Dietary tryptophan alleviates dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis through aryl hydrocarbon receptor in mice

Ulcerative colitis is the typical progression of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Amino acids, particularly tryptophan, have been reported to exert a protective effect against colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), but the precise underlying mechanisms remain incompletely clarified. Tryptophan metabolites are recognized to function as endogenous ligands for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), which is a critical regulator of inflammation and immunity. Thus, we conducted this study to investigate whether dietary tryptophan supplementation protects against DSS-induced colitis by acting through Ahr.

Source: The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry - January 13, 2017 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Jahidul Islam, Shoko Sato, Kouichi Watanabe, Takaya Watanabe, Ardiansyah, Keisuke Hirahara, Yukihide Aoyama, Shuhei Tomita, Hisashi Aso, Michio Komai, Hitoshi Shirakawa Source Type: research