TITLE:
Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut Microbiota
AUTHORS:
Akikazu Takada
KEYWORDS:
Tryptophan, Serotonin, Microbiota, Depression, Obesity, Kynurenine, Blood Brain Barrier, Kynurenine, Permeability, Autism, Depression, Diabetes
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.14 No.8,
August
28,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Tryptophan metabolites such as serotonin,
kynurenine, or kynurenic acids are considered to be the most important metabolites of gut microbiota. We
wanted to know about changes in tryptophan metabolites in various diseases in which the etiology gut microbiota
are considered to participate. Methods: Ultra-high speed liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) has
been used to analyze simultaneously all the tryptophan metabolites, which we
have explored for the first time in the world. Results: We analyzed plasma levels of tryptophan metabolites
in patients with depression, autism, diabetes mellitus ‘DM’), and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Of all the
metabolites serotonin and kynurenine levels of these patients were higher than
those of controls. Conclusion: Measurements of tryptophan metabolites in plasma of various diseases are
important to know roles of gut microbiota in etiology, further therapeutic
measures.