Tryptophan Metabolites in Plasma of Patients with Depression

: There are two major pathways in tryptophan metabolism. The serotonin pathway mediates mood, anxiety, memory, cognition, and is impaired in depression. The kynurenine pathways are involved in immunity, inflammation, muscle movement, and mental health. We investigated changes in tryptophan metabolites in plasma from depressed patients. Plasma levels of serotonin were very low or undetectable in patients with monopolar depression. 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA)/tryptophan ratios or kynurenine/tryptophan ratios were not different between healthy controls and depressive patients, indicating rapid degradation of serotonin into 5-HIAA. However, there were no significant changes in kynurenine levels in depressed patients. It is important to examine the roles of tryptophan metabolites in monopolar and bipolar depression since both require different treatments.