The kynurenine (Kyn) pathway may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This pathway shows crosstalk with proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and/or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, Kyn metabolites affect neurotransmission and cause neurotoxicity. To date, the influence of the Kyn pathway on proinflammatory cytokines and BDNF remains to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of the Kyn pathway with proinflammatory cytokines, BDNF, and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Thirty patients with schizophrenia and ten healthy control participants were recruited for this study. All patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The healthy controls were those who did not fulfill any of the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. The serum levels of Kyn and its metabolites, proinflammatory cytokines, and BDNF were measured in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Patients with schizophrenia were also assessed for psychiatric symptoms using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls showed no significant differences in the levels of Kyn and its metabolites, proinflammatory cytokines, and BDNF. A significant positive correlation was found between the serum levels of TNF-α and Kyn ( = 0.53, = 0.0026) and the Kyn/tryptophan (Trp) value ( = 0.67, = 0.000046) in the schizophrenia group, but not in the healthy control group. TNF-α affects the Kyn pathway in patients with chronic schizophrenia, but not in the healthy individuals, although serum TNF-α levels showed no difference between the two groups. Associations between the Kyn pathway and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and BDNF or psychotic symptoms might be complicated in hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.696059 | DOI Listing |
BMC Womens Health
January 2025
Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1st Xueshi Rd, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
Exposure to particulate matter (PM) in the air harms human health. Most studies on particulate matter's (PM) effects have primarily focused on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, IL-32θ, one of the IL-32 isoforms, has been demonstrated to modulate cancer development and inflammatory responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Bio Mater
January 2025
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea.
Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have received much attention for their biomedical applications, such as bioimaging and drug delivery. Additionally, they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We used GQDs to treat renal fibrosis and confirmed their ability to protect renal cells from excessive oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo.
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Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
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State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. Electronic address:
The study was conducted to explore the relationship between arabinoxylan (AX) structure and microbial fermentation characteristics, and reveal molecular mechanism of AX on regulating immune function of the host. Results indicated that the group of wheat bran AX showed greater activity of feruloyl esterase, production of short chain fatty acids and ferulic acid compared with the blank group (P < 0.05).
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