生物技术通报 ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (7): 11-21.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-1029

• 综述与专论 • 上一篇    下一篇

色氨酸及其代谢物调控糖脂代谢的研究进展

王丹1, 黄泓杰1, 曹随忠1, 黄逸馨1,2()   

  1. 1.四川农业大学动物医学院,成都 611130
    2.四川农业大学农业生物信息教育部重点实验室,成都 611130
  • 收稿日期:2025-09-26 出版日期:2026-07-26 发布日期:2026-07-20
  • 通讯作者: 黄逸馨yxhuang@sicau.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    四川省自然科学基金青年项目(2024NSFSC1282);国家资助博士后研究人员计划项目(GZC20231869)

Advances in the Regulation of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism by Tryptophan and Its Metabolites

WANG Dan1, HUANG Hong-jie1, CAO Sui-zhong1, HUANG Yi-xin1,2()   

  1. 1.College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130
    2.Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformation, Ministry of Education, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130
  • Received:2025-09-26 Published:2026-07-26 Online:2026-07-20

摘要:

色氨酸是一种必需氨基酸,可经犬尿氨酸途径、5-羟色胺途径和吲哚途径产生多种具有生物活性的代谢产物,广泛参与氧化应激、炎症反应和免疫应答等生理过程。近来研究表明,色氨酸代谢不仅是维持宿主健康与肠道微生态平衡的重要枢纽,其代谢紊乱还与肥胖、2型糖尿病、高脂血症以及代谢相关脂肪性肝病等一系列代谢性疾病的发生和发展密切相关。色氨酸代谢可通过调节糖脂代谢、胰岛素信号转导和免疫稳态等途径影响疾病进程。靶向调控色氨酸代谢限速酶的活性,如色氨酸-2,3-双加氧酶、吲哚胺-2,3-双加氧酶和犬尿氨酸单加氧酶,能够干预关键代谢物的生成,从而纠正代谢失衡、减轻炎症或改善细胞功能,有望为多种疾病的治疗提供新策略。本文聚焦于色氨酸关键代谢产物的病理生理功能,系统综述了色氨酸代谢在肝脏、肠道、脂肪组织和胰腺中的器官特异性调控机制,阐释了犬尿氨酸的促炎作用和胰岛素抵抗效应、5-羟色胺对糖脂代谢的双重调节作用,并强调了吲哚丙酸等肠道菌群产生的吲哚类衍生物通过抗炎、抗氧化和保护肠道屏障等功能缓解机体代谢紊乱的作用。此外,本文进一步探讨了色氨酸代谢产物作为信号分子,通过“肠-肝轴”调节肝脏脂质代谢与炎症反应,以及通过“肠-脑轴”调控食欲与能量平衡的跨器官通讯机制,旨在为色氨酸及其代谢物在糖脂代谢紊乱相关疾病的诊断和治疗方面提供理论依据。

关键词: 色氨酸, 5-羟色胺, 代谢性疾病, “肠-肝轴”

Abstract:

Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that generates a diverse array of bioactive metabolites via the kynurenine, serotonin, and indole pathways, participating extensively in physiological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and immune responses. Recent studies indicate that Trp metabolism serves not only as a pivotal hub maintaining host health and gut micro-ecological balance, but its dysregulation is also closely associated with the onset and progression of a spectrum of metabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hyperlipidemia, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Trp metabolism influences disease progression by modulating glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin signal transduction, and immune homeostasis. Targeting the activity of rate-limiting enzymes in Trp metabolism—such as tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO)—can intervene in the production of key metabolites, thereby correcting metabolic imbalances, alleviating inflammation, or improving cellular function. This approach holds promise as a novel therapeutic strategy for various diseases. This review focuses on the pathophysiological functions of key Trp metabolites and systematically summarizes the organ-specific regulatory mechanisms of Trp metabolism in the liver, intestine, adipose tissue, and pancreas. It elucidates the pro-inflammatory effects and insulin resistance associated with kynurenine, the dual regulatory roles of serotonin in glucose and lipid metabolism, and highlights the capacity of gut microbiota-derived indole derivatives, such as indolepropionic acid, to alleviate metabolic disorders via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut barrier protection mechanisms. Furthermore, this article explores the inter-organ communication mechanisms where Trp metabolites act as signaling molecules to regulate hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammation via the “gut-liver axis”, and modulate appetite and energy balance via the “gut-brain axis”. These insights aim to provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to glucose and lipid metabolic disorders.

Key words: tryptophan, serotonin, metabolic diseases, “gut-liver axis”