Bidirectional effects of the tryptophan metabolite indole-3-acetaldehyde on colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)has a high incidence and mortality.Recent studies have shown that indole derivatives involved in gut microbiota metabolism can impact the tumorigenesis,progression,and metastasis of CRC.AIM To investigate the effect of indole-3-acetaldehyde(IAAD)on CRC.METHODS The effect of IAAD was evaluated in a syngeneic mouse model of CRC and CRC cell lines(HCT116 and DLD-1).Cell proliferation was assessed by Ki-67 fluorescence staining and cytotoxicity tests.Cell apoptosis was analysed by flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide.Invasiveness was investigated using the transwell assay.Western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition related genes and aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR)downstream genes.The PharmMapper,SEA,and SWISS databases were used to screen for potential target proteins of IAAD,and the core proteins were identified through the String database.RESULTS IAAD reduced tumorigenesis in a syngeneic mouse model.In CRC cell lines HCT116 and DLD1,IAAD exhibited cytotoxicity starting at 24 h of treatment,while it reduced Ki67 expression in the nucleus.The results of flow cytometry showed that IAAD induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells but had no effect on DLD1 cells,which may be related to the activation of AhR.IAAD can also increase the invasiveness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCT116 and DLD1 cells.At low concentrations(<12.5μmol/L),IAAD only exhibited cytotoxic effects without promoting cell invasion.In addition,predictions based on online databases,protein-protein interaction analysis,and molecular docking showed that IAAD can bind to matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9),angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE),poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1(PARP1),matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP2),and myeloperoxidase(MPO).CONCLUSION Indole-3-aldehyde can induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation to prevent the occurrence of CRC;however,at high concentrations(≥25μmol/L),it can also promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion in CRC cells.IAAD activates AhR and directly binds MMP9,ACE,PARP1,MMP2,and MPO,which partly reveals why it has a bidirectional effect.

Pectin modulates intestinal immunity in a pig model via regulating the gut microbiota-derived tryptophan metabolite-AhR-IL22 pathway

Background Pectin is a heteropolysaccharide that acts as an intestinal immunomodulator,promoting intestinal development and regulating intestinal flora in the gut.However,the relevant mechanisms remain obscure.In this study,pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with either 5%microcrystalline cellulose(MCC)or 5%pectin for 3 weeks,to investigate the metabolites and anti-inflammatory properties of the jejunum.Result The results showed that dietary pectin supplementation improved intestinal integrity(Claudin-1,Occludin)and inflammatory response[interleukin(IL)-10],and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines(IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α)was down-regulated in the jejunum.Moreover,pectin supplementation altered the jejunal microbiome and tryptophan-related metabolites in piglets.Pectin specifically increased the abundance of Lactococcus,Enterococcus,and the microbiota-derived metabolites(skatole(ST),3-indoleacetic acid(IAA),3-indolepropionic acid(IPA),5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid(HIAA),and tryptamine(Tpm)),which activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR)pathway.AhR activation modulates IL-22 and its downstream pathways.Correlation analysis revealed the potential relationship between metabolites and intestinal morphology,intestinal gene expression,and cytokine levels.Conclusion In conclusion,these results indicated that pectin inhibits the inflammatory response by enhancing the AhR-IL22-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway,which is activated through tryptophan metabolites.

Ochratoxin A induces abnormal tryptophan metabolism in the intestine and liver to activate AMPK signaling pathway

Background Ochratoxin A(OTA)is a mycotoxin widely present in raw food and feed materials and is mainly pro-duced by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum.Our previous study showed that OTA principally induces liver inflammation by causing intestinal flora disorder,especially Bacteroides plebeius(B.plebeius)overgrowth.However,whether OTA or B.plebeius alteration leads to abnormal tryptophan-related metabolism in the intestine and liver is largely unknown.This study aimed to elucidate the metabolic changes in the intestine and liver induced by OTA and the tryptophan-related metabolic pathway in the liver.Materials and methods A total of 30 healthy 1-day-old male Cherry Valley ducks were randomly divided into 2 groups.The control group was given 0.1 mol/L NaHCO3 solution,and the OTA group was given 235μg/kg body weight OTA for 14 consecutive days.Tryptophan metabolites were determined by intestinal chyme metabolomics and liver tryptophan-targeted metabolomics.AMPK-related signaling pathway factors were analyzed by Western blot-ting and mRNA expression.Results Metabolomic analysis of the intestinal chyme showed that OTA treatment resulted in a decrease in intesti-nal nicotinuric acid levels,the downstream product of tryptophan metabolism,which were significantly negatively correlated with B.plebeius abundance.In contrast,OTA induced a significant increase in indole-3-acetamide levels,which were positively correlated with B.plebeius abundance.Simultaneously,OTA decreased the levels of ATP,NAD+and dipeptidase in the liver.Liver tryptophan metabolomics analysis showed that OTA inhibited the kynurenine metabolic pathway and reduced the levels of kynurenine,anthranilic acid and nicotinic acid.Moreover,OTA increased the phosphorylation of AMPK protein and decreased the phosphorylation of mTOR protein.Conclusion OTA decreased the level of nicotinuric acid in the intestinal tract,which was negatively correlated with B.plebeius abundance.The abnormal metabolism of tryptophan led to a deficiency of NAD+and ATP in the liver,which in turn activated the AMPK signaling pathway.Our results provide new insights into the toxic mechanism of OTA,and tryptophan metabolism might be a target for prevention and treatment.

T cells in pancreatic cancer stroma:Tryptophan metabolism plays an important role in immunoregulation

Several studies have shown that the immune system is highly regulated by tryptophan metabolism,which serves as an immunomodulatory factor.The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1(IDO1),as an intracellular enzyme that participates in metabolism of the essential amino acid tryptophan in the kynurenine pathway,is an independent prognostic marker for pancreatic cancer(PC).First,overexpression of IDO1 inhibits the maturation of dendritic cells and T-cell proliferation in the liver and spleen.Second,the high expression of kynurenine induces and activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor,resulting in upregulated programmed cell death protein 1 expression.Third,the induction of IDO1 can lead to loss of the T helper 17 cell/regulatory T cell balance,mediated by the proximal tryptophan catabolite from IDO metabolism.In our study,we found that overexpression of IDO1 upregulated CD8+T cells and reduced natural killer T cells in pancreatic carcinoma in mice.Hence,it may be essential to pay more attention to tryptophan metabolism in patients,especially those who are tolerant to immunotherapy for PC.

Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut Microbiota

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.

Kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism in pathophysiology and therapy of major depressive disorder

Serotonin deficiency in major depressive disorder(MDD)has formed the basis of antidepressant drug development and was originally attributed to induction of the major tryptophan(Trp)-degrading enzyme,liver Trp 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO),by cortisol,leading to decreased Trp availability to the brain for serotonin synthesis.Subsequently,the serotonin deficiency was proposed to involve induction of the extrahepatic Trp-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO)by proinflammatory cytokines,with inflammation being the underlying cause.Recent evidence,however,challenges this latter concept,as not all MDD patients are immune-activated and,when present,inflammation is mild and/or transient.A wide range of antidepressant drugs inhibit the activity of liver TDO and bind specifically to the enzyme,but not to IDO.IDO induction is not a major event in MDD,but,when it occurs,its metabolic consequences may be masked and overridden by upregulation of kynurenine monooxygenase(KMO),the gateway to production of modulators of immune and neuronal functions.KMO appears to be activated in MDD by certain proinflammatory cytokines and antidepressants with anti-inflammatory properties may block this activation.We demonstrate the ability of the antidepressant ketamine to dock(bind)to KMO.The pathophysiology of MDD may be underpinned by both the serotonin deficiency and glutamatergic activation mediated respectively by TDO induction and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation.Inhibition of TDO and KMO should be the focus of MDD pharmacotherapy.

The Dependence of <i>N</i>-Malonyltryptophan Formation in Plants on Water Deficit (Review)

Drought stress in plants is accompanied by several metabolic changes. One of them is the appearance of N-malonyltryptophan (MT) during leaf wilting of many species, but there is a significant number of plant species in which the appearance of MT did not occur. Plants of some species were able to synthesize also N-acetyltryptophan (AT). Excised tomato leaves incubated with D-amino acids (including D-Trp) transform them into malonyl- and acetyl-derivatives even without water deficit. However, MT which appeared during water deficit has been shown to contain L-Trp. Amino acid—1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is also malonylated during water deficit, but other L-amino acids were not malonylated. N-malonyl transferases specific for Trp and ACC have been found in several plants. The existence of N-malonyltransferase specific to L-Trp and appeared during water deficit in plants forming MT is supposed, but clear experimental proof has not been obtained yet. Plants can transform MT applied exogenously into Trp and further to indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). But no evidence has been appeared up to now that endogenous MT may be a source of IAA. It is unknown till now why it is necessary for plants of many species to malonylate only Trp during water deficit. How MT metabolized in animals and if it affects them is also unknown. The necessity to use molecular-genetic approaches for the elucidation of the physiological significance of MT formation during water deficit is underlined.

Helicobacter pylori and serum kynurenine-tryptophan ratio in patients with colorectal cancer

AIM: To evaluate how Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is able to evade the immune response and whether it enhances systemic immune tolerance against colorectal cancer.METHODS: This prospective randomized study involved 97 consecutive colorectal cancer patients and 108 cancer-free patients with extra-digestive diseases. Colorectal cancer and cancer-free patients were assigned into subgroups according to H. pylori Ig G seropositivity. Exposure to H. pylori was determined by Ig G seropositivity which was detected by enzyme linked immunoassay(ELISA). Serum neopterin levels were measured by ELISA. Serum tryptophan, kynurenine, and urinary biopterin concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Serum nitrite levels were detected spectrophotometrically. Serum indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was estimated by the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio and by assessing the correlation between serum neopterin concentrations and the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio. The frequencies of increased serum kynurenine to tryptophan ratio of H. pylori seronegative and seropositive colorectal cancer subgroups were estimated by comparing them with the average kynurenine to tryptophan ratio of H. pylori seronegative tumor-free patients.RESULTS: Compared with respective controls, in both H. pylori seronegative and seropositive colorectal cancer patients, while serum tryptophan levels were decreased(controls vs patients; seronegative: 20.37 ± 0.89 μmol/L vs 15.71 ± 1.16 μmol/L, P < 0.05; seropositive: 20.71 ± 0.81 μmol/L vs 14.97 ± 0.79 μmol/L, P < 0.01) the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio was significantly increased(controls vs patients; seronegative: 52.85± 11.85 μmol/mmol vs 78.91 ± 8.68 μmol/mmol, P < 0.01, seropositive: 47.31 ± 5.93 μmol/mmol vs 109.65 ± 11.50 μmol/mmol, P < 0.01). Neopterin concentrations in cancer patients were significantly elevated compared with controls(P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between serum neopterin levels and kynurenine/tryptophan in control and colorectal cancer patients groups(r s = 0.494, P = 0.0001 and r s= 0.293, P = 0.004, respectively). Serum nitrite levels of H. pylori seropositive cancer cases were significantly decreased compared with seropositive controls(controls vs patients; 26.04 ± 2.39 μmol/L vs 20.41 ± 1.48 μmol/L, P < 0.05) The decrease in the nitrite levels of H. pylori seropositive cancer patients may be attributed to excessive formation of peroxynitrite and other reactive nitrogen species.CONCLUSION: A significantly high kynurenine/tryptophan suggested that H. pylori may support the immune tolerance leading to cancer development, even without an apparent upper gastrointestinal tract disease.

The effect of dietary tryptophan levels on oxidative stress of liver induced by diquat in weaned piglets

Oxidative stress can induce abnormal tryptophan metabolism. The present study was mainly conducted to determine the effect of dietary tryptophan levels on oxidative stress in the liver of weaned pigs challenged by diquat. A total of 36 PIC piglets weaned at 21 days of age were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 diets containing dietary tryptophan levels of 0.18, 0.30, and 0A5% for 14 d. On day 8, the piglets were injected intraperitoneally with sterile 0.9% NaCI solution or diquat （10 mg/kg body weight）. During the first 7 d of trial, increasing dietary tryptophan levels enhanced average daily gain （P = 0.09） and average daily feed intake （P = 0.08）, and decreased the feed efficiency （P 〈 0.05） of piglets. The growth performance was decreased by diquat injection （P 〈 0.05）. Diquat injection also decreased the activities of the superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GPx） in the plasma and liver （P 〈 0.05）, increased plasma malondialdehyde （MDA） （P 〈 0.05） and urea nitrogen （P 〈 0.05） concentrations, and enhanced MDA concentration （P = 0.09） and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase （TDO） activity （P = 0.07） in liver of piglets. Increasing dietary tryptophan levels could attenuate the effects of diquat injection on the MDA （P = 0.06） concentration and the activities of SOD （P = 0.09） and GPx （P = 0.05） of the liver, and plasma urea nitrogen （P = 0.06） concentration in the piglet. There was a synergistic role for increasing TDO activity in the liver between dietary tryptophan levels and diquat injection （P 〈 0.05）. These results suggest that increasing dietary tryptophan levels could attenuate the oxidative stress of the liver in weaned piglets intraperitoneally injected with diquat via enhancing the antioxidant capacity.

Changes of 5-hydroxytryptamine and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the ventral horn of spinal cord

Objective To investigate changes of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and its synthesis rate-limiting enzyme tryp-tophan hydroxylase （TPH） in the ventral horn of spinal cord after exercise-induced fatigue, and to further discuss the mecha- nism of exercise-induced central fatigue at spinal level. Methods Sixteen healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups： exercise-induced fatigue group and control group. Immunohistochemical staining for 5-HT and TPH in the ventral horn were performed and analysized quantitatively. The mean optic densities of 5-HT and TPH positive fibers or terminals were measured by computerized image analyzer. Results Both 5-HT and TPH positive fibers/terminals decreased in the exercise-induced fatigue group. The immunohistochemical staining was weaker and the mean optic densities decreased obviously in the fatigue group compared with those in the control group （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion 5-HT and TPH in the ventral horn of spinal cord might be involved in exercise-induced fatigue.

Effects of dietary tryptophan and stocking density on the performance,meat quality,and metabolic status of broilers

Background： Highly automated cage-rearing systems are becoming increasingly popular in China. However, a high stocking density can cause oxidative stress and decrease broiler performance. The tryptophan （TRP） derivative 5-hydroxytryptophan （5-HT） has been shown to preserve membrane fluidity in birds suffering from oxidative stress Therefore, this experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietan/TRP supplementation on performance, breast meat quality and oxidative stress in broilers reared in cages with a high or low stocking density. Methods： Female Arbor Acres broilers （25-d-old, n = 144） were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments. The birds were fed a diet based on corn, soybean meal, cottonseed meal and corn gluten meal containing either 0.18 or 0.27% TRP and were housed with stocking densities of 11 or 15.4 birds/m2 in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Broiler performance was evaluated from d 25 to 42. Eight birds from each treatment were slaughtered on d 42 and plasma and breast muscle samples were collected to measure biochemical indices. Results： A higher stocking density tended to be associated with reduced weight gain （P 〈 0.10）, and significantly increased plasma glutamic-pyruvic transaminase （GPT） activity （P 〈 0.001）. Increased dietary TRP significantly reduced the activities of lactic dehydrogenase and GPT while increasing total cholesterol in the plasma （P 〈 0.01）, reducing drip loss of breast muscle （P 〈 0.10） and improving feed efficiency （P 〈 0.10）. Conclusions： An increase in dietary TRP, ].S-fold higher than the standard supplementation level, can alleviate oxidative stress as well as improve welfare and feed efficiency in broilers reared in cages with a high stocking density.

Generation of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene knockout pigs by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene targeting

Unbalanced brain serotonin(5-HT) levels have implications in various behavioral abnormalities and neuropsychiatric disorders. The biosynthesis of neuronal 5-HT is regulated by the rate-limiting enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase-2(TPH2). In the present study, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated(Cas) system was used to target the Tph2 gene in Bama mini pig fetal fibroblasts. It was found that CRISPR/Cas9 targeting efficiency could be as high as 61.5%, and the biallelic mutation efficiency reached at38.5%. The biallelic modified colonies were used as donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) and 10 Tph2 targeted piglets were successfully generated. These Tph2 KO piglets were viable and appeared normal at the birth.However, their central 5-HT levels were dramatically reduced, and their survival and growth rates were impaired before weaning. These Tph2 KO pigs are valuable large-animal models for studies of 5-HT deficiency induced behavior abnomality.

Lysine, Methionine and Tryptophan Requirements of Beijing Ducklings of 0-2 Weeks of Age

A feed trial was conducted with a total of 1 134 Beijing ducklings to study the optimum level of dietary lysine （Lys） （0.95, 1.10, 1.25%）, methionine （Met） （0.26, 0.46, 0.66%） and tryptophan （Trp） （0.20, 0.30, 0.40%） for those ducklings during a phase of 0-2 weeks. Ducklings were randomly allotted to 27 groups according to a 3 × 3× 3 factorial arrangement and fed a basal corn-soybean-peanut meal diet containing 20.26% CP, 12.45 MJ kg^-1 ME. The results from this study indicate that Lys affected body weight （P〈0.01）, feed intake （0-14 d） （P〈0.01）, but had no effect on feed/gain （0-14 d） （P〉0.05）, uric acid concentration （P 〉 0.05）. Methionine influenced body weight （P 〈 0.01）, feed/gain （P 〈 0.05）, and feed intake （P 〈 0.01）. Tryphtophan had no effect on indices measured. The requirement of the Lys and Met for Beijing ducklings of 0-2 weeks of age were 1.10 and 0.46%. The requirement of Trp for Beijing ducklings of 0-2 weeks of age was not more than 0.20%.

Chemical Modification and Fluorescence Spectrum of Tryptophan Residues in Pullulanase

Tryptophan（Trp） residues in a pullulanase were modified by N-bromosuccinimide（NBS）. The results of the Spande method indicate that there are 18 Trp residues in the pullulanase and nine of them are located on the surface af the enzyme. Three of these Trp residues are nonessential residues which show the fastest reaction rate according to the Zou＇s plot. Two of the seven relative faster reacting residues are essential for the activity of the enzyme. The other eight are the slowest in the reaction rate or non-reactive residues for the reaction. The fluorescence and circular dichroism（CD） spectra of the pullulanase have been changed after the reaction with NBS. Potassium iodide（KI） and acrylamide also have remarkable influences on the fluorescence spectra of the pullulanase.

Compared efficacy of University of Wisconsin and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solutions in ex-situ liver resection and autotransplantation for end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients

Background: The University of Wisconsin (UW) and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solutions are the two most frequently used liver graft preservation fluids. The present study aimed to compare their efficacy in end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients who underwent ex-situ liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA). Methods: A total of 81 patients received ELRA from August 2010 to March 2018. They were allocated into UW ( n = 48) and HTK groups ( n = 33) based on the type of solutions used. Demographic and operational data were retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcomes included 90-day mortality, incidence of early graft loss, primary dysfunction, and postoperative complications. Results: Demographic and operational characteristics were similarly distributed in the two groups. No statistically significant differences were observed with regard to 90-day mortality (12.77% vs. 12.12%) and early graft loss rate (8.51% vs. 9.09%) between the two groups. Patients in the UW and HTK groups showed a primary dysfunction rate of 27.66% and 27.27%, respectively. The UW group exhibited a higher incidence tendency of biliary complications, albeit with no statistical significance. Conclusions: This is the largest cohort study comparing the efficacy of the UW and HTK organ-preserving solutions in end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients in ELRA settings. UW and HTK solutions presented similar efficacy and safety. A randomized clinical trial with larger scale is needed for further investigation in future clinical applications.

Flow-injection chemiluminescence determination of tryptophan using galangin-potassium permanganate-polyphosphoric acid system

A high sensitive flow-injection chemiluminescence （FI-CL） method for the determination of tryptophan has been developed. The method is based on the chemiluminescence reaction of galangin-potassium permanganate-tryptophan in polyphosphoric acid （PPA） media. Under the optimized conditions, tryptophan was determined in the range 0.05-10 μg/mL with the detection limit （3tr） of 5.0 × 10^-3 μg/mL. The relative standard deviation （RSD） was 1.0% for 11 replicate determinations of 1.0 μg/mL tryptophan. Three synthetic samples were determined selectively with recoveries in the range from 99.6% to 102.0% in the presence of other amino acids.

Determination of Enantiomeric Compositions of Tryptophan by Chemometric Analysis of the Fluorescence Spectra of Bovine Serum Albumin Receptor-ligand Mixtures

In this work, a novel method was constructed to determine the enantiomeric composition of tryptophan （Trp） by bovine serum albumin （BSA） based on the fluorescence spectra of the receptor-ligand mixtures coupled with partial least squares （PLS-1） analysis. As a result the enantiomeric composition of Trp was accurately determined.

Measurement of Tryptophan Metabolites in Healthy Old Men and Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

Background: Plasma levels of tryptophan (TRP) metabolites have not been measured extensively in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Metabolites analysis was performed by a liquid chromatograph tandem mass spectrometer, the LCMS-8060 quadrupole mass spectrometer combined with Nexera X2 liquid chromatograph system (Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan). Body mass index (BMI) and TRP metabolites have been measured in healthy old men (n = 20) and patients of T2DM (n = 20). TRP metabolites were measured by using the ultrahigh speed liquid chromatography-mass spectros-copy (Shimadzu Corporation). Results: The plasma levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTRP), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenic acid (KNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HKN), and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) were higher in patients of T2DM than healthy old men. Since 5HTRP and 5-HIAA belong to the serotonin pathway, and KNA, 3-HKN, and 3-HAA belong to the KN pathway of TRP metabolism, these pathways were activated more in the patients of T2DM. Since plasma levels of Indole-3-acetic acid were not elevated in T2DM, that pathway was not activated more in T2DM. Serotonin levels were not increased but 5-HIAA levels were increased in the plasma of T2DM patients, which may mean that serotonin was quickly metabolized to 5-HIAA in the patients of T2DM. Conclusion: Plasma levels of tryptophan metabolites in serotonin and kynurenine pathways increased in T2DM patients. Obesity expressed by BMI may not influence tryptophan metabolism in healthy old men and T2DM patients. These results indicate that our new method of the simultaneous measurements of all the tryptophan metabolites is the powerful measure to identify factor related to endogenous stresses seen in DM.

Gut Microbiota-Controlled Tryptophan Metabolism Improves D-Gal/LPS-Induced Acute Liver Failure in C57BL/6 Mice

Acute liver failure(ALF)has an abrupt onset with a frequently fatal outcome.Previous studies have found that oral antibiotics prevent drug-induced liver injury in animal experiments,indicating that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in the pathophysiological process.However,the underlying mechanism has not been fully understood.This study explored the comprehensive role of the gut microbiota in ALF using multi-omics.A cocktail of broad-spectrum antibiotics(Abx)pretreatment by gavage for four weeks improved the survival of D-(+)-galactosamine hydrochloride(D-Gal)/lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ALF in C57BL/6 mice.RNA sequencing showed that inflammatory responses were inhibited and metabolic pathways were upregulated in the liver of Abx-treated ALF mice.The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that Abx reshaped the composition and function of the gut microbiota,with an increased proportion of tryptophan(Trp)metabolism.In addition,global metabolic profiling by ultraperformance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry(UPLC–MS)indicated that the gut microbiota post-Abx intervention reduced Trp excretion,liberated more Trp to the host,and enhanced the kynurenine(Kyn)pathway with increased production of Kyn.As an endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR)ligand,Kyn has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.Furthermore,AhR-targeted treatments affected the outcome of ALF mice with or without Abx pretreatment,indicating that AhR directly regulated susceptibility to ALF,at least in part.This study demonstrates that the gut microbiota-dependent control of the Trp metabolism could regulate host susceptibility to ALF by modulating the activity of AhR,and thus provides a promising target for better management of ALF.