Gut microbiome and metabolomic profiles reveal the antiatherosclerotic effect of indole-3-carbinol in high-choline-fed ApoE-/- mice

BACKGROUND

The metabolites produced from choline contribute to atherosclerosis (AS) pathogenesis, and the gut microbiota is redundantly essential for this process. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts, helps prevent hyperlipidemia, maintain the gut microbiota balance, and decrease the production of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) from choline in the diet.

PURPOSE

The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of I3C on choline-induced AS and to further elucidate the underlying mechanism involved.

METHODS

AS models of high-choline-induced ApoE-/- mice and TMAO-promoted foamy macrophages were established to observe the effect of I3C on the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and foam cells and changes in AS-related indicators (including blood biochemical indicators, TMA, TMAO, SRA, and SRB1), and integrated analyses of the microbiome and metabolome were used to reveal the mechanism of action of I3C.

RESULTS

We found that I3C inhibited high-choline-induced atheroma formation (50-100 mg/kg/d, in vivo) and slightly improved the lipid profile (15 mg/kg/d, in vivo). Moreover, I3C suppressed lipid influx at a concentration of 40 µmol/L in vitro, enhanced the diversity of the gut microbiota and the abundance of the phylum Verrucomicrobia, and consequently modified the gut microbial metabolites at a dosage of 50 mg/kg/d in the mice. Associative analyses based on microbiome and metabolomics revealed that 1-methyladenosine was a key modulator of the protective effect of I3C against AS in high-choline-induced ApoE-/- mice.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate for the first time that I3C ameliorates AS progression through remodeling of the gut microbiome and metabolomics, which paves the way for the possible therapeutic use of this vegetable-derived natural compound and may reduce the clinical severity of AS-related cardiovascular diseases.

Unveil the sugar diet and associated environmental compounds in the crop of the mosquito Culex pipiens

Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758) mosquitoes search plant sources of sugars to cope with the energetic demand of various physiological processes. The crop as part of the digestive system is devoted to the storage of sugar-based meal obtained from various nectars sources. The profiling of sugars and metabolites in the Culex pipiens' crop is scarce, and only few studies used Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), which provides broad detection for biomonitoring environmental substances and even contaminants in the sugar diet of mosquitoes populations. Therefore, sugar and metabolite profiling were performed on crops obtained from mosquitoes exposed to plant nectar under laboratory or natural conditions by Ultra High-Performance LC-MS (UHPLC-MS). This method allowed us a precise quantitative and qualitative identification of sugar diet and associated environmental compounds in the crop of the mosquito C. pipiens. Under laboratory condition, mosquitoes were allowed to feed on either glucose solution, commercially-available flowers or field collected flowers. In addition, we collected mosquitoes from the field to compare those crop metabolomes with metabolome patterns occurring after nectar feeding in the lab. The sugar quantities and quality obtained from the crops of mosquitoes collected in the field were similar to those crops obtained from mosquitoes that fed on commercially-available flowers and from field collected flowers with a limit of detection of 10 μg/L for sucrose, glucose and sucrose. Next to sugar compounds, we identified 2 types of amino acids, 12 natural products, and 9 pesticides. Next to the diversity of sugar compounds, we could confirm that secondary metabolites and environmental pollutants are typically up taken from floral nectar sources by C. pipiens. The in-depth knowledge on mosquito-plant interactions may inspire the development and further optimization of mosquito trap systems and arboviral surveillance systems.

Microplastics meet invasive plants: Unraveling the ecological hazards to agroecosystems

The objective of this study was to assess the combined impact of environmental microplastic pollution and biological invasion which represent critical global eco-environmental challenges. The invasion of Solidago canadensis L. and soil microplastic contamination in the agroecosystem pose severe hazards to soil and plant ecology and human health. Oryza sativa L. (rice) was examined after individual and combined exposure to Solidago canadensis L. invasion (SI) and soil polyethylene microplastic contamination (MPc). Comparing the individual and combination treatments to the control, leaf biomass decreased, with varying changes in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Antioxidant enzyme activity and reactive oxygen species levels were significantly reduced following SI exposure and increased following the combined treatment (SI × MP). In contrast, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase activities were reduced after the combined treatment. Due to the confluence of various abiotic stressors, the combined treatment had a higher impact on leaf metabolites than the singular SI and MPc treatments. However, in comparison, the combined treatment significantly influenced the metabolic profile. In conclusion, the interaction between SI and MPc resulted in significant metabolic alterations. These changes were characterized by shifts in metabolite pools influenced by antioxidant enzyme activities and nutrient content, ultimately enhancing defense mechanisms within rice crops. Consequently, these stressors threaten the food safety, sustainability, and agricultural output of crops. The co-exposure of invasive plants and microplastics sheds light on the bio-ecological risks associated with microplastics in staple foods and offers valuable insights into the phytotoxicity of invasive plants in the presence of polyethylene microplastics.

Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis in mice reveals the mechanism by which ginseng stem-leaf saponins enhance mucosal immunity induced by a porcine epidemic diarrhea virus vaccination

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a main cause of severe enteric disease in piglets, leading to millions of dollars lost annually in the global pig industry. Parenteral vaccination is limited in generating sufficient mucosal immunity, which is crucial for early defense against PEDV. Here, we orally administered ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS) to mice before parenteral vaccination and found that GSLS significantly enhanced the phagocytosis of dendritic cells, promoted the activities of CD4+ T cells and increased PEDV-specific IgA antibodies in the intestinal mucosa. Transcriptomic results showed that the altered genes following GSLS treatment were mostly related to the immune response and metabolism. In addition, integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome revealed that the mechanism by which GSLS enhances mucosal immunity may be associated with progesterone-related pathways. Further studies are needed to explore the detailed molecular mechanisms.

Unique and generic crossed metabolism in response to four sub-lethal environmental stresses in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel

Bactrocera dorsalis is a well-known invasive pest that causes considerable ecological and economic losses worldwild. Although it has a wide environmental tolerance, few studies have reported its mechanism of adaptation to multiple sub-lethal environmental stresses. In this study, 38, 41, 39 and 34 metabolites changed significantly in B. dorsalis under four sub-lethal stresses (heat, cold, desiccation and hypoxia), as found by the metabolomic method. Therein, lactic acid and pyruvic acid were induced, whereas metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle such as citric acid, α-ketoglutarate acid, malic acid and fumaric acid were reduced under at least one of the stresses. Enzyme activity and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses verified the repression of pyruvic acid proceeding into the TCA cycle. In addition, the levels of several cryoprotectants and membrane fatty acids in B. dorsalis were altered. The findings indicated that B. dorsalis has evolved shared metabolic pathways to adapt to heat, hypoxia and desiccation stresses, such as reducing energy consumption by activating the anaerobic glycolytic metabolism. Cryoprotectants and membrane fatty acids were produced to improve the efficiency of stress resistance. This study revealed the unique and generic crossed physiological mechanism of insects to adapt to various environmental stresses.

Metabolomic profiling of Wilson disease, an inherited disorder of copper metabolism, and diseases with similar symptoms but normal copper metabolism

BACKGROUND

Wilson's disease (WD) is a hereditary disorder that results in the accumulation of copper. The pathogenic mechanism is not well understood, and diagnosing the disease can be challenging, as it shares similarities with more prevalent conditions. To explore the metabolomic features of WD and differentiate it from other diseases related to copper metabolism, we conducted targeted and untargeted metabolomic profiling using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We compared the metabolomic profiles of two subgroups of WD patients, namely hepatic WD (H-WD) and neurological WD (N-WD), H-WD patients and liver cirrhosis patients (who exhibit similar symptoms but have normal copper levels), and N-WD patients and Parkinson's disease patients (who exhibit similar symptoms but have normal copper levels).

RESULTS

Our pairwise comparisons revealed distinct metabolomic profiles for male and female WD patients, H-WD and N-WD patients, N-WD and Parkinson's disease patients, and H-WD and liver cirrhosis patients. We then employed logistic regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and model construction to identify candidate diagnostic biomarkers that differentiate H-WD from liver cirrhosis and N-WD from Parkinson's disease. Based on the spatial distribution of data obtained via PLS-DA analysis, we discovered variations in hydrophilic metabolites (aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; phenylalanine metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; and nicotinate and nicotinamide) and lipophilic metabolites (TG(triglyceride) (16:0_16:1_22:6), TG (16:0_16:0_22:6), and TG (16:0_16:1_22:5)) between H-WD and N-WD. Moreover, WD patients display metabolic traits that distinguish it from comparable conditions (liver cirrhosis and Parkinson's disease).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis reveals significant variations in the levels of metabolites in critical metabolic pathways and numerous lipids in WD.ROC analysis indicates that three metabolites may be considered as candidate biomarkers for diagnosing WD.

Potential negative effect of long-term exposure to nitrofurans on bacteria isolated from wastewater

Nitrofurans are broad-spectrum bactericidal agents used in a large quantity for veterinary and human therapy. This study reports the long-term impact of two nitrofuran representatives, nitrofurantoin (NFT) and furaltadone (FTD) on the bacterial strains Sphingobacterium siyangense FTD2, Achromobacter pulmonis NFZ2, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia FZD2, isolated from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. Bacterial whole genome sequencing was used for preliminary strains characterization. The metabolomic, electrochemical, and culture methods were applied to understand changes in the bacterial strains after 12-month exposure to nitrofurans. The most significantly altered metabolic pathways were observed in amino acid and sugar metabolism, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. Disrupted protein biosynthesis was measured in all strains treated with antibiotics. Prolonged exposure to NFT and FTD also triggered mutagenic effects, affected metabolic activity, and facilitated oxidative stress within the cells. Nitrofuran-induced oxidative stress was evidenced from an elevated activity of catalase and glutathione S-transferases. NFT and FTD elicited similar but not identical responses in all analyzed strains. The results obtained in this study provide new insights into the potential risks of the prolonged presence of antimicrobial compounds in the environment and contribute to a better understanding of the possible impacts of nitrofuran antibiotics on the bacterial cells.

Analyses of widely targeted metabolic profiling reveals mechanisms of metabolomic variations during Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) testis development

In mammals, the testis is the organ with the highest transcriptional activity. After gene transcription, translation, and post-translational protein modification, the transcriptional results are finally presented at the metabolic level. Metabolites not only essential for cell signaling and energy transfer, but also directly influenced by the physiological and pathological changes in tissues and accurately reflect the physiological changes. The fact that the testes are oxygen-deprived organs can explain why Sertoli cells and germ cells may use distinctive metabolic pathways to obtain energy in their different stages of development. Therefore, studying metabolic changes during testis development can better elucidate metabolic profile of the testis, which is essential to revealing characteristic metabolic pathways. The present study applied a widely targeted UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics approach with large-scale detection, identification and quantification to investigate the widespread metabolic changes during Tibetan sheep testis development. Firstly, a total of 847 metabolites were detected in the sheep testis, and their changes along with the three testis-development stages were further investigated. The results indicated that those metabolites were clustered into amino acids and their derivatives, carbohydrates and their derivatives, organic acids and their derivatives, benzene and substituted derivatives, alcohols and amines, lipids, nucleotides and their derivatives, bile acids, coenzymes and vitamins, hormones and hormone-related compounds, etc. Among them, the most abundant metabolites in the testis were amino acids and lipid metabolites. The results showed that most of the lipids, carbohydrates with their derivatives, as well as alcohol and amines metabolites were high in sexually immature sheep while organic acids, amino acids and nucleotides showed a continuously increasing trend along with testis development stages. Among them, the content of metabolites with antioxidant effects increased along with testis development, while those related with energy synthesis was downregulated with age. Further correlation analyses of each metabolite-metabolite pair emphasized the cross talk between differential metabolisms across testis development, suggesting a significant correlation between lipids and other metabolites. Finally, based on KEGG pathway analysis, we found that the metabolic pathways in Tibetan sheep testis development were mainly clustered into energy metabolism, gonadal development, and anti-oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are by-products of normal cellular metabolism and are inevitable during testicular energy metabolism. Thus, the anti-oxidative stress function is a key process in maintaining the normal physiological function of testis. These results contributed to a broader view of the testis metabolome and a comprehensive analysis on metabolomic variation among different testis-development stages, providing a theoretical basis for us to understand the sheep testis metabolic mechanism.

Metabolomic profile of prostate cancer-specific survival among 1812 Finnish men

BACKGROUND

Abnormal metabolism and perturbations in metabolic pathways play significant roles in the development and progression of prostate cancer; however, comprehensive metabolomic analyses of human data are lacking and needed to elucidate the interrelationships.

METHODS

We examined the serum metabolome in relation to prostate cancer survival in a cohort of 1812 cases in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. Using an ultrahigh-performance LC-MS/MS platform, we identified 961 known metabolites in prospectively collected serum. Median survival time from diagnosis to prostate cancer-specific death (N=472) was 6.6 years (interquartile range=2.9-11.1 years). Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the associations between the serum metabolites (in quartiles) and prostate cancer death, adjusted for age at baseline and diagnosis, disease stage, and Gleason sum. In order to calculate risk scores, we first randomly divided the metabolomic data into a discovery set (70%) and validated in a replication set (30%).

RESULTS

Overall, 49 metabolites were associated with prostate cancer survival after Bonferroni correction. Notably, higher levels of the phospholipid choline, amino acid glutamate, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n6) arachidonate (20:4n6), and glutamyl amino acids gamma-glutamylglutamate, gamma-glutamylglycine, and gamma-glutamylleucine were associated with increased risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality (fourth versus first quartile HRs=2.07-2.14; P-values <5.2×10^-5). By contrast, the ascorbate/aldarate metabolite oxalate, xenobiotics S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine, fibrinogen cleavage peptides ADpSGEGDFXAEGGGVR and fibrinopeptide B (1-12) were related to reduced disease-specific mortality (fourth versus first quartile HRs=0.82-0.84; P-value <5.2×10^-5). Further adjustment for years from blood collection to cancer diagnosis, body mass index, smoking intensity and duration, and serum total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not alter the results. Participants with a higher metabolic score based on the discovery set had an elevated risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality in the replication set (fourth versus first quartile, HR=3.9, P-value for trend<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolic traits identified in this study, including for choline, glutamate, arachidonate, gamma-glutamyl amino acids, fibrinopeptides, and endocannabinoid and redox pathways and their composite risk score, corroborate our previous analysis of fatal prostate cancer and provide novel insights and potential leads regarding the molecular basis of prostate cancer progression and mortality.

Metabolomic profiles of being physically active and less sedentary: a critical review

BACKGROUND

Being physically active has multiple salutary effects on human health, likely mediated by changes in energy metabolism. Recent reviews have summarized metabolomic responses to acute exercise. However, metabolomic profiles of individuals who exercise regularly are heterogeneous.

AIM OF REVIEW

We conducted a systematic review to identify metabolites associated with physical activity (PA), fitness, and sedentary time in community-dwelling adults and discussed involved pathways. Twenty-two studies were eligible because they (1) focused on community-dwelling adults from observational studies; (2) assessed PA, fitness, and/or sedentary time, (3) assessed metabolomics in biofluid, and (4) reported on relationships of metabolomics with PA, fitness, and/or sedentary time.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

Several metabolic pathways were associated with higher PA and fitness and less sedentary time, including tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, urea cycle, arginine biosynthesis, branch-chain amino acids, and estrogen metabolism. Lipids were strongly associated with PA. Cholesterol low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides were lower with higher PA, while cholesterol high-density lipoproteins were higher. Metabolomic profiles of being physically active and less sedentary indicate active skeletal muscle biosynthesis supported by enhanced oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis and associated with profound changes in lipid and estrogen metabolism. Future longitudinal studies are needed to understand whether these metabolomic changes account for health benefits associated with PA.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma composition and immunological effects in severe patients

Convalescent plasma (CP) has emerged as a treatment for COVID-19. However, the composition and mechanism of action are not fully known. Therefore, we undertook a two-phase controlled study in which, first the immunological and metabolomic status of recovered and severe patients were evaluated. Secondly, the 28-day effect of CP on the immune response in severe patients was assessed. Nineteen recovered COVID-19 patients, 18 hospitalized patients with severe disease, and 16 pre-pandemic controls were included. Patients with severe disease were treated with CP transfusion and standard therapy (i.e., plasma recipients, n = 9) or standard therapy alone (n = 9). Clinical and biological assessments were done on day 0 and during follow-up on days 4, 7, 14, and 28. Clinical parameters, viral load, total immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA anti-S1-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), autoantibodies, cytokines, T and B cells, and metabolomic and lipidomic profiles were examined. Total IgG and IgA anti-S1-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were key factors for CP selection and correlated with NAbs. In severe COVID-19 patients, mostly interleukin (IL)-6 (P = <0.0001), IL-10 (P = <0.0001), IP-10 (P = <0.0001), fatty acyls and glycerophospholipids were higher than in recovered patients. Latent autoimmunity and anti–IFN–α antibodies were observed in both recovered and severe patients. COVID-19 CP induced an early but transient cytokine profile modification and increases IgG anti-S1-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. At day 28 post-transfusion, a decrease in activated, effector and effector memory CD4⁺ (P < 0.05) and activated and effector CD8⁺ (P < 0.01) T cells and naïve B cells (P = 0.001), and an increase in non-classical memory B cells (P=<0.0001) and central memory CD4⁺ T cells (P = 0.0252) were observed. Moreover, IL-6/IFN-γ (P = 0.0089) and IL-6/IL-10 (P = 0.0180) ratios decreased in plasma recipients compared to those who received standard therapy alone. These results may have therapeutic implications and justify further post-COVID-19 studies.

Pre-diagnostic Serum Metabolomic Profiling of Prostate Cancer Survival

Impaired metabolism may play a role in the development and lethality of prostate cancer, yet a comprehensive analysis of the interrelationships appears lacking. We measured 625 metabolites using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of prediagnostic serum from 197 prostate cancer cases in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study (ages at diagnosis, 55-86 years). Cox proportional hazards models estimated associations between circulating metabolites and prostate cancer mortality for 1 SD differences (log-metabolite scale), adjusted for age, year of diagnosis, and disease stage. Associations between metabolite chemical classes and survival were examined through pathway analysis, and Cox models assessed the relationship with a sterol/steroid metabolite principal component analysis factor score. Elevated serum N-oleoyl taurine was significantly associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratios [HR] = 1.72 per 1 SD, p < .00008, Bonferroni-corrected threshold = 0.05/625; HR = 3.6 for highest vs lowest tertile, p < .001). Pathway analyses revealed a statistically significant association between lipids and prostate cancer death (p < .006, Bonferroni-corrected threshold = 0.05/8), and sterol/steroid metabolites showed the strongest chemical sub-class association (p = .0014, Bonferroni-corrected threshold = 0.05/45). In the principal component analysis, a 1-SD increment in the sterol/steroid metabolite score increased the risk of prostate cancer death by 46%. Prediagnostic serum N-oleoyl taurine and sterol/steroid metabolites were associated with prostate cancer survival.

Immunometabolism is a key factor for the persistent spontaneous elite control of HIV-1 infection

BACKGROUND

Approximately 25% of elite controllers (ECs) lose their virological control by mechanisms that are only partially known. Recently, immunovirological and proteomic factors have been associated to the loss of spontaneous control. Our aim was to perform a metabolomic approach to identify the underlying mechanistic pathways and potential biomarkers associated with this loss of control.

METHODS

Plasma samples from EC who spontaneously lost virological control (Transient Controllers, TC, n = 8), at two and one year before the loss of control, were compared with a control group of EC who persistently maintained virological control during the same follow-up period (Persistent Controllers, PC, n = 8). The determination of metabolites and plasma lipids was performed by GC-qTOF and LC-qTOF using targeted and untargeted approaches. Metabolite levels were associated with the polyfunctionality of HIV-specific CD8+T-cell response.

FINDINGS

Our data suggest that, before the loss of control, TCs showed a specific circulating metabolomic profile characterized by aerobic glycolytic metabolism, deregulated mitochondrial function, oxidative stress and increased immunological activation. In addition, CD8+ T-cell polyfunctionality was strongly associated with metabolite levels. Finally, valine was the main differentiating factor between TCs and PCs.

INTERPRETATION

All these metabolomic differences should be considered not only as potential biomarkers but also as therapeutic targets in HIV infection. FUND: This work was supported by grants from Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondos FEDER; Red de Investigación en Sida, Gilead Fellowship program, Spanish Ministry of Education and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.

A Phase II Study of Methotrexate, Etoposide, Dexamethasone and Pegaspargase Sandwiched with Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed, Stage IE to IIE Extranodal Natural-Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal-Type

Background

A phase II study of methotrexate, etoposide, dexamethasone, and pegaspargase (MESA) sandwiched with radiotherapy for newly diagnosed, stage IE-IIE extranodal natural-killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type (ENKTL) was conducted to explore its clinical efficacy and safety, as well as novel serum biomarkers upon anti-metabolic treatment.

Methods

Four cycles of MESA sandwiched with radiotherapy were administered. The primary end point was the overall response rate (ORR). Serum metabolomic profiles were assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, with specific metabolites quantified by targeted metabolic analysis.

Findings

Forty patients were enrolled and the ORR was 92.1% (95%CI, 83.1%–100.0%). The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 89.1% and overall survival (OS) rate was 92.0%. Grade 3/4 non-hematologic and hematologic toxicities were observed in 17 (42.5%) and 26 patients (65·0%) during chemotherapy, and in 9 (22.5%) and 0 (0.0%) patients during radiotherapy, respectively. Fifty-six significantly decreased and 59 increased metabolites were identified in ENKTL, as compared to healthy volunteers. A predictive principal components analysis model of asparaginase-associated metabolites, asparaginase-associated metabolic score (AspM), was established, including alanine, aspartate, glutamate, and succinic acid. Patients with high AspM score displayed superior survival and prognostic significance of AspM was validated in a historical cohort of early and advanced-stage ENKTL treated with asparaginase-based regimens. Multivariate analysis confirmed AspM as a prognostic score independent of PINK and PINK combined with Epstein-Barr virus DNA.

Interpretation

MESA sandwiched with radiotherapy is an effective and safe regimen for early-stage ENKTL. AspM score may be a promising prognostic index of serum metabolites in addition to clinical prognostic index in ENKTL.

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MESA sandwiched with radiotherapy is an effective and safe regimen for early-stage ENKTL.

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Asparaginase-associated metabolic score is a promising prognostic index of serum metabolites in ENKTL.

To explore regimen with more targeting effects and fewer toxicities, we conducted a trial of methotrexate, etoposide, dexamethasone, and pegaspargase (MESA) sandwiched with radiotherapy in newly diagnosed, stage IE-IIE extranodal natural-killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type (ENKTL) and showed that MESA was highly effective and safe. Meanwhile, serum metabolomic profiles were studied to identify novel serum biomarkers. Asparaginase-associated metabolic score was established and could serve as a prognostic score independent of clinical prognostic index of ENKTL. Together, our study highlights the role of targeting metabolic aberrations in ENKTL and provides translational evidence of using serum metabolites in guiding risk stratification of this disease.

Lactation is associated with altered metabolomic signatures in women with gestational diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Lactation for >3 months in women with gestational diabetes is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes that persists for up to 15 years postpartum. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We examined whether in women with gestational diabetes lactation for >3 months is associated with altered metabolomic signatures postpartum.

METHODS

We enrolled 197 women with gestational diabetes at a median of 3.6 years (interquartile range 0.7-6.5 years) after delivery. Targeted metabolomics profiles (including 156 metabolites) were obtained during a glucose challenge test. Comparisons of metabolite concentrations and ratios between women who lactated for >3 months and women who lactated for ≤3 months or not at all were performed using linear regression with adjustment for age and BMI at the postpartum visit, time since delivery, and maternal education level, and correction for multiple testing. Gaussian graphical modelling was used to generate metabolite networks.

RESULTS

Lactation for >3 months was associated with a higher total lysophosphatidylcholine/total phosphatidylcholine ratio; in women with short-term follow-up, it was also associated with lower leucine concentrations and a lower total branched-chain amino acid concentration. Gaussian graphical modelling identified subgroups of closely linked metabolites within phosphatidylcholines and branched-chain amino acids that were affected by lactation for >3 months and have been linked to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in previous studies.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Lactation for >3 months in women with gestational diabetes is associated with changes in the metabolomics profile that have been linked to the early pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Precise and rapid isotopomic analysis by (1)H-(13)C 2D NMR: Application to triacylglycerol matrices

An optimized HSQC sequence was tested and applied to triacylglycerol matrices to determine their isotopic and metabolomic profiles. Spectral aliasing and non-uniform sampling approaches were used to decrease the experimental time and to improve the resolution, respectively. An excellent long-term repeatability of signal integrals was achieved enabling to perform isotopic measurements. Thirty-two commercial vegetable oils were analyzed by this methodology. The results show that this method can be used to classify oil samples according to their geographical and botanical origins.

Effects of the dietary protein level on the microbial composition and metabolomic profile in the hindgut of the pig

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a long-term low protein diet on the microbial composition and metabolomic profile in the hindgut of the pig. Thirty-six Duroc × Landrace × Large White growing barrows (70 days of age, 23.57 ± 1.77 kg) were randomly allocated to normal protein diet (NP) and low protein diet (LP) groups using a randomized block design. At the age of 170 days, the digesta in the hindguts of the pigs were collected for microbial and metabolomic analysis. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the average daily gain, average daily feed intake, or feed:gain ratio between the NP and LP groups. The concentrations of isobutyrate, isovalerate, and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs)/short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecum decreased with the reduction of dietary protein. Pyrosequencing of the V1-V3 region of the 16S rRNA genes showed that LP diet significantly decreased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the cecum, and Streptococcus in the colon; however, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Coprococcus in the LP group was significantly higher than in the NP group in the cecum, and Sarcina, Peptostreptococcaceae incertae sedis, Mogibacterium, Subdoligranulum, and Coprococcus was higher in the colon. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that the dietary protein level mainly affected phenylalanine metabolism; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; the citrate cycle; pyruvate metabolism; and the alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. Moreover, the correlation analysis of the combined datasets revealed some potential relationships between the colonic metabolites and certain microbial species. These results suggest that a low protein diet may modulate the microbial composition and metabolites of the hindgut, without affecting the growth performance of pigs; however, potential roles of this modulation to the health of pigs remains unknown.

Metabolic changes of Vitis vinifera berries and leaves exposed to Bordeaux mixture

Since the development of Bordeaux mixture in the late 1800's, copper-based fungicides have been widely used against grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) diseases, mainly in organic but also in conventional viticulture; however their intensive use has raised phytotoxicity concerns. In this study, the composition of grape berries and leaves upon Bordeaux mixture treatment was investigated during the fructification season by a metabolomic approach. Four applications of Bordeaux mixture till 3 weeks before harvest were performed following the regular management practices of organic viticulture. Results showed that the copper-based treatment affected the content in sugars, organic acids, lipids and flavan-3-ols of grapes and leaves at specific developmental stages. Nonetheless, the levels of sucrose, glucose and fructose, and of tartaric and malic acids were not significantly affected in mature grapes. In contrast, a sharp decrease in free natural amino acids was observed, together with a reduction in protein content and in mineral nitrogen forms. The treatment with Bordeaux mixture increased by 7-fold the copper levels in tissue extracts from surface-washed mature berries.

Prediction of gastric cancer metastasis through urinary metabolomic investigation using GC/MS

AIM: To gain new insights into tumor metabolism and to identify possible biomarkers with potential diagnostic values to predict tumor metastasis.

METHODS: Human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were implanted into 24 severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice, which were randomly divided into metastasis group (n = 8), non-metastasis group (n = 8), and normal group (n = 8). Urinary metabolomic information was obtained by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

RESULTS: There were significant metabolic differences among the three groups (t test, P < 0.05). Ten selected metabolites were different between normal and cancer groups (non-metastasis and metastasis groups), and seven metabolites were also different between non-metastasis and metastasis groups. Two diagnostic models for gastric cancer and metastasis were constructed respectively by the principal component analysis (PCA). These PCA models were confirmed by corresponding receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve = 1.00).

CONCLUSION: The urinary metabolomic profile is different, and the selected metabolites might be instructive to clinical diagnosis or screening metastasis for gastric cancer.