色氨酸及其代谢产物与微生物–肠–脑轴的研究进展

Research Progress of Tryptophan and Its Metabolites in the Microbial-Gut-Brain Axis

色氨酸是人体必需氨基酸之一,其可在体内通过三条途径代谢,生成多种生物活性分子,通过神经–内分泌、免疫和迷走神经途径参与中枢神经信号传递和宿主肠道内生理功能的调节。胃肠道与肠神经系统、中枢神经系统之间的双向交流被称为肠–脑轴。目前,肠道菌群基于“微生物–肠–脑轴”这一理论,通过影响色氨酸代谢从而对宿主的认知功能和行为产生影响得到广泛关注。本文就色氨酸及其代谢产物通过“微生物–肠–脑轴”途径影响宿主大脑发育的作用机制、内在联系作一综述,以期为临床改善认知功能提示新思路、新靶点。

Tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids in the human body. It can be metabolized in the body through three pathways to produce a variety of bioactive molecules. The bidirectional communication between the GI tract and the enteric nervous system as well as the central nervous system is referred to as the gut-brain axis. At present, based on the theory of “microbiota-gut-brain axis”, gut microbiota has been widely concerned to affect the host's cognitive function and behavior by affecting tryptophan metabolism. This article reviews the mechanism and internal relationship of tryptophan and its metabolites on host brain development through the “microbiota-gut-brain axis” pathway, in order to suggest new ideas and new targets for clinical improvement of cognitive function.