Effect of feeding with a poisonous mushroom Clitocybe acromelalga on the metabolism of tryptophan-niacin in rats

The poisonous mushroom Clitocybe acromelalga contains clitidine, which resembles nicotinic acid mononucleotide, and 4-amino-pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, which resembles quinolinic acid. Both are important intermediates in the tryptophan-niacin pathway. Therefore, we investigated the effect of feeding a niacin-free and tryptophan-limited diet containing the toadstool Clitocybe acromelalga on the metabolism of tryptophan to niacin in rats. The toadstool diet was fed to the rats for only one day (this day was designated day 0). Urinary excretion of intermediates in the tryptophan-niacin pathway, such as anthranilic acid, kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, quinolinic acid, nicotinamide, N-1-methylnicotinamide, N-1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide, and N-1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide, was higher in the toadstool group than in the control on day 0-day 1 and day 1 similar to day 2. The blood levels of tryptophan and NAD on day 1 were also higher in the toadstool group. Accordingly, intake of Clitocybe acromelalga appeared to increase the conversion of tryptophan to niacin.