{"title":"Potential Role of Neuroactive Tryptophan Metabolites in Central Fatigue: Establishment of the Fatigue Circuit.","authors":"Masatoshi Yamashita","doi":"10.1177/1178646920936279","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178646920936279","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Central fatigue leads to reduced ability to perform mental tasks, disrupted social life, and impaired brain functions from childhood to old age. Regarding the neurochemical mechanism, neuroactive tryptophan metabolites are thought to play key roles in central fatigue. Previous studies have supported the \"tryptophan-serotonin enhancement hypothesis\" in which tryptophan uptake into extensive brain regions enhances serotonin production in the rat model of exercise-induced fatigue. However, serotonin was transiently released after 30 minutes of treadmill running to exhaustion, but this did not reflect the duration of fatigue. In addition, as the vast majority of tryptophan is metabolized along the kynurenine pathway, possible involvement of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway in the mechanism of central fatigue induction has been pointed out. More recently, our study demonstrated that uptake of tryptophan and kynurenine derived from the peripheral circulation into the brain enhances kynurenic acid production in rat brain in sleep deprivation-induced central fatigue, but without change in serotonin activity. In particular, dynamic change in glial-neuronal interactive processes within the hypothalamus-hippocampal circuit causes central fatigue. Furthermore, increased tryptophan-kynurenine pathway activity in this circuit causes reduced memory function. This indicates a major potential role for the endogenous tryptophan-kynurenine pathway in central fatigue, which supports the \"tryptophan-kynurenine enhancement hypothesis.\" Here, we review research on the basic neuronal mechanism underlying central fatigue induced by neuroactive tryptophan metabolites. Notably, these basic findings could contribute to our understanding of latent mental problems associated with central fatigue.</p>","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"1178646920936279"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2020-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178646920936279","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38138638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tryptophan Metabolites Along the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: An Interkingdom Communication System Influencing the Gut in Health and Disease.","authors":"Annalisa Bosi, Davide Banfi, Michela Bistoletti, Cristina Giaroni, Andreina Baj","doi":"10.1177/1178646920928984","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178646920928984","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 'microbiota-gut-brain axis' plays a fundamental role in maintaining host homeostasis, and different immune, hormonal, and neuronal signals participate to this interkingdom communication system between eukaryota and prokaryota. The essential aminoacid tryptophan, as a precursor of several molecules acting at the interface between the host and the microbiota, is fundamental in the modulation of this bidirectional communication axis. In the gut, tryptophan undergoes 3 major metabolic pathways, the 5-HT, kynurenine, and AhR ligand pathways, which may be directly or indirectly controlled by the saprophytic flora. The importance of tryptophan metabolites in the modulation of the gastrointestinal tract is suggested by several preclinical and clinical studies; however, a thorough revision of the available literature has not been accomplished yet. Thus, this review attempts to cover the major aspects on the role of tryptophan metabolites in host-microbiota cross-talk underlaying regulation of gut functions in health conditions and during disease states, with particular attention to 2 major gastrointestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), both characterized by psychiatric disorders. Research in this area opens the possibility to target tryptophan metabolism to ameliorate the knowledge on the pathogenesis of both diseases, as well as to discover new therapeutic strategies based either on conventional pharmacological approaches or on the use of pre- and probiotics to manipulate the microbial flora.</p>","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"1178646920928984"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2020-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178646920928984","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38083161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Plasma Serotonin in Laying Hens (<i>Gallus gallus domesticus</i>) With and Without Foot pad Dermatitis.","authors":"Daniela Alberghina, Vito Biondi, Annamaria Passantino, Fabiola Giunta, Michele Panzera","doi":"10.1177/1178646920927380","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178646920927380","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) was associated with the presence of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) in laying hens. FPD birds (n = 20) and healthy individuals (n = 22) were included. Plasma 5-HT was investigated. FPD laying hens showed significantly higher 5-HT levels (median = 6 µmol/L) compared with healthy individuals (median = 4.28 µmol/L, <i>P</i> < .001). When present, FPD were scored as either 1 (n = 12) indicating mildly to moderately abnormal or 2 indicating severely abnormal (n = 8). The subjects whose lesions scored 2 had higher plasma 5-HT levels than those whose lesions scored 1. Inflammatory mechanisms seem to be related to plasma 5-HT levels in laying hens. Assessing plasma 5-HT could be useful to evaluate chicken welfare.</p>","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"1178646920927380"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2020-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178646920927380","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38083156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David B Ramsden, Rosemary H Waring, Richard B Parsons, David J Barlow, Adrian C Williams
{"title":"Nicotinamide <i>N</i>-Methyltransferase: Genomic Connection to Disease.","authors":"David B Ramsden, Rosemary H Waring, Richard B Parsons, David J Barlow, Adrian C Williams","doi":"10.1177/1178646920919770","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1178646920919770","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and around the nicotinamide <i>N</i>-methyltransferase (NNMT) gene are associated with a range of cancers and other diseases and conditions. The data on these associations have been assembled, and their strength discussed. There is no evidence that the presence of either the major or minor base in any SNP affects the expression of nicotinamide <i>N</i>-methyltransferase. Nevertheless, suggestions have been put forward that some of these SNPs do affect NNMT expression and thus homocysteine metabolism. An alternative idea involving non-coding messenger RNAs (mRNAs) is suggested as a possible mechanism whereby health is influenced. It is postulated that these long, non-coding NNMT mRNAs may exert deleterious effects by interfering with the expression of other genes. Neither hypothesis, however, has experimental proof, and further work is necessary to elucidate NNMT genetic interactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"1178646920919770"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2020-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/db/d6/10.1177_1178646920919770.PMC7273554.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38056959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tryptophan as a Central Hub for Host/Microbial Symbiosis.","authors":"Monica Borghi, Matteo Puccetti, Marilena Pariano, Giorgia Renga, Claudia Stincardini, Maurizio Ricci, Stefano Giovagnoli, Claudio Costantini, Luigina Romani","doi":"10.1177/1178646920919755","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178646920919755","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Amino acid catabolism occurs during inflammation and regulates innate and adaptive immunity. The role of commensal bacteria in amino acid catabolism and the production of metabolites able to regulate the development and function of the innate immune system is increasingly being recognized. Therefore, commensal bacteria are key players in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. However, the intestinal microbiota also contributes to susceptibility and response to infectious diseases. This is self-evident for fungal infections known to occur as a consequence of weakened immune system and broad-spectrum antibiotic use or abuse. Thus, diseases caused by opportunistic fungi can no longer be viewed as dependent only on a weakened host but also on a disrupted microbiota. Based on these premises, the present review focuses on the role of amino acid metabolic pathways in the dialogue between the mammalian host and its microbiota and the potential implications in fungal commensalism and infectivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"1178646920919755"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2020-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178646920919755","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37957979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The 4 D's of Pellagra and Progress.","authors":"Adrian C Williams, Lisa J Hill","doi":"10.1177/1178646920910159","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1178646920910159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nicotinamide homeostasis is a candidate common denominator to explain smooth transitions, whether demographic, epidemiological or economic. This 'NAD world', dependent on hydrogen-based energy, is not widely recognised as it is neither measured nor viewed from a sufficiently multi-genomic or historical perspective. Reviewing the importance of meat and nicotinamide balances during our co-evolution, recent history suggests that populations only modernise and age well with low fertility on a suitably balanced diet. Imbalances on the low meat side lead to an excess of infectious disease, short lives and boom-bust demographics. On the high side, meat has led to an excess of degenerative, allergic and metabolic disease and low fertility. A 'Goldilocks' diet derived from mixed and sustainable farming (preserving the topsoil) allows for high intellectual capital, height and good health with controlled population growth resulting in economic growth and prosperity. Implementing meat equity worldwide could lead to progress for future generations on 'spaceship' earth by establishing control over population quality, thermostat and biodiversity, if it is not already too late.</p>","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"13 ","pages":"1178646920910159"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2020-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178646920910159","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37866878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Vichaya, D. Vermeer, D. Budac, A. Lee, A. Grossberg, P. Vermeer, John H. Lee, R. Dantzer
{"title":"Inhibition of Indoleamine 2,3 Dioxygenase Does Not Improve Cancer-Related Symptoms in a Murine Model of Human Papilloma Virus–Related Head and Neck Cancer","authors":"E. Vichaya, D. Vermeer, D. Budac, A. Lee, A. Grossberg, P. Vermeer, John H. Lee, R. Dantzer","doi":"10.1177/1178646919872508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178646919872508","url":null,"abstract":"The expression of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) by tumors can contribute to immunotolerance, and IDO induced by inflammation can also increase risk for the development of behavioral alterations. Thus, this study was initiated to determine whether IDO inhibition, intended to facilitate tumor clearance in response to treatment, attenuates behavioral alterations associated with tumor growth and treatment. We used a murine model of human papilloma virus–related head and neck cancer. We confirmed that tumor cells express IDO and expression was increased by radiotherapy. Interestingly, inhibition of IDO activation by the competitive inhibitor 1-methyl tryptophan mildly exacerbated treatment-associated burrowing deficits (burrowing is a sensitive index of sickness in tumor-bearing mice). Genetic deletion of IDO worsened tumor outcomes and had no effect on the behavioral response as by decreased burrowing or reduced voluntary wheel running. In contrast, oral administration of a specific inhibitor of IDO1 provided no apparent benefit on the tumor response to cancer therapy, yet decreased voluntary wheel-running activity independent of treatment. These results indicate that, independent of its potential effect on tumor clearance, inhibition of IDO does not improve cancer-related symptoms.","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2019-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75644522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nicotinamide and Demographic and Disease transitions: Moderation is Best.","authors":"Adrian C Williams, Lisa J Hill","doi":"10.1177/1178646919855940","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1178646919855940","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Good health and rapid progress depend on an optimal dose of nicotinamide. Too little meat triggers the neurodegenerative condition pellagra and tolerance of symbionts such as tuberculosis (TB), risking dysbioses and impaired resistance to acute infections. Nicotinamide deficiency is an overlooked diagnosis in poor cereal-dependant economies masquerading as 'environmental enteropathy' or physical and cognitive stunting. Too much meat (and supplements) may precipitate immune intolerance and autoimmune and allergic disease, with relative infertility and longevity, via the tryptophan-nicotinamide pathway. This switch favours a dearth of regulatory T (Treg) and an excess of T helper cells. High nicotinamide intake is implicated in cancer and Parkinson's disease. Pro-fertility genes, evolved to counteract high-nicotinamide-induced infertility, may now be risk factors for degenerative disease. Moderation of the dose of nicotinamide could prevent some common diseases and personalised doses at times of stress or, depending on genetic background or age, may treat some other conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"12 ","pages":"1178646919855940"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2019-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178646919855940","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41215729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William J Scotton, Lisa J Hill, Adrian C Williams, Nicholas M Barnes
{"title":"Serotonin Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Clinical Features, Management, and Potential Future Directions.","authors":"William J Scotton, Lisa J Hill, Adrian C Williams, Nicholas M Barnes","doi":"10.1177/1178646919873925","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178646919873925","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Serotonin syndrome (SS) (also referred to as serotonin toxicity) is a potentially life-threatening drug-induced toxidrome associated with increased serotonergic activity in both the peripheral (PNS) and central nervous systems (CNS). It is characterised by a dose-relevant spectrum of clinical findings related to the level of free serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]), or 5-HT receptor activation (predominantly the 5-HT<sub>1A</sub> and 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> subtypes), which include neuromuscular abnormalities, autonomic hyperactivity, and mental state changes. Severe SS is only usually precipitated by the simultaneous initiation of 2 or more serotonergic drugs, but the syndrome can also occur after the initiation of a single serotonergic drug in a susceptible individual, the addition of a second or third agent to long-standing doses of a maintenance serotonergic drug, or after an overdose. The combination of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), in particular MAO-A inhibitors that preferentially inhibit the metabolism of 5-HT, with serotonergic drugs is especially dangerous, and may lead to the most severe form of the syndrome, and occasionally death. This review describes our current understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management of SS, and summarises some of the drugs and interactions that may precipitate the condition. We also discuss the newer novel psychoactive substances (NPSs), a growing public health concern due to their increased availability and use, and their potential risk to evoke the syndrome. Finally, we discuss whether the inhibition of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), in particular the neuronal isoform (TPH2), may provide an opportunity to pharmacologically target central 5-HT synthesis, and so develop new treatments for severe, life-threatening SS.</p>","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"12 ","pages":"1178646919873925"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178646919873925","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9551974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Crotti, C. Bedin, A. Bertazzo, M. Digito, M. Zuin, E. Urso, M. Agostini
{"title":"Tryptophan Metabolism as Source of New Prognostic Biomarkers for FAP Patients","authors":"S. Crotti, C. Bedin, A. Bertazzo, M. Digito, M. Zuin, E. Urso, M. Agostini","doi":"10.1177/1178646919890293","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178646919890293","url":null,"abstract":"Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a common inherited form of colorectal cancer (CRC), causes the development of hundreds to thousands of colonic adenomas in the colorectum beginning in early adolescence. In absence of a prophylactic surgery, FAP patients almost inevitably develop CRC by the age of 40 to 50. The lack of valuable prognostic biomarkers for FAP patients makes it difficult to predict when the progression from adenoma to malignant carcinoma occurs. Decreased tryptophan (TRP) plasma levels and increased indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) enzymatic activities have been associated to tumour progression in CRC. In the present study, we aimed at investigating whether an altered TRP metabolism might also exist in FAP patients. Our results highlighted that plasma levels of TRP and its main catabolites are comparable between FAP patients and healthy subject. On the contrary, FAP patients presented significantly higher TRP levels with respect to high-grade adenoma (ADE) subjects and CRC patients. Obtained data lead us to evaluate IDO1 and TPH1 enzymes activity in the study groups. For both enzymes, it was possible to discriminate correctly between FAP subject and ADE/CRC patients with high sensitivities and specificities. By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the cut-off values of IDO1 and TPH1 enzymatic activities associated to the presence of an active malignant transformation have been calculated as >38 and >5.5, respectively. When these cut-off values are employed, the area under the curve (AUC) is > 0.8 for both, indicating that TRP metabolism in patients with FAP may be used to monitor and predict the tumorigenic evolution.","PeriodicalId":46603,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Tryptophan Research","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74354666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}