Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40448914›Full record

SynthesisInfection2025

The Tryptophan-Kynurenine pathway in people living with HIV: a systematic review.

Tshiamo Will Sebigi, Levanco K Asia, Grant G January, Esmé Jansen van Vuren, Monray Edward Williams

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Infection, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Tshiamo Will SebigiBiomedical and Molecular Metabolism Research (BioMMet), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Levanco K AsiaBiomedical and Molecular Metabolism Research (BioMMet), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Grant G JanuarySchool of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, UK.
Esmé Jansen van VurenHypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Monray Edward WilliamsBiomedical and Molecular Metabolism Research (BioMMet), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Monray.Williams@nwu.ac.za.

Funding

National Research Foundation TTK22031652Poliomyelitis Research Foundation 23/84
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeHIV-1 disrupts the metabolic profile of people living with HIV (PLWH), including the Tryptophan-Kynurenine (Trp-Kyn) pathway, linked to disease outcomes and comorbidities. Despite numerous studies, consensus on key dysregulated metabolites in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated PLWH is lacking. This systematic review compiles data to identify and highlight the most noteworthy Trp-Kyn metabolites.

methodsPubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched using a search protocol specifically designed for this study. Studies that investigated the levels of metabolites in the Trp-Kyn pathway in the peripheral blood of PLWH on ART, as well as in healthy control groups were included.

resultsThirteen metabolomic studies that investigated this pathway met our inclusion criteria. The findings revealed that Trp, Kyn, and the Kyn/Trp ratio (indicative of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase IDO activity) were the most investigated metabolites in this metabolic pathway. Evidence consistently demonstrated that Trp levels were lower in PLWH, while predicted IDO activity was consistently higher. Despite the widespread investigation of Kyn, there was no clear consensus on its levels in PLWH, with some studies reporting higher levels and others finding no significant differences compared to HIV-negative controls.

conclusionIn the modern ART era, Trp metabolism and IDO activity may play key regulatory roles in HIV-1 pathogenesis, as evidenced by the consistent patterns observed across various studies. These metabolites and related pathways warrant further investigation as potential targets for improved diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics in the context of HIV-1.

Indexed as

HIV InfectionsKynurenineTryptophanHIV-1HumansIndoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-DioxygenaseMetabolic Networks and PathwaysIndoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-DioxygenaseKynurenineTryptophanAntiretroviral therapyBiomarkersImmunometabolismMetabolite dysregulationMetabolomics

Identifiers

PMID40448914
PMCPMC12460365

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.