Physiological and pathophysiological effects of L-tryptophan’s metabolites on the brain and immunity – a challenge for drug development

The dysregulation of the kynurenine branch from tryptophan (TRP) metabolism can cause an imbalance between neuroprotective kynurenic acid and neurotoxic kynurenine metabolites in some psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the modulation of TRP metabolism may contribute to novel the...

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Main Authors: Petar Iliev, Simeon Ivanov, Simeon Lazarov, Georgeta Bocheva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2025-03-01
Series:Pharmacia
Online Access:https://pharmacia.pensoft.net/article/148033/download/pdf/
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author Petar Iliev
Simeon Ivanov
Simeon Lazarov
Georgeta Bocheva
author_facet Petar Iliev
Simeon Ivanov
Simeon Lazarov
Georgeta Bocheva
author_sort Petar Iliev
collection DOAJ
description The dysregulation of the kynurenine branch from tryptophan (TRP) metabolism can cause an imbalance between neuroprotective kynurenic acid and neurotoxic kynurenine metabolites in some psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the modulation of TRP metabolism may contribute to novel therapeutic strategies for several neuropsychiatric diseases. Targeting L-TRP-kynurenine pathway enzymes, particularly involving indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase, and kynurenine aminotransferase II, is a promising approach. The future development of potent selective inhibitors of these enzymes with a good safety profile would be a potential new avenue for the treatment of many diseases. The essential amino acid L-Tryptophan, together with its metabolites, plays a key role in diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes in the brain, especially in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders and autoimmunity. Also, TRP is a vital biochemical precursor for several functional neuroactive molecules, including serotonin and melatonin, which are of great importance for memory and learning, emotional regulation, circadian cycle, hunger, pain, etc. This article aims to underscore the links between tryptophan’s metabolism and certain diseases of the central nervous system.
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spelling doaj-art-c71faf1bcb58427d96f9807835762e772025-08-20T03:44:19ZengPensoft PublishersPharmacia2603-557X2025-03-01721710.3897/pharmacia.72.e148033148033Physiological and pathophysiological effects of L-tryptophan’s metabolites on the brain and immunity – a challenge for drug developmentPetar Iliev0Simeon Ivanov1Simeon Lazarov2Georgeta Bocheva3Medical University of SofiaMedical University of SofiaMedical University of SofiaMedical University of SofiaThe dysregulation of the kynurenine branch from tryptophan (TRP) metabolism can cause an imbalance between neuroprotective kynurenic acid and neurotoxic kynurenine metabolites in some psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the modulation of TRP metabolism may contribute to novel therapeutic strategies for several neuropsychiatric diseases. Targeting L-TRP-kynurenine pathway enzymes, particularly involving indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase, and kynurenine aminotransferase II, is a promising approach. The future development of potent selective inhibitors of these enzymes with a good safety profile would be a potential new avenue for the treatment of many diseases. The essential amino acid L-Tryptophan, together with its metabolites, plays a key role in diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes in the brain, especially in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders and autoimmunity. Also, TRP is a vital biochemical precursor for several functional neuroactive molecules, including serotonin and melatonin, which are of great importance for memory and learning, emotional regulation, circadian cycle, hunger, pain, etc. This article aims to underscore the links between tryptophan’s metabolism and certain diseases of the central nervous system.https://pharmacia.pensoft.net/article/148033/download/pdf/
spellingShingle Petar Iliev
Simeon Ivanov
Simeon Lazarov
Georgeta Bocheva
Physiological and pathophysiological effects of L-tryptophan’s metabolites on the brain and immunity – a challenge for drug development
Pharmacia
title Physiological and pathophysiological effects of L-tryptophan’s metabolites on the brain and immunity – a challenge for drug development
title_full Physiological and pathophysiological effects of L-tryptophan’s metabolites on the brain and immunity – a challenge for drug development
title_fullStr Physiological and pathophysiological effects of L-tryptophan’s metabolites on the brain and immunity – a challenge for drug development
title_full_unstemmed Physiological and pathophysiological effects of L-tryptophan’s metabolites on the brain and immunity – a challenge for drug development
title_short Physiological and pathophysiological effects of L-tryptophan’s metabolites on the brain and immunity – a challenge for drug development
title_sort physiological and pathophysiological effects of l tryptophan s metabolites on the brain and immunity a challenge for drug development
url https://pharmacia.pensoft.net/article/148033/download/pdf/
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AT simeonlazarov physiologicalandpathophysiologicaleffectsofltryptophansmetabolitesonthebrainandimmunityachallengefordrugdevelopment
AT georgetabocheva physiologicalandpathophysiologicaleffectsofltryptophansmetabolitesonthebrainandimmunityachallengefordrugdevelopment