Recent research has shown that the cascade of signals in the proinflammatory immune response tend to cause the amino acid tryptophan to break down
into kynurenic acid rather than serotonin, a brain chemical that influences mood.
People with schizophrenia have higher than normal levels
of kynurenic acid in their brains.
On performing a genome - wide association study (GWAS), they found that a genetic variant of the SNX7 gene was associated with both the levels of a protein in the CSF, known
as kynurenic acid, and the disease symptoms.
A new study by University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers has found that in mice, adjusting levels of a compound
called kynurenic acid can have significant effects on schizophrenia - like behavior.
Using mice fed on a fat - rich diet that made them overweight and raised their blood sugar levels, they found that a daily dose of
kynurenic acid stopped the mice putting on weight and gave them better glucose tolerance, despite no change in their food intake.
The researchers posit the explanation that
kynurenic acid activated the cell receptor GPR35, which is found in both fat cells and immune cells.
The study is a nice and succinct amalgamation of data from humans showing that endurance exercise produces a shift in the kynurenine pathway, resulting in
more kynurenic acid (KYNA) and...
Through exercise training, the muscles can convert the stress marker kynurenine
into kynurenic acid.
Eating fewer calories may work by depleting a brain chemical
called kynurenic acid, which in turn activates neurons involved in learning.
For this present study, the researchers further examined the function
of kynurenic acid.
They are also important in the synthesis of neuroprotective compounds such
as kynurenic acid.
Similarly, the signals trigger an increase in toxic chemicals such as nitric oxide, quinolonic acid, and
kynurenic acid, which are bad for the functioning of nerve cells.
In fact, these animals never show elevated kynurenine levels in their blood since the KAT enzymes in their well - trained muscles quickly convert it to
kynurenic acid, resulting in a protective mechanism.
KATs convert a substance formed during stress (kynurenine) into
kynurenic acid, a substance that is not able to pass from the blood to the brain.
It turns out that activation of the PGC - 1a1 pathway increases skeletal muscle expression of kynurenine aminotransferases, to enhance the conversion of kynurenine into
kynurenic acid.
That's key because, unlike kynurenine,
kynurenic acid can't cross the blood - brain barrier.
kynurenic acid, a chemical produced naturally in the brain that can protect neurons from harmful over-stimulation
Cortical cells appear to specifically covert kynurenine to
kynurenic acid, which acts to decrease activity through acetylcholine antagonism.