PubMed

Related Articles Can we trust untargeted metabolomics? Results of the metabo-ring initiative, a large-scale, multi-instrument inter-laboratory study. Metabolomics. 2015;11(4):807-821 Authors: Martin JC, Maillot M, Mazerolles G, Verdu A, Lyan B, Migné C, Defoort C, Canlet C, Junot C, Guillou C, Manach C, Jabob D, Bouveresse DJ, Paris E, Pujos-Guillot E, Jourdan F, Giacomoni F, Courant F, Favé G, Le Gall G, Chassaigne H, Tabet JC, Martin JF, Antignac JP, Shintu L, Defernez M, Philo M, Alexandre-Gouaubau MC, Amiot-Carlin MJ, Bossis M, Triba MN, Stojilkovic N, Banzet N, Molinié R, Bott R, Goulitquer S, Caldarelli S, Rutledge DN Abstract The metabo-ring initiative brought together five nuclear magnetic resonance instruments (NMR) and 11 different mass spectrometers with the objective of assessing the reliability of untargeted metabolomics approaches in obtaining comparable metabolomics profiles. This was estimated by measuring the proportion of common spectral information extracted from the different LCMS and NMR platforms. Biological samples obtained from 2 different conditions were analysed by the partners using their own in-house protocols. Test #1 examined urine samples from adult volunteers either spiked or not spiked with 32 metabolite standards. Test #2 involved a low biological contrast situation comparing the plasma of rats fed a diet either supplemented or not with vitamin D. The spectral information from each instrument was assembled into separate statistical blocks. Correlations between blocks (e.g., instruments) were examined (RV coefficients) along with the structure of the common spectral information (common components and specific weights analysis). In addition, in Test #1, an outlier individual was blindly introduced, and its identification by the various platforms was evaluated. Despite large differences in the number of spectral features produced after post-processing and the heterogeneity of the analytical conditions and the data treatment, the spectral information both within (NMR and LCMS) and across methods (NMR vs. LCMS) was highly convergent (from 64 to 91 % on average). No effect of the LCMS instrumentation (TOF, QTOF, LTQ-Orbitrap) was noted. The outlier individual was best detected and characterised by LCMS instruments. In conclusion, untargeted metabolomics analyses report consistent information within and across instruments of various technologies, even without prior standardisation. PMID: 26109925 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles Training needs in metabolomics. Metabolomics. 2015;11(4):784-786 Authors: Weber RJ, Winder CL, Larcombe LD, Dunn WB, Viant MR PMID: 26109924 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles Histone Deacetylase 4 promotes cholestatic liver injury in the absence of Prohibitin-1. Hepatology. 2015 Jun 25; Authors: Barbier-Torres L, Beraza N, Fernández-Tussy P, Lopitz-Otsoa F, Fernández-Ramos D, Zubiete-Franco I, Varela-Rey M, Delgado TC, Gutiérrez V, Anguita J, Pares A, Banales JM, Villa E, Caballería J, Alvarez L, Lu SC, Mato JM, Martínez-Chantar ML Abstract Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) is an evolutionary conserved pleiotropic protein that participates in diverse processes depending on its subcellular localization and interactome. Recent data have indicated a diverse role for PHB1 in the pathogenesis of obesity, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, among others. Data presented here suggest that PHB1 is also linked to cholestatic liver disease. PHB1 expression is markedly reduced in patients with primary billiary cirrhosis and biliary atresia and Alagille syndrome, two major pediatric cholestatic conditions. In the experimental model of bile duct ligation, silencing of PHB1 induced liver fibrosis, reduced animal survival and induced bile duct proliferation. Importantly, the modulatory effect of PHB1 is not dependent on its known mitochondrial function. Importantly,d PHB1 interacts with Histone Deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) in the presence of bile acids. Hence, PHB1 depletion leads to increased nuclear HDAC4 content and its associated epigenetic changes. Remarkably, HDAC4 silencing and the administration of the HDAC inhibitor parthenolide during obstructive cholestasis in vivo promote genomic reprogramming leading to the regression of the fibrotic phenotype in the liver-specific Phb1 KO mice. CONCLUSION: Our data identify PHB1 as an important mediator of cholestatic liver injury regulating the activity of HDAC4, which controls specific epigenetic marks. These results identify potential novel strategies to treat liver injury and fibrosis, particularly as a consequence of chronic cholestasis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. PMID: 26109312 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles HRMAS NMR Analysis of Algae and Identification of Molecules of Interest via Conventional 1D and 2D NMR: Sample Preparation and Optimization of Experimental Conditions. Methods Mol Biol. 2015;1308:191-205 Authors: Simon G, Kervarec N, Cérantola S Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has become an astounding tool for molecular characterization. Thanks to the development of probes and the increase of magnetic field, NMR has entered the field of biology and facilitated the identification of natural compounds. Indeed, this nondestructive NMR tool makes possible the complete characterization of less and less quantities of material via 1D and 2D sequences on many nuclei (e.g., (1)H, (13)C, (31)P, (15)N). More recently, the development of high-resolution magic-angle spinning (HRMAS) probes have permitted direct analysis of living tissue (e.g., a piece of algae) without prior extraction providing information on both the total content and the ratio of different molecules within the sample; thus HRMAS facilitates a wide range of analyses, such as species differentiation or studies of metabolomics according to various environmental or experimental conditions. This chapter describes the specific sample preparation, based on an algal sample or extract, required for all NMR analyses in order to optimize the NMR response and obtain the most valuable information. PMID: 26108507 [PubMed - in process]

Related Articles Marine Algae: a Source of Biomass for Biotechnological Applications. Methods Mol Biol. 2015;1308:1-37 Authors: Stengel DB, Connan S Abstract Biomass derived from marine microalgae and macroalgae is globally recognized as a source of valuable chemical constituents with applications in the agri-horticultural sector (including animal feeds and health and plant stimulants), as human food and food ingredients as well as in the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. Algal biomass supply of sufficient quality and quantity however remains a concern with increasing environmental pressures conflicting with the growing demand. Recent attempts in supplying consistent, safe and environmentally acceptable biomass through cultivation of (macro- and micro-) algal biomass have concentrated on characterizing natural variability in bioactives, and optimizing cultivated materials through strain selection and hybridization, as well as breeding and, more recently, genetic improvements of biomass. Biotechnological tools including metabolomics, transcriptomics, and genomics have recently been extended to algae but, in comparison to microbial or plant biomass, still remain underdeveloped. Current progress in algal biotechnology is driven by an increased demand for new sources of biomass due to several global challenges, new discoveries and technologies available as well as an increased global awareness of the many applications of algae. Algal diversity and complexity provides significant potential provided that shortages in suitable and safe biomass can be met, and consumer demands are matched by commercial investment in product development. PMID: 26108496 [PubMed - in process]

Related Articles Interaction and signalling between a cosmopolitan phytoplankton and associated bacteria. Nature. 2015 Jun 4;522(7554):98-101 Authors: Amin SA, Hmelo LR, van Tol HM, Durham BP, Carlson LT, Heal KR, Morales RL, Berthiaume CT, Parker MS, Djunaedi B, Ingalls AE, Parsek MR, Moran MA, Armbrust EV Abstract Interactions between primary producers and bacteria impact the physiology of both partners, alter the chemistry of their environment, and shape ecosystem diversity. In marine ecosystems, these interactions are difficult to study partly because the major photosynthetic organisms are microscopic, unicellular phytoplankton. Coastal phytoplankton communities are dominated by diatoms, which generate approximately 40% of marine primary production and form the base of many marine food webs. Diatoms co-occur with specific bacterial taxa, but the mechanisms of potential interactions are mostly unknown. Here we tease apart a bacterial consortium associated with a globally distributed diatom and find that a Sulfitobacter species promotes diatom cell division via secretion of the hormone indole-3-acetic acid, synthesized by the bacterium using both diatom-secreted and endogenous tryptophan. Indole-3-acetic acid and tryptophan serve as signalling molecules that are part of a complex exchange of nutrients, including diatom-excreted organosulfur molecules and bacterial-excreted ammonia. The potential prevalence of this mode of signalling in the oceans is corroborated by metabolite and metatranscriptome analyses that show widespread indole-3-acetic acid production by Sulfitobacter-related bacteria, particularly in coastal environments. Our study expands on the emerging recognition that marine microbial communities are part of tightly connected networks by providing evidence that these interactions are mediated through production and exchange of infochemicals. PMID: 26017307 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles GATA4 is a key regulator of steroidogenesis and glycolysis in mouse Leydig cells. Endocrinology. 2015 May;156(5):1860-72 Authors: Schrade A, Kyrönlahti A, Akinrinade O, Pihlajoki M, Häkkinen M, Fischer S, Alastalo TP, Velagapudi V, Toppari J, Wilson DB, Heikinheimo M Abstract Transcription factor GATA4 is expressed in somatic cells of the mammalian testis. Gene targeting studies in mice have shown that GATA4 is essential for proper differentiation and function of Sertoli cells. The role of GATA4 in Leydig cell development, however, remains controversial, because targeted mutagenesis experiments in mice have not shown a consistent phenotype, possibly due to context-dependent effects or compensatory responses. We therefore undertook a reductionist approach to study the function of GATA4 in Leydig cells. Using microarray analysis and quantitative RT-PCR, we identified a set of genes that are down-regulated or up-regulated after small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of Gata4 in the murine Leydig tumor cell line mLTC-1. These same genes were dysregulated when primary cultures of Gata4(flox/flox) adult Leydig cells were subjected to adenovirus-mediated cre-lox recombination in vitro. Among the down-regulated genes were enzymes of the androgen biosynthetic pathway (Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1, Cyp17a1, and Srd5a). Silencing of Gata4 expression in mLTC-1 cells was accompanied by reduced production of sex steroid precursors, as documented by mass spectrometric analysis. Comprehensive metabolomic analysis of GATA4-deficient mLTC-1 cells showed alteration of other metabolic pathways, notably glycolysis. GATA4-depleted mLTC-1 cells had reduced expression of glycolytic genes (Hk1, Gpi1, Pfkp, and Pgam1), lower intracellular levels of ATP, and increased extracellular levels of glucose. Our findings suggest that GATA4 plays a pivotal role in Leydig cell function and provide novel insights into metabolic regulation in this cell type. PMID: 25668067 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Clinical severity of visceral leishmaniasis is associated with changes in immunoglobulin g fc N-glycosylation. MBio. 2014;5(6):e01844 Authors: Gardinassi LG, Dotz V, Hipgrave Ederveen A, de Almeida RP, Nery Costa CH, Costa DL, de Jesus AR, Mayboroda OA, Garcia GR, Wuhrer M, de Miranda Santos IK Abstract UNLABELLED: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has a high fatality rate if not treated; nevertheless, the majority of human infections with the causative agent, Leishmania infantum chagasi, are asymptomatic. Although VL patients often present with increased levels of serum immunoglobulins, the contribution of antibodies to resistance or progression to disease remains unknown. Effector and regulatory functions of antibodies rely on their interactions with type I and II Fc receptors, and these interactions are tuned by the patterns of antibody Fc N-glycosylation. In view of these facts, we applied a robust method of IgG Fc N-glycopeptide profiling of serum samples from 187 patients with VL, 177 asymptomatic individuals, 116 endemic controls (individuals residing in areas where VL is endemic) and 43 nonendemic controls (individuals living in an area where VL is not endemic). We show that, in comparison to the overall IgG Fc N-glycan profiles of asymptomatic or uninfected healthy individuals, those of patients with VL are profoundly altered. These changes correlate with levels of serum cytokines and the inflammation marker C-reactive protein. We also fitted univariate and multivariate ordinal logistic regression models to demonstrate the ability of IgG Fc N-glycosylation features and immunity regulators present in serum to predict disease severity in VL patients. Importantly, we show that Fc N-glycosylation profiles change after treatment of VL. This study introduces important concepts contributing to the understanding of antibody responses in infections with Leishmania parasites and provides new insights into the pathology of human VL. IMPORTANCE: Immunoglobulins (Ig) have been shown to present pro- and anti-inflammatory functions according to the profile of carbohydrates attached to their Fc region. Glycosylation features of serum IgG have been examined in relation to several autoimmune and infectious diseases and provide a mechanistic basis for the protective or pathogenic role of antibodies. Leishmania infantum chagasi is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in South America, and we show that VL patients produce IgG with patterns of Fc glycans similar to those found in other inflammatory conditions. Specific Fc N-glycosylation features and levels of serum cytokines and C-reactive protein are significantly associated with the development of severe clinical symptoms and, notably, Fc glycosylation changes after treatment. The modifications detected in the N-glycosylation features of IgG Fc from VL patients raise new perspectives on the effector or regulatory role of antibodies in immune responses elicited by infection with Leishmania parasites. PMID: 25467439 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles A metabolomic study of preterm and term human and formula milk by proton MRS analysis: preliminary results. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2014 Oct;27 Suppl 2:27-33 Authors: Longini M, Tataranno ML, Proietti F, Tortoriello M, Belvisi E, Vivi A, Tassini M, Perrone S, Buonocore G Abstract OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in global metabolic profile between: 1 - breast milk and formula milk, 2 - breast milk from mothers delivering at different gestational age (GA) collected within one week from delivery, and then week by week until term equivalent age. METHODS: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to analyze the water-soluble and lipid fractions extracted from 50 milk samples, 46 human milk at different GA, from 23 weeks of gestation until term equivalent age and four different formula milks. RESULTS: The formula milk for premature infants was the most similar to breast milk of preterm babies. Breast milk showed higher lactose concentrations than formula milk, that conversely presented higher galactose 1-phosphate and maltose concentrations. Mother's milk of very preterm babies (23-25 wks of GA) showed a different metabolic profile from preterm infants ≥29 wks of GA with a subsequent trend to similarity around the 30th week of post-natal age. Breast milk from preterm infants of 29-34 wks, collected up to 40 wks of post-natal age showed a temporal change over the first three weeks of lactation, approaching to zero with the achievement of term age. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolome is a promising tool to study human and artificial milk global metabolic profile. PMID: 25284174 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Neonatomics and childomics: the right route to the future. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2014 Oct;27 Suppl 2:1-3 Authors: Fanos V, Buonocore G, Mussap M PMID: 25284170 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Metabolomics Analysis Reveals that AICAR Affects Glycerolipid, Ceramide and Nucleotide Synthesis Pathways in INS-1 Cells. PLoS One. 2015;10(6):e0129029 Authors: ElAzzouny MA, Evans CR, Burant CF, Kennedy RT Abstract AMPK regulates many metabolic pathways including fatty acid and glucose metabolism, both of which are closely associated with insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Insulin secretion is regulated by metabolic coupling factors such as ATP/ADP ratio and other metabolites generated by the metabolism of nutrients such as glucose, fatty acid and amino acids. However, the connection between AMPK activation and insulin secretion in β-cells has not yet been fully elucidated at a metabolic level. To study the effect of AMPK activation on glucose stimulated insulin secretion, we applied the pharmacological activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) to an INS-1 (832/13) β-cell line. We measured the change in 66 metabolites in the presence or absence of AICAR using different stable isotopic labeled nutrients to probe selected pathways. AMPK activation by AICAR increased basal insulin secretion and reduced the glucose stimulation index. Although ATP/ADP ratios were not strongly affected by AICAR, several other metabolites and pathways important for insulin secretion were affected by AICAR treatment including long-chain CoAs, malonyl-CoA, 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl CoA, diacylglycerol, and farnesyl pyrophosphate. Tracer studies using 13C-glucose revealed lower glucose flux in the purine and pyrimidine pathway and in the glycerolipid synthesis pathway. Untargeted metabolomics revealed reduction in ceramides caused by AICAR that may explain the beneficial role of AMPK in protecting β-cells from lipotoxicity. Taken together, the results provide an overall picture of the metabolic changes associated with AICAR treatment and how it modulates insulin secretion and β-cell survival. PMID: 26107620 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles The ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism Is Associated with Cardiometabolic Fitness in Healthy Young Adults. PLoS One. 2015;10(6):e0130644 Authors: Deschamps CL, Connors KE, Klein MS, Johnsen VL, Shearer J, Vogel HJ, Devaney JM, Gordish-Dressman H, Many GM, Barfield W, Hoffman EP, Kraus WE, Hittel DS Abstract Homozygosity for a premature stop codon (X) in the ACTN3 "sprinter" gene is common in humans despite the fact that it reduces muscle size, strength and power. Because of the close relationship between skeletal muscle function and cardiometabolic health we examined the influence of ACTN3 R577X polymorphism over cardiovascular and metabolic characteristics of young adults (n = 98 males, n = 102 females; 23 ± 4.2 years) from our Assessing Inherent Markers for Metabolic syndrome in the Young (AIMMY) study. Both males and females with the RR vs XX genotype achieved higher mean VO2 peak scores (47.8 ± 1.5 vs 43.2 ±1.8 ml/O2/min, p = 0.002) and exhibited higher resting systolic (115 ± 2 vs 105 ± mmHg, p = 0.027) and diastolic (69 ± 3 vs 59 ± 3 mmHg, p = 0.005) blood pressure suggesting a role for ACTN3 in the maintenance of vascular tone. We subsequently identified the expression of alpha-actinin 3 protein in pulmonary artery smooth muscle, which may explain the genotype-specific differences in cardiovascular adaptation to acute exercise. In addition, we utilized targeted serum metabolomics to distinguish between RR and XX genotypes, suggesting an additional role for the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in human metabolism. Taken together, these results identify significant cardiometabolic effects associated with possessing one or more functional copies of the ACTN3 gene. PMID: 26107372 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles Homolog-focused profiling of ginsenosides based on the integration of step-wise formate anion-to-deprotonated ion transition screening and scheduled multiple reaction monitoring. J Chromatogr A. 2015 Jun 12; Authors: Song Y, Zhang N, Shi S, Li J, Zhao Y, Zhang Q, Jiang Y, Tu P Abstract Homolog-focused profiling is a favored option to bridge targeted metabolomics toward non-targeted metabolomics. In current study, an attempt was made for the large-scale ginsenoside-specific analysis in ginseng (G) and American ginseng (AG). When formic acid (0.1%, v/v) was introduced as the mobile phase additive, formate anion-to-deprotonated ion transitions ([M+HCOO](-)>[M-H](-)) with an optimal collision energy (-32eV) could result in satisfactory responses for ginsenosides. Therefore, a step-wise multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-based method employing [M+HCOO](-)>[M-H](-) ion pairs was constructed to screen ginsenosides among 501-1250u (for Q1) with a step-size of 2u, and MRM also served as a survey experiment to trigger enhanced product ion scans for MS(2) spectrum acquisition on a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer; then, the identification of those observed ginsenosides was achieved on the basis of the well-defined mass cracking patterns for ginsenosides; afterwards, scheduled MRM was introduced for large-scale relatively quantitative analysis of all detected ginsenosides. Finally, comparative metabolomics were performed to differentiate G, AG, and their processed products. Method validation was carried out using thirteen authentic compounds. A total of 221 ginsenosides, among which 185 ones were annotated, were observed and relatively quantitated. All crude materials were obviously classified into groups I-III. Above all, the MRM-based homolog-focused profiling of ginsenosides could be used as a reliable tool to gain an in-depth view for ginsenoside-enriched herbal products. PMID: 26105782 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles Metabolomics of Central Carbon Metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Microbiol Spectr. 2014 Jun;2(3) Authors: Baughn AD, Rhee KY Abstract Metabolism is a biochemical activity of all cells, thought to fuel the physiologic needs of a given cell in a quantitative, rather than qualitatively specific, manner. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a chronic facultative intracellular pathogen that resides in humans as its only known host and reservoir. Within humans, M. tuberculosis resides chiefly in the macrophage phagosome, the cell type and compartment most committed to its eradication. M. tuberculosis thus occupies the majority of its decades-long life cycle in a state of slowed or arrested replication. At the same time, M. tuberculosis remains poised to reenter the cell cycle to ensure its propagation as a species. M. tuberculosis has thus evolved its metabolic network to both maintain and propagate its survival as a species within a single host. Knowledge of the specific ways in which its metabolic network serves these distinct though interdependent functions, however, remains highly incomplete. In this article we review existing knowledge of M. tuberculosis's central carbon metabolism as reported by studies of its basic genetic and biochemical composition, regulation, and organization, with the hope that such knowledge will inform our understanding of M. tuberculosis's ability to traverse the stringent and heterogeneous niches encountered in the host. PMID: 26103978 [PubMed - in process]

Related Articles Mycobacterial Lipidomics. Microbiol Spectr. 2014 Jun;2(3) Authors: Layre E, Al-Mubarak R, Belisle JT, Branch Moody D Abstract Lipidomics is a distinct subspecialty of metabolomics concerned with hydrophobic molecules that organize into membranes. Most of the lipid classes present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis are found only in Actinobacteria and show extreme structural diversity. This article highlights the conceptual basis and the practical challenges associated with the mass spectrometry-based lipidomic study of M. tuberculosis to solve basic questions about the virulence of this lipid-laden organism. PMID: 26103971 [PubMed - in process]

Related Articles Nanostructure imaging mass spectrometry: the role of fluorocarbons in metabolite analysis and yoctomole level sensitivity. Methods Mol Biol. 2015;1203:141-9 Authors: Kurczy ME, Northen TR, Trauger SA, Siuzdak G Abstract Nanostructure imaging mass spectrometry (NIMS) has become an effective technology for generating ions in the gas phase, providing high sensitivity and imaging capabilities for small molecules, metabolites, drugs, and drug metabolites. Specifically, laser desorption from the nanostructure surfaces results in efficient energy transfer, low background chemical noise, and the nondestructive release of analyte ions into the gas phase. The modification of nanostructured surfaces with fluorous compounds, either covalent or non-covalent, has played an important role in gaining high efficiency/sensitivity by facilitating analyte desorption from the nonadhesive surfaces, and minimizing the amount of laser energy required. In addition, the hydrophobic fluorinated nanostructure surfaces have aided in concentrating deposited samples into fine micrometer-sized spots, a feature that further facilitates efficient desorption/ionization. These fluorous nanostructured surfaces have opened up NIMS to very broad applications including enzyme activity assays and imaging, providing low background, efficient energy transfer, nondestructive analyte ion generation, super-hydrophobic surfaces, and ultra-high detection sensitivity. PMID: 25361674 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Analysis of metabolic characteristics in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis using high-resolution magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Mol Med Rep. 2015 Jan;11(1):53-8 Authors: Tian B, Ma C, Wang J, Pan CS, Yang GJ, Lu JP Abstract Pathological and metabolic alterations co-exist and co-develop in the progression of chronic pancreatitis (CP). The aim of the present study was to investigate the metabolic characteristics and disease severity of a rat model of CP in order to determine associations in the observed pathology and the metabolites of CP using high-resolution magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR-MAS NMR). Wistar rats (n=36) were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n=6 per group). CP was established by administering dibutyltin dichloride solution into the tail vein. After 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days, the pancreatic tissues were collected for pathological scoring or for HR-MAS NMR. Correlation analyses between the major pathological scores and the integral areas of the major metabolites were determined. The most representative metabolites, aspartate, betaine and fatty acids, were identified as possessing the greatest discriminatory significance. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between the pathology and metabolites of the pancreatic tissues were as follows: Betaine and fibrosis, 0.454 (P=0.044); betaine and inflammatory cell infiltration, 0.716 (P=0.0001); aspartate and fibrosis, -0.768 (P=0.0001); aspartate and inflammatory cell infiltration, -0.394 (P=0.085); fatty acid and fibrosis, -0.764 (P=0.0001); and fatty acid and inflammatory cell infiltration, -0.619 (P=0.004). The metabolite betaine positively correlated with fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in CP. In addition, aspartate negatively correlated with fibrosis, but exhibited no significant correlation with inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, the presence of fatty acids negatively correlated with fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in CP. HR-MAS NMR may be used to analyze metabolic characteristics in a rat model of different degrees of chronic pancreatitis. PMID: 25338744 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Proteomic and metabolic prediction of response to therapy in gastric cancer. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Oct 14;20(38):13648-57 Authors: Aichler M, Luber B, Lordick F, Walch A Abstract Several new treatment options for gastric cancer have been introduced but the prognosis of patients diagnosed with gastric cancer is still poor. Disease prognosis could be improved for high-risk individuals by implementing earlier screenings. Because many patients are asymptomatic during the early stages of gastric cancer, the diagnosis is often delayed and patients present with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease. Cytotoxic treatment has been shown to prolong survival in general, but not all patients are responders. The application of targeted therapies and multimodal treatment has improved prognosis for those with advanced disease. However, these new therapeutic strategies do not uniformly benefit all patients. Predicting whether patients will respond to specific therapies would be of particular value and would allow for stratifying patients for personalized treatment strategies. Metabolic imaging by positron emission tomography was the first technique with the potential to predict the response of esophago-gastric cancer to neoadjuvant therapy. Exploring and validating tissue-based biomarkers are ongoing processes. In this review, we discuss the status of several targeted therapies for gastric cancer, as well as proteomic and metabolic methods for investigating biomarkers for therapy response prediction in gastric cancer. PMID: 25320503 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Gut microbiota, host gene expression, and aging. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014 Nov-Dec;48 Suppl 1:S28-31 Authors: Patrignani P, Tacconelli S, Bruno A Abstract Novel concepts of disease susceptibility and development suggest an important role of gastrointestinal microbiota and microbial pathogens. They can contribute to physiological systems and disease processes, even outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is increasing evidence that genetics of the host influence and interact with gut microbiota. Moreover, aging-associated oxidative stress may cause morphologic alterations of bacterial cells, thus influencing the aggressive potential and virulence markers of an anaerobic bacterium and finally the type of interaction with the host. At the same time, microbiota may influence host gene expression and it is becoming apparent that it may occur through the regulation of microRNAs. They are short single-stranded noncoding RNAs that regulate posttranscriptional gene expression by affecting mRNA stability and/or translational repression of their target mRNAs. The introduction of -omics approaches (such as metagenomics, metaproteomics, and metatranscriptomics) in microbiota research will certainly advance our knowledge of this area. This will lead to greatly deepen our understanding of the molecular targets in the homeostatic interaction between the gut microbiota and the host and, thereby, promises to reveal new ways to treat diseases and maintain health. PMID: 25291121 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Automatic registration of mass spectrometry imaging data sets to the Allen brain atlas. Anal Chem. 2014 Apr 15;86(8):3947-54 Authors: Abdelmoula WM, Carreira RJ, Shyti R, Balluff B, van Zeijl RJ, Tolner EA, Lelieveldt BF, van den Maagdenberg AM, McDonnell LA, Dijkstra J Abstract Mass spectrometry imaging holds great potential for understanding the molecular basis of neurological disease. Several key studies have demonstrated its ability to uncover disease-related biomolecular changes in rodent models of disease, even if highly localized or invisible to established histological methods. The high analytical reproducibility necessary for the biomedical application of mass spectrometry imaging means it is widely developed in mass spectrometry laboratories. However, many lack the expertise to correctly annotate the complex anatomy of brain tissue, or have the capacity to analyze the number of animals required in preclinical studies, especially considering the significant variability in sizes of brain regions. To address this issue, we have developed a pipeline to automatically map mass spectrometry imaging data sets of mouse brains to the Allen Brain Reference Atlas, which contains publically available data combining gene expression with brain anatomical locations. Our pipeline enables facile and rapid interanimal comparisons by first testing if each animal's tissue section was sampled at a similar location and enabling the extraction of the biomolecular signatures from specific brain regions. PMID: 24661141 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]