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The role of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway in neuropathic pain

WU Zi-Han¹, YOU Hao-Jun^1,2, LEI Jing^1,2,*

¹Center for Translational Medicine Research on Sensory-Motor Diseases, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, China；²Key Laboratory of Yan’an Sports Rehabilitation Medicine, Yan’an 716000, China

Abstract

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the main metabolic pathway of tryptophan in the diet. Existing research has shown that KP plays a key role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. It has been demonstrated that kynurenine metabolic enzymes, such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO), are involved in various types of pain, particularly the occurrence and development of neuropathic pain. This article reviewed the role of KP, metabolites and enzymes, as well as the analgesic effects and mechanisms of KP in neuropathic pain, providing reference for the application of KP in the basic research and clinical treatment of neuropathic pain.

Key words: tryptophan-kynurenine pathway; kynurenine; quinolinic acid; neuropathic pain

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 雷静　　E-mail:

Citing This Article：

WU Zi-Han, YOU Hao-Jun, LEI Jing. The role of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway in neuropathic pain. Acta Physiol Sin 2024; 76 (5): 818-826 (in Chinese with English abstract).