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Marszalek-Grabska M, Gawel K, Kosheva N, Kocki T, Turski WA. Developmental Exposure to Kynurenine Affects Zebrafish and Rat Behavior. Cells 2023; 12:2224. [PMID: 37759447 PMCID: PMC10526278 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182224] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper nutrition and supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding are crucial for the development of offspring. Kynurenine (KYN) is the central metabolite of the kynurenine pathway and a direct precursor of other metabolites that possess immunoprotective or neuroactive properties, with the ultimate effect on fetal neurodevelopment. To date, no studies have evaluated the effects of KYN on early embryonic development. Thus, the aim of our study was to determine the effect of incubation of larvae with KYN in different developmental periods on the behavior of 5-day-old zebrafish. Additionally, the effects exerted by KYN administered on embryonic days 1-7 (ED 1-7) on the behavior of adult offspring of rats were elucidated. Our study revealed that the incubation with KYN induced changes in zebrafish behavior, especially when zebrafish embryos or larvae were incubated with KYN from 1 to 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) and from 49 to 72 hpf. KYN administered early during pregnancy induced subtle differences in the neurobehavioral development of adult offspring. Further research is required to understand the mechanism of these changes. The larval zebrafish model can be useful for studying disturbances in early brain development processes and their late behavioral consequences. The zebrafish-medium system may be applicable in monitoring drug metabolism in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Marszalek-Grabska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (K.G.); (N.K.); (T.K.); (W.A.T.)
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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Stimulated Interleukin-4-Induced-1 (IL4I1) Promotes Human Decidualization via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043163. [PMID: 36834576 PMCID: PMC9959871 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Decidualization is necessary for the successful establishment of early pregnancy in rodents and humans. Disturbed decidualization results in recurrent implantation failure, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and preeclampsia. Tryptophan (Trp), one of the essential amino acids in humans, has a positive effect on mammalian pregnancy. Interleukin 4-induced gene 1 (IL4I1) is a recently identified enzyme that can metabolize L-Trp to activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Although IDO1-catalyzed kynurenine (Kyn) from Trp has been shown to enhance human in vitro decidualization via activating AHR, whether IL4I1-catalyzed metabolites of Trp are involved in human decidualization is still unknown. In our study, human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates IL4I1 expression and secretion from human endometrial epithelial cells through ornithine decarboxylase-induced putrescine production. Either IL4I1-catalyzed indole-3-pyruvic acid (I3P) or its metabolite indole-3-aldehyde (I3A) from Trp is able to induce human in vitro decidualization by activating AHR. As a target gene of AHR, Epiregulin induced by I3P and I3A promotes human in vitro decidualization. Our study indicates that IL4I1-catalyzed metabolites from Trp can enhance human in vitro decidualization through AHR-Epiregulin pathway.
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van Zundert SKM, Broekhuizen M, Smit AJP, van Rossem L, Mirzaian M, Willemsen SP, Danser AHJ, De Rijke YB, Reiss IKM, Merkus D, Steegers-Theunissen RPM. The Role of the Kynurenine Pathway in the (Patho) physiology of Maternal Pregnancy and Fetal Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Int J Tryptophan Res 2022; 15:11786469221135545. [PMID: 36467775 PMCID: PMC9716456 DOI: 10.1177/11786469221135545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tryptophan is the precursor of kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites which regulate immune tolerance, energy metabolism, and vascular tone. Since these processes are important during pregnancy, changes in KP metabolite concentrations may play a role in the pathophysiology of pregnancy complications. We hypothesize that KP metabolites can serve as novel biomarkers and preventive therapeutic targets. This review aimed to provide more insight into associations between KP metabolite concentrations in maternal and fetal blood, and in the placenta, and adverse maternal pregnancy and fetal outcomes. METHODS A systematic search was performed on 18 February 2022 comprising all KP metabolites, and keywords related to maternal pregnancy and fetal outcomes. English-written human studies measuring KP metabolite(s) in maternal or fetal blood or in the placenta in relation to pregnancy complications, were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the ErasmusAGE quality score (QS) (range: 0-10). A meta-analysis of the mean maternal tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations in uncomplicated pregnancies was conducted. RESULTS Of the 6262 unique records, 37 were included (median QS = 5). Tryptophan was investigated in most studies, followed by kynurenine, predominantly in maternal blood (n = 28/37), and in the second and third trimester of pregnancy (n = 29/37). Compared to uncomplicated pregnancies, decreased tryptophan in maternal blood was associated with an increased prevalence of depression, gestational diabetes mellitus, fetal growth restriction, spontaneous abortion, and preterm birth. Elevated tryptophan was only observed in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension compared to normotensive pregnant women. In women with preeclampsia, only kynurenic acid was altered; elevated in the first trimester of pregnancy, and positively associated with proteinuria in the third trimester of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS KP metabolite concentrations were altered in a variety of maternal pregnancy and fetal complications. This review implies that physiological pregnancy requires a tight balance of KP metabolites, and that disturbances in either direction are associated with adverse maternal pregnancy and fetal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie KM van Zundert
- Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Chemistry,
Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michelle Broekhuizen
- Division of Neonatology, Department of
Pediatrics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Pharmacology and Vascular
Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Experimental Cardiology,
Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The
Netherlands
| | - Ashley JP Smit
- Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lenie van Rossem
- Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mina Mirzaian
- Department of Clinical Chemistry,
Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sten P Willemsen
- Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus MC
University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - AH Jan Danser
- Division of Pharmacology and Vascular
Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda B De Rijke
- Department of Clinical Chemistry,
Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irwin KM Reiss
- Division of Neonatology, Department of
Pediatrics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne Merkus
- Division of Experimental Cardiology,
Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The
Netherlands
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental
Medicine, University Clinic Munich, Ludwig Maximillian University Munich, Munich,
Germany
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Liu ZF, Sylivris A, Gordon M, Sundram S. The association between tryptophan levels and postpartum mood disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:539. [PMID: 35941560 PMCID: PMC9361669 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04178-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 50% of women experience mood disturbance in the postpartum period, with significant implications for maternal and infant health but identifying those at risk is not easily possible. The essential amino acid, tryptophan (TRP) through its neuroactive metabolites, has been implicated in the pathology of mood disorders. Thus, TRP levels tested in the peripartum period have been proposed as a potential biomarker for subsequent development of postpartum mood disturbances, in particular postpartum depression (PPD). A systematic review and meta-analysis following PROSPERO guidelines [CRD42021252462] was conducted on peer-reviewed, English language studies that measured blood levels of TRP during the postpartum period in women who were also evaluated for postpartum "blues" or PPD. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which five studies contained sufficient data to conduct a meta-analysis. Low total TRP levels in postpartum days 1 to 5 were significantly associated with PPD (SMD: -5.39, 95%CI [-7.72, -3.05]). No significant association was found between free TRP levels in the postpartum period and PPD (SMD: -3.43, 95%CI [-7.76, 0.89]). Our findings confirm the necessity for more replicable designed studies regarding TRP and its relationship to postpartum depression. If there were greater clarity regarding TRP metabolism during pregnancy, then the next step would be to consider measuring total plasma TRP levels on postpartum days 1 to 5 to identify women at greater risk of developing PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Feng Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy Sylivris
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Gordon
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Monash Medical Centre, Block P, Level 3, 246 Clayton Rd, Melbourne, 3168, VIC, Australia.
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Silvano A, Seravalli V, Strambi N, Tartarotti E, Tofani L, Calosi L, Parenti A, Di Tommaso M. Tryptophan degradation enzymes and Angiotensin (1-7) expression in human placenta. J Reprod Immunol 2022; 153:103692. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Tan KML, Tint MT, Kothandaraman N, Michael N, Sadananthan SA, Velan SS, Fortier MV, Yap F, Tan KH, Gluckman PD, Chong YS, Chong MFF, Lee YS, Godfrey KM, Eriksson JG, Cameron-Smith D. The Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites in Cord Blood Positively Correlate With Early Childhood Adiposity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e2464-e2473. [PMID: 35150259 PMCID: PMC9113811 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The kynurenine pathway generates metabolites integral to energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and immune function. Circulating kynurenine metabolites positively correlate with adiposity in children and adults, yet it is not known whether this relationship is present already at birth. OBJECTIVE In this prospective longitudinal study, we investigate the relationship between cord blood kynurenine metabolites and measures of adiposity from birth to 4.5 years. METHODS Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify cord blood kynurenine metabolites in 812 neonates from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study. Fat percentage was measured by air displacement plethysmography and abdominal adipose tissue compartment volumes; superficial (sSAT) and deep subcutaneous (dSAT) and internal adipose tissue were quantified by magnetic resonance imaging at early infancy in a smaller subset of neonates, and again at 4 to 4.5 years of age. RESULTS Cord blood kynurenine metabolites appeared to be higher in female newborns, higher in Indian newborns compared with Chinese newborns, and higher in infants born by cesarean section compared with vaginal delivery. Kynurenine, xanthurenic acid, and quinolinic acid were positively associated with birthweight, but not with subsequent weight during infancy and childhood. Quinolinic acid was positively associated with sSAT at birth. Kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid were positively associated with fat percentage at 4 years. CONCLUSION Several cord blood kynurenine metabolite concentrations were positively associated with birthweight, with higher kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid correlating to higher percentage body fat in childhood, suggesting these cord blood metabolites as biomarkers of early childhood adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Mei-Ling Tan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Hospital, 119074, Singapore
| | - Mya-Thway Tint
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Human Potential Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSOM), National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - Narasimhan Kothandaraman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
| | - Navin Michael
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
| | - Suresh Anand Sadananthan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
| | - S Sendhil Velan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging (IBB), Agency for Science Technology and Research, 138669, Singapore
| | - Marielle V Fortier
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 229899, Singapore
| | - Fabian Yap
- Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, 169857, Singapore
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 229899, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 636921, Singapore
| | - Kok Hian Tan
- Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, 169857, Singapore
- Perinatal Audit and Epidemiology, Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 119228, Singapore
| | - Peter D Gluckman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yap-Seng Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Human Potential Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSOM), National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSOM), National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Mary F F Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, 117549, Singapore
| | - Yung Seng Lee
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore
- Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Health System, 119074, Singapore
| | - Keith M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Johan G Eriksson
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Human Potential Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSOM), National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00250 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - David Cameron-Smith
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117596, Singapore
- Correspondence: Professor David Cameron Smith, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive 117609, Singapore.
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Perspective: Gestational Tryptophan Fluctuation Altering Neuroembryogenesis and Psychosocial Development. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081270. [PMID: 35455949 PMCID: PMC9032700 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan, as the sole precursor of serotonin, mainly derived from diets, is essential for neurodevelopment and immunomodulation. Gestational tryptophan fluctuation may account for the maternal-fetal transmission in determining neuroembryogenesis with long-lasting effects on psychological development. Personality disorders and social exclusion are related to psychosocial problems, leading to impaired social functioning. However, it is not clear how the fluctuation in mother-child transmission regulates the neuroendocrine development and gut microbiota composition in progeny due to that tryptophan metabolism in pregnant women is affected by multiple factors, such as diets (tryptophan-enriched or -depleted diet), emotional mental states (anxiety, depression), health status (hypertension, diabetes), and social support as well as stresses and management skills. Recently, we have developed a non-mammal model to rationalize those discrepancies without maternal effects. This perspective article outlines the possibility and verified the hypothesis in bully-victim research with this novel model: (1). Summarizes the effects of the maternal tryptophan administration on the neuroendocrine and microbial development in their offspring; (2). Highlights the inconsistency and limitations in studying the relationship between gestational tryptophan exposure and psychosocial development in humans and viviparous animals; and (3). Evidences that embryonic exposure to tryptophan and its metabolite modify bullying interactions in the chicken model. With the current pioneer researches on the biomechanisms underlying the bully-victim interaction, the perspective article provides novel insights for developing appropriate intervention strategies to prevent psychological disorders among individuals, especially those who experienced prenatal stress, by controlling dietary tryptophan and medication therapy during pregnancy.
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Huang X, Hu J, Peng H, Cheng HW. Embryonic Exposure to Tryptophan Yields Bullying Victimization via Reprogramming the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in a Chicken Model. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030661. [PMID: 35277020 PMCID: PMC8839409 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal metabolic disorder during early pregnancy may give rise to emotional and behavioral disorders in the child, vulnerable to bullying. Placental tryptophan fluctuation consequently disrupts offspring gut microbiome and brain neurogenesis with long-lasting physiological and social behavioral impacts. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the excess gestational tryptophan may affect children’s mental and physical development via modifying the microbiota-gut-brain axis, which lays the foundation of their mental status. Chicken embryo was employed due to its robust microbiota and independence of maternal influences during embryogenesis. The results indicated that embryonic tryptophan exposure reduced body weight and aggressiveness in the male offspring before and during adolescence. Additionally, the relative gut length and crypt depth were increased, while the villus/crypt ratio was decreased in tryptophan treated roosters, which was corresponding to the changes in the cecal microbiota composition. Furthermore, the catecholamine concentrations were increased in tryptophan group, which may be associated with the alterations in the gut microbiome and the gut-brain axis’s function. These changes may underlie the sociometric status of bullying; clarify how gestational tryptophan fluctuation compromises bullying and provide a strategy to prevent bullying by controlling dietary tryptophan and medication therapy during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Huang
- Institute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Department of Pathophysiology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (J.H.); (H.-w.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-15908942478
| | - Jiaying Hu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (J.H.); (H.-w.C.)
| | - Haining Peng
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China;
| | - Heng-wei Cheng
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (J.H.); (H.-w.C.)
- Livestock Behavior Research Unit, USDA-ARS, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Broekhuizen M, Danser AHJ, Reiss IKM, Merkus D. The Function of the Kynurenine Pathway in the Placenta: A Novel Pharmacotherapeutic Target? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111545. [PMID: 34770059 PMCID: PMC8582682 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
(L-)tryptophan is metabolized via the kynurenine pathway into several kynurenine metabolites with distinct functions. Dysfunction of the kynurenine pathway can lead to impairments in vascular regulation, immune regulation, and tolerance. The first and rate limiting enzyme of this pathway, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), is highly expressed in the placenta and reduced in placentas from complicated pregnancies. IDO is essential during pregnancy, as IDO inhibition in pregnant mice resulted in fetal loss. However, the exact function of placental IDO, as well as its exact placental localization, remain controversial. This review identified that two isoforms of IDO; IDO1 and IDO2, are differently expressed between placental cells, suggesting spatial segregation. Furthermore, this review summarizes how the placental kynurenine pathway is altered in pregnancy complications, including recurrent miscarriage, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. Importantly, we describe that these alterations do not affect maternally circulating metabolite concentrations, suggesting that the kynurenine pathway functions as a local signaling pathway. In the placenta, it is an important source of de novo placental NAD+ synthesis and regulates fetal tryptophan and kynurenine metabolite supply. Therefore, kynurenine pathway interventions might provide opportunities to treat pregnancy complications, and this review discusses how such treatment could affect placental function and pregnancy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Broekhuizen
- Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence:
| | - A. H. Jan Danser
- Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Irwin K. M. Reiss
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Daphne Merkus
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Kudo Y, Koh I, Sugimoto J. Localization of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-1 and Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-2 at the Human Maternal-Fetal Interface. Int J Tryptophan Res 2020; 13:1178646920984163. [PMID: 33447047 PMCID: PMC7780199 DOI: 10.1177/1178646920984163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunohistochemical localization of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2, the first and rate-limiting enzyme in tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway, has been studied in order to better understand the physiological significance of these enzymes at the maternal-fetal interface of human pregnancy with a gestational age of 7 weeks (n = 1) and term placentas (37-40 weeks of gestation, n = 5). Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 protein immunoreactivity was found in glandular epithelium of the decidua and the endothelium of the fetal blood vessels in the villous stroma with some additional positive cells in the villous core and in the decidua. The syncytiotrophoblast stained strongly for indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2. Immunoreactivity of kynurenine, the immediate downstream product of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-mediated tryptophan metabolism, showed the same localization as that of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2, suggesting these are functional enzymes. Interferon-γ added to placental villous explant culture markedly stimulated expression level of both mRNA and immunoreactivity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1. The different cellular expression and interferon-γ sensitivity of these enzymes at the maternal-fetal interface suggests distinct physiological roles for each enzyme in normal human viviparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Kudo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Iemasa Koh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Jun Sugimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Prenatal IL-6 levels and activation of the tryptophan to kynurenine pathway are associated with depressive but not anxiety symptoms across the perinatal and the post-partum period in a low-risk sample. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 89:175-183. [PMID: 32531426 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression and anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent among women during pregnancy and post-partum. Previous studies suggest that one of the pathophysiological underpinnings could be an enhanced metabolism of tryptophan (Trp) into kynurenine (Kyn) due to increased inflammation. However, the longitudinal changes in the Kyn pathway and the complex interplay with inflammation and stress in women with perinatal depressive or anxiety symptoms are incompletely understood. We examined a cohort of healthy women at 34-36 gestational weeks. One hundred and ten women were assessed for salivary cortisol and 97 participants were also assessed for serum levels of Trp, Kyn and Interleukin 6 (IL-6). Women filled in two screening questionnaires for depressive (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)) and anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory subscale (STAI-S)) symptoms at 34-36 gestational weeks, delivery, 3 and 12 months postpartum. Unexpectedly, lower prenatal Kyn levels were associated with higher depressive symptoms in late pregnancy. Furthermore, prenatal Trp levels and the Kyn/Trp ratio moderate the association between IL-6 levels and depressive symptoms during the perinatal and the post-partum period. We found no interactions between Trp and Kyn biomarkers and cortisol on depressive symptoms. The observed associations were more robustly found for depressive symptoms, whereas weak and non-significant effects were found for the trajectory of anxiety symptoms. Overall, our data support the involvement of the Trp to Kyn pathway and inflammation in the course of depressive but not anxiety symptoms in women from late pregnancy until one-year post-partum, providing new evidence on the mechanisms regulating emotions during pregnancy and after delivery in a low-risk sample.
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Ali S, Majid S, Niamat Ali M, Taing S. Evaluation of T cell cytokines and their role in recurrent miscarriage. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 82:106347. [PMID: 32143004 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent miscarriage (RM) is defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses that affect approximately 5% of conceived women worldwide. RM is a multi-factorial reproductive problem and has been associated with parental chromosomal abnormalities, embryonic chromosomal rearrangements, uterine anomalies, autoimmune disorders, endocrine dysfunction, thrombophilia, life style factors, and maternal infections. However, the exact cause is still undecided in remaining 50% of cases. Immunological rejection of the embryo due to exacerbated maternal immune reaction against paternal embryonic antigens has been set forth as one of the significant reason for RM. The accurate means that shield the embryo during normal pregnancy from the attack of maternal immune network and dismissal are inadequately implicit. However, it is suggested that the genetically irreconcilable embryo escapes maternal immune rejection due to communication among many vital cytokines exuded at maternal-embryonic interface both by maternal and embryonic cells. Previous investigations suggested the Th1/Th2 dominance in altered immunity of RM patients, according to which the allogenic embryo flees maternal T cell reaction by inclining the Th0 differentiation toward Th2 pathway resulting into diminished pro-inflammatory Th1 immunity. However, recently pro-inflammatory Th17 cells and immunoregulatory Treg cells have been discovered as essential immune players in RM besides Th1/Th2 components. Cytokines are believed to develop a complicated regulatory network so as to establish a state of homeostasis between the semi-allogenic embryo and the maternal immune system. However, an adverse imbalance among cytokines at maternal-embryonic interface perhaps due to their gene polymorphisms may render immunoregulatory means not enough to re-establish homeostasis and thus may collapse pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafat Ali
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, 190006 Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Sabhiya Majid
- Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Md Niamat Ali
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, 190006 Srinagar, J&K, India.
| | - Shahnaz Taing
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College Associated Lalla Ded Hospital, Srinagar, J&K, India
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Ranzil S, Ellery S, Walker DW, Vaillancourt C, Alfaidy N, Bonnin A, Borg A, Wallace EM, Ebeling PR, Erwich JJ, Murthi P. Disrupted placental serotonin synthetic pathway and increased placental serotonin: Potential implications in the pathogenesis of human fetal growth restriction. Placenta 2019; 84:74-83. [PMID: 31176514 PMCID: PMC6724713 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Placental insufficiency contributes to altered maternal-fetal amino acid transfer, and thereby to poor fetal growth. An important placental function is the uptake of tryptophan and its metabolism to serotonin (5-HT) and kynurenine metabolites, which are essential for fetal development. We hypothesised that placental 5-HT content will be increased in pregnancies affected with fetal growth restriction (FGR). METHODS The components of the 5-HT synthetic pathway were determined in chorionic villus samples (CVS) from small-for gestation (SGA) and matched control collected at 10-12 weeks of human pregnancy; and in placentae from third trimester FGR and gestation-matched control pregnancies using the Fluidigm Biomarker array for mRNA expression, the activity of the enzyme TPH and 5-HT concentrations using an ELISA. RESULTS Gene expression for the rate limiting enzymes, TPH1 and TPH2; 5-HT transporter, SLC6A4; and 5-HT receptors HTR5A, HTR5B, HTR1D and HTR1E were detected in all CVS and third trimester placentae. No significant difference in mRNA was observed in SGA compared with control. Although there was no significant change in TPH1 mRNA, the mRNA of TPH2 and SLC6A4 was significantly decreased in FGR placentae (p < 0.05), while 5-HT receptor mRNA was significantly increased in FGR compared with control (p < 0.01). Placental TPH enzyme activity was significantly increased with a concomitant increase in the total placental 5-HT concentrations in FGR compared with control. CONCLUSION This study reports differential expression and activity of the key components of the 5-HT synthetic pathway associated with the pathogenesis of FGR. Further studies are required to elucidate the functional consequences of increased placental 5-HT in FGR pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suveena Ranzil
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stacey Ellery
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David W Walker
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University - Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, QC, Canada; BioMed Research Centre, Laval, QC, Canada Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Well-Being, Health, Society and Environment, Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nadia Alfaidy
- Institut National de la Santé, et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité, 1036, Grenoble, France; Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), iRTSV- Biology of Cancer and infection, Grenoble, France
| | - Alexander Bonnin
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, USA
| | - Anthony Borg
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Euan M Wallace
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter R Ebeling
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jan Jaap Erwich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Padma Murthi
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting reaction of l-tryptophan (Trp) conversion into l-kynurenine (Kyn). The depletion of Trp, and the accumulation of Kyn have been proposed as mechanisms that contribute to the suppression of the immune response-primarily evidenced by in vitro study. IDO1 is therefore considered to be an immunosuppressive modulator and quantification of IDO1 metabolism may be critical to understanding its role in select immunopathologies, including autoimmune- and oncological-conditions, as well as for determining the potency of IDO1 enzyme inhibitors. Because tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), and to a significantly lesser extent, IDO2, also catabolize Trp into Kyn, it's important to differentiate the contribution of each enzyme to Trp catabolism and Kyn generation. Moreover, a great variety of detection methods have been developed for the quantification of Trp metabolites, but choosing the suitable protocol remains challenging. Here, we review the differential expression of IDO1/TDO/IDO2 in normal and malignant tissues, followed by a comprehensive analysis of methodologies for quantifying Trp and Kyn in vitro and in vivo, with an emphasis on the advantages/disadvantages for each application.
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15
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Spinelli P, Latchney SE, Reed JM, Fields A, Baier BS, Lu X, McCall MN, Murphy SP, Mak W, Susiarjo M. Identification of the novel Ido1 imprinted locus and its potential epigenetic role in pregnancy loss. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:662-674. [PMID: 30403776 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies show that aberrant tryptophan catabolism reduces maternal immune tolerance and adversely impacts pregnancy outcomes. Tryptophan depletion in pregnancy is facilitated by increased activity of tryptophan-depleting enzymes [i.e. the indolamine-2,3 dioxygenase (IDO)1 and IDO2) in the placenta. In mice, inhibition of IDO1 activity during pregnancy results in fetal loss; however, despite its important role, regulation of Ido1 gene transcription is unknown. The current study shows that the Ido1 and Ido2 genes are imprinted and maternally expressed in mouse placentas. DNA methylation analysis demonstrates that nine CpG sites at the Ido1 promoter constitute a differentially methylated region that is highly methylated in sperm but unmethylated in oocytes. Bisulfite cloning sequencing analysis shows that the paternal allele is hypermethylated while the maternal allele shows low levels of methylation in E9.5 placenta. Further study in E9.5 placentas from the CBA/J X DBA/2 spontaneous abortion mouse model reveals that aberrant methylation of Ido1 is linked to pregnancy loss. DNA methylation analysis in humans shows that IDO1 is hypermethylated in human sperm but partially methylated in placentas, suggesting similar methylation patterns to mouse. Importantly, analysis in euploid placentas from first trimester pregnancy loss reveals that IDO1 methylation significantly differs between the two placenta cohorts, with most CpG sites showing increased percent of methylation in miscarriage placentas. Our study suggests that DNA methylation is linked to regulation of Ido1/IDO1 expression and altered Ido1/IDO1 DNA methylation can adversely influence pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Spinelli
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Sarah E Latchney
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jasmine M Reed
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ashley Fields
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Brian S Baier
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Xiang Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Matthew N McCall
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Shawn P Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Winifred Mak
- Department of Obstetric Gynecology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Martha Susiarjo
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
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16
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Pawluski JL, Li M, Lonstein JS. Serotonin and motherhood: From molecules to mood. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 53:100742. [PMID: 30878665 PMCID: PMC6541513 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Emerging research points to a valuable role of the monoamine neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the display of maternal behaviors and reproduction-associated plasticity in the maternal brain. Serotonin is also implicated in the pathophysiology of numerous affective disorders and likely plays an important role in the pathophysiology of maternal mental illness. Therefore, the main goals of this review are to detail: (1) how the serotonin system of the female brain changes across pregnancy and postpartum; (2) the role of the central serotonergic system in maternal caregiving and maternal aggression; and (3) how the serotonin system and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications (SSRIs) are involved in the treatment of maternal mental illness. Although there is much work to be done, studying the central serotonin system's multifaceted role in the maternal brain is vital to our understanding of the processes governing matrescence and the maintenance of motherhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi L Pawluski
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA.
| | - Joseph S Lonstein
- Neuroscience Program & Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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17
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Xu K, Bai M, Bin P, Duan Y, Wu X, Liu H, Yin Y. Negative effects on newborn piglets caused by excess dietary tryptophan in the morning in sows. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2019; 99:3005-3016. [PMID: 30478950 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the effect of dynamic feeding models of dietary tryptophan on sows' performance during late pregnancy. RESULTS The average piglet birth weight and live farrowing rate from sows consuming a high-low tryptophan diet (0.39% Trp in the morning and 0.13% Trp in the afternoon) were decreased compared with those fed a 2×tryptophan diet (0.26% Trp in the morning and afternoon). Compared with the 2×tryptophan group, sow serum kynurenic acid and the newborn liver n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio were significantly higher, and sow serum taurine and newborn serum taurine, phosphoserine, cysteine and proline were lower in the high-low tryptophan diet group. Eighty-eight genes were differentially expressed in newborn piglets' livers between the 2×tryptophan and high-low groups. Genes related to cytotoxic effector regulation (major histocompatibility complex class I proteins), NADH oxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism and tissue development were differentially expressed between these two groups. CONCLUSION Together, the results provide information on new biomarkers in serum or liver and provide novel insights into variations in the fetal liver during exogenous stimulus response and biological processes of ROS metabolism in fetuses during late pregnancy caused by a single excessive tryptophan ingestion daily in the morning. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Miaomiao Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Bin
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Yehui Duan
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongnan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, CICAPS, Changsha, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Kondarl Agro-pastoral Technology Co., Ltd., Dongguan, China
- Academician Workstation of Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
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18
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Lonstein JS. The dynamic serotonin system of the maternal brain. Arch Womens Ment Health 2019; 22:237-243. [PMID: 30032323 PMCID: PMC7001094 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-018-0887-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Many pregnant and postpartum women worldwide suffer from high anxiety and/or depression, which can have detrimental effects on maternal and infant well-being. The first-line pharmacotherapies for prepartum and postpartum affective disorders continue to be the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), despite the lack of large well-controlled studies demonstrating their efficacy in reproducing women and the potential for fetal/neonatal exposure to the drugs. Prepartum or postpartum use of SSRIs or other drugs that modulate the brain's serotonin system is also troubling because very little is known about the typical, let alone the atypical, changes that occur in the female central serotonin system across reproduction. We do know from a handful of studies of women and female laboratory rodents that numerous aspects of the central serotonin system are naturally dynamic across reproduction and are also affected by pregnancy stress (a major predisposing factor for maternal psychopathology). Thus, it should not be assumed that the maternal central serotonin system being targeted by SSRIs is identical to non-parous females or males. More information about the normative and stress-derailed changes in the maternal central serotonin system is essential for understanding how serotonin is involved in the etiology of, and the best use of SSRIs for potentially treating, affective disorders in the pregnant and postpartum populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S. Lonstein
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 108 Giltner Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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19
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Murthi P, Vaillancourt C. RETRACTED: Placental serotonin systems in pregnancy metabolic complications associated with maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1866:165391. [PMID: 30738809 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal).
The publication was retracted by request of the authors following an investigation by Monash University performed following its Procedures for Investigating Code Breaches and in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
The University concluded on the balance of probability that a significant part of the text in the paper was included without knowledge, without consent and without correct attribution of the original author who, at the time, was a student at the University. The results discussed in the review article are still scientifically valid.
☆
This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Transporters and Receptors in Pregnancy Metabolic Complications edited by Luis Sobrevia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Murthi
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Hudson Institute of Medical Research, The Ritchie Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec and Biomed Research Center, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Well-Being, Health, Society and Environment, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
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20
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Badawy AAB. Tryptophan Metabolism: A Versatile Area Providing Multiple Targets for Pharmacological Intervention. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 9:10.32527/2019/101415. [PMID: 31105983 PMCID: PMC6520243 DOI: 10.32527/2019/101415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The essential amino acid L-tryptophan (Trp) undergoes extensive metabolism along several pathways, resulting in production of many biologically active metabolites which exert profound effects on physiological processes. The disturbance in Trp metabolism and disposition in many disease states provides a basis for exploring multiple targets for pharmaco-therapeutic interventions. In particular, the kynurenine pathway of Trp degradation is currently at the forefront of immunological research and immunotherapy. In this review, I shall consider mammalian Trp metabolism in health and disease and outline the intervention targets. It is hoped that this account will provide a stimulus for pharmacologists and others to conduct further studies in this rich area of biomedical research and therapeutics.
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21
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Duan KM, Ma JH, Wang SY, Huang Z, Zhou Y, Yu H. The role of tryptophan metabolism in postpartum depression. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:647-660. [PMID: 29307018 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0178-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common postpartum psychiatric disorder, afflicting approximately 10%-20% of new mothers. Clinical symptoms of the PPD include depressive disorder, agitation, insomnia, anxiety and confusion, resulting in an increase in suicidal tendencies, thereby having significant impacts on the puerpera, newborn and their family. A growing body of data indicate a role for alterations in tryptophan metabolism in the PPD. The metabolism of tryptophan produces an array of crucial factors that can differentially regulate key physiological processes linked to the PPD. Importantly, an increase in stress hormones and immune-inflammatory activity drives tryptophan to the production of neuroregulatory kynurenine pathway products and away from the serotonin and melatonin pathways. This links the PPD to other disorders of depressed mood, which are classically associated with decreased serotonin and melatonin, coupled to increases in kynurenine pathway products. Several kynurenine pathway products, such as kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid, can have neuroregulatory effects, with consequences pathological underpinnings of the PPD. The current article reviews the role of alterations in tryptophan metabolism in the PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Ming Duan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Hui Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Sai-Ying Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Changsha, 410078, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Province Cooperation Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China.
| | - ZhengDong Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - YingYong Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - HeYa Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People's Republic of China
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22
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Robinson O, Keski-Rahkonen P, Chatzi L, Kogevinas M, Nawrot T, Pizzi C, Plusquin M, Richiardi L, Robinot N, Sunyer J, Vermeulen R, Vrijheid M, Vineis P, Scalbert A, Chadeau-Hyam M. Cord Blood Metabolic Signatures of Birth Weight: A Population-Based Study. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:1235-1247. [PMID: 29401400 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Birth weight is an important indicator of maternal and fetal health and a predictor of health in later life. However, the determinants of variance in birth weight are still poorly understood. We aimed to identify the biological pathways, which may be perturbed by environmental exposures, that are important in determining birth weight. We applied untargeted mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics to 481 cord blood samples collected at delivery in four birth cohorts from across Europe: ENVIRONAGE (Belgium), INMA (Spain), Piccolipiu (Italy), and Rhea (Greece). We performed a metabolome-wide association scan for birth weight on over 4000 metabolic features, controlling the false discovery rate at 5%. Annotation of compounds was conducted through reference to authentic standards. We identified 68 metabolites significantly associated with birth weight, including vitamin A, progesterone, docosahexaenoic acid, indolelactic acid, and multiple acylcarnitines and phosphatidylcholines. We observed enrichment (p < 0.05) of the tryptophan metabolism, prostaglandin formation, C21-steroid hormone signaling, carnitine shuttle, and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Vitamin A was associated with both maternal smoking and birth weight, suggesting a mediation pathway. Our findings shed new light on the pathways central to fetal growth and will have implications for antenatal and perinatal care and potentially for health in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Robinson
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London , St. Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Pekka Keski-Rahkonen
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) , 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon, France
| | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete , Voutes University Campus, Heraklion, Crete, GR-70013, Greece
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of South California , Soto Street Building 2001 N Soto Street, Suite 201-D, Los Angeles, California 90032-3628, United States
- Department of Genetics & Cell Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University , Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Manolis Kogevinas
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL) , PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) , Plaça de la Mercè, 10, Barcelona 08002, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP) , PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University , Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan building D, BE3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Leuven University , Oude Markt 13, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Costanza Pizzi
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and CPO-Piemonte , C.So, Dogliotti, 14, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University , Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan building D, BE3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Leuven University , Oude Markt 13, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lorenzo Richiardi
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and CPO-Piemonte , C.So, Dogliotti, 14, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Nivonirina Robinot
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) , 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon, France
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL) , PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) , Plaça de la Mercè, 10, Barcelona 08002, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP) , PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Environmental Epidemiology Division, Utrecht University , POB 80178, Utrecht NL-3508, The Netherlands
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL) , PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) , Plaça de la Mercè, 10, Barcelona 08002, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP) , PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paolo Vineis
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London , St. Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Augustin Scalbert
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) , 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon, France
| | - Marc Chadeau-Hyam
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London , St. Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
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Goeden N, Notarangelo FM, Pocivavsek A, Beggiato S, Bonnin A, Schwarcz R. Prenatal Dynamics of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolism in Mice: Focus on Kynurenic Acid. Dev Neurosci 2017; 39:519-528. [PMID: 29080891 DOI: 10.1159/000481168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP), the major catabolic route of tryptophan in mammals, contains several neuroactive metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK). KP metabolism, and especially the fate of KYNA, during pregnancy is poorly understood, yet it may play a significant role in the development of psychiatric disorders later in life. The present study was designed to investigate the prenatal features of KP metabolism in vivo, with special focus on KYNA. To this end, pregnant CD-1 mice were treated systemically with kynurenine (100 mg/kg), KYNA (10 mg/kg), or saline on embryonic day 18. As expected, administration of either kynurenine or KYNA increased KYNA levels in the maternal plasma and placenta. Maternal kynurenine treatment also raised kynurenine levels in the fetal plasma and brain, demonstrating the ability of this pivotal KP metabolite to cross the placenta and increase the levels of both KYNA and 3-HK in the fetal brain. In contrast, maternal administration of KYNA caused only a small, nonsignificant elevation in KYNA levels in fetal plasma and brain. Complementary experiments using an ex vivo placental perfusion procedure confirmed the significant transplacental transfer of kynurenine and demonstrated that only a very small fraction of maternal kynurenine is converted to KYNA in the placenta and released into the fetal compartment under physiological conditions. Jointly, these results help to clarify the contributions of the maternal circulation and the placenta to fetal KYNA in the late prenatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Goeden
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Laurent L, Deroy K, St-Pierre J, Côté F, Sanderson JT, Vaillancourt C. Human placenta expresses both peripheral and neuronal isoform of tryptophan hydroxylase. Biochimie 2017; 140:159-165. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Sadok I, Gamian A, Staniszewska MM. Chromatographic analysis of tryptophan metabolites. J Sep Sci 2017; 40:3020-3045. [PMID: 28590049 PMCID: PMC5575536 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201700184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway generates multiple tryptophan metabolites called collectively kynurenines and leads to formation of the enzyme cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The first step in this pathway is tryptophan degradation, initiated by the rate-limiting enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, or tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, depending on the tissue. The balanced kynurenine metabolism, which has been a subject of multiple studies in last decades, plays an important role in several physiological and pathological conditions such as infections, autoimmunity, neurological disorders, cancer, cataracts, as well as pregnancy. Understanding the regulation of tryptophan depletion provide novel diagnostic and treatment opportunities, however it requires reliable methods for quantification of kynurenines in biological samples with complex composition (body fluids, tissues, or cells). Trace concentrations, interference of sample components, and instability of some tryptophan metabolites need to be addressed using analytical methods. The novel separation approaches and optimized extraction protocols help to overcome difficulties in analyzing kynurenines within the complex tissue material. Recent developments in chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry provide new opportunity for quantification of tryptophan and its degradation products in various biological samples. In this review, we present current accomplishments in the chromatographic methodologies proposed for detection of tryptophan metabolites and provide a guide for choosing the optimal approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Sadok
- Laboratory of Separation and Spectroscopic Method Applications, Centre for Interdisciplinary ResearchThe John Paul II Catholic University of LublinLublinPoland
| | - Andrzej Gamian
- Laboratory of Medical MicrobiologyHirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental TherapyPolish Academy of SciencesWroclawPoland
- Department of Medical BiochemistryWroclaw Medical UniversityWroclawPoland
| | - Magdalena Maria Staniszewska
- Laboratory of Separation and Spectroscopic Method Applications, Centre for Interdisciplinary ResearchThe John Paul II Catholic University of LublinLublinPoland
- Laboratory of Medical MicrobiologyHirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental TherapyPolish Academy of SciencesWroclawPoland
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Meier MA, Ottiger M, Vögeli A, Steuer C, Bernasconi L, Thomann R, Christ-Crain M, Henzen C, Hoess C, Zimmerli W, Huber A, Mueller B, Schuetz P. Activation of the tryptophan/serotonin pathway is associated with severity and predicts outcomes in pneumonia: results of a long-term cohort study. Clin Chem Lab Med 2017; 55:1060-1069. [PMID: 28076309 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2016-0912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As part of the immune defense during infection, an increase in enzyme activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) leads to a breakdown of tryptophan to kynurenine. In previous animal studies, therapeutic antagonism of IDO resulted in reduced sepsis mortality. We investigated the prognostic ability of tryptophan, serotonin, kynurenine and IDO (represented by the ratio of kynurenine/tryptophan) to predict adverse clinical outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS We measured tryptophan, serotonin and kynurenine on admission plasma samples from CAP patients included in a previous multicenter trial by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We studied their association with inflammation (C-reactive protein), infection (procalcitonin) and clinical outcome. RESULTS Mortality in the 268 included patients was 45% within 6 years of follow-up. IDO and kynurenine showed a strong positive correlation with markers of infection (procalcitonin) and inflammation (C-reactive protein) as well as sepsis and CAP severity scores. Tryptophan showed similar, but negative correlations. In a multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age and comorbidities, higher IDO activity and lower tryptophan levels were strongly associated with short-term adverse outcome defined as death and/or ICU admission within 30 days with adjusted odds ratios of 9.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-59.5, p=0.021] and 0.11 (95% CI 0.02-0.70, p=0.021). Multivariate analysis did not reveal significant associations for kynurenine and serotonin. CONCLUSIONS In hospitalized CAP patients, higher IDO activity and lower tryptophan levels independently predicted disease severity and short-term adverse outcome. Whether therapeutic modulation of IDO has positive effects on outcome needs further investigation.
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The end of the road for the tryptophan depletion concept in pregnancy and infection. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 130:1327-33. [PMID: 27358028 PMCID: PMC4926258 DOI: 10.1042/cs20160153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesize that: (1) L-tryptophan (Trp) is greatly utilized and not depleted in pregnancy; (2) fetal tolerance is achieved in part through immunosuppressive kynurenine (Kyn) metabolites produced by the flux of plasma free (non-albumin-bound) Trp down the Kyn pathway; (3) the role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in infection is not related to limitation of an essential amino acid, but is rather associated with stress responses and the production of Kyn metabolites that regulate the activities of antigen presenting cells and T-cells, as well as increased NAD+ synthesis in IDO-expressing cells; (4) Trp depletion is not a host defence mechanism, but is a consequence of Trp utilization. We recommend that future studies in normal and abnormal pregnancies and in patients with infections or cancer should include measurements of plasma free Trp, determinants of Trp binding (albumin and non-esterified fatty acids), total Trp, determinants of activities of the Trp-degrading enzymes Trp 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) (cortisol) and IDO (cytokines) and levels of Kyn metabolites. We also hypothesize that abnormal pregnancies and failure to combat infections or cancer may be associated with excessive Trp metabolism that can lead to pathological immunosuppression by excessive production of Kyn metabolites. Mounting evidence from many laboratories indicates that Trp metabolites are key regulators of immune cell behaviour, whereas Trp depletion is an indicator of extensive utilization of this key amino acid.
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Badawy AAB. Kynurenine Pathway of Tryptophan Metabolism: Regulatory and Functional Aspects. Int J Tryptophan Res 2017; 10:1178646917691938. [PMID: 28469468 PMCID: PMC5398323 DOI: 10.1177/1178646917691938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 654] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory and functional aspects of the kynurenine (K) pathway (KP) of tryptophan (Trp) degradation are reviewed. The KP accounts for ~95% of dietary Trp degradation, of which 90% is attributed to the hepatic KP. During immune activation, the minor extrahepatic KP plays a more active role. The KP is rate-limited by its first enzyme, Trp 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), in liver and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) elsewhere. TDO is regulated by glucocorticoid induction, substrate activation and stabilization by Trp, cofactor activation by heme, and end-product inhibition by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate). IDO is regulated by IFN-γ and other cytokines and by nitric oxide. The KP disposes of excess Trp, controls hepatic heme synthesis and Trp availability for cerebral serotonin synthesis, and produces immunoregulatory and neuroactive metabolites, the B3 “vitamin” nicotinic acid, and oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Various KP enzymes are undermined in disease and are targeted for therapy of conditions ranging from immunological, neurological, and neurodegenerative conditions to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulla A-B Badawy
- Cardiff School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
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29
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Badawy AAB. Tryptophan availability for kynurenine pathway metabolism across the life span: Control mechanisms and focus on aging, exercise, diet and nutritional supplements. Neuropharmacology 2017; 112:248-263. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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30
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Atasever M, Namlı Kalem M, Sönmez Ç, Seval MM, Yüce T, Sahin Aker S, Koç A, Genc H. Lower serotonin level and higher rate of fibromyalgia syndrome with advancing pregnancy. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2016; 30:2204-2211. [DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1243096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melahat Atasever
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Giresun University Faculty of Medicine, Giresun, Turkey,
| | - Muberra Namlı Kalem
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Turgut Ozal University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey,
| | - Çiğdem Sönmez
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Dr Abdurrahman Yurtarslan Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey,
| | - Mehmet Murat Seval
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey,
| | - Tuncay Yüce
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey,
| | - Seda Sahin Aker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children and Woman Health Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey and
| | - Acar Koç
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey,
| | - Hakan Genc
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Traning and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
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31
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Bai M, Liu H, Xu K, Oso AO, Wu X, Liu G, Tossou MCB, Al-Dhabi NA, Duraipandiyan V, Xi Q, Yin Y. A review of the immunomodulatory role of dietary tryptophan in livestock and poultry. Amino Acids 2016; 49:67-74. [PMID: 27778165 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2351-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Tryptophan, a nutritionally essential amino acid, is active in the regulation of immune responses in animals. The products of tryptophan metabolism, such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurenine, quinolinic acid, and melatonin, may improve immunity in an organism and induce anti-inflammatory responses. The immune tolerance processes mediated by tryptophan metabolites are not well understood. Recent studies have reported that the enzymes that break down tryptophan through the kynurenine metabolic pathway are found in numerous cell types, including immunocytes. Moreover, some tryptophan metabolites have been shown to play a role in the inhibition of T lymphocyte proliferation, elevation of immunoglobulin levels in the blood, and promotion of antigen-presenting organization in tissues. This review summarizes the effects and mechanisms of tryptophan and metabolites in immune functions in livestock and poultry. It also highlights the areas in which our understanding of the role(s) of tryptophan is incomplete and suggests possible future research that might prove of benefit to livestock and poultry producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, 410125, Hunan, China.,College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Hongnan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, 410125, Hunan, China.
| | - Kang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, 410125, Hunan, China
| | - Abimbola Oladele Oso
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, 410125, Hunan, China.,Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, PMB 2240, Nigeria
| | - Xin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330029, Jiangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, 410125, Hunan, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, 410125, Hunan, China
| | - Myrlene Carine B Tossou
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, 410125, Hunan, China
| | - Naif Abdullah Al-Dhabi
- Addiriyah Chair for Environmental Studies, Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Veeramuthu Duraipandiyan
- Addiriyah Chair for Environmental Studies, Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Qianyun Xi
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yinlong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330029, Jiangxi, China. .,Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, 410125, Hunan, China. .,College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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Bagasrawala I, Zecevic N, Radonjić NV. N-Methyl D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist Kynurenic Acid Affects Human Cortical Development. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:435. [PMID: 27746712 PMCID: PMC5043058 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a neuroactive metabolite of tryptophan degradation, acts as an endogenous N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist. Elevated levels of KYNA have been observed in pregnant women after viral infections and are considered to play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the consequences of KYNA-induced NMDAR blockade in human cortical development still remain elusive. To study the potential impact of KYNA on human neurodevelopment, we used an in vitro system of multipotent cortical progenitors, i.e., radial glia cells (RGCs), enriched from human cerebral cortex at mid-gestation (16–19 gestational weeks). KYNA treatment significantly decreased RGCs proliferation and survival by antagonizing NMDAR. This alteration resulted in a reduced number of cortical progenitors and neurons while number and activation of astrocytes increased. KYNA treatment reduced differentiation of RGCs into GABAergic neurons, while differentiation into glutamatergic neurons was relatively spared. Furthermore, in mixed cortical cultures KYNA triggered an inflammatory response as evidenced by increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. In conclusion, elevated levels of KYNA play a significant role in human RGC fate determination by antagonizing NMDARs and by activating an inflammatory response. The altered cell composition observed in cell culture following exposure to elevated KYNA levels suggests a mechanism for impairment of cortical circuitry formation in the fetal brain after viral infection, as seen in neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inseyah Bagasrawala
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nada Zecevic
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nevena V Radonjić
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Farmington, CT, USA
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Fei H, Hou J, Wu Z, Zhang L, Zhao H, Dong X, Chen Y. Plasma metabolomic profile and potential biomarkers for missed abortion. Biomed Chromatogr 2016; 30:1942-1952. [PMID: 27229294 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.3770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A missed abortion (MA) is an in utero death of the embryo or fetus before the 20th week of gestation with retained products of conception, and this condition is currently common in China. In order to discover novel biomarkers for MA, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography was applied to study plasma metabolite profiles for 33 patients with MA and 29 control subjects. Thirty-seven differential plasma metabolites were found to discriminate between the two groups in the initial cohort (15 subjects with MA and 15 healthy controls). The feasibility of using these potential biomarkers to predict MA was further evaluated in the validation cohort (18 subjects with MA and 14 healthy controls) and 15 had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of >0.80, making them satisfactory. Tryptophan metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism were identified as important potential target pathways for MA using metabolic pathway impact analysis. Furthermore, three of the 15 satisfactory metabolites (glyceric acid, indole and sphingosine) were combined to establish a predictive model with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the validation cohort. Taken together, these results suggest that MA results in significant disturbance of metabolism and those various novel biomarkers have satisfactory diagnostic and predictive power for MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Fei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, School of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiebin Hou
- Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenghong Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, School of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, School of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Zhao
- Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Dong
- Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaping Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, School of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Chau A, Markley J, Juang J, Tsen L. Cytokines in the perinatal period – Part I. Int J Obstet Anesth 2016; 26:39-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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35
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Changes of tryptophan metabolism in Japanese runners during an ultra-marathon race. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-016-0257-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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36
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Veen C, Myint AM, Burgerhout KM, Schwarz MJ, Schütze G, Kushner SA, Hoogendijk WJ, Drexhage HA, Bergink V. Tryptophan pathway alterations in the postpartum period and in acute postpartum psychosis and depression. J Affect Disord 2016; 189:298-305. [PMID: 26454336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.09.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Women are at very high risk for the first onset of acute and severe mood disorders the first weeks after delivery. Tryptophan breakdown is increased as a physiological phenomenon of the postpartum period and might lead to vulnerability for affective psychosis (PP) and severe depression (PD). The aim of the current study was to investigate alterations in tryptophan breakdown in the physiological postpartum period compared to patients with severe postpartum mood disorders. METHODS We included 52 patients (29 with PP, 23 with PD), 52 matched healthy postpartum women and 29 healthy non-postpartum women. Analyzes of serum tryptophan metabolites were performed using LC-MS/MS system for tryptophan, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, kynurenic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. RESULTS The first two months of the physiological postpartum period were characterized by low tryptophan levels, increased breakdown towards kynurenine and a downstream shift toward the 3-OH-kynurenine arm, away from the kynurenic acid arm. Kynurenine was significantly lower in patients with PP and PD as compared to healthy postpartum women (p=0.011 and p=0.001); the remaining tryptophan metabolites demonstrated few differences between patients and healthy postpartum women. LIMITATION Low prevalence of the investigated disorders and strict exclusion criteria to obtain homogenous groups, resulted in relatively small sample sizes. CONCLUSION The high kynurenine levels and increased tryptophan breakdown as a phenomenon of the physiological postpartum period was not present in patients with severe postpartum mood disorders. No differences were observed in the levels of the 'neurotoxic' 3-OH-kynurenine and the 'neuroprotective' kynurenic acid arms between patients and healthy postpartum women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cato Veen
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, 's Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Aye Mu Myint
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Karin M Burgerhout
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, 's Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Markus J Schwarz
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine of Munich University, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Gregor Schütze
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine of Munich University, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Steven A Kushner
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, 's Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Witte J Hoogendijk
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, 's Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hemmo A Drexhage
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, 's Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Bergink
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, 's Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; National Center for Register-Based Research, Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences Aarhus University, Fuglesangs Allé 4, Aarhus, Denmark
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Badawy AAB. Tryptophan metabolism, disposition and utilization in pregnancy. Biosci Rep 2015; 35:e00261. [PMID: 26381576 PMCID: PMC4626867 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20150197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan (Trp) requirements in pregnancy are several-fold: (1) the need for increased protein synthesis by mother and for fetal growth and development; (2) serotonin (5-HT) for signalling pathways; (3) kynurenic acid (KA) for neuronal protection; (4) quinolinic acid (QA) for NAD(+) synthesis (5) other kynurenines (Ks) for suppressing fetal rejection. These goals could not be achieved if maternal plasma [Trp] is depleted. Although plasma total (free + albumin-bound) Trp is decreased in pregnancy, free Trp is elevated. The above requirements are best expressed in terms of a Trp utilization concept. Briefly, Trp is utilized as follows: (1) In early and mid-pregnancy, emphasis is on increased maternal Trp availability to meet the demand for protein synthesis and fetal development, most probably mediated by maternal liver Trp 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) inhibition by progesterone and oestrogens. (2) In mid- and late pregnancy, Trp availability is maintained and enhanced by the release of albumin-bound Trp by albumin depletion and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) elevation, leading to increased flux of Trp down the K pathway to elevate immunosuppressive Ks. An excessive release of free Trp could undermine pregnancy by abolishing T-cell suppression by Ks. Detailed assessment of parameters of Trp metabolism and disposition and related measures (free and total Trp, albumin, NEFA, K and its metabolites and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in maternal blood and, where appropriate, placental and fetal material) in normal and abnormal pregnancies may establish missing gaps in our knowledge of the Trp status in pregnancy and help identify appropriate intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulla A-B Badawy
- School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YB, Wales, U.K.
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Badawy AAB, Lake SL, Dougherty DM. Mechanisms of the pellagragenic effect of leucine: stimulation of hepatic tryptophan oxidation by administration of branched-chain amino acids to healthy human volunteers and the role of plasma free tryptophan and total kynurenines. Int J Tryptophan Res 2014; 7:23-32. [PMID: 25520560 PMCID: PMC4259507 DOI: 10.4137/ijtr.s18231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Revised: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The pellagragenic effect of leucine (Leu) has been proposed to involve modulation of L-tryptophan (Trp) metabolism along the hepatic kynurenine pathway. Here, we discuss some of the mechanisms suggested and report the effects in healthy volunteers of single doses of Leu (4.05-6.75 g) administered in a 16-amino acid mixture on concentrations of plasma Trp and its kynurenine metabolites. Flux of Trp through Trp 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) is dose-dependently enhanced most probably by Leu and can be attributed to TDO activation. Trp oxidation is better expressed using plasma total kynure-nines, rather than kynurenine, and free, rather than total, Trp. Increased hepatic Trp oxidation may be an additional mechanism of action of branched-chain amino acids in the acute Trp depletion test. Inhibition of intestinal absorption or hepatic uptake of Trp by Leu can be excluded. Potential mechanisms of the aggravation of pellagra symptoms by Leu are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulla A-B Badawy
- School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Western Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Sarah L Lake
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Donald M Dougherty
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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