Kynurenine Pathway
links: reference: https://men-elite.com/2020/02/18/how-to-optimize-sleep-for-better-life-performance/ http://www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/02_16/pdf/3_02_16_article.pdf 4-21-2021
Kynurenine Pathway #
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Uses 95% of all the Tryptophan in the body, to make the end product NAD+.
Along the way, it creates 3-Hydroxykynurenine (3HK), Quinolinic Acid (QA), and Kynurenic Acid. -
People with low KA and/or high QA and prone to anxiety and depression.
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This pathway starts with indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase, which is activated by inflammation and endotoxins, which leads to a buildup of QA.
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QA is converted to NAD+ by the enzyme QRPT, which uses Magnesium as a cofactor.
- Excess copper, zinc, and iron inhibits QRPT (therefore increasing QA and lowering NAD+.) Too little, though, will reduce NAD+ synthesis.
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B2, B6, Cu, and Zn can inhibit excess activation of this pathway.