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Investigating the kynurenine pathway in pediatric metabolic health

Fatma Özgüç Çömlek1, Dilek Bingöl Aydın2, Fikret Akyürek3

  • 1485663 Selçuk Üniversity, Medical Faculty, Pediatric Endocrinology , Konya, Türkiye.

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|October 30, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric obesity alters tryptophan metabolism, with higher levels observed in obese children. The 3-hydroxykynurenine/kynurenine ratio correlated with metabolic syndrome indicators, suggesting a potential link.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing concern, linked to increased metabolic disease incidence.
  • Tryptophan (TRP) metabolism, particularly the kynurenine pathway, is implicated in obesity-related inflammation.
  • Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity influences TRP catabolism and inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of pediatric obesity on tryptophan metabolism.
  • To explore the association between altered tryptophan metabolites and metabolic syndrome indicators in children.
  • To assess changes in kynurenine pathway metabolites in relation to obesity severity.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 86 children (≥10 years), including 56 obese participants.
  • Obese children classified into obese and severely obese groups based on BMI percentiles.
  • Serum kynurenine pathway metabolites analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

  • Obese children exhibited significantly higher plasma tryptophan levels compared to non-obese peers.
  • The metabolite 3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK) and the 3HK/kynurenine (KYN) ratio were significantly elevated in obese children.
  • Higher 3HK/KYN ratios correlated with increased triglycerides, GGT, HDL levels, and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric obesity is associated with alterations in plasma kynurenine pathway metabolites.
  • The 3HK/KYN ratio shows a correlation with key metabolic syndrome indicators in obese children.
  • Further research with larger cohorts is necessary to confirm the link between these metabolites and metabolic syndrome in pediatric obesity.
Abstract

Keywords:
childreninflammationkynurenine pathwaymetabolic syndromeobesity

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