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Inhibition of tryptophan metabolism by oestrogens in the rat: a factor in the aetiology of pellagra

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

David A. Bender  and
Lena Totoe
David A. Bender
Affiliation:
Courtauld Institute of Biochemistry, The Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London W1P 7PN
Lena Totoe
Affiliation:
Courtauld Institute of Biochemistry, The Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London W1P 7PN
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Abstract

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1. The effect of the administration of oestrone sulphate on tryptophan metabolism has been assessed in rats in order to determine whether and to what extent inhibition of tryptophan metabolism by oestrogens may be a factor in the aetiology of pellagra, and might explain the reported twofold excess of females over males in many outbreaks of pellagra.

2. Feeding ovariectomized rats for 1 week on a diet containing 15 mg oestrone sulphate/kg led to significant inhibition of kynurenine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.9), kynureninase (EC 3.7.1.3) and 3-hydroxyanthranilate oxidase (EC 1.13.11.6). There was also a significant increase in plasma tryptophan, suggesting decreased activity of tryptophan oxygenase (EC 1.13.11.11). This inhibition of tryptophan metabolism will result in a considerable reduction in the synthesis of the nicotinamide nucleotide coenzymes (NAD and NADP) from tryptophan.

3. When ovariectomized rats were maintained for 4 weeks on a diet providing no preformed niacin and only a marginally adequate amount of tryptophan (1030 mg/kg), the addition of oestrone sulphate to the diet led to a significant reduction in the liver content of nicotinamide nucleotides and the urinary excretion of the end-product of NAD metabolism, N1-methyl nicotinamide.

4. It is suggested that when the diet is only marginally adequate in tryptophan and niacin, inhibition of tryptophan metabolism by endogenous or administered oestrogens may be an additional factor in the development of pellagra.

Type
Papers of direct relevance to Clinical and Human Nutrition
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 51 , Issue 2 , March 1984 , pp. 219 - 224
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1984

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