The role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota-brain axis and potential treatments: a focus on ischemic stroke

Gut microbiota disturbances can elevate the risk of stroke by contributing to cerebrovascular events. Particularly, the gut tryptophan (TRP) metabolite is an essential mediator of the gut-brain axis. This review highlights the role of TRP metabolism in stroke, the influence of intestinal microbiomes...

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Main Authors: Na Qin, Xiaodi Xie, Rong Deng, Shiman Gao, Ting Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1578018/full
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author Na Qin
Xiaodi Xie
Rong Deng
Shiman Gao
Ting Zhu
author_facet Na Qin
Xiaodi Xie
Rong Deng
Shiman Gao
Ting Zhu
author_sort Na Qin
collection DOAJ
description Gut microbiota disturbances can elevate the risk of stroke by contributing to cerebrovascular events. Particularly, the gut tryptophan (TRP) metabolite is an essential mediator of the gut-brain axis. This review highlights the role of TRP metabolism in stroke, the influence of intestinal microbiomes on stroke pathology via TRP metabolism, and the gut-brain axis interactions. Recent studies indicate that various bioactive molecules produced via TRP metabolism can regulate various neurological functions and interrupt stroke pathophysiology. Moreover, the relationship between gut TRP metabolism and stroke development has been verified. TRP metabolism involves three pathways: kynurenine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and indole, which potentially regulate post-stroke, may function as aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists to modify neuronal excitotoxicity, and offer crucial targets for stroke treatment. This suggests that modulating TRP metabolite levels through various methods can enhance the prognosis of central nervous system diseases and restore microbiota-gut-brain axis functions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1663-9812
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-69f40eb1c04a45c59328d66d7c2095332025-08-20T03:44:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-06-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15780181578018The role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota-brain axis and potential treatments: a focus on ischemic strokeNa Qin0Xiaodi Xie1Rong Deng2Shiman Gao3Ting Zhu4Institute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaWomen and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaGut microbiota disturbances can elevate the risk of stroke by contributing to cerebrovascular events. Particularly, the gut tryptophan (TRP) metabolite is an essential mediator of the gut-brain axis. This review highlights the role of TRP metabolism in stroke, the influence of intestinal microbiomes on stroke pathology via TRP metabolism, and the gut-brain axis interactions. Recent studies indicate that various bioactive molecules produced via TRP metabolism can regulate various neurological functions and interrupt stroke pathophysiology. Moreover, the relationship between gut TRP metabolism and stroke development has been verified. TRP metabolism involves three pathways: kynurenine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and indole, which potentially regulate post-stroke, may function as aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists to modify neuronal excitotoxicity, and offer crucial targets for stroke treatment. This suggests that modulating TRP metabolite levels through various methods can enhance the prognosis of central nervous system diseases and restore microbiota-gut-brain axis functions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1578018/fulltryptophan metabolitesgut microbiotamicrobiota-gut-brain axisischemic strokekynurenine
spellingShingle Na Qin
Xiaodi Xie
Rong Deng
Shiman Gao
Ting Zhu
The role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota-brain axis and potential treatments: a focus on ischemic stroke
Frontiers in Pharmacology
tryptophan metabolites
gut microbiota
microbiota-gut-brain axis
ischemic stroke
kynurenine
title The role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota-brain axis and potential treatments: a focus on ischemic stroke
title_full The role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota-brain axis and potential treatments: a focus on ischemic stroke
title_fullStr The role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota-brain axis and potential treatments: a focus on ischemic stroke
title_full_unstemmed The role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota-brain axis and potential treatments: a focus on ischemic stroke
title_short The role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota-brain axis and potential treatments: a focus on ischemic stroke
title_sort role of the tryptophan metabolites in gut microbiota brain axis and potential treatments a focus on ischemic stroke
topic tryptophan metabolites
gut microbiota
microbiota-gut-brain axis
ischemic stroke
kynurenine
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1578018/full
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