Kynurenine is a metabolite of the essential amino acid tryptophan, produced through the kynurenine pathway, which is the major route of tryptophan catabolism. It plays a central role in immune regulation, neuroactive signaling, and the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). As a biomarker, kynurenine reflects both tryptophan metabolism and the activity of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) enzymes, which are upregulated during inflammation, infection, and certain cancers. Elevated kynurenine levels can indicate immune activation, oxidative stress, or dysregulation of neuroactive metabolites.
In research, kynurenine is widely used to study immune and neuroinflammatory pathways, particularly in conditions such as depression, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Its measurement helps investigators evaluate the effects of inflammation, stress, or pharmacological interventions on tryptophan metabolism. Researchers also study the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio as a marker of IDO activity, which provides insight into immune modulation and tolerance mechanisms.
Clinically, kynurenine is emerging as a biomarker for immune activation, chronic inflammation, and cancer prognosis. Elevated kynurenine levels are associated with poor outcomes in various malignancies, infectious diseases, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Monitoring kynurenine can guide therapeutic strategies targeting the kynurenine pathway or immune checkpoint modulation, linking basic research on tryptophan metabolism with clinical assessment and disease management.
This product is manufactured in Germany by LDN.
| Size | 1 x 96 Well |
| Sensitivity | 45.7 ng/mL |
| Dynamic Range | 100 – 10 000 ng/mL |
| Incubation Time | Overnight |
| Sample Type | Serum, plasma |
| Storage | 2-8°C |
| Alternative Names | L-kynurenine, kynurenine acid, or 2-amino-4-(2-aminophenyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid. |
