Because of the specific inflammatory component of quinolinic acid, as well as the potentially protective role of kynurenic acid peripherally, laboratories measure the ratio of kynurenic acid to quinolinic acid. This ratio can act as a measure of disturbed kynurenine pathway metabolism. It suggests that tryptophan is catabolized via the kynurenine pathway, rather than the serotonin pathway.
References:
- Kandemir H, Taneli F. The possible role of the kynurenine pathway and the Cytokine levels in the adolescents with major depression. Klin Psikofarmakol Bulteni. 2019;29:271-273.
- Myint AM. Kynurenines: from the perspective of major psychiatric disorders. FEBS J. 2012;279(8):1375-1385.
There is literature regarding a low kynurenic/quinolinic ratio association with neurotoxicity and major depressive disorder.
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A high ratio indicates excessive inflammation due to recurrent infections, excessive tryptophan intake, immune overstimulation, excessive adrenal production of cortisol, or excessive exposure to phthalates.
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2-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid, 3-Hydroxyisovaleric Acid, 3-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid, 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid, 3-Methyl-4-OH-phenylglycol, 4-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid, 5-OH-indoleacetic Acid, a-Hydroxyisobutyric Acid (from MTBE), a-Keto-b-Methylvaleric Acid, a-Ketoadipic Acid, a-Ketoglutaric Acid (AKG), a-Ketoisocaproic Acid, a-Ketoisovaleric Acid, a-Ketophenylacetic Acid (from Styrene), Adipic Acid, Arabinose, B-OH-B-Methylglutaric Acid (HMG), Benzoic Acid, Beta-OH-Butyric Acid (BHBA), Cis-Aconitic Acid, Citramalic Acid, Citric Acid, Dihydroxyphenylpropionic Acid (DHPPA), Formiminoglutamic Acid (FIGlu), Glutaric Acid, Hippuric Acid, Homogentisic Acid, Homovanillic Acid, Indoleacetic Acid (IAA), Isocitric Acid, Isovalerylglycine, Kynurenic / Quinolinic Ratio, Kynurenic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Methylmalonic Acid, Orotic Acid, Phenylacetic Acid (PAA), Pyroglutamic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Quinolinic Acid, Suberic Acid, Succinic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Vanilmandelic Acid, Xanthurenic Acid