title: Increased conversion of tryptophan to nicotinamide in rats by dietary valproate.
abstract: Valproic acid (VPA) is a short-chained, branched fatty acid that is widely used in humans as an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer, and has been reported to increase the liver NAD concentration. We investigated the effects of VPA on the conversion of tryptophan to nicotinamide. Rats were fed diets containing various amounts of VPA (0, 0.5, and 1.0% in the diets) for 14 d, 24-h urine samples were collected, and tryptophan and its catabolites were measured. We found that the conversion of tryptophan to nicotinamide was increased by feeding a diet containing VPA (p<0.01; 0% vs. 1.0% VPA). Of the intermediates formed during the conversion of tryptophan to nicotinamide, the tryptophan to 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid step was not affected by the administration of VPA, while such metabolites beyond quinolinic acid as nicotinamide and its catabolites were significantly increased (p<0.01; 0% vs. 1.0% VPA). This increase was dependent on the intake of VPA.
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Human Cultures, The University of Shiga Prefecture, Hikone, Shiga, Japan. kshibata@shc.usp.ac.jp
authors: Katsumi
authors: K
authors: Shibata
authors: Rina
authors: R
authors: Kondo
authors: Mitsue
authors: M
authors: Sano
authors: Tsutomu
authors: T
authors: Fukuwatari
mesh_terms: D015095:3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005526:Food, Formulated; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000652:urine*; D017378:Quinolinic Acid / Q000652:urine; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000652:urine*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015095:3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid; D009536:Niacinamide; D014635:Valproic Acid; D014364:Tryptophan; D017378:Quinolinic Acid