Elevated Kynurenine Levels in Patients with Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Objective We aimed to investigate the plasma levels of tryptophan (Trp) and its metabolites in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Methods The study included 34 pSS patients and 42 healthy individuals, and serum Trp and kynurenine (Kyn) concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Trp degradation was predicted using the ratio of Kyn and Trp concentrations (Kyn/Trp). Results In our study, the mean serum Trp concentration was found to be considerably lower in the pSS group than in the control group (P = .001). The levels of Kyn (P = .019) and the Kyn/Trp ratio (P < .001) were significantly higher in the pSS group than in the control group. The Kyn/Trp ratio was negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (r = −0.369, P = .032). Conclusion We found that Kyn pathway metabolism was altered in patients with pSS. This suggests that Trp metabolism may be closely linked to the disease pathogenesis of pSS.