Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2014 Jul;57(4):249-259. 10.5468/ogs.2014.57.4.249.

The tryptophan utilization concept in pregnancy

• Badawy AA

• KMID: 1841535
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2014.57.4.249

Abstract

The decrease in maternal plasma total (free + albumin-bound) tryptophan (Trp) during the third pregnancy trimester is attributed to induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). When measured, free [Trp] is increased because of albumin depletion and non-esterified fatty acid elevation. The Trp depletion concept in pregnancy is therefore not supported because of incorrect interpretation of changes in Trp disposition and also for not addressing mouse strain differences in Trp-related responses and potential inhibition of Trp transport by the IDO inhibitor 1-methyl tryptophan. Application of the Trp utilization concept in pregnancy offers several physiological advantages favoring fetal development and successful outcome, namely provision of Trp for fetal protein synthesis and growth, serotonin for signaling pathways, kynurenic acid for neuroprotection, quinolinic acid for NAD+ synthesis, and other kynurenines for suppression of T cell responses. An excessive increase in Trp availability could compromise pregnancy by undermining T cell suppression, e.g., in pre-eclampsia.

Keyword

Albumin; Free tryptophan; Non-esterified fatty acids; Pregnancy; Tryptophan

MeSH Terms

Animals
Female
Fetal Development
Humans
Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
Kynurenic Acid
Mice
Plasma
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
Pregnancy*
Quinolinic Acid
Serotonin
Tryptophan*
Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
Kynurenic Acid
Quinolinic Acid
Serotonin
Tryptophan

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Effects of pregnancy on tryptophan (Trp) disposition in rats. This research was originally published in reference [3]. Results are expressed as percentages of controls at each time interval during pregnancy for changes in free and total serum Trp concentrations and binding (expressed as the % free Trp) (A) and concentrations of serum albumin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) (B). Details are in Table 1 in reference [3]. From Badawy AA. Biochem J 1988;255:369-72, according to the Creative Commons license [3].

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