Role of Tyrosine Isomers in Acute and Chronic Diseases Leading to Oxidative Stress - A Review

Author(s):

Gergő A. Molnár, Szilárd Kun, Eszter Sélley, Melinda Kertész, Lívia Szélig, Csaba Csontos, Katalin Böddi, Lajos Bogár, Attila Miseta and István WittmannPages 667-685 (19)

Abstract:

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of a variety of acute and chronic diseases. Measurement of the oxidative stress-related end products may be performed, e.g. that of structural isomers of the physiological para-tyrosine, namely meta- and ortho-tyrosine, that are oxidized derivatives of phenylalanine. Recent data suggest that in sepsis, serum level of meta-tyrosine increases, which peaks on the 2nd and 3rd days (p<0.05 vs. controls), and the kinetics follows the intensity of the systemic inflammation correlating with serum procalcitonin levels. In a similar study subset, urinary meta-tyrosine excretion correlated with both need of daily insulin dose and the insulin-glucose product in non-diabetic septic cases (p<0.01 for both). Using linear regression model, meta-tyrosine excretion, urinary meta-tyrosine/para-tyrosine, urinary ortho-tyrosine/para-tyrosine and urinary (meta- + orthotyrosine)/ para-tyrosine proved to be markers of carbohydrate homeostasis.

In a chronic rodent model, we tried to compensate the abnormal tyrosine isomers using para-tyrosine, the physiological amino acid. Rats were fed a standard high cholesterol-diet, and were given para-tyrosine or vehicle orally. High-cholesterol feeding lead to a significant increase in aortic wall meta-tyrosine content and a decreased vasorelaxation of the aorta to insulin and the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, liraglutide, that both could be prevented by administration of para-tyrosine.

Concluding, these data suggest that meta- and ortho-tyrosine are potential markers of oxidative stress in acute diseases related to oxidative stress, and may also interfere with insulin action in septic humans. Competition of meta- and ortho-tyrosine by supplementation of para-tyrosine may exert a protective role in oxidative stress-related diseases.

Keywords:

Meta-tyrosine, ortho-tyrosine, para-tyrosine, sepsis, inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone resistance, carbohydrate metabolism.

Affiliation:

2nd Department of Medicine and Nephrological Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pacsirta str. 1., H-7624 Pécs, Hungary

Read Full-Text article