Integrative Molecular Phenotyping
INTEGRATIVE MOLECULAR
PHENOTYPING
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY

PubMed

Evidence that microplastics aggravate the toxicity of organophosphorus flame retardants in mice (Mus musculus).

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Evidence that microplastics aggravate the toxicity of organophosphorus flame retardants in mice (Mus musculus). J Hazard Mater. 2018 Jun 08;357:348-354 Authors: Deng Y, Zhang Y, Qiao R, Bonilla MM, Yang X, Ren H, Lemos B Abstract This study was performed to reveal the health risks of co-exposure to organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and microplastics (MPs). We exposed mice to polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) MPs and OPFRs [tris (2-chloroethy) phosphate (TCEP) and tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP)] for 90 days. Biochemical markers and metabolomics were used to determine whether MPs could enhance the toxicity of OPFRs. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased (p < 0.05) by 21% and 26% respectively in 10 μg/L TDCPP + PE group compared to TDCPP group. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in TDCPP + MPs groups were higher (18%-30%) than that in TDCPP groups (p < 0.05). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in TCEP + PE groups were lower (10%-19%) than those in TCEP groups (p < 0.05). These results suggested that OPFR co-exposure with MPs induced more toxicity than OPFR exposure alone. Finally, in comparison to controls we observed that 29, 41, 41, 26, 40 and 37 metabolites changed significantly (p < 0.05; fold-change > 1.2) in TCEP, TCEP + PS, TCEP + PE, TDCPP, TDCPP + PS and TDCPP + PE groups, respectively. Most of these metabolites are related to pathways of amino acid and energy metabolism. Our results indicate that MPs aggravate the toxicity of OPFRs and highlight the health risks of MP co-exposure with other pollutants. PMID: 29908513 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Stereoselective effects of ibuprofen in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) using UPLC-TOF/MS-based metabolomics.

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Stereoselective effects of ibuprofen in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) using UPLC-TOF/MS-based metabolomics. Environ Pollut. 2018 Jun 09;241:730-739 Authors: Song Y, Chai T, Yin Z, Zhang X, Zhang W, Qian Y, Qiu J Abstract Ibuprofen (IBU), as a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP), is frequently prescribed by doctors to relieve pain. It is widely released into environmental water and soil in the form of chiral enantiomers by the urination and defecation of humans or animals and by sewage discharge from wastewater treatment plants. This study focused on the alteration of metabolism in the adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain after exposure to R-(-)-/S-(+)-/rac-IBU at 5 μg L-1 for 28 days. A total of 45 potential biomarkers and related pathways, including amino acids and their derivatives, purine and its derivatives, nucleotides and other metabolites, were observed with untargeted metabolomics. To validate the metabolic disorders induced by IBU, 22 amino acids and 3 antioxidant enzymes were selected to be quantitated and determined using targeted metabolomics and enzyme assay. Stereoselective changes were observed in the 45 identified biomarkers from the untargeted metabolomics analysis. The 22 amino acids quantitated in targeted metabolomics and 3 antioxidant enzymes determined in enzyme assay also showed stereoselective changes after R-(-)-/S-(+)-/rac-IBU exposure. Results showed that even at a low concentration of R-(-)-/S-(+)-/rac-IBU, disorders in metabolism and antioxidant defense systems were still induced with stereoselectivity. Our study may enable a better understanding of the risks of chiral PPCPs in aquatic organisms in the environment. PMID: 29908497 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Metabolite assignment of Ultra-Filtered Synovial Fluid extracted from knee joints of Reactive Arthritis patients using High Resolution NMR spectroscopy.

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Metabolite assignment of Ultra-Filtered Synovial Fluid extracted from knee joints of Reactive Arthritis patients using High Resolution NMR spectroscopy. Magn Reson Chem. 2018 Jun 15;: Authors: Dubey D, Chaurasia S, Guleria A, Kumar S, Modi DR, Misra R, Kumar D Abstract Currently, there are no reliable clinical biomarkers available that can aid early differential diagnosis of reactive arthritis (ReA) from other inflammatory joint diseases. Metabolic profiling of synovial fluid (SF) -obtained from joints affected in ReA- holds great promise in this regard and will further aid monitoring treatment and improving our understanding about disease mechanism. As a first step in this direction, we report here the metabolite specific assignment of 1 H and 13 C resonances detected in the NMR spectra of SF samples extracted from human patients with established ReA. The metabolite characterization has been carried out on both normal as well as on ultra-filtered (deproteinized) SF samples of eight ReA patients (n=8) using high resolution (800 MHz) 1 H and 1 H-13 C NMR spectroscopy methods such as one-dimensional (1D) 1 H CPMG and two-dimensional (2D) J-resolved1 H NMR and homonuclear 1 H-1 H TOCSY and heteronuclear1 H-13 C HSQC correlation spectra. Compared to normal SF samples, several distinctive 1 H NMR signals were identified and assigned to metabolites in the 1 H NMR spectra of ultra-filtered SF samples. Overall, we assigned 53 metabolites in normal filtered SF and 64 metabolites in filtered pooled SF sample compared to non-filtered SF samples for which only 48 metabolites (including lipid/membrane metabolites as well) have been identified. The established NMR characterization of SF metabolites will serve to guide future metabolomics studies aiming to identify/evaluate the SF based metabolic biomarkers of diagnostic/prognostic potential or seeking biochemical insights into disease mechanisms in a clinical perspective. PMID: 29907975 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Analysis of human C24 bile acids metabolome in serum and urine based on enzyme digestion of conjugated bile acids and LC-MS determination of unconjugated bile acids.

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Analysis of human C24 bile acids metabolome in serum and urine based on enzyme digestion of conjugated bile acids and LC-MS determination of unconjugated bile acids. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018 Jun 16;: Authors: Zhu P, Zhang J, Chen Y, Yin S, Su M, Xie G, Brouwer KLR, Liu C, Lan K, Jia W Abstract Host-gut microbiota metabolic interactions are closely associated with health and disease. A manifestation of such co-metabolism is the vast structural diversity of bile acids (BAs) involving both oxidative stereochemistry and conjugation. Herein, we describe the development and validation of a LC-MS-based method for the analysis of human C24 BA metabolome in serum and urine. The method has high throughput covering the discrimination of oxidative stereochemistry of unconjugated species in a 15-min analytical cycle. The validated quantitative performance provided an indirect way to ascertain the conjugation patterns of BAs via enzyme-digestion protocols that incorporated the enzymes, sulfatase, β-glucuronidase, and choloylglycine hydrolase. Application of the method has led to the detection of at least 70 unconjugated BAs including 27 known species and 43 newly found species in the post-prandial serum and urine samples from 7 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients and 13 healthy volunteers. Newly identified unconjugated BAs included 3α, 12β-dihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid, 12α-hydroxy-3-oxo-5β-cholan-24-oic acid, and 3α, 7α, 12β-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid. High-definition negative fragment spectra of the other major unknown species were acquired to facilitate future identification endeavors. An extensive conjugation pattern is the major reason for the "invisibility" of the newly found BAs to other common analytical methods. Metabolomic analysis of the total unconjugated BA profile in combination with analysis of their conjugation patterns and urinary excretion tendencies have provided substantial insights into the interconnected roles of host and gut microbiota in maintaining BA homeostasis. It was proposed that the urinary total BA profile may serve as an ideal footprint for the functional status of the host-gut microbial BA co-metabolism. In summary, this work provided a powerful tool for human C24 BA metabolome analysis that bridges the gap between GC-MS techniques in the past age and LC-MS techniques currently prevailing in biomedical researches. Further applications of the present method in clinical, translational research, and other biomedical explorations will continue to boost the construction of a host-gut microbial co-metabolism network of BAs and thus facilitate the decryption of BA-mediated host-gut microbiota crosstalk in health and diseases. Graphical abstract ᅟ. PMID: 29907951 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Bladder cancer recurrence surveillance by urine metabolomics analysis.

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Bladder cancer recurrence surveillance by urine metabolomics analysis. Sci Rep. 2018 Jun 15;8(1):9172 Authors: Loras A, Trassierra M, Sanjuan-Herráez D, Martínez-Bisbal MC, Castell JV, Quintás G, Ruiz-Cerdá JL Abstract Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) is among the most frequent malignant cancers worldwide. NMIBC is treated by transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) and intravesical therapies, and has the highest recurrence rate among solid tumors. It requires a lifelong patient monitoring based on repeated cystoscopy and urinary cytology, both having drawbacks that include lack of sensitivity and specificity, invasiveness and care costs. We conducted an investigative clinical study to examine changes in the urinary metabolome of NMBIC patients before and after TURBT, as well during the subsequent surveillance period. Adjusting by prior probability of recurrence per risk, discriminant analysis of UPLC-MS metabolic profiles, displayed negative predictive values for low, low-intermediate, high-intermediate and high risk patient groups of 96.5%, 94.0%, 92.9% and 76.1% respectively. Detailed analysis of the metabolome revealed several candidate metabolites and perturbed phenylalanine, arginine, proline and tryptophan metabolisms as putative biomarkers. A pilot retrospective analysis of longitudinal trajectories of a BC metabolic biomarkers during post TURBT surveillance was carried out and the results give strong support for the clinical use of metabolomic profiling in assessing NMIBC recurrence. PMID: 29907864 [PubMed - in process]

Plasma metabolites reveal distinct profiles associating with different metabolic risk factors in monozygotic twin pairs.

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Plasma metabolites reveal distinct profiles associating with different metabolic risk factors in monozygotic twin pairs. Int J Obes (Lond). 2018 Jun 15;: Authors: Muniandy M, Velagapudi V, Hakkarainen A, Lundbom J, Lundbom N, Rissanen A, Kaprio J, Pietiläinen KH, Ollikainen M Abstract BACKGROUND: Obesity is related to a myriad of cardiometabolic outcomes, each of which may have a specific metabolomic signature and a genetic basis. We identified plasma metabolites associating with different cardiometabolic risk factors (adiposity, cholesterol, insulin resistance, and inflammation) in monozygotic (MZ) twins. Additionally, we assessed if metabolite profiling can identify subgroups differing by cardiometabolic risk factors. METHODS: We quantified 111 plasma metabolites (Acquity UPLC-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry), and measured blood lipids, HOMA index, CRP, and adiposity (BMI, %bodyfat by DEXA, fat distribution by MRI) in 40 MZ twin pairs (mean BMI 27.9 kg/m2, age 30.7). We determined associations among individuals (via linear regression) between metabolites and clinical phenotypes, and assessed, with within-twin pair analysis, if these associations were free from genetic confounding. We also performed cluster analysis to identify distinct subgroups based on subjects' metabolite profiles. RESULTS: We identified 42 metabolite-phenotype associations (FDR < 0.05), 19 remained significant after controlling for shared factors within the twin pairs. Aspartate, propionylcarnitine, tyrosine hexanoylcarnitine, and deoxycytidine associated positively with two or more adiposity measures. HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) associated negatively and BMI positively with the most numbers of metabolites; 12 were unique for HDL-C and 3 for BMI. Metabolites associating with HDL-C had the strongest effect size. Metabolite profiling revealed two distinct subgroups of individuals, differing by 32 metabolites (p < 0.05), and by total and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Forty-two metabolites predicted subgroup membership in correlation with total cholesterol and 45 metabolites predicted subgroup membership in correlation with LDL-C. CONCLUSIONS: Different fat depots share metabolites associating with general adiposity. BMI and HDL-C associated with the most pronounced and specific metabolomic signature. Metabolomics profiling can be used to identify distinct subgroups of individuals that differ by cholesterol measures. Most of the observed metabolite-phenotype associations are free of confounding by genetics and environmental factors shared by the co-twins. PMID: 29907843 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Altered maternal and placental lipid metabolism and fetal fat development in obesity: Current knowledge and advances in non-invasive assessment.

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Altered maternal and placental lipid metabolism and fetal fat development in obesity: Current knowledge and advances in non-invasive assessment. Placenta. 2018 May 26;: Authors: Delhaes F, Giza SA, Koreman T, Eastabrook G, McKenzie CA, Bedell S, Regnault TRH, de Vrijer B Abstract Abnormal maternal lipid profiles, a hallmark of increased maternal adiposity, are associated with pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and offspring long-term metabolic health is impacted as the consequence of altered fetal growth, physiology and often iatrogenic prematurity. The metabolic changes associated with maternal obesity and/or the consumption of a high-fat diet effecting maternal lipid profiles and metabolism have also been documented to specifically affect placental function and may underlie changes in fetal development and life course disease risk. The placenta plays a critical role in mediating nutritional signals between the fetus and the mother. As obesity rates in women of reproductive age continue to increase, it is becoming evident that inclusion of new technologies that allow for a better understanding of early changes in placental lipid transport and metabolism, non-invasively in maternal circulation, maternal tissues, placenta, fetal circulation and fetal tissues are needed to aid timely clinical diagnosis and treatment for obesity-associated diseases. This review describes pregnancy lipid homeostasis, with specific reference to changes arising from altered maternal body composition on placental and fetal lipid transport and metabolism. Current technologies for lipid assessments, such as metabolomics and lipidomics may be impacted by labour or mode of delivery and are only reflective of a single time point. This review further addresses how established and novel technologies for assessing lipids and their metabolism non-invasively and during the course of pregnancy may guide future research into the effect of maternal metabolic health on pregnancy outcome, placenta and fetus. PMID: 29907450 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Comprehensive evaluation of untargeted metabolomics data processing software in feature detection, quantification and discriminating marker selection.

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Comprehensive evaluation of untargeted metabolomics data processing software in feature detection, quantification and discriminating marker selection. Anal Chim Acta. 2018 Oct 31;1029:50-57 Authors: Li Z, Lu Y, Guo Y, Cao H, Wang Q, Shui W Abstract Data analysis represents a key challenge for untargeted metabolomics studies and it commonly requires extensive processing of more than thousands of metabolite peaks included in raw high-resolution MS data. Although a number of software packages have been developed to facilitate untargeted data processing, they have not been comprehensively scrutinized in the capability of feature detection, quantification and marker selection using a well-defined benchmark sample set. In this study, we acquired a benchmark dataset from standard mixtures consisting of 1100 compounds with specified concentration ratios including 130 compounds with significant variation of concentrations. Five software evaluated here (MS-Dial, MZmine 2, XCMS, MarkerView, and Compound Discoverer) showed similar performance in detection of true features derived from compounds in the mixtures. However, significant differences between untargeted metabolomics software were observed in relative quantification of true features in the benchmark dataset. MZmine 2 outperformed the other software in terms of quantification accuracy and it reported the most true discriminating markers together with the fewest false markers. Furthermore, we assessed selection of discriminating markers by different software using both the benchmark dataset and a real-case metabolomics dataset to propose combined usage of two software for increasing confidence of biomarker identification. Our findings from comprehensive evaluation of untargeted metabolomics software would help guide future improvements of these widely used bioinformatics tools and enable users to properly interpret their metabolomics results. PMID: 29907290 [PubMed - in process]

Emerging role of lipid metabolism alterations in Cancer stem cells.

Sun, 17/06/2018 - 12:52
Related Articles Emerging role of lipid metabolism alterations in Cancer stem cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2018 Jun 15;37(1):118 Authors: Yi M, Li J, Chen S, Cai J, Ban Y, Peng Q, Zhou Y, Zeng Z, Peng S, Li X, Xiong W, Li G, Xiang B Abstract BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) represent a small population of cancer cells with self-renewal and tumor-initiating properties. Unlike the bulk of tumor cells, CSCs or TICs are refractory to traditional therapy and are responsible for relapse or disease recurrence in cancer patients. Stem cells have distinct metabolic properties compared to differentiated cells, and metabolic rewiring contributes to self-renewal and stemness maintenance in CSCs. MAIN BODY: Recent advances in metabolomic detection, particularly in hyperspectral-stimulated raman scattering microscopy, have expanded our knowledge of the contribution of lipid metabolism to the generation and maintenance of CSCs. Alterations in lipid uptake, de novo lipogenesis, lipid droplets, lipid desaturation, and fatty acid oxidation are all clearly implicated in CSCs regulation. Alterations on lipid metabolism not only satisfies the energy demands and biomass production of CSCs, but also contributes to the activation of several important oncogenic signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo/YAP signaling. In this review, we summarize the current progress in this attractive field and describe some recent therapeutic agents specifically targeting CSCs based on their modulation of lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: Increased reliance on lipid metabolism makes it a promising therapeutic strategy to eliminate CSCs. Targeting key players of fatty acids metabolism shows promising to anti-CSCs and tumor prevention effects. PMID: 29907133 [PubMed - in process]

Reducing impacts of organism variability in metabolomics via time trajectory in vivo NMR.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Reducing impacts of organism variability in metabolomics via time trajectory in vivo NMR. Magn Reson Chem. 2018 Jun 15;: Authors: Anaraki MT, Simpson MJ, Simpson AJ PMID: 29906816 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Simultaneous measurement of folate cycle intermediates in different biological matrices using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Simultaneous measurement of folate cycle intermediates in different biological matrices using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2018 Jun 05;1092:168-178 Authors: Nandania J, Kokkonen M, Euro L, Velagapudi V Abstract The folate cycle is an essential metabolic pathway in the cell, involved in nucleotide synthesis, maintenance of the redox balance in the cell, methionine metabolism and re-methylation reactions. Standardised methods for the measurement of folate cycle intermediates in different biological matrices are in great demand. Here we describe a rapid, sensitive, precise and accurate liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method with a wide calibration curve range and a short run time for the simultaneous determination of folate cycle metabolites, including tetrahydrofolic acid (THF), 5‑methyl THF, 5‑formyl THF, 5,10‑methenyl THF, 5,10‑methylene THF, dihydrofolic acid (DHF) and folic acid in different biological matrices. Extraction of folate derivatives from soft and hard tissue samples as well as from adherent cells was achieved using homogenisation in buffer, while extraction from the whole blood and plasma relied on the anion exchange solid-phase extraction (SPE) method. Chromatographic separation was completed using a Waters Atlantis dC18 2.0 × 100 mm, 3-μ column with a gradient elution using formic acid in water (0.1% v/v) and acetonitrile as the mobile phases. LC gradient started with 95% of the aqueous phase which was gradually changed to 95% of the organic phase during 2.70 min in order to separate the selected metabolites. The analytes were separated with a run time of 5 min at a flow rate of 0.300 mL/min and detected using a Waters Xevo-TQS triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in the multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) at positive polarity. The instrument response was linear over a calibration range of 0.5 to 2500 ng/mL (r2 > 0.980). The developed bioanalytical method was thoroughly validated in terms of accuracy, precision, linearity, recovery, sensitivity and stability for tissue and blood samples. The matrix effect was compensated by using structurally similar isotope labelled internal standard (IS), 13C5‑methyl THF, for all folate metabolites. However, not all folate metabolites can be accurately quantified using this method due to their high interconversion rates especially at low pH. This applies to 5,10‑methylene THF which interconverts into THF, and 5,10‑methenyl‑THF interconverting into 5‑formyl‑THF. Using this method, we measured folate cycle intermediates in mouse bone marrow cells and plasma, in human whole blood; in mouse muscle, liver, heart and brain samples. PMID: 29906678 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Recombinant Newcastle disease viruses with targets for PCR diagnostics for rinderpest and peste des petits ruminants.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Recombinant Newcastle disease viruses with targets for PCR diagnostics for rinderpest and peste des petits ruminants. J Virol Methods. 2018 Jun 12;: Authors: van Rijn PA, Boonstra J, van Gennip HGP Abstract Since February 1st 2011, rinderpest (RP) has been officially declared eradicated worldwide. National authorities have been requested to destroy all their RP related materials. Nonetheless, their national reference laboratories performing real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays (PCR diagnostics) need RP positive control samples, since some countries still prefer to maintain diagnostic capability for RP for several reasons. In the future, a similar situation will arise for peste des petits ruminants (PPR) as the ambition has been expressed to eradicate PPR. Anticipating on this, we intended to perform qualified PCR diagnostics without use of infectious RPV or PPRV. Therefore, Newcastle disease virus (NDV) with small RNA inserts based on RPV or PPRV sequences were generated and used as positive control material. Recombinant NDVs (recNDVs) were differentially detected by previously established PCR diagnostics for RPV or PPRV. Both recNDVs contain a second PCR target showing that additional targets in NDV are feasible and would increase the diagnostic sensitivity by use of two PCR assays. RecNDV with small PCR targets is not classified as RPV or PPRV containing material, and can be used to mimic RPV or PPRV. Using these recNDVs as virus positive material contributes to the ambition of worldwide eradication, while qualified PCR diagnostics for these OIE-listed diseases remains operational. PMID: 29906491 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Liver Metabolomics in a Mouse Model of Erythropoietic Protoporphyria.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Liver Metabolomics in a Mouse Model of Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. Biochem Pharmacol. 2018 Jun 12;: Authors: Wang P, Sachar M, Guo GL, Shehu AI, Lu J, Zhong XB, Ma X Abstract Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a genetic disease that results from the defective mutation in the gene encoding ferrochelatase (FECH), the enzyme that converts protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) to heme. Liver injury and even liver failure can occur in EPP patients because of PPIX accumulation in the liver. The current study profiled the liver metabolome in an EPP mouse model caused by a Fech mutation (Fech-mut). As expected, we observed the accumulation of PPIX in the liver of Fech-mut mice. In addition, our metabolomic analysis revealed the accumulation of bile acids and ceramide (Cer) in the liver of Fech-mut mice. High levels of bile acids and Cer are toxic to the liver. Furthermore, we found that the major phosphatidylcholines (PC) in the liver and the ratio of total PC to PPIX in the bile were decreased in Fech-mut mice compared to wild type mice. A decrease of the ratio of PC to PPIX in the bile can potentiate the accumulation of PPIX in the liver because PC increases PPIX solubility and excretion. These metabolomic findings suggest that the accumulation of PPIX, together with the disruption of the homeostasis of bile acids, Cer, and PC, contributes to EPP-associated liver injury. PMID: 29906468 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Mass spectrometry is a multifaceted weapon to be used in the battle against Alzheimer's disease: Amyloid beta peptides and beyond.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Mass spectrometry is a multifaceted weapon to be used in the battle against Alzheimer's disease: Amyloid beta peptides and beyond. Mass Spectrom Rev. 2018 Jun 15;: Authors: Grasso G Abstract Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) accumulation and aggregation have been considered for many years the main cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and therefore have been the principal target of investigation as well as of the proposed therapeutic approaches (Grasso [2011] Mass Spectrom Rev. 30: 347-365). However, the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which considers Aβ accumulation the only causative agent of the disease, has proven to be incomplete if not wrong. In recent years, actors such as metal ions, oxidative stress, and other cofactors have been proposed as possible co-agents or, in some cases, main causative factors of AD. In this scenario, MS investigation has proven to be fundamental to design possible diagnostic strategies of this elusive disease, as well as to understand the biomolecular mechanisms involved, in the attempt to find a possible therapeutic solution. We review the current applications of MS in the search for possible Aβ biomarkers of AD to help the diagnosis of the disease. Recent examples of the important contributions that MS has given to prove or build theories on the molecular pathways involved with such terrible disease are also reviewed. PMID: 29905953 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Omics studies for comprehensive understanding of immunoglobulin A nephropathy: state-of-the-art and future directions.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Omics studies for comprehensive understanding of immunoglobulin A nephropathy: state-of-the-art and future directions. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2018 Jun 13;: Authors: Schena FP, Serino G, Sallustio F, Falchi M, Cox SN Abstract Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common worldwide primary glomerulonephritis with a strong autoimmune component. The disease shows variability in both clinical phenotypes and endpoints and can be potentially subdivided into more homogeneous subtypes through the identification of specific molecular biomarkers. This review focuses on the role of omics in driving the identification of potential molecular subtypes of the disease through the integration of multilevel data from genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics. First, the identification of molecular biomarkers, including mapping of the full spectrum of common and rare IgAN risk alleles, could permit a more precise stratification of IgAN patients. Second, the analysis of transcriptomic patterns and their modulation by epigenetic factors like microRNAs has the potential to increase our understanding in the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease. Third, the specificity of urinary proteomic and metabolomic signatures and the understanding of their functional relevance may contribute to the development of new non-invasive biomarkers for a better molecular characterization of the renal damage and its follow-up. All these approaches can give information for targeted therapeutic decisions and will support novel clinical decision making. In conclusion, we offer a framework of omic studies and outline barriers and potential solutions that should be used for improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The ongoing decade is exploiting novel high-throughput molecular technologies and computational analyses for improving the diagnosis (precision nephrology) and treatment (personalized therapy) of the IgAN subtypes. PMID: 29905852 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Untargeted Profiling of Concordant/Discordant Phenotypes of High Insulin Resistance and Obesity To Predict the Risk of Developing Diabetes.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Untargeted Profiling of Concordant/Discordant Phenotypes of High Insulin Resistance and Obesity To Predict the Risk of Developing Diabetes. J Proteome Res. 2018 Jun 15;: Authors: Marco-Ramell A, Tulipani S, Palau-Rodriguez M, Gonzalez-Dominguez R, Miñarro A, Jauregui O, Sanchez-Pla A, Macias-Gonzalez M, Cardona F, Tinahones FJ, Andres-Lacueva C Abstract This study explores the metabolic profiles of concordant/discordant phenotypes of high insulin resistance (IR) and obesity. Through untargeted metabolomics (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS), we analyzed the fasting serum of subjects with high IR and/or obesity ( n = 64). An partial least-squares discriminant analysis with orthogonal signal correction followed by univariate statistics and enrichment analysis allowed exploration of these metabolic profiles. A multivariate regression method (LASSO) was used for variable selection and a predictive biomarker model to identify subjects with high IR regardless of obesity was built. Adrenic acid and a dyglyceride (DG) were shared by high IR and obesity. Uric and margaric acids, 14 DGs, ketocholesterol, and hydroxycorticosterone were unique to high IR, while arachidonic, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (HETE), palmitoleic, triHETE, and glycocholic acids, HETE lactone, leukotriene B4, and two glutamyl-peptides to obesity. DGs and adrenic acid differed in concordant/discordant phenotypes, thereby revealing protective mechanisms against high IR also in obesity. A biomarker model formed by DGs, uric and adrenic acids presented a high predictive power to identify subjects with high IR [AUC 80.1% (68.9-91.4)]. These findings could become relevant for diabetes risk detection and unveil new potential targets in therapeutic treatments of IR, diabetes, and obesity. An independent validated cohort is needed to confirm these results. PMID: 29905079 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Metabolomics Profiling of Serum and Urine in Three Beef Cattle Breeds Revealed Different Levels of Tolerance to Heat Stress.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Metabolomics Profiling of Serum and Urine in Three Beef Cattle Breeds Revealed Different Levels of Tolerance to Heat Stress. J Agric Food Chem. 2018 Jun 15;: Authors: Liao Y, Hu R, Wang Z, Peng Q, Dong X, Zhang X, Zou H, Pu Q, Xue B, Wang L Abstract This study was to determine differences in the global metabolic profiles of serum and urine of Xuanhan yellow cattle, Simmental crossbred cattle (Simmental × Xuanhan yellow cattle) and cattle-yaks (Jersey × Maiwa yak) under heat stress (temperature-humidity index remained above 80 for 1 week). A total of 55 different metabolites associated with the three breeds were identified in the serum and urine samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The metabolic adaptations to heat stress are heterogeneous. Cattle-yaks mobilize a greater amount of body protein to release glucogenic amino acids to supply energy, whereas the tricarboxylic acid cycle is inhibited. Simmental crossbred cattle mobilize a greater amount of body fat to use free fatty acids as an energy source. In comparison with Simmental crossbred cattle and cattle-yaks, Xuanhan yellow cattle have higher glycolytic activity, and possess a stronger antioxidant defense system and are, in conclusion, more adapted to hot and humid environments. PMID: 29905066 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Metabolomic and transcriptomic data on major metabolic/biosynthetic pathways in workers and soldiers of the termite Prorhinotermes simplex (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and chemical synthesis of intermediates of defensive (E)-nitropentadec-1-ene...

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Related Articles Metabolomic and transcriptomic data on major metabolic/biosynthetic pathways in workers and soldiers of the termite Prorhinotermes simplex (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and chemical synthesis of intermediates of defensive (E)-nitropentadec-1-ene biosynthesis. Data Brief. 2018 Jun;18:1614-1627 Authors: Jirošová A, Jančařík A, Menezes RC, Bazalová O, Dolejšová K, Vogel H, Jedlička P, Buček A, Brabcová J, Majer P, Hanus R, Svatoš A Abstract Production of nitro compounds has only seldom been recorded in arthropods. The aliphatic nitroalkene (E)-nitropentadec-1-ene (NPD), identified in soldiers of the termite genus Prorhinotermes, was the first case documented in insects in early seventies. Yet, the biosynthetic origin of NPD has long remained unknown. We previously proposed that NPD arises through the condensation of amino acids glycine and/or l-serine with tetradecanoic acid along a biosynthetic pathway analogous to the formation of sphingolipids. Here, we provide a metabolomics and transcriptomic data of the Prorhinotermes simplex termite workers and soldiers. Data are related to NPD biosynthesis in P. simplex soldiers. Original metabolomics data were deposited in MetaboLights metabolomics database and are become publicly available after publishing the original article. Additionally, chemical synthesis of biosynthetic intermediates of NPD in nonlabeled and stable labeled forms are reported. Data extend our poor knowledge of arthropod metabolome and transcriptome and would be useful for comparative study in termites or other arthropods. The data were used for de-replication of NPD biosynthesis and published separately (Jirošová et al., 2017) [1]. PMID: 29904664 [PubMed]

Oleocanthal-rich extra virgin olive oil demonstrates acute anti-platelet effects in healthy men in a randomized trial.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Related Articles Oleocanthal-rich extra virgin olive oil demonstrates acute anti-platelet effects in healthy men in a randomized trial. J Funct Foods. 2017 Sep;36:84-93 Authors: Agrawal K, Melliou E, Li X, Pedersen TL, Wang SC, Magiatis P, Newman JW, Holt RR Abstract The phenolic profiles of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) may influence their cardiovascular benefits. In a randomized crossover of acute EVOO intake on platelet function, participants (n=9) consumed 40 mL of EVOO weekly. EVOOs were matched for total phenolic content and were either tyrosol-poor with 1:2 oleacein/oleocanthal (D2i0.5), or 2:1 oleacein/oleocanthal (D2i2), or predominantly tyrosol (D2i0). Ibuprofen provided a platelet inhibition control. Blood was collected pre- and 2 hr post-EVOO intake. D2i0.5 and D2i2 reduced 1 µg/mL collagen-stimulated maximum platelet aggregation (Pmax), with effects best correlated to oleocanthal intake (R=0.56, P=0.002). Total phenolic intake was independently correlated to eicosanoid production inhibition, suggesting that cyclooxygenase blockade was not responsible for the Pmax inhibition. Five participants exhibited >25% ΔPmax declines with D2i0.5 and D2i2 intake and plasma metabolomic profiles discriminated subjects by oil responsivity. Platelet responses to acute EVOO intake are associated with oil phenolic composition and may be influenced by diet. PMID: 29904393 [PubMed]

Medium-Chain Fatty Acids, Beta-Hydroxybutyric Acid and Genetic Modulation of the Carnitine Shuttle Are Protective in a Drosophila Model of ALS Based on TDP-43.

Sat, 16/06/2018 - 12:34
Related Articles Medium-Chain Fatty Acids, Beta-Hydroxybutyric Acid and Genetic Modulation of the Carnitine Shuttle Are Protective in a Drosophila Model of ALS Based on TDP-43. Front Mol Neurosci. 2018;11:182 Authors: Manzo E, O'Conner AG, Barrows JM, Shreiner DD, Birchak GJ, Zarnescu DC Abstract ALS patients exhibit dyslipidemia, hypermetabolism and weight loss; in addition, cellular energetics deficits have been detected prior to denervation. Although evidence that metabolism is altered in ALS is compelling, the mechanisms underlying metabolic dysregulation and the contribution of altered metabolic pathways to disease remain poorly understood. Here we use a Drosophila model of ALS based on TDP-43 that recapitulates hallmark features of the disease including locomotor dysfunction and reduced lifespan. We performed a global, unbiased metabolomic profiling of larvae expressing TDP-43 (wild-type, TDPWT or disease-associated mutant, TDPG298S) and identified several lipid metabolism associated alterations. Among these, we found a significant increase in carnitine conjugated long-chain fatty acids and a significant decrease in carnitine, acetyl-carnitine and beta-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone precursor. Taken together these data suggest a deficit in the function of the carnitine shuttle and reduced lipid beta oxidation. To test this possibility we used a combined genetic and dietary approach in Drosophila. Our findings indicate that components of the carnitine shuttle are misexpressed in the context of TDP-43 proteinopathy and that genetic modulation of CPT1 or CPT2 expression, two core components of the carnitine shuttle, mitigates TDP-43 dependent locomotor dysfunction, in a variant dependent manner. In addition, feeding medium-chain fatty acids or beta-hydroxybutyrate improves locomotor function, consistent with the notion that bypassing the carnitine shuttle deficit is neuroprotective. Taken together, our findings highlight the potential contribution of the carnitine shuttle and lipid beta oxidation in ALS and suggest strategies for therapeutic intervention based on restoring lipid metabolism in motor neurons. PMID: 29904341 [PubMed]

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