Similarity Between the Action of Pteridines and Tryptophan Metabolites on Lipid Metabolism

Abstract

Incorporation of fatty acids into phospholipids has been investigated using samples of rat liver tissue homogenate, Krebs-Ringer-phosphate buffer (pH=7.4) containing 0.3% albumin, fatty acid mixture and glycerol. The addition of anthranilic acid (2.2 and 4 nmol/g wet weight), kynurenic acid (4 and 40 nmol/ g wet weight), xanthurenic acid (4 and 40 nmol/g wet weight), picolinic acid (0.2 and 2 nmol/g wet weight) induced an increase of saturated and a decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids incorporation into phospholipids as well as an eleyation of choksterol concentration in samples used for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro. These changes were similar to those observed after addition of kynurenine and neopterin to the same test system, An inverse relationship has been observed after addition of nicotinic acid to samples used for phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro. Nicrotinic acid induced .1 decrease of saturated and an increase of unsaturated fatty acids incorporation into phospholipids as well as decrease of cholesterol concentration in samples, These changes were similar to those observed after addition of 3-hydroxykynurenine, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, quinolinic, acid, 5,6],8-tetrahydrobiopterin and its precursors to the same test system used rex phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro. In parallel anthranilic acid, kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid and picolinic acid decrease while nicotinic acid increases membrane fluidity in the studied concentrations.

Keywords

• anthranilic acid
• kynurenic acid
• xanthurenic acid
• picolinic acid
• nicotinic acid
• fatty acids
• phospholipids
• cholesterol