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Decreased levels of kynurenic acid in prefrontal cortex in a genetic animal model of depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 July 2016

Xi-Cong Liu ,
Sophie Erhardt ,
Michel Goiny ,
Göran Engberg  and
Aleksander A. Mathé
Xi-Cong Liu
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Sophie Erhardt
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Michel Goiny
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Göran Engberg*
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Aleksander A. Mathé
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
*
Göran Engberg, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 703526717; Fax: +46 703526717; E-mail: goran.engberg@ki.se
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Abstract

Objective

There is a growing interest in the role of kynurenine pathway and tryptophan metabolites in the pathophysiology of depression. In the present study, the metabolism of tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway was analysed in a rat model of depression.

Methods

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and frontal cortex (FC) in a rat model of depression, the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) and their controls, the Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) rats. In addition, KYNA was also measured in hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum.

Results

KYNA levels were reduced in the PFC of FSL rats compared with FRL rats, but did not differ with regard to the FC, hippocampus, striatum or cerebellum. 3-HK levels in PFC and FC, representing the activity of the microglial branch of the kynurenine pathway, did not differ between the FSL and FRL strains.

Conclusion

Our results suggest an imbalanced metabolism of the kynurenine pathway in the PFC of FSL rats.

Keywords

3-hydroxykynureninedepressionFlinders Sensitive Line ratkynurenic acid
Type
Original Articles
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 29 , Issue 1 , February 2017 , pp. 54 - 58
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Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2016 

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