activating MAOA/ROS/NFκB. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166688. [PMID: 37659542 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) is an organophosphate flame retardant widely distributed in the environment. The neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP has been observed in animals and humans. Previously, we found that prenatal TPhP exposure disturbed placental tryptophan metabolism, impaired neurodevelopment in male offspring, and induced abnormal neurobehavior; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, using the trophoblast cell line JEG-3, we found that TPhP altered gene and protein expression in the tryptophan metabolism pathway, inhibited the tryptophan-serotonin pathway, and activated the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway. Meanwhile, TPhP induced oxidative stress by activating monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), promoting inflammatory factors including nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB), interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α. The NFκB inhibitor sulfasalazine could alleviate the effects of TPhP on tryptophan metabolism disturbance. The MAOA inhibitor clorgyline or the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine can mitigate oxidative stress and eliminate TPhP-induced inflammatory factors and tryptophan metabolism disturbances. The data above suggest that TPhP disturbed tryptophan metabolism by activating NFκB through MAOA-mediated oxidative stress. Finally, using the mouse intrauterine exposure model, the results confirmed that TPhP induced oxidative stress, activated inflammatory factors, disturbed tryptophan metabolism, and increased the levels of the tryptophan metabolites serotonin, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in the placenta during the second trimester of pregnancy. Overall, TPhP can disturb placental tryptophan metabolism by activating the inflammatory factor NFκB, which was induced by MAOA-induced oxidative stress. The results of this study confirm that indirect exposure to xenobiotic compounds at an early life stage can impair offspring development and provide a novel perspective on the neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxun Lu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Jiabin Hong
- The Third People's Hospital of Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Qian Liu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Ganzhong Liao
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Yanwei Shi
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanwen Tang
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China.
| | - Xiaoshan Liu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China.
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Jasim ZA, Al-Hakeim HK, Zolghadri S, Stanek A. Maternal Tryptophan Catabolites and Insulin Resistance Parameters in Preeclampsia. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1447. [PMID: 37892130 PMCID: PMC10604911 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related disorder characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria in the third trimester. The disease is associated with many metabolic and biochemical changes. There is a need for new biomarkers for diagnosis and follow-up. The present study examined the diagnostic ability of tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) and insulin resistance (IR) parameters in women with PE. This case-control study recruited sixty women with preeclampsia and 60 healthy pregnant women as a control group. Serum levels of TRYCATs (tryptophan, kynurenic acid, kynurenine, and 3-hydroxykynurenine) and IR parameters (insulin and glucose) were measured by ELISA and spectrophotometric methods. The results showed that PE women have a significantly lower tryptophan level than healthy pregnant women. However, there was a significant increase in kynurenic acid, kynurenic acid/kynurenine, kynurenine/tryptophan, and 3-hydroxykynurenine levels. PE women also have a state of IR. The correlation study indicated various correlations of IR and TRYCATs with clinical data and between each other, reflecting the role of these parameters in the pathophysiology of PE. The ROC study showed that the presence of IR state, reduced tryptophan, and increased 3-HK predicted PE disease in a suspected woman with moderate sensitivities and specificities. In conclusion, the pathophysiology of PE involves a state of IR and an alteration of the TRYCAT system. These changes should be taken into consideration when PE is diagnosed or treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Abdulameer Jasim
- Department of Biochemistry, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz 7198774731, Iran;
| | | | - Samaneh Zolghadri
- Department of Biology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom 7414785318, Iran
| | - Agata Stanek
- Department and Clinic of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Batorego 15 St., 41-902 Bytom, Poland
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4
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Al-Hakeim HK, Khairi Abed A, Rouf Moustafa S, Almulla AF, Maes M. Tryptophan catabolites, inflammation, and insulin resistance as determinants of chronic fatigue syndrome and affective symptoms in long COVID. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1194769. [PMID: 37333619 PMCID: PMC10272345 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1194769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Critical COVID-19 disease is accompanied by depletion of plasma tryptophan (TRY) and increases in indoleamine-dioxygenase (IDO)-stimulated production of neuroactive tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs), including kynurenine (KYN). The TRYCAT pathway has not been studied extensively in association with the physiosomatic and affective symptoms of Long COVID. In the present study, we measured serum TRY, TRYCATs, insulin resistance (using the Homeostatic Model Assessment Index 2-insulin resistance, HOMA2-IR), C-reactive protein (CRP), physiosomatic, depression, and anxiety symptoms in 90 Long COVID patients, 3-10 months after remission of acute infection. We were able to construct an endophenotypic class of severe Long COVID (22% of the patients) with very low TRY and oxygen saturation (SpO2, during acute infection), increased kynurenine, KYN/TRY ratio, CRP, and very high ratings on all symptom domains. One factor could be extracted from physiosomatic symptoms (including chronic fatigue-fibromyalgia), depression, and anxiety symptoms, indicating that all domains are manifestations of the common physio-affective phenome. Three Long COVID biomarkers (CRP, KYN/TRY, and IR) explained around 40% of the variance in the physio-affective phenome. The latter and the KYN/TRY ratio were significantly predicted by peak body temperature (PBT) and lowered SpO2 during acute infection. One validated latent vector could be extracted from the three symptom domains and a composite based on CRP, KYN/TRY, and IR (Long COVID), and PBT and SpO2 (acute COVID-19). In conclusion, the physio-affective phenome of Long COVID is a manifestation of inflammatory responses during acute and Long COVID, and lowered plasma tryptophan and increased kynurenine may contribute to these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anwar Khairi Abed
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq
| | - Shatha Rouf Moustafa
- Clinical Analysis Department, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Abbas F. Almulla
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Deakin University, IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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5
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Almulla AF, Thipakorn Y, Vasupanrajit A, Abo Algon AA, Tunvirachaisakul C, Hashim Aljanabi AA, Oxenkrug G, Al-Hakeim HK, Maes M. The tryptophan catabolite or kynurenine pathway in major depressive and bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 26:100537. [PMID: 36339964 PMCID: PMC9630622 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is now evidence that affective disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are mediated by immune-inflammatory and nitro-oxidative pathways. Activation of these pathways may be associated with activation of the tryptophan catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway by inducing indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO, the rate-limiting enzyme) leading to depletion of tryptophan (TRP) and increases in tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs). Aims To systematically review and meta-analyze central and peripheral (free and total) TRP levels, its competing amino-acids (CAAs) and TRYCATs in MDD and BD. Methods This review searched PubMed, Google Scholar and SciFinder and included 121 full-text articles and 15470 individuals, including 8024 MDD/BD patients and 7446 healthy controls. Results TRP levels (either free and total) and the TRP/CAAs ratio were significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) in MDD/BD as compared with controls with a moderate effect size (standardized mean difference for TRP: SMD = -0.513, 95% confidence interval, CI: -0.611; -0.414; and TRP/CAAs: SMD = -0.558, CI: -0.758; -0.358). Kynurenine (KYN) levels were significantly decreased in patients as compared with controls with a small effect size (p < 0.0001, SMD = -0.213, 95%CI: -0.295; -0.131). These differences were significant in plasma (p < 0.0001, SMD = -0.304, 95%CI: -0.415, -0.194) but not in serum (p = 0.054) or the central nervous system (CNS, p = 0.771). The KYN/TRP ratio, frequently used as an index of IDO activity, and neurotoxicity indices based on downstream TRYCATs were unaltered or even lowered in MDD/BD. Conclusions Our findings suggest that MDD and BD are accompanied by TRP depletion without IDO and TRYCAT pathway activation. Lowered TRP availability is probably the consequence of lowered serum albumin during the inflammatory response in affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas F. Almulla
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Yanin Thipakorn
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Asara Vasupanrajit
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Chavit Tunvirachaisakul
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Gregory Oxenkrug
- Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | | | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria,Department of Psychiatry, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia,Corresponding author. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Fathi M, Vakili K, Yaghoobpoor S, Tavasol A, Jazi K, Hajibeygi R, Shool S, Sodeifian F, Klegeris A, McElhinney A, Tavirani MR, Sayehmiri F. Dynamic changes in metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease: A systematic Review and meta-analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:997240. [PMID: 36263032 PMCID: PMC9574226 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.997240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tryptophan (TRP) is an essential amino acid that must be provided in the diet. The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the main route of TRP catabolism into nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD+), and metabolites of this pathway may have protective or degenerative effects on the nervous system. Thus, the KP may be involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Objectives The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the changes in KP metabolites such as TRP, kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), Anthranilic acid (AA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HANA) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD) patients compared to the control group. Methods We conducted a literature search using PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and EMBASE electronic databases to find articles published up to 2022. Studies measuring TRP, KYN, KYNA, AA, 3-HK, 5-HIAA, 3-HANA in AD, PD, or HD patients and controls were identified. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used to determine the differences in the levels of the KP metabolites between the two groups. Results A total of 30 studies compromising 689 patients and 774 controls were included in our meta-analysis. Our results showed that the blood levels of TRP was significantly lower in the AD (SMD=-0.68, 95% CI=-0.97 to -0.40, p=0.000, I2 = 41.8%, k=8, n=382), PD (SMD=-0.77, 95% CI=-1.24 to -0.30, p=0.001, I2 = 74.9%, k=4, n=352), and HD (SMD=-0.90, 95% CI=-1.71 to -0.10, p=0.028, I2 = 91.0%, k=5, n=369) patients compared to the controls. Moreover, the CSF levels of 3-HK in AD patients (p=0.020) and the blood levels of KYN in HD patients (p=0.020) were lower compared with controls. Conclusion Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis support the hypothesis that the alterations in the KP may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD, PD, and HD. However, additional research is needed to show whether other KP metabolites also vary in AD, PD, and HD patients. So, the metabolites of KP can be used for better diagnosing these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mobina Fathi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimia Vakili
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shirin Yaghoobpoor
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arian Tavasol
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimia Jazi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Qom, Qom, Iran
| | - Ramtin Hajibeygi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Shool
- Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sodeifian
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andis Klegeris
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Alyssa McElhinney
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Mostafa Rezaei Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Mostafa Rezaei Tavirani, ; Fatemeh Sayehmiri,
| | - Fatemeh Sayehmiri
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Mostafa Rezaei Tavirani, ; Fatemeh Sayehmiri,
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7
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The Tryptophan Catabolite or Kynurenine Pathway in a Major Depressive Episode with Melancholia, Psychotic Features and Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193112. [PMID: 36231075 PMCID: PMC9563030 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) with melancholia and psychotic features and suicidal behaviors are accompanied by activated immune-inflammatory and oxidative pathways, which may stimulate indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the tryptophan catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway resulting in increased tryptophan degradation and elevated tryptophan catabolites (TRYCTAs). The purpose of the current study is to systematically review and meta-analyze levels of TRP, its competing amino acids (CAAs) and TRYCATs in patients with severe affective disorders. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar and SciFinder were searched in the present study and we recruited 35 studies to examine 4647 participants including 2332 unipolar (MDD) and bipolar (BD) depressed patients and 2315 healthy controls. Severe patients showed significant lower (p < 0.0001) TRP (standardized mean difference, SMD = −0.517, 95% confidence interval, CI: −0.735; −0.299) and TRP/CAAs (SMD = −0.617, CI: −0.957; −0.277) levels with moderate effect sizes, while no significant difference in CAAs were found. Kynurenine (KYN) levels were unaltered in severe MDD/BD phenotypes, while the KYN/TRP ratio showed a significant increase only in patients with psychotic features (SMD = 0.224, CI: 0.012; 0.436). Quinolinic acid (QA) was significantly increased (SMD = 0.358, CI: 0.015; 0.701) and kynurenic acid (KA) significantly decreased (SMD = −0.260, CI: −0.487; −0.034) in severe MDD/BD. Patients with affective disorders with melancholic and psychotic features and suicidal behaviors showed normal IDO enzyme activity but a lowered availability of plasma/serum TRP to the brain, which is probably due to other processes such as low albumin levels.
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Almulla AF, Supasitthumrong T, Tunvirachaisakul C, Algon AAA, Al-Hakeim HK, Maes M. The tryptophan catabolite or kynurenine pathway in COVID-19 and critical COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:615. [PMID: 35840908 PMCID: PMC9284970 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07582-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is accompanied by activated immune-inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress, which both induce indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a key enzyme of the tryptophan (TRP) catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway. The aim of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the status of the TRYCAT pathway, including the levels of TRP and kynurenine (KYN) and the activity of IDO, as measured by the ratio of KYN/TRP. Methods This systematic review searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Sciences and included 14 articles that compared TRP and tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) in COVID-19 patients versus non-COVID-19 controls, as well as severe/critical versus mild/moderate COVID-19. The analysis was done on a total of 1269 people, including 794 COVID-19 patients and 475 controls. Results The results show a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in the KYN/TRP ratio (standardized mean difference, SMD = 1.099, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.714; 1.484) and KYN (SMD = 1.123, 95% CI: 0.730; 1.516) and significantly lower TRP (SMD = − 1.002, 95%CI: − 1.738; − 0.266) in COVID-19 versus controls. The KYN/TRP ratio (SMD = 0.945, 95%CI: 0.629; 1.262) and KYN (SMD = 0.806, 95%CI: 0.462; 1.149) were also significantly (p < 0.0001) higher and TRP lower (SMD = − 0.909, 95% CI: − 1.569; − 0.249) in severe/critical versus mild/moderate COVID-19. No significant difference was detected in kynurenic acid (KA) and the KA/KYN ratio between COVID-19 patients and controls. Conclusions Our results indicate increased activity of the IDO enzyme in COVID-19 and severe/critical patients. The TRYCAT pathway is implicated in the pathophysiology and progression of COVID-19 and may signal a worsening outcome of the disease. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07582-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas F Almulla
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. .,Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, 31001, Iraq.
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.,Department of Psychiatry, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
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9
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Almulla AF, Supasitthumrong T, Amrapala A, Tunvirachaisakul C, Jaleel AKKA, Oxenkrug G, Al-Hakeim HK, Maes M. The Tryptophan Catabolite or Kynurenine Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:1325-1339. [PMID: 35786655 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by progressive brain dysfunction and memory loss, is one of the most significant global health concerns for older adults. Neuroinflammation and increased oxidative stress contribute to the pathophysiology of AD, thereby presumably inducing tryptophan (TRP) degradation through the TRP catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway. OBJECTIVE To delineate the activity of the TRYCAT pathway along with levels of TRP and tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) in AD patients. METHODS We used PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and SciFinder during the month of January 2022 to gather the pertinent publications. We found 19 eligible articles which involved 738 patients and 665 healthy controls. RESULTS Our results revealed a significant difference (p = 0.008) in the kynurenine (KYN)/TRP ratio (standardized mean difference, SMD = 0.216, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.057; 0.376), and a significant decrease in TRP in AD patients (SMD = -0.520, 95% CI: -0.738; -0.302, p < 0.0001). Moreover, we also found a significant increase in the central nervous system (CNS), brain, and cerebrospinal fluid kynurenic acid (KA)/KYN ratio but not in peripheral blood, as well as a significant decrease in plasma KA and xanthurenic acid in the CNS and blood. CONCLUSION AD is characterized by TRP depletion but not by an overactivity of the TRYCAT pathway. IDO-induced production of neurotoxic TRYCATs is not a key factor in the pathophysiology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas F Almulla
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | | | - Arisara Amrapala
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Al-Karrar Kais Abdul Jaleel
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Gregory Oxenkrug
- Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.,Department of Psychiatry, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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10
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Wigner P, Synowiec E, Jóźwiak P, Czarny P, Bijak M, Białek K, Szemraj J, Gruca P, Papp M, Śliwiński T. The Effect of Chronic Mild Stress and Escitalopram on the Expression and Methylation Levels of Genes Involved in the Oxidative and Nitrosative Stresses as Well as Tryptophan Catabolites Pathway in the Blood and Brain Structures. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010010. [PMID: 33374959 PMCID: PMC7792593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggest that depression may be associated with reactive oxygen species overproduction and disorders of the tryptophan catabolites pathway. Moreover, one-third of patients do not respond to conventional pharmacotherapy. Therefore, the study investigates the molecular effect of escitalopram on the expression of Cat, Gpx1/4, Nos1/2, Tph1/2, Ido1, Kmo, and Kynu and promoter methylation in the hippocampus, amygdala, cerebral cortex, and blood of rats exposed to CMS (chronic mild stress). The animals were exposed to CMS for two or seven weeks followed by escitalopram treatment for five weeks. The mRNA and protein expression of the genes were analysed using the TaqMan Gene Expression Assay and Western blotting, while the methylation was determined using methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting. The CMS caused an increase of Gpx1 and Nos1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus, which was normalised by escitalopram administration. Moreover, Tph1 and Tph2 mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex was increased in stressed rats after escitalopram therapy. The methylation status of the Cat promoter was decreased in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the rats after escitalopram therapy. The Gpx4 protein levels were decreased following escitalopram compared to the stressed/saline group. It appears that CMS and escitalopram influence the expression and methylation of the studied genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Wigner
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland; (P.W.); (E.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Ewelina Synowiec
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland; (P.W.); (E.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Paweł Jóźwiak
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Piotr Czarny
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (P.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Michał Bijak
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Białek
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland; (P.W.); (E.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Janusz Szemraj
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (P.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Piotr Gruca
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (P.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Mariusz Papp
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (P.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Tomasz Śliwiński
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland; (P.W.); (E.S.); (K.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-635-44-86; Fax: +48-42-635-44-84
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11
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Suento WJ, Kunisawa K, Wulaer B, Kosuge A, Iida T, Fujigaki S, Fujigaki H, Yamamoto Y, Tanra AJ, Saito K, Mouri A, Nabeshima T. Prefrontal cortex miR-874-3p prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced depression-like behavior through inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 expression in mice. J Neurochem 2020; 157:1963-1978. [PMID: 33095942 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is the first rate-limiting enzyme that metabolizes tryptophan to the kynurenine pathway. Its activity is highly inducible by pro-inflammatory cytokines and correlates with the severity of major depressive disorder (MDD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in gene regulation and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders including MDD. However, the role of miRNAs in targeting IDO1 in the pathophysiology of MDD is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of novel miRNAs in the regulation of IDO1 activity and its effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like behavior in mice. LPS up-regulated miR-874-3p concomitantly with increase in IDO1 expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), increase in immobility in the forced swimming test as depression-like behavior and decrease in locomotor activity as sickness behavior without motor dysfunction. The miR-874-3p increased in both neuron and microglia after LPS. Its mimic significantly suppressed LPS-induced IDO1 expression in the PFC. Infusion of IDO1 inhibitor (1-methyl-l-tryptophan) and miR-874-3p into PFC prevented an increase in immobility in the forced swimming test, but did not decrease in locomotor activity induced by LPS. These results suggest that miR-874-3p may play an important role in preventing the LPS-induced depression-like behavior through inhibition of IDO1 expression. This may also serve as a novel potential target molecule for the treatment of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willy Jaya Suento
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Hasanuddin University Faculty of Medicine, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
| | - Kazuo Kunisawa
- Department of Regulatory Science for Evaluation & Development of Pharmaceuticals & Devices, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan
| | - Bolati Wulaer
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan.,Advanced Diagnostic System Research Laboratory, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan
| | - Aika Kosuge
- Department of Regulatory Science for Evaluation & Development of Pharmaceuticals & Devices, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Iida
- Department of Regulatory Science for Evaluation & Development of Pharmaceuticals & Devices, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan
| | - Suwako Fujigaki
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hidetsugu Fujigaki
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yasuko Yamamoto
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan
| | - Andi Jayalangkara Tanra
- Department of Psychiatry, Hasanuddin University Faculty of Medicine, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
| | - Kuniaki Saito
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan.,Advanced Diagnostic System Research Laboratory, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan.,Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akihiro Mouri
- Department of Regulatory Science for Evaluation & Development of Pharmaceuticals & Devices, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan.,Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Aichi, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Nabeshima
- Advanced Diagnostic System Research Laboratory, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi, Japan.,Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Aichi, Japan
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12
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Badawy AAB. Hypothesis kynurenic and quinolinic acids: The main players of the kynurenine pathway and opponents in inflammatory disease. Med Hypotheses 2018; 118:129-138. [PMID: 30037600 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
I hypothesize that the intermediates of the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway (KP) of tryptophan (Trp) degradation kynurenic acid (KA) and quinolinic acid (QA) play opposite roles in inflammatory diseases, with KA being antiinflammatory and QA being immunosuppressant. Darlington et al. have demonstrated a decrease in the ratio of plasma 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid to anthranilic acid ([3-HAA]/[AA]) in many inflammatory conditions and proposed that this decrease either reflects inflammatory disease or is an antiinflammatory response. I argue in favour of the latter possibility and provide evidence that KA is responsible for the decrease in this ratio by increasing AA formation from Kyn through activation of the kynureninase reaction. Immunosuppression has been attributed to some Kyn metabolites tested at concentrations far greater than could occur in microenvironments. So far, only QA has been shown using immunohistochemistry to reach immunosuppressive levels. Future immune studies of the KP should focus on QA as the potentially main microenvironmentally measurable immunosuppressant and should include KA as an antiinflammatory metabolite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulla A-B Badawy
- School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YB, Wales, UK.
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13
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Chaves Filho AJM, Lima CNC, Vasconcelos SMM, de Lucena DF, Maes M, Macedo D. IDO chronic immune activation and tryptophan metabolic pathway: A potential pathophysiological link between depression and obesity. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 80:234-249. [PMID: 28595944 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and depression are among the most pressing health problems in the contemporary world. Obesity and depression share a bidirectional relationship, whereby each condition increases the risk of the other. By inference, shared pathways may underpin the comorbidity between obesity and depression. Activation of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is a key factor in the pathophysiology of depression. CMI cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNFα and IL-1β, induce the catabolism of tryptophan (TRY) by stimulating indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) resulting in the synthesis of kynurenine (KYN) and other tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs). In the CNS, TRYCATs have been related to oxidative damage, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cytotoxicity, excitotoxicity, neurotoxicity and lowered neuroplasticity. The pathophysiology of obesity is also associated with a state of aberrant inflammation that activates aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a pathway involved in the detection of intracellular or environmental changes as well as with increases in the production of TRYCATs, being KYN an agonists of AHR. Both AHR and TRYCATS are involved in obesity and related metabolic disorders. These changes in the TRYCAT pathway may contribute to the onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in obesity. This paper reviews the role of immune activation, IDO stimulation and increased TRYCAT production in the pathophysiology of depression and obesity. Here we suggest that increased synthesis of detrimental TRYCATs is implicated in comorbid obesity and depression and is a new drug target to treat both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano José Maia Chaves Filho
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Camila Nayane Carvalho Lima
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Silvânia Maria Mendes Vasconcelos
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - David Freitas de Lucena
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Michael Maes
- Impact Strategic Research Center, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Health Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Danielle Macedo
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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14
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Involvement of the kynurenine pathway in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 155:76-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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15
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Dorta E, Aspée A, Pino E, González L, Lissi E, López-Alarcón C. Controversial alkoxyl and peroxyl radical scavenging activity of the tryptophan metabolite 3-hydroxy-anthranilic acid. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 90:332-338. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.03.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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16
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Understanding the role of the kynurenine pathway in human breast cancer immunobiology. Oncotarget 2016; 7:6506-20. [PMID: 26646699 PMCID: PMC4872729 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BrCa) is the leading cause of cancer related death in women. While current diagnostic modalities provide opportunities for early medical intervention, significant proportions of breast tumours escape treatment and metastasize. Gaining increasing recognition as a factor in tumour metastasis is the local immuno-surveillance environment. Following identification of the role played by the enzyme indoleamine dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in mediating maternal foetal tolerance, the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan metabolism has emerged as a key metabolic pathway contributing to immune escape. In inflammatory conditions activation of the KP leads to the production of several immune-modulating metabolites including kynurenine, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, anthranilic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, picolinic acid and quinolinic acid. KP over-activation was first described in BrCa patients in the early 1960s. More evidence has since emerged to suggest that the IDO1 is elevated in advanced BrCa patients and is associated with poor prognosis. Further, IDO1 positive breast tumours have a positive correlation with the density of immune suppressive Foxp3+ T regulatory cells and lymph node metastasis. The analysis of clinical microarray data in invasive BrCa compared to normal tissue showed, using two microarray databank (cBioportal and TCGA), that 86.3% and 91.4% BrCa patients have altered KP enzyme expression respectively. Collectively, these data highlight the key roles played by KP activation in BrCa, particularly in basal BrCa subtypes where expression of most KP enzymes was altered. Accordingly, the use of KP enzyme inhibitors in addition to standard chemotherapy regimens may present a viable therapeutic approach.
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17
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Ueland PM, McCann A, Midttun Ø, Ulvik A. Inflammation, vitamin B6 and related pathways. Mol Aspects Med 2016; 53:10-27. [PMID: 27593095 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), serves as a co-factor in more than 150 enzymatic reactions. Plasma PLP has consistently been shown to be low in inflammatory conditions; there is a parallel reduction in liver PLP, but minor changes in erythrocyte and muscle PLP and in functional vitamin B6 biomarkers. Plasma PLP also predicts the risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and some cancers, and is inversely associated with numerous inflammatory markers in clinical and population-based studies. Vitamin B6 intake and supplementation improve some immune functions in vitamin B6-deficient humans and experimental animals. A possible mechanism involved is mobilization of vitamin B6 to the sites of inflammation where it may serve as a co-factor in pathways producing metabolites with immunomodulating effects. Relevant vitamin B6-dependent inflammatory pathways include vitamin B6 catabolism, the kynurenine pathway, sphingosine 1-phosphate metabolism, the transsulfuration pathway, and serine and glycine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Magne Ueland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
| | | | | | - Arve Ulvik
- Bevital A/S, Laboratoriebygget, 5021 Bergen, Norway
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18
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Lovelace MD, Varney B, Sundaram G, Franco NF, Ng ML, Pai S, Lim CK, Guillemin GJ, Brew BJ. Current Evidence for a Role of the Kynurenine Pathway of Tryptophan Metabolism in Multiple Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2016; 7:246. [PMID: 27540379 PMCID: PMC4972824 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the major metabolic pathway of the essential amino acid tryptophan (TRP). Stimulation by inflammatory molecules, such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), is the trigger for induction of the KP, driving a complex cascade of production of both neuroprotective and neurotoxic metabolites, and in turn, regulation of the immune response and responses of brain cells to the KP metabolites. Consequently, substantial evidence has accumulated over the past couple of decades that dysregulation of the KP and the production of neurotoxic metabolites are associated with many neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, AIDS-related dementia, motor neurone disease, schizophrenia, Huntington’s disease, and brain cancers. In the past decade, evidence of the link between the KP and multiple sclerosis (MS) has rapidly grown and has implicated the KP in MS pathogenesis. KP enzymes, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1) and tryptophan dioxygenase (highest expression in hepatic cells), are the principal enzymes triggering activation of the KP to produce kynurenine from TRP. This is in preference to other routes such as serotonin and melatonin production. In neurological disease, degradation of the blood–brain barrier, even if transient, allows the entry of blood monocytes into the brain parenchyma. Similar to microglia and macrophages, these cells are highly responsive to IFN-γ, which upregulates the expression of enzymes, including IDO-1, producing neurotoxic KP metabolites such as quinolinic acid. These metabolites circulate systemically or are released locally in the brain and can contribute to the excitotoxic death of oligodendrocytes and neurons in neurological disease principally by virtue of their agonist activity at N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors. The latest evidence is presented and discussed. The enzymes that control the checkpoints in the KP represent an attractive therapeutic target, and consequently several KP inhibitors are currently in clinical trials for other neurological diseases, and hence may make suitable candidates for MS patients. Underpinning these drug discovery endeavors, in recent years, several advances have been made in how KP metabolites are assayed in various biological fluids, and tremendous advancements have been made in how specimens are imaged to determine disease progression and involvement of various cell types and molecules in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Lovelace
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bianca Varney
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Gayathri Sundaram
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Nunzio F Franco
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Mei Li Ng
- Faculty of Medicine, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Saparna Pai
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Chai K Lim
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Bruce J Brew
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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19
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Khandaker GM, Dantzer R. Is there a role for immune-to-brain communication in schizophrenia? Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1559-73. [PMID: 26037944 PMCID: PMC4671307 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3975-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is characterised by hallucinations, delusions, depression-like so-called negative symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, impaired neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. Epidemiological and genetic studies strongly indicate a role of inflammation and immunity in the pathogenesis of symptoms of schizophrenia. Evidence accrued over the last two decades has demonstrated that there are a number of pathways through which systemic inflammation can exert profound influence on the brain leading to changes in mood, cognition and behaviour. The peripheral immune system-to-brain communication pathways have been studied extensively in the context of depression where inflammatory cytokines are thought to play a key role. In this review, we highlight novel evidence suggesting an important role of peripheral immune-to-brain communication pathways in schizophrenia. We discuss recent population-based longitudinal studies that report an association between elevated levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines and subsequent risk of psychosis. We discuss emerging evidence indicating potentially important role of blood-brain barrier endothelial cells in peripheral immune-to-brain communication, which may be also relevant for schizophrenia. Drawing on clinical and preclinical studies, we discuss whether immune-mediated mechanisms could help to explain some of the clinical and pathophysiological features of schizophrenia. We discuss implication of these findings for approaches to diagnosis, treatment and research in future. Finally, pointing towards links with early-life adversity, we consider whether persistent low-grade activation of the innate immune response, as a result of impaired foetal or childhood development, could be a common mechanism underlying the high comorbidity between certain neuropsychiatric and physical illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression, heart disease and type-two diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golam M Khandaker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Box 189, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, UK.
| | - Robert Dantzer
- Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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20
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Copetti-Santos D, Moraes V, Weiler DF, de Mello AS, Machado FDS, Marinho JP, Siebert C, Kolling J, Funchal C, Wyse ATS, Coelho JC. U18666A Treatment Results in Cholesterol Accumulation, Reduced Na+, K+-ATPase Activity, and Increased Oxidative Stress in Rat Cortical Astrocytes. Lipids 2015; 50:937-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s11745-015-4062-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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21
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Maddison DC, Giorgini F. The kynurenine pathway and neurodegenerative disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 40:134-41. [PMID: 25773161 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuroactive metabolites of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation have been closely linked to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid required for protein synthesis, and in higher eukaryotes is also converted into the key neurotransmitters serotonin and tryptamine. However, in mammals >95% of tryptophan is metabolized through the KP, ultimately leading to the production of nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD(+)). A number of the pathway metabolites are neuroactive; e.g. can modulate activity of several glutamate receptors and generate/scavenge free radicals. Imbalances in absolute and relative levels of KP metabolites have been strongly associated with neurodegenerative disorders including Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. The KP has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of other brain disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), as well as several cancers and autoimmune disorders such as HIV. Pharmacological and genetic manipulation of the KP has been shown to ameliorate neurodegenerative phenotypes in a number of model organisms, suggesting that it could prove to be a viable target for the treatment of such diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the KP, its role in neurodegeneration and the current strategies for therapeutic targeting of the pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Maddison
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Flaviano Giorgini
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
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22
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Williams DC, Bejjani RE, Ramirez PM, Coakley S, Kim SA, Lee H, Wen Q, Samuel A, Lu H, Hilliard MA, Hammarlund M. Rapid and permanent neuronal inactivation in vivo via subcellular generation of reactive oxygen with the use of KillerRed. Cell Rep 2015; 5:553-63. [PMID: 24209746 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Inactivation of selected neurons in vivo can define their contribution to specific developmental outcomes, circuit functions, and behaviors. Here, we show that the optogenetic tool KillerRed selectively, rapidly, and permanently inactivates different classes of neurons in C. elegans in response to a single light stimulus, through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ablation scales from individual neurons in single animals to multiple neurons in populations and can be applied to freely behaving animals. Using spatially restricted illumination, we demonstrate that localized KillerRed activation in either the cell body or the axon triggers neuronal degeneration and death of the targeted cell. Finally, targeting KillerRed to mitochondria results in organelle fragmentation without killing the cell, in contrast to the cell death observed when KillerRed is targeted to the plasma membrane. We expect this genetic tool to have wide-ranging applications in studies of circuit function and subcellular responses to ROS.
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23
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Garafola CS, Henn FA. A change in hippocampal protocadherin gamma expression in a learned helpless rat. Brain Res 2014; 1593:55-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.08.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 08/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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24
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Colín-González AL, Maya-López M, Pedraza-Chaverrí J, Ali SF, Chavarría A, Santamaría A. The Janus faces of 3-hydroxykynurenine: Dual redox modulatory activity and lack of neurotoxicity in the rat striatum. Brain Res 2014; 1589:1-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 09/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Klinkenberg S, van den Borne CJH, Aalbers MW, Verschuure P, Kessels AG, Leenen L, Rijkers K, Aldenkamp AP, Vles JSH, Majoie HJM. The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on tryptophan metabolites in children with intractable epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 37:133-8. [PMID: 25022821 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of action of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in intractable epilepsy is not entirely clarified. It is believed that VNS causes alterations in cytokines, which can lead to rebalancing the release of neurotoxic and neuroprotective tryptophan metabolites. We aimed to evaluate VNS effects on tryptophan metabolites and on epileptic seizures and investigated whether the antiepileptic effectiveness correlated with changes in tryptophan metabolism. METHODS Forty-one children with intractable epilepsy were included in a randomized, active-controlled, double-blind study. After a baseline period of 12 weeks, all children underwent implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator and entered a blinded active-controlled phase of 20 weeks. Half of the children received high-output (therapeutic) stimulation (n=21), while the other half received low-output (active control) stimulation (n=20). Subsequently, all children received high-output stimulation for another 19 weeks (add-on phase). Tryptophan metabolites were assessed in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and compared between high- and low-output groups and between the end of both study phases and baseline. Seizure frequency was recorded using seizure diaries. Mood was assessed using Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaires. RESULTS Regarding tryptophan metabolites, anthranilic acid (AA) levels were significantly higher at the end of the add-on phase compared with baseline (p=0.002) and correlated significantly with improvement of mood (τ=-0.39, p=0.037) and seizure frequency reduction (τ=-0.33, p<0.01). No significant changes were found between high- and low-output groups regarding seizure frequency. CONCLUSION Vagus nerve stimulation induces a consistent increase in AA, a neuroprotective and anticonvulsant tryptophan metabolite. Moreover, increased AA levels are associated with improvement in mood and reduction of seizure frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Klinkenberg
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
| | | | - M W Aalbers
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - P Verschuure
- Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands
| | - A G Kessels
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - L Leenen
- Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands
| | - K Rijkers
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - A P Aldenkamp
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands; Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands; Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - J S H Vles
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands; Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands
| | - H J M Majoie
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands; Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands
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Moylan S, Berk M, Dean OM, Samuni Y, Williams LJ, O'Neil A, Hayley AC, Pasco JA, Anderson G, Jacka FN, Maes M. Oxidative & nitrosative stress in depression: why so much stress? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 45:46-62. [PMID: 24858007 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Many studies support a crucial role for oxidative & nitrosative stress (O&NS) in the pathophysiology of unipolar and bipolar depression. These disorders are characterized inter alia by lowered antioxidant defenses, including: lower levels of zinc, coenzyme Q10, vitamin E and glutathione; increased lipid peroxidation; damage to proteins, DNA and mitochondria; secondary autoimmune responses directed against redox modified nitrosylated proteins and oxidative specific epitopes. This review examines and details a model through which a complex series of environmental factors and biological pathways contribute to increased redox signaling and consequently increased O&NS in mood disorders. This multi-step process highlights the potential for future interventions that encompass a diverse range of environmental and molecular targets in the treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Moylan
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia; Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Olivia M Dean
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Yuval Samuni
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lana J Williams
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Adrienne O'Neil
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amie C Hayley
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie A Pasco
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Northwest Academic Centre, University of Melbourne, St. Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Felice N Jacka
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Maes
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Psychiatry, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
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Is there a role for glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in inflammation-induced depression? J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2014; 121:925-32. [PMID: 24633997 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-014-1187-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation in physically ill patients is often associated with the development of symptoms of depression. The mechanisms that are responsible for inflammation-associated depression have been elucidated over the last few years. Kynurenine produced from tryptophan in a reaction catabolized by indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase is transported into the brain where it is metabolized by microglial enzymes into a number of neurotropic compounds including quinolinic acid, an agonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Quinolinic acid can synergize with glutamate released by activated microglia. This chain of events opens the possibility to treat inflammation-induced depression using therapies that target the transport of kynurenine through the blood-brain barrier, the production of quinolinic acid and glutamate by activated microglia, or the efflux of glutamate from the brain to the blood.
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Coburn C, Allman E, Mahanti P, Benedetto A, Cabreiro F, Pincus Z, Matthijssens F, Araiz C, Mandel A, Vlachos M, Edwards SA, Fischer G, Davidson A, Pryor RE, Stevens A, Slack FJ, Tavernarakis N, Braeckman BP, Schroeder FC, Nehrke K, Gems D. Anthranilate fluorescence marks a calcium-propagated necrotic wave that promotes organismal death in C. elegans. PLoS Biol 2013; 11:e1001613. [PMID: 23935448 PMCID: PMC3720247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Death of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans involves a conserved necrotic cell death cascade which generates endogenous blue anthranilate fluorescence, allowing death to be visualized. For cells the passage from life to death can involve a regulated, programmed transition. In contrast to cell death, the mechanisms of systemic collapse underlying organismal death remain poorly understood. Here we present evidence of a cascade of cell death involving the calpain-cathepsin necrosis pathway that can drive organismal death in Caenorhabditis elegans. We report that organismal death is accompanied by a burst of intense blue fluorescence, generated within intestinal cells by the necrotic cell death pathway. Such death fluorescence marks an anterior to posterior wave of intestinal cell death that is accompanied by cytosolic acidosis. This wave is propagated via the innexin INX-16, likely by calcium influx. Notably, inhibition of systemic necrosis can delay stress-induced death. We also identify the source of the blue fluorescence, initially present in intestinal lysosome-related organelles (gut granules), as anthranilic acid glucosyl esters—not, as previously surmised, the damage product lipofuscin. Anthranilic acid is derived from tryptophan by action of the kynurenine pathway. These findings reveal a central mechanism of organismal death in C. elegans that is related to necrotic propagation in mammals—e.g., in excitotoxicity and ischemia-induced neurodegeneration. Endogenous anthranilate fluorescence renders visible the spatio-temporal dynamics of C. elegans organismal death. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, intestinal lysosome-related organelles (or “gut granules”) contain a bright blue fluorescent substance of unknown identity. This has similar spectral properties to lipofuscin, a product of oxidative damage known to accumulate with age in postmitotic mammalian cells. Blue fluorescence seems to increase in aging worm populations, and lipofuscin has been proposed to be the source. To analyze this further, we measure fluorescence levels after exposure to oxidative stress and during aging in individually tracked worms. Surprisingly, neither of these conditions increases fluorescence levels; instead blue fluorescence increases in a striking and rapid burst at death. Such death fluorescence (DF) also appears in young worms when killed, irrespective of age or cause of death. We chemically identify DF as anthranilic acid glucosyl esters derived from tryptophan, and not lipofuscin. In addition, we show that DF generation in the intestine is dependent upon the necrotic cell death cascade, previously characterized as a driver of neurodegeneration. We find that necrosis spreads in a rapid wave along the intestine by calcium influx via innexin ion channels, accompanied by cytosolic acidosis. Inhibition of necrosis pathway components can delay stress-induced death, supporting its role as a driver of organismal death. This necrotic cascade provides a model system to study neurodegeneration and organismal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Coburn
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erik Allman
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Parag Mahanti
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexandre Benedetto
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Filipe Cabreiro
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zachary Pincus
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | | | - Caroline Araiz
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Abraham Mandel
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manolis Vlachos
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Sally-Anne Edwards
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grahame Fischer
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Davidson
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosina E. Pryor
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ailsa Stevens
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frank J. Slack
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Nektarios Tavernarakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Frank C. Schroeder
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Keith Nehrke
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - David Gems
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Colín-González AL, Maldonado PD, Santamaría A. 3-Hydroxykynurenine: an intriguing molecule exerting dual actions in the central nervous system. Neurotoxicology 2012; 34:189-204. [PMID: 23219925 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Revised: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Kynurenine pathway is gaining attention due to the many metabolic processes in which it has been involved. The tryptophan conversion into several other metabolites through this pathway provides neuronal and redox modulators useful for maintenance of major functions in the brain. However, when physiopathological conditions prevail - i.e. oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and inflammation - preferential formation and accumulation of toxic metabolites could trigger factors for degeneration in neurological disorders. 3-Hydroxykynurenine has been largely described as one of these toxic metabolites capable of inducing oxidative damage and cell death; consequently, this metabolite has been hypothesized to play a pivotal role in different neurological and psychiatric disorders. Supporting evidence has shown altered 3-hydroxykynurenine levels in samples of patients from several disorders. In contrast, some experimental studies have provided evidence of antioxidant and scavenging properties inherent to this molecule. In this review, we explored most of literature favoring one or the other concept, in order to provide an accurate vision on the real participation of this tryptophan metabolite in both experimental paradigms and human brain pathologies. Through this collected evidence, we provide an integrative hypothesis on how 3-hydroxykynurenine is exerting its dual actions in the central nervous system and what will be the course of investigations in this field for the next years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Colín-González
- Laboratorio de Aminoácidos Excitadores, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Insurgentes Sur 3877, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
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Zinger A, Barcia C, Herrero MT, Guillemin GJ. The involvement of neuroinflammation and kynurenine pathway in Parkinson's disease. PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2011; 2011:716859. [PMID: 21687761 PMCID: PMC3109408 DOI: 10.4061/2011/716859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2010] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterised by loss of dopaminergic neurons and localized neuroinflammation occurring in the midbrain several years before the actual onset of symptoms. Activated microglia themselves release a large number of inflammatory mediators thus perpetuating neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. The Kynurenine pathway (KP), the main catabolic pathway for tryptophan, is one of the major regulators of the immune response and may also be implicated in the inflammatory response in parkinsonism. The KP generates several neuroactive compounds and therefore has either a neurotoxic or neuroprotective effect. Several of these molecules produced by microglia can activate the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-signalling pathway, leading to an excitotoxic response. Previous studies have shown that NMDA antagonists can ease symptoms and exert a neuroprotective effect in PD both in vivo and in vitro. There are to date several lines of evidence linking some of the KP intermediates and the neuropathogenesis of PD. Moreover, it is likely that pharmacological modulation of the KP will represent a new therapeutic strategy for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zinger
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Carlos Barcia
- Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience (NiCE-CIBERNED), Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria Trinidad Herrero
- Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience (NiCE-CIBERNED), Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience (NiCE-CIBERNED), Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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Maes M, Leonard BE, Myint AM, Kubera M, Verkerk R. The new '5-HT' hypothesis of depression: cell-mediated immune activation induces indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, which leads to lower plasma tryptophan and an increased synthesis of detrimental tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs), both of which contribute to the onset of depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2011; 35:702-21. [PMID: 21185346 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 468] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2010] [Revised: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/16/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews the body of evidence that not only tryptophan and consequent 5-HT depletion, but also induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and the detrimental effects of tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) play a role in the pathophysiology of depression. IDO is induced by interferon (IFN)γ, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, lipopolysaccharides and oxidative stress, factors that play a role in the pathophysiology of depression. TRYCATs, like kynurenine and quinolinic acid, are depressogenic and anxiogenic; activate oxidative pathways; cause mitochondrial dysfunctions; and have neuroexcitatory and neurotoxic effects that may lead to neurodegeneration. The TRYCAT pathway is also activated following induction of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) by glucocorticoids, which are elevated in depression. There is evidence that activation of IDO reduces plasma tryptophan and increases TRYCAT synthesis in depressive states and that TDO activation may play a role as well. The development of depressive symptoms during IFNα-based immunotherapy is strongly associated with IDO activation, increased production of detrimental TRYCATs and lowered levels of tryptophan. Women show greater IDO activation and TRYCAT production following immune challenge than men. In the early puerperium, IDO activation and TRYCAT production are associated with the development of affective symptoms. Clinical depression is accompanied by lowered levels of neuroprotective TRYCATs or increased levels or neurotoxic TRYCATs, and lowered plasma tryptophan, which is associated with indices of immune activation and glucocorticoid hypersecretion. Lowered tryptophan and increased TRYCATs induce T cell unresponsiveness and therefore may exert a negative feedback on the primary inflammatory response in depression. It is concluded that activation of the TRYCAT pathway by IDO and TDO may be associated with the development of depressive symptoms through tryptophan depletion and the detrimental effects of TRYCATs. Therefore, the TRYCAT pathway should be a new drug target in depression. Direct inhibitors of IDO are less likely to be useful drugs than agents, such as kynurenine hydroxylase inhibitors; drugs which block the primary immune response; compounds that increase the protective effects of kynurenic acid; and specific antioxidants that target IDO activation, the immune and oxidative pathways, and 5-HT as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maes
- Maes Clinics @ TRIA, Piyavate Hospital, 998 Rimklongsamsen Road, Bangkok 10310, Thailand.
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Toxicological and pathophysiological roles of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Toxicology 2010; 276:85-94. [PMID: 20643181 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2010.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Revised: 06/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
'Oxidative and Nitrative Stress in Toxicology and Disease' was the subject of a symposium held at the EUROTOX meeting in Dresden 15th September 2009. Reactive oxygen (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) produced during tissue pathogenesis and in response to viral or chemical toxicants, induce a complex series of downstream adaptive and reparative events driven by the associated oxidative and nitrative stress. As highlighted by all the speakers, ROS and RNS can promote diverse biological responses associated with a spectrum of disorders including neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular diseases. Similar pathways are implicated during the process of liver and skin carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species drive sustained cell proliferation, cell death including both apoptosis and necrosis, formation of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA mutations, and in some cases stimulation of a pro-angiogenic environment. Here we illustrate the pivotal role played by oxidative and nitrative stress in cell death, inflammation and pain and its consequences for toxicology and disease pathogenesis. Examples are presented from five different perspectives ranging from in vitro model systems through to in vivo animal model systems and clinical outcomes.
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Darlington LG, Forrest CM, Mackay GM, Smith RA, Smith AJ, Stoy N, Stone TW. On the Biological Importance of the 3-hydroxyanthranilic Acid: Anthranilic Acid Ratio. Int J Tryptophan Res 2010; 3:51-9. [PMID: 22084587 PMCID: PMC3195249 DOI: 10.4137/ijtr.s4282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Of the major components of the kynurenine pathway for the oxidative metabolism of tryptophan, most attention has focussed on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist quinolinic acid, and the glutamate receptor blocker kynurenic acid. However, there is increasing evidence that the redox-active compound 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid may also have potent actions on cell function in the nervous and immune systems, and recent clinical data show marked changes in the levels of this compound, associated with changes in anthranilic acid levels, in patients with a range of neurological and other disorders including osteoporosis, chronic brain injury, Huntington’s disease, coronary heart disease, thoracic disease, stroke and depression. In most cases, there is a decrease in 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid levels and an increase in anthranilic acid levels. In this paper, we summarise the range of data obtained to date, and hypothesise that the levels of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid or the ratio of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid to anthranilic acid levels, may contribute to disorders with an inflammatory component, and may represent a novel marker for the assessment of inflammation and its progression. Data are presented which suggest that the ratio between these two compounds is not a simple determinant of neuronal viability. Finally, a hypothesis is presented to account for the development of the observed changes in 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid and anthranilate levels in inflammation and it is suggested that the change of the 3HAA:AA ratio, particularly in the brain, could possibly be a protective response to limit primary and secondary damage.
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Swardfager W, Herrmann N, Dowlati Y, Oh PI, Kiss A, Walker SE, Lanctôt KL. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activation and depressive symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2009; 34:1560-6. [PMID: 19540675 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2009] [Revised: 05/14/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
An increase in immune-stimulated synthesis of kynurenine from tryptophan by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) has been observed in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, neuropsychiatric correlates of IDO activation remain unexplored. We hypothesize that IDO activation, as measured by the kynurenine to tryptophan (K/T) ratio, is associated with depressive symptoms in those with CAD. This cross-sectional study recruited subjects with CAD (n=95) from a cardiac rehabilitation facility. Demographic, anthropometric and cardiac data were obtained by chart review. Patients using an antidepressant were excluded. The presence of a major depressive episode or minor depression was assessed using a structured clinical interview for depression based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 4th edition criteria. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to quantify depressive symptoms. A standardized exercise stress test was used to assess cardiopulmonary fitness as summarized using the peak volume of oxygen consumption (Peak VO(2)). Kynurenine and tryptophan were assayed from fasting plasma samples to obtain the K/T ratio. Higher K/T ratios were significantly associated with higher CES-D scores (beta=.322, p=.002) in a linear regression controlling for time since most recent acute coronary syndrome (tACS), age and sex. Twenty-four patients met criteria for depression (16 major depression; 8 minor depression). There was a trend towards higher K/T ratios in depressed vs. non-depressed patients (45.6+/-20.0 micromol/mmol vs. 38.5+/-15.7 micromol/mmol, F=3.778, p=.055) when controlling for age, sex and tACS. Activation of IDO is associated with the severity of depressive symptoms among patients with CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Swardfager
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Elinos-Calderón D, Robledo-Arratia Y, Pérez-De La Cruz V, Maldonado PD, Galván-Arzate S, Pedraza-Chaverrí J, Santamaría A. Antioxidant strategy to rescue synaptosomes from oxidative damage and energy failure in neurotoxic models in rats: protective role of S-allylcysteine. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2009; 117:35-44. [PMID: 19866339 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-009-0299-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2009] [Accepted: 08/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The functional preservation of nerve endings since the early stages of toxicity in a given damaging insult-either acute or chronic-by means of antioxidant and neuroprotective agents is a primary need to design therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders, with particular emphasis on those diseases with excitotoxic and depleted energy metabolism components. S-allylcysteine (SAC), a well-known antioxidant agent, was tested as a post-treatment in different in vitro and in vivo neurotoxic models. Quinolinic acid (QUIN) was used as a typical excitotoxic/pro-oxidant inducer, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) was employed as a mitochondrial function inhibitor, and their combination (QUIN + 3-NP) was also evaluated in in vitro studies. For in vitro purposes, increasing concentrations of SAC (10-100 microM) were added to isolated brain synaptosomes at different times (1, 3 and 6 h) after the incubation with toxins (100 microM QUIN, 1 mM 3-NP or the combination of QUIN (21 microM) + 3-NP (166 microM). Thirty minutes later, lipid peroxidation (LP) and mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) were evaluated. For in vivo studies, SAC (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was given to QUIN- or 3-NP-striatally lesioned rats for 7 consecutive days (starting 120 min post-lesion). LP and MD were evaluated 7 days post-lesion in isolated striatal synaptosomes. Circling behavior was also assessed. Our results describe a differential pattern of protection achieved by SAC, mostly expressed in the 3-NP toxic model, in which nerve ending protection was found within the first hours (1 and 3) after the toxic insult started, supporting the concept that the ongoing oxidative damage and energy depletion can be treated during the first stages of neurotoxic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Elinos-Calderón
- Laboratorio de Aminoácidos Excitadores, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Insurgentes Sur 3877, CP 14269, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
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Smith AJ, Tauskela JS, Stone TW, Smith RA. Preconditioning with 4-aminopyridine protects cerebellar granule neurons against excitotoxicity. Brain Res 2009; 1294:165-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2009] [Revised: 07/16/2009] [Accepted: 07/18/2009] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Abstract
During the last 40 years, studies incorporating in vitro methodologies have greatly advanced our understanding of human nerve cell biology. Attempts have been made to apply these to investigations of neurotoxicity. Due to the complexity of the nervous system, underpinned by an array of integrated interactions between a host of cell types, it is concluded that, at present, alternative neural models are most successful in determining the underlying mechanisms which can cause perturbation of normal functioning of the nervous system, both in adults and during the embryonic period. The use of tiered batteries of test models has been proposed in screening programmes for neurotoxicity, with the generation of much encouraging data in laboratories across the globe. This review aims to discuss the development of neural alternatives, considers the various model systems available, and highlights specific neuronal endpoints which can be tested, in addition to the cytotoxic evaluation of neuronal viability. Developments in molecular and stem cell biology, which are appropriate to neural tissue, and which offer the prospect of exciting advances for the next decade, are cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Smith
- Neuroscience and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Biomedical & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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