1
|
Sharma K, Ghiffary MR, Lee G, Kim HU. Efficient production of an antitumor precursor actinocin and other medicinal molecules from kynurenine pathway in Escherichia coli. Metab Eng 2024; 81:144-156. [PMID: 38043641 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.11.008] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Kynurenine pathway has a potential to convert L-tryptophan into multiple medicinal molecules. This study aims to explore the biosynthetic potential of kynurenine pathway for the efficient production of actinocin, an antitumor precursor selected as a proof-of-concept target molecule. Kynurenine pathway is first constructed in Escherichia coli by testing various combinations of biosynthetic genes from four different organisms. Metabolic engineering strategies are next performed to improve the production by inhibiting a competing pathway, and enhancing intracellular supply of a cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine, and ultimately to produce actinocin from glucose. Metabolome analysis further suggests additional gene overexpression targets, which finally leads to the actinocin titer of 719 mg/L. E. coli strain engineered to produce actinocin is further successfully utilized to produce 350 mg/L of kynurenic acid, a neuroprotectant, and 1401 mg/L of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, an antioxidant, also from glucose. These competitive production titers demonstrate the biosynthetic potential of kynurenine pathway as a source of multiple medicinal molecules. The approach undertaken in this study can be useful for the sustainable production of molecules derived from kynurenine pathway, which are otherwise chemically synthesized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Komal Sharma
- Systems Biology and Medicine Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohammad Rifqi Ghiffary
- Systems Biology and Medicine Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - GaRyoung Lee
- Systems Biology and Medicine Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Uk Kim
- Systems Biology and Medicine Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Engineering Biology, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; BioProcess Engineering Research Center and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Matusiewicz M, Wróbel-Kwiatkowska M, Niemiec T, Świderek W, Kosieradzka I, Rosińska A, Niwińska A, Rakicka-Pustułka M, Kocki T, Rymowicz W, Turski WA. Effect of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass with increased kynurenic acid content on selected metabolic indicators in mice. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15833. [PMID: 37780388 PMCID: PMC10540775 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The unconventional yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica is a valuable source of protein and many other nutrients. It can be used to produce hydrolytic enzymes and metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous metabolite of tryptophan with a multidirectional effect on the body. The administration of Y. lipolytica with an increased content of KYNA in the diet may have a beneficial effect on metabolism, which was evaluated in a nutritional experiment on mice. Methods In the dry biomass of Y. lipolytica S12 enriched in KYNA (high-KYNA yeast) and low-KYNA (control) yeast, the content of KYNA was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Then, proximate and amino acid composition and selected indicators of antioxidant status were compared. The effect of 5% high-KYNA yeast content in the diet on the growth, hematological and biochemical indices of blood and the redox status of the liver was determined in a 7-week experiment on adult male mice from an outbred colony derived from A/St, BALB/c, BN/a and C57BL/6J inbred strains. Results High-KYNA yeast was characterized by a greater concentration of KYNA than low-KYNA yeast (0.80 ± 0.08 vs. 0.29 ± 0.01 g/kg dry matter), lower content of crude protein with a less favorable amino acid composition and minerals, higher level of crude fiber and fat and lower ferric-reducing antioxidant power, concentration of phenols and glutathione. Consumption of the high-KYNA yeast diet did not affect the cumulative body weight gain per cage, cumulative food intake per cage and protein efficiency ratio compared to the control diet. A trend towards lower mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit, higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lower serum total protein and globulins was observed, increased serum total cholesterol and urea were noted. Its ingestion resulted in a trend towards greater ferric-reducing antioxidant power in the liver and did not affect the degree of liver lipid and protein oxidation. Conclusions The improvement of the quality of Y. lipolytica yeast biomass with increased content of KYNA, including its antioxidant potential, would be affected by the preserved level of protein and unchanged amino acid profile. It will be worth investigating the effect of such optimized yeast on model animals, including animals with metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Matusiewicz
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Wróbel-Kwiatkowska
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz Niemiec
- Department of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiesław Świderek
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Kosieradzka
- Department of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Rosińska
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Niwińska
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Rakicka-Pustułka
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kocki
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar Rymowicz
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Waldemar A. Turski
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhen D, Ding L, Wang B, Wang X, Hou Y, Ding W, Portha B, Liu J. Oral administration of kynurenic acid delays the onset of type 2 diabetes in Goto-Kakizaki rats. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17733. [PMID: 37424591 PMCID: PMC10328841 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous catabolite of tryptophan that has been found to demonstrate neuroprotective properties in psychiatric disorders. Recently, accumulating data have suggested that KYNA may also play a significant role in various metabolic diseases by stimulating energy metabolism in adipose tissue and muscle. However, whether KYNA can serves as an anti-diabetes agent has yet to be studied. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-diabetic effects of administering KYNA orally through drinking water in pre-diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats and examined how this treatment may influence energy metabolism regulation within the liver. We found that hyperglycemic Goto-Kakizaki rats showed lower plasmatic KYNA levels compared to normal rats. Oral administration of KYNA significantly delayed the onset of diabetes in Goto-Kakizaki rats compared to untreated animals. Moreover, we found that KYNA treatment significantly increased respiration exchange ratio and promoted the energy expenditure by stimulating the expression of uncoupling protein (UCP). We confirmed that KYNA stimulated the UCP expression in HepG2 cells and mouse hepatocytes at mRNA and protein levels. Our study reveals that KYNA could potentially act as an anti-diabetic agent and KYNA-induced UCP upregulation is closely associated with the regulation of energy metabolism. These results provide further evidence for the therapeutic potential of KYNA in diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delong Zhen
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Lina Ding
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Bao Wang
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yanli Hou
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Wenyu Ding
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Bernard Portha
- Laboratoire B2PE (Biologie et Pathologie du Pancréas Endocrine), Unité BFA (Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptive), CNRS UMR 8251, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Junjun Liu
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ma J, Chen P, Deng B, Wang R. Kynurenic acid promotes osteogenesis via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2023; 59:356-365. [PMID: 37291335 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-023-00774-2] [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: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The role of kynurenic acid (KynA) in neurological and mental diseases has been widely studied. Emerging studies disclosed that KynA has a protective effect on tissues including heart, kidney, and retina. However, the role of KynA in osteoporosis has not been reported so far. To elucidate the role of KynA in age-related osteoporosis, both control and osteoporosis mice were administrated KynA for three consecutive months, and micro-computed tomography (μCT) analysis was then performed. In addition, primary bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated for osteogenic differentiation induction and treated with KynA in vitro. Our data suggested that KynA administration rescued age-related bone loss in vivo, and KynA treatment promotes BMSC osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Moreover, KynA activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling during BMSC osteogenic differentiation. Wnt inhibitor MSAB inhibited KynA-induced osteogenic differentiation. Further data demonstrated that KynA exerted its effect on BMSC osteogenic differentiation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation via G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35). In conclusion, the protective effect of KynA on age-related osteoporosis was disclosed. Additionally, the promoting effect of KynA on osteoblastic differentiation via Wnt/β-catenin signaling was verified and the effect dependent on GPR35. These data suggest that KynA administration potentially contributes to the treatment of age-related osteoporosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiangwei Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Hospital of Yulin, No. 93, Yu Xi Street, Yulin, 719000, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Pu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Baojuan Deng
- Department of General Practice, The First Hospital of Yulin, No. 93, Yu Xi Street, Yulin, 719000, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of General Practice, The First Hospital of Yulin, No. 93, Yu Xi Street, Yulin, 719000, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Eryavuz Onmaz D, Tezcan D, Abusoglu S, Sak F, Humeyra Yerlikaya F, Yilmaz S, Abusoglu G, Kazim Korez M, Unlu A. Impaired kynurenine metabolism in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Clin Biochem 2023; 114:1-10. [PMID: 36681140 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by inflammation of the exocrine glands. Elevated inflammation causes an increase in kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolite levels by activating indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). The aim of this study was to measure serum KP metabolite concentrations in patients with pSS and to evaluate the relationship between these metabolites with disease activity score and clinical manifestations. DESIGN & METHODS A total of 80 patients with pSS and 80 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK), quinolinic acid (QUIN) concentrations were quantified with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations and disease activity score (ESSDAI) of the participants were recorded. RESULTS The serum level of KYN and QUIN were significantly higher in patients with pSS with low and moderate activity compared those healthy controls, while the serum level of TRP, KYNA/KYN and 3HK/KYN were lower. In addition, the significant difference for the serum level of KYNA was only in patients with moderate activity from healthy controls, and the difference was higher in favor of pSS patients. Moreover, the KYN/TRP levels were significantly increased with disease activity. The ESSDAI score was positively correlated with KYN/TRP ratio, but negatively correlated with KYNA/KYN ratio. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicated that KP metabolites may play a role in the etiopathogenesis, activation and progression of pSS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duygu Eryavuz Onmaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Selcuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Konya 42130, Turkey.
| | - Dilek Tezcan
- Division of Rheumatology, Selcuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Konya 42130, Turkey
| | - Sedat Abusoglu
- Department of Biochemistry, Selcuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Konya 42130, Turkey
| | - Firdevs Sak
- Department of Biochemistry, Selcuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Konya 42130, Turkey
| | | | - Sema Yilmaz
- Division of Rheumatology, Selcuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Konya 42130, Turkey
| | - Gulsum Abusoglu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Selcuk University, Vocational School of Health, Konya 42130, Turkey
| | - Muslu Kazim Korez
- Division of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya 42130, Turkey
| | - Ali Unlu
- Department of Biochemistry, Selcuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Konya 42130, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A Review of the Health Benefits of Food Enriched with Kynurenic Acid. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14194182. [PMID: 36235834 PMCID: PMC9570704 DOI: 10.3390/nu14194182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a metabolite of tryptophan, is an endogenous substance produced intracellularly by various human cells. In addition, KYNA can be synthesized by the gut microbiome and delivered in food. However, its content in food is very low and the total alimentary supply with food accounts for only 1-3% of daily KYNA excretion. The only known exception is chestnut honey, which has a higher KYNA content than other foods by at least two orders of magnitude. KYNA is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; it is not metabolized and is excreted mainly in urine. It possesses well-defined molecular targets, which allows the study and elucidation of KYNA's role in various pathological conditions. Following a period of fascination with KYNA's importance for the central nervous system, research into its role in the peripheral system has been expanding rapidly in recent years, bringing some exciting discoveries. KYNA does not penetrate from the peripheral circulation into the brain; hence, the following review summarizes knowledge on the peripheral consequences of KYNA administration, presents data on KYNA content in food products, in the context of its daily supply in diets, and systematizes the available pharmacokinetic data. Finally, it provides an analysis of the rationale behind enriching foods with KYNA for health-promoting effects.
Collapse
|
7
|
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.
Collapse
|
8
|
ROLE OF GUT MICROBIOTA IN DEPRESSION: UNDERSTANDING MOLECULAR PATHWAYS, RECENT RESEARCH, AND FUTURE DIRECTION. Behav Brain Res 2022; 436:114081. [PMID: 36037843 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Gut microbiota, also known as the "second brain" in humans because of the regulatory role it has on the central nervous system via neuronal, chemical and immune pathways. It has been proven that there exists a bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. Increasing evidence supports that this crosstalk is linked to the etiology and treatment of depression. Reports suggest that the gut microbiota control the host epigenetic machinery in depression and gut dysbiosis causes negative epigenetic modifications via mechanisms like histone acetylation, DNA methylation and non-coding RNA mediated gene inhibition. The gut microbiome can be a promising approach for the management of depression. The diet and dietary metabolites like kynurenine, tryptophan, and propionic acid also greatly influence the microbiome composition and thereby, the physiological activities. This review gives a bird-eye view on the pathological updates and currently used treatment approaches targeting the gut microbiota in depression.
Collapse
|
9
|
Emerging effects of tryptophan pathway metabolites and intestinal microbiota on metabolism and intestinal function. Amino Acids 2022; 54:57-70. [PMID: 35038025 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-022-03123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The metabolism of dietary tryptophan occurs locally in the gut primarily via host enzymes, with ~ 5% metabolized by gut microbes. Three major tryptophan metabolic pathways are serotonin (beyond the scope of this review), indole, kynurenine and related derivatives. We introduce the gut microbiome, dietary tryptophan and the potential interplay of host and bacterial enzymes in tryptophan metabolism. Examples of bacterial transformation to indole and its derivative indole-3 propionic acid demonstrate associations with human metabolic disease and gut permeability, although causality remains to be determined. This review will focus on less well-known data, suggestive of local generation and functional significance in the gut, where kynurenine is converted to kynurenic acid and xanthurenic acid via enzymatic action present in both host and bacteria. Our functional data demonstrate a limited effect on intestinal epithelial cell monolayer permeability and on healthy mouse ileum. Other data suggest a modulatory effect on the microbiome, potentially in pathophysiology. Supportive of this, we found that the expression of mRNA for three kynurenine pathway enzymes were increased in colon from high-fat-fed mice, suggesting that this host pathway is perturbed in metabolic disease. These data, along with that from bacterial genomic analysis and germ-free mice, confirms expression and functional machinery of enzymes in this pathway. Therefore, the host and microbiota may play a significant dual role in either the production or regulation of these kynurenine metabolites which, in turn, can influence both host and microbiome, especially in the context of obesity and intestinal permeability.
Collapse
|
10
|
The Beneficial Effects of Edible Kynurenic Acid from Marine Horseshoe Crab ( Tachypleus tridentatus) on Obesity, Hyperlipidemia, and Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:8874503. [PMID: 34055199 PMCID: PMC8112934 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8874503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The marine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) has been considered as food and traditional medicine for many years. Kynurenic acid (KA) was isolated from horseshoe crab in this study for the first time in the world. A previous study in 2018 reported that intraperitoneal administration of KA prevented high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced body weight gain. Now, we investigated the effects of intragastric gavage of KA on HFD mice and found that KA (5 mg/kg/day) inhibited both the body weight gain and the increase of average daily energy intake. KA reduced serum triglyceride and increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. KA inhibited HFD-induced the increases of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, coronary artery risk index, and atherosclerosis index. KA also suppressed HFD-induced the increase of the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (two dominant gut microbial phyla). KA partially reversed HFD-induced the changes in the composition of gut microbial genera. These overall effects of KA on HFD mice were similar to that of simvastatin (positive control). But the effects of 1.25 mg/kg/day KA on HFD-caused hyperlipidemia were similar to the effects of 5 mg/kg/day simvastatin. The pattern of relative abundance in 40 key genera of gut microbiota from KA group was closer to that from the normal group than that from the simvastatin group. In addition, our in vitro results showed the potential antioxidant activity of KA, which suggests that the improvement effects of KA on HFD mice may be partially associated with antioxidant activity of KA. Our findings demonstrate the potential role of KA as a functional food ingredient for the treatment of obesity and hyperlipidemia as well as the modulation of gut microbiota.
Collapse
|
11
|
β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Supplementation Prevents Bone Loss during Pregnancy-Novel Evidence from a Spiny Mouse ( Acomys cahirinus) Model. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063047. [PMID: 33802646 PMCID: PMC8002460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation during pregnancy on postpartum bone tissue quality by assessing changes in trabecular and compact bone as well as in hyaline and epiphyseal cartilage. The experiment was carried out on adult 6-month-old female spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) divided into three groups: pregnant control (PregCont), pregnant HMB-treated (supplemented with 0.02 g/kg b.w of HMB during the second trimester of pregnancy, PregHMB), and non-pregnant females (NonPreg). Cross-sectional area and cortical index of the femoral mid-shaft, stiffness, and Young modulus were significantly greater in the PregHMB group. Whole-bone mineral density was similar in all groups, and HMB supplementation increased trabecular number. Growth plate cartilage was the thinnest, while the articular cartilage was the thickest in the PregHMB group. HMB supplementation increased the content of proteoglycans in the articular cartilage and the percentage of immature collagen content in metaphyseal trabeculae and compact bone. In summary, dietary HMB supplementation during the second trimester of pregnancy intensifies bone metabolic processes and prevents bone loss during pregnancy.
Collapse
|
12
|
Török N, Tanaka M, Vécsei L. Searching for Peripheral Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Tryptophan-Kynurenine Metabolic Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9338. [PMID: 33302404 PMCID: PMC7762583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are multifactorial, initiated by a series of the causative complex which develops into a certain clinical picture. The pathogenesis and disease course vary from patient to patient. Thus, it should be likewise to the treatment. Peripheral biomarkers are to play a central role for tailoring a personalized therapeutic plan for patients who suffered from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Nevertheless, the use of biomarkers in clinical practice is still underappreciated and data presented in biomarker research for clinical use is still uncompelling, compared to the abundant data available for drug research and development. So is the case with kynurenines (KYNs) and the kynurenine pathway (KP) enzymes, which have been associated with a wide range of diseases including cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurologic diseases, and psychiatric disorders. This review article discusses current knowledge of KP alterations observed in the central nervous system as well as the periphery, its involvement in pathogenesis and disease progression, and emerging evidence of roles of microbiota in the gut-brain axis, searching for practical peripheral biomarkers which ensure personalized treatment plans for neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nóra Török
- MTA-SZTE, Neuroscience Research Group, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (N.T.); (M.T.)
| | - Masaru Tanaka
- MTA-SZTE, Neuroscience Research Group, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (N.T.); (M.T.)
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Vécsei
- MTA-SZTE, Neuroscience Research Group, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (N.T.); (M.T.)
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|