DL-Tryptophan

DL-Tryptophan ((±)-Tryptophan) is an orally effective aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist. DL-Tryptophan reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, as well as liver injury markers aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and alleviates hepatocyte apoptosis (apoptosis) in sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. DL-Tryptophan can be used in the research of sepsis-related acute liver injury^[1]. In Vitro:DL-Tryptophan binds tightly to purified AhR protein via multiple molecular interactions, with a reaction free energy of -8.129 kcal/mol^[1]. In Vivo:DL-Tryptophan (200 mg/kg; p.o.; daily; for 7 consecutive days) prevents cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis-associated acute liver injury in mice by activating AhR, and significantly reduces the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, liver injury markers, the degree of macrophage infiltration, and the rate of hepatocyte apoptosis^[1].