Kynurenic acid

Kynurenic acid has been used as a constituent in dissection saline solution for embryonic cerebral cortical cells and human primary astrocytes. It has also been used as a medium supplement for murine intestinal epithelial cell line, MODE-K and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons cells.

Kynurenic acid (KynA) is a non-selective antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptors. It blocks kainic acid neurotoxicity. Kynurenic acid also blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It is a by-product of tryptophan catabolic pathway. Kynurenic acid is a neuromodulator and controls the levels of glutamate, dopamine, acetylcholine and α-aminobutyric acid (GABA). KynA controls neuroendocrine functions and altered levels of KynA is a potential marker in depression, schizophrenia Alzheimer′s and Huntington′s diseases. Normal levels of KynA in the brain is crucial for the cognitive function.

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