The role of tryptofan in celiac disease: review
GASTROENTEROLOGY AND DIETOLOGY
Abstract
The analysis of the peculiarities of tryptophan metabolism in children suffering from celiac disease is presented. Tryptophan is one of the eight essential amino acids that are not produced in the human body, and their intake from food is necessary for protein synthesis and cell proliferation, including cells of the immune system. Tryptophan is metabolized by the human body to a large number of different signaling molecules and it occurs in three ways: indole, serotonin, kynurenine pathways. Tryptophan metabolism catabolites play a signaling role in the human body and in the intestinal microbial community. It is noted that tryptophan and its metabolites play a key role in suppressing inflammation and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Tryptophan metabolites, especially kynurenine, also contribute significantly to immune regulation. In turn, a decrease in tryptophan intake in the body can affect the psychological state of patients with celiac disease through the serotonin pathway of amino acid metabolism, causing the development of depression and anxiety. Therefore, changes in tryptophan metabolism may potentially underlie the impaired immune response in celiac disease, affecting both the development of the disease and the persistence of symptoms, despite following a gluten-free diet.
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