[Metabolic disorders of branched-chain amino acids: most common forms of organic aciduria in the neonatal period]

GC-MS-based Metabolomic Profiling of Thymoquinone in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats

Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and one of the major etiologies of end-stage renal disease. Specific therapeutic interventions are necessary to treat such complications. The present study was designed to investigate the metabolomic changes induced by thymoquinone for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, using a rodent model. Rats were divided into three different groups (n = 6 each): control, diabetic, and thymoquinone-treated diabetic groups. Metabolites in serum samples were analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Multiple changes were observed, including those related to the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids. The correlation analysis suggested that treatment with thymoquinone led to the reversal of diabetic nephropathy that was associated with modulations in the metabolism and proteolysis of amino acids, fatty acids, glycerol phospholipids, and organic acids. In addition, we explored the mechanisms linking the metabolic profiling of diabetic nephropathy, with a particular emphasis on the potential roles of increased reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunctions. Our findings demonstrated that metabolomic profiling provided significant insights into the basic mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy and the therapeutic effects of thymoquinone.

Long-term results of selective screening for inborn errors of metabolism

Since 1973 the University Children's Hospital of Freiburg has provided a service devoted to selective screening for inborn errors of metabolism with particular emphasis on organic acidurias. Patients to be investigated are preselected by local clinical paediatricians. Between 1973 and the end of 1990, 46,700 specimens from approximately 40,000 patients were screened by the methods listed in Table 1. A total of 464 cases were found consisting of 51 different diseases, 242 cases of 23 different organic acidurias and 222 cases of 28 other inborn errors of metabolism. The number of cases diagnosed parallels the number of patients investigated showing that there is still a real demand for metabolic screening. The number of children to be investigated is steadily increasing. Using the presented and already published data an appraisal of the overall incidence of all organic acidurias (1:6700) has been made as well as of the frequencies of the most common types of these disorders.