RT Journal Article
T1 Plasma tryptophan and kynurenine pathway metabolites in abstinent patients with alcohol use disorder and high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity
A1 Vidal Casado, Rebeca
A1 García Marchena, Nuria
A1 O'Shea Gaya, María Esther
A1 Requena Ocaña, Nerea
A1 Flores López, María
A1 Araos, Pedro
A1 Serrano, Antonia
A1 Suárez, Juan
A1 Rubio, Gabriel
A1 Rodríguez De Fonseca, Fernando Antonio
A1 Colado Megías, María Isabel
A1 Pavón Carrasco, Francisco Javier
AB BackgroundAlterations in tryptophan (TRP) metabolism has been linked to drug exposure and mental disorders. However, most of studies have been performed without considering the co-occurrence of both disorders in the context of addiction. This cross-sectional study examines TRP metabolism through the serotonin (5-HT) and kynurenine (KYN) pathways in subjects with alcohol use disorders (AUD) and high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity.MethodsFor this purpose, male and female abstinent AUD patients (N = 130) and healthy controls (N = 80) were clinically evaluated for substance use and mental disorders, and blood samples were collected to determine plasma concentrations of TRP, 5-HT, KYN and kynurenic acid (KA) using high performance liquid chromatography. Clinical and biochemical variables were analyzed for potential associations considering AUD, psychiatric comorbidity and sex.ResultsTRP concentrations were significantly associated with an interaction effect between AUD diagnosis and sex (p < .01): TRP concentrations were lower in male AUD patients but higher in female AUD patients compared with their controls. KYN and KA concentrations were significantly associated with AUD diagnosis (p < .01 and p < .05, respectively). Thus, AUD patients showed significantly higher KYN concentrations and lower KA concentrations than controls. Regarding 5-HT concentrations, there were sex differences in the alcohol group (p < .05) and female AUD patients showed lower 5-HT concentrations than male AUD patients. Moreover, there was a significant interaction effect between psychiatric comorbidity and sex on TRP concentrations in the alcohol group (p < .01). Whereas male patients with both comorbid substance use and mental disorders showed lower TRP concentrations than male non-comorbid patients, female patients with comorbid mental disorders showed higher TRP concentrations than female non-comorbid patients.ConclusionWhile alterations in the KYN pathway appear to be directly associated with a history of AUD, altered TRP concentrations are associated with the presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders. Finally, sex differences in TRP metabolism must be considered in future studies.
SN 0278-5846
YR 2020
FD 2020
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99945
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99945
LA eng
NO Vidal Casado, R., García Marchena, N., O´Shea Gaya, M. E. et al. «Plasma Tryptophan and Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites in Abstinent Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder and High Prevalence of Psychiatric Comorbidity». Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, vol. 102, agosto de 2020, p. 109958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109958.
DS Docta Complutense
RD 18 jun 2025