Interactions Between Quinolinic acid and Nrf2 in Depression

Interactions Between Quinolinic acid and Nrf2 in Depression

Both Quinolinic acid and Nrf2 play substantial, and probably opposite, roles in the etiology of depression. While Quinolinic acid has been shown to contribute to depression, Nrf2 likely protects against depression.

 Quinolinic acid exerts toxic effects by increasing the oxidant-to-antioxidant ratio. Specifically, Quinolinic acid alters the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione and hinders the activity of other antioxidants, However, Nrf2 protects against these pro-oxidant effects by increasing the transcription of various cytoprotective antioxidant genes such as GSH.  there may also be a direct link between Quinolinic acid and Nrf2, wherein Quinolinic acid constrains Nrf2 nuclear translocation. 

 Quinolinic acid is an endogenous toxin that also acts as a pro-oxidant and leads to the neuroprogression of depression. Furthermore, Quinolinic acid is linked to the activity of Nrf2, an endogenous antioxidant transcription factor. Nrf2 is both a potent antioxidant transcription factor and also has anti-inflammatory effects that may be responsible for its antidepressant properties.