In vitro effects of l-kynurenine and quinolinic acid on adhesion, migration and apoptosis in B16 F10 melanoma cells.

Introduction: The inhibition of melanoma adhesion through adhesion molecules, such as integrins and E-cadherin, may represent a promising strategy for managing melanoma metastasis. Compounds, namely l-kynurenine (L-kyn) and quinolinic acid (Quin), previously displayed anti-cancer effects at half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) against B16 F10 melanoma cells in vitro. However, the role of these compounds in B16 F10 melanoma cell adhesion, migration and apoptosis remain unknown.

An exploratory study on the effect of kynurenine metabolites on sEnd-2 endothelioma cells.

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. The development of anticancer therapy plays a crucial role in mitigating tumour progression and metastasis. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a very rare cancer, however, with a high systemic involvement.

In vitro effects and mathematical modelling of CTCE-9908 (a chemokine receptor 4 antagonist) on melanoma cell survival.

CTCE-9908, a CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) antagonist, prevents CXCR4 phosphorylation and inhibits the interaction with chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and downstream signalling pathways associated with metastasis. This study evaluated the in vitro effects of CTCE-9908 on B16 F10 melanoma cells with the use of mathematical modelling. Crystal violet staining was used to construct a mathematical model of CTCE-9908 B16 F10 (melanoma) and RAW 264.

L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid inhibited markers of cell survival in B16 F10 melanoma cells in vitro.

Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy and remains a major cause of skin cancer mortality, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. Recent findings revealed that L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid induce cytotoxicity and morphological changes in B16 F10 melanoma cells in vitro. This paper highlights the effects of L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid at previously determined half-maximal inhibitory concentrations on cell cycle progression, cell death and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase inhibition.

Quantifying assays: inhibition of signalling pathways of cancer.

Inhibiting a signalling pathway concerns controlling the cellular processes of a cancer cell's viability, cell division and death. Assay protocols created to see if the molecular structures of the drugs being tested have the desired inhibition qualities often show great variability across experiments, and it is imperative to diminish the effects of such variability while inferences are drawn. In this paper, we propose the study of experimental data through the lenses of a mathematical model depicting the inhibition mechanism and the activation-inhibition dynamics.

An in vitro investigation of l-kynurenine, quinolinic acid, and kynurenic acid on B16 F10 melanoma cell cytotoxicity and morphology.

The metastatic behavior of melanoma has accentuated the need for specific therapy targets. Compounds, namely l-kynurenine ( l-kyn), quinolinic acid (Quin), and kynurenic acid (KA) previously displayed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in vitro against cancer cells. Despite the growing interest in these compounds there are limited studies examining the in vitro effects on melanoma.

The tryptophan-kynurenine pathway in immunomodulation and cancer metastasis.

Introduction: The activation of the kynurenine pathway in cancer progression and metastasis through immunomodulatory pathways has drawn attention to the potential for kynurenine pathway inhibition. The activation of the kynurenine pathway, which results in the production of kynurenine metabolites through the degradation of tryptophan, promotes the development of intrinsically malignant properties in cancer cells while facilitating tumour immune escape. In addition, kynurenine metabolites act as biologically active substances to promote cancer development and metastasis.

Chemokines as possible therapeutic targets in metastatic melanoma.

Background: Cutaneous melanoma is a relentless form of cancer which continues to rise in incidence. Currently, cutaneous melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer-related mortality, which can mainly be attributed to its metastatic potential. The activation of chemokine axes is a major contributor to melanoma metastasis through its involvement in promoting tumour cell migration, proliferation, survival, and adhesion.

The involvement of a chemokine receptor antagonist CTCE-9908 and kynurenine metabolites in cancer development.

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in South Africa with nearly 20,000 reported cases every year and 700 deaths. If diagnosed early, the 5-year survival rate is about 90%, however, when diagnosed late, the 5-year survival rate decreases to about 20%.

Pellagra in South Africa from 1897 to 2019: a scoping review.

Objective: Pellagra is a nutritional deficiency disease associated with niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency. The history of pellagra is well documented for Europe and the USA, but less is known about the prevalence in sub-Saharan African countries. This study documents the history of pellagra in South Africa, as diagnosed based on dermatological symptoms.

Comparison between plasma neopterin and the urine neopterin:creatinine ratio as inflammatory biomarkers.

Background: Neopterin, a product of cell-mediated immunity, is a non-specific biomarker of inflammation. Plasma/serum is generally the body fluid of choice for neopterin assessment, but urine is often used as it does away with venepuncture. Analysis of urine neopterin is based on collection of a single urine sample and expressed as µmol neopterin/mol creatinine.

Tryptophan depletion in context of the inflammatory and general nutritional status of a low-income South African HIV-infected population.

Background: The essential amino acid tryptophan cannot be synthesised in the body and must be acquired through dietary intake. Oxidation of tryptophan, due to immune induction of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), is considered to be the main cause of tryptophan depletion in HIV infection and AIDS. We examined plasma tryptophan levels in a low-income sub-Saharan HIV-infected population and compared it to that of developed countries.

The kynurenine pathway activities in a sub-Saharan HIV/AIDS population.

Background: Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for the synthesis of proteins and important metabolites such as serotonin, melatonin, tryptamine and niacin. After protein synthesis, more than 90 % of tryptophan catabolism occurs along the kynurenine pathway. The inflammation-inducible enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) is responsible for the first rate-limiting step in the kynurenine pathway, i.

A non-specific biomarker of disease activity in HIV/AIDS patients from resource-limited environments.

Background: A general non-specific marker of disease activity that could alert the clinician and prompt further investigation would be of value in patients with HIV/AIDS, especially in resource limited environments.

Objective: To investigate the potential of neopterin as non-specific biomarker in patients with advanced HIV/AIDS.

Methods: Cross-sectional study in 105 HIV positive patients (75 on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART).

Antidepressants may lead to a decrease in niacin and NAD in patients with poor dietary intake.

The term niacin is the generic name for the two compounds nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, the major dietary precursors for two important coenzymes, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its phosphorylated form, NADP. Niacin is important for the maintenance of cellular integrity and energy production and is involved in more than 500 intracellular reactions. Deficiencies of niacin may contribute to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Autonomic correlates at rest and during evoked attention in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and effects of methylphenidate.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess autonomic nervous system functioning in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to examine the effects of methylphenidate and focussed attention.

Method: Children with ADHD (n = 19) were tested while they were stimulant free and during a period in which they were on stimulants. On both occasions, autonomic nervous system functioning was tested at baseline and during focussed attention.