Cited by 221Gut microbiota and healthTryptophan and brain disordersGastrointestinal motility and disorders

Tryptophan metabolites along the microbiota-Gut-Brain axis: an interkingdom communication system influencing the gut in health and disease

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Bosi, Annalisa, Banfi, Davide, Bistoletti, Michela, Giaroni, Cristina, Baj, Andreina·2020·International Journal of Tryptophan Research

Abstract

The 'microbiota-gut-brain axis' plays a fundamental role in maintaining host homeostasis, and different immune, hormonal, and neuronal signals participate to this interkingdom communication system between eukaryota and prokaryota. The essential aminoacid tryptophan, as a precursor of several molecules acting at the interface between the host and the microbiota, is fundamental in the modulation of this bidirectional communication axis. In the gut, tryptophan undergoes 3 major metabolic pathways, the 5-HT, kynurenine, and AhR ligand pathways, which may be directly or indirectly controlled by the saprophytic flora. The importance of tryptophan metabolites in the modulation of the gastrointestinal tract is suggested by several preclinical and clinical studies; however, a thorough revision of the available literature has not been accomplished yet. Thus, this review attempts to cover the major aspects on the role of tryptophan metabolites in host-microbiota cross-talk underlaying regulation of gut functions in health conditions and during disease states, with particular attention to 2 major gastrointestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), both characterized by psychiatric disorders. Research in this area opens the possibility to target tryptophan metabolism to ameliorate the knowledge on the pathogenesis of both diseases, as well as to discover new therapeutic strategies based either on conventional pharmacological approaches or on the use of pre- and probiotics to manipulate the microbial flora.

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  • The GM modulates the tryptophan and kynurenine pathways and is a humoral route through which the GM may influence cognition at the level of the CNS.

    “Mounting evidence suggests that the GM modulates the tryptophan and kynurenine pathways and is a humoral route through which the GM may influence cognition at the level of the CNS (206–210).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [239]Mawe GM Hoffman JM Serotonin signaling in the gastrointestinal tract. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013; 10: 473- 486. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2013.105. 23797870 PMC4048923 · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Bosi, A., Banfi, D., Bistoletti, M., Giaroni, C., & Baj, A.
Affiliations
University of Insubria (IT)
Corresponding author
Giaroni, Cristina
Venue
International Journal of Tryptophan Research
Published
2020-01
Volume
13
Pages
1178646920928984-1178646920928984
ISSN
1178-6469 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3034589050
Cited by
221
References
360
Citations by year
2026: 38 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2
FWCI
2.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Tryptophan Research (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • IrInSubria (University of Insubria) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
Keywords
tryptophan metabolism, microbiota-gut-brain axis, gut microbiota, serotonin pathway, kynurenine pathway, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, mental illness, prebiotics, probiotics, host-microbe communication

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