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Tryptophan degradation during and after gestation.
Katharina Schröcksnadel1, Bernhard Widner, Anton Bergant
1Institute for Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Fritz Pregl Strasse 3, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. katharina.schroecksnadel@uibk.ac.at
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|June 23, 2004
Summary
Pregnancy involves immune activation that decreases tryptophan availability. Postpartum, tryptophan levels recover, but elevated kynurenine suggests ongoing metabolic changes possibly linked to liver enzyme activity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Human physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Indoleamine-(2,3)-dioxygenase (IDO) activation in mice promotes pregnancy immunotolerance.
- Postpartum mood disorders may relate to reduced tryptophan and serotonin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze kynurenine and tryptophan concentrations during pregnancy and postpartum in women.
- To assess the relationship between IDO activity, immune activation, and tryptophan metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Consecutive analysis of kynurenine and tryptophan levels in pregnant women.
- Calculation of kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (kyn/trp) as a marker of IDO activity.
- Comparison with immune activation markers (neopterin, sTNF-R55) and ALT levels.
Main Results:
- Tryptophan concentrations decreased while kynurenine increased during pregnancy, correlating with immune activation markers.
- IDO activation likely contributes to tryptophan degradation during pregnancy.
- Postpartum, immune markers declined, and tryptophan levels rose, but kynurenine remained elevated, suggesting non-immune-related tryptophan turnover and increased ALT levels.
Conclusions:
- Decreased tryptophan during pregnancy is linked to immune activation.
- Elevated postpartum kynurenine and increased ALT suggest abnormal liver enzyme activity, independent of immune activation.