PubMed

Future paradigms for precision oncology. Oncotarget. 2016 May 19; Authors: Klement GL, Arkun K, Valik D, Roffidal T, Hashemi A, Klement C, Carmassi P, Rietman E, Slaby O, Mazanek P, Mudry P, Kovacs G, Kiss C, Norga K, Konstantinov D, André N, Slavc I, Berg HV, Kolenova A, Kren L, Tuma J, Skotakova J, Sterba J Abstract Research has exposed cancer to be a heterogeneous disease with a high degree of inter-tumoral and intra-tumoral variability. Individual tumors have unique profiles, and these molecular signatures make the use of traditional histology-based treatments problematic. The conventional diagnostic categories, while necessary for care, thwart the use of molecular information for treatment as molecular characteristics cross tissue types.This is compounded by the struggle to keep abreast the scientific advances made in all fields of science, and by the enormous challenge to organize, cross-reference, and apply molecular data for patient benefit. In order to supplement the site-specific, histology-driven diagnosis with genomic, proteomic and metabolomics information, a paradigm shift in diagnosis and treatment of patients is required.While most physicians are open and keen to use the emerging data for therapy, even those versed in molecular therapeutics are overwhelmed with the amount of available data. It is not surprising that even though The Human Genome Project was completed thirteen years ago, our patients have not benefited from the information. Physicians cannot, and should not be asked to process the gigabytes of genomic and proteomic information on their own in order to provide patients with safe therapies. The following consensus summary identifies the needed for practice changes, proposes potential solutions to the present crisis of informational overload, suggests ways of providing physicians with the tools necessary for interpreting patient specific molecular profiles, and facilitates the implementation of quantitative precision medicine. It also provides two case studies where this approach has been used. PMID: 27223079 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Mechanisms of Diabetes Improvement Following Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery. Diabetes Care. 2016 Jun;39(6):893-901 Authors: Batterham RL, Cummings DE Abstract More than 20 years ago, Pories et al. published a seminal article, "Who Would Have Thought It? An Operation Proves to Be the Most Effective Therapy for Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus." This was based on their observation that bariatric surgery rapidly normalized blood glucose levels in obese people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and 10 years later, almost 90% remained diabetes free. Pories et al. suggested that caloric restriction played a key role and that the relative contributions of proximal intestinal nutrient exclusion, rapid distal gut nutrient delivery, and the role of gut hormones required further investigation. These findings of T2DM improvement/remission after bariatric surgery have been widely replicated, together with the observation that bariatric surgery prevents or delays incident T2DM. Over the ensuing two decades, important glucoregulatory roles of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have been firmly established. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial glycemic effects of bariatric surgery remain incompletely understood. In addition to the mechanisms proposed by Pories et al., changes in bile acid metabolism, GI tract nutrient sensing and glucose utilization, incretins, possible anti-incretin(s), and the intestinal microbiome are implicated. These changes, acting through peripheral and/or central pathways, lead to reduced hepatic glucose production, increased tissue glucose uptake, improved insulin sensitivity, and enhanced β-cell function. A constellation of factors, rather than a single overarching mechanism, likely mediate postoperative glycemic improvement, with the contributing factors varying according to the surgical procedure. Thus, different bariatric/metabolic procedures provide us with experimental tools to probe GI tract physiology. Embracing this approach through the application of detailed phenotyping, genomics, metabolomics, and gut microbiome studies will enhance our understanding of metabolic regulation and help identify novel therapeutic targets. PMID: 27222547 [PubMed - in process]

Screening of Intestinal Bacterial Metabolites of Platycodin D Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Am J Chin Med. 2016 May 24;:1-17 Authors: Zhang W, Qian SH, Qian DW, Li SL Abstract Platycodin D (PD), a bioactive triterpenoid saponin isolated from Platycodi Radix (PR), possesses a vast range of biological activities. Although the pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of PD have been well demonstrated, information regarding the intestinal metabolisms of PD is very limited. In this study, human and rat fecal microflora were prepared and anaerobically incubated with PD at 37(∘)C for 48 h, respectively. A highly sensitive and specific ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was developed for the analysis of PD and related metabolites in the reaction samples. A liquid-liquid extraction method was used for sample pretreatment and the chromatographic separation was performed on a 1.7 μm particle size Syncronis C18 column using gradient elution system. Finally, a total of seven metabolites were detected and tentatively identified, such as the demethylation metabolite (M1), deoxidation metabolites (M3, M7) and hydrolysis at the C-28 oligosaccharide metabolites (M5, M6), which were first discovered in this experiment. The results indicate that hydrolysis, demethylation, dehydroxylation, and acetylation were the major metabolic pathways of PDin vitro. Additionally, four bacterial strains from human feces including Enterococcus sp.41, Bacillus sp.46, Escherichia sp.49A andEscherichia sp.64 were detected and further identified with 16S rRNA gene sequencing due to their relatively strong metabolic capacity toward PD. The present study provides important information about the metabolism of PD, which will help elucidate the impact of intestinal bacteria on this active component. PMID: 27222071 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Metabolomics as a tool in the identification of dietary biomarkers. Proc Nutr Soc. 2016 May 25;:1-12 Authors: Gibbons H, Brennan L Abstract Current dietary assessment methods including FFQ, 24-h recalls and weighed food diaries are associated with many measurement errors. In an attempt to overcome some of these errors, dietary biomarkers have emerged as a complementary approach to these traditional methods. Metabolomics has developed as a key technology for the identification of new dietary biomarkers and to date, metabolomic-based approaches have led to the identification of a number of putative biomarkers. The three approaches generally employed when using metabolomics in dietary biomarker discovery are: (i) acute interventions where participants consume specific amounts of a test food, (ii) cohort studies where metabolic profiles are compared between consumers and non-consumers of a specific food and (iii) the analysis of dietary patterns and metabolic profiles to identify nutritypes and biomarkers. The present review critiques the current literature in terms of the approaches used for dietary biomarker discovery and gives a detailed overview of the currently proposed biomarkers, highlighting steps needed for their full validation. Furthermore, the present review also evaluates areas such as current databases and software tools, which are needed to advance the interpretation of results and therefore enhance the utility of dietary biomarkers in nutrition research. PMID: 27221515 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

NMR detection in biofluid extracts at sub-μM concentrations via para-H2 induced hyperpolarization. Analyst. 2016 May 25; Authors: Reile I, Eshuis N, Hermkens NK, van Weerdenburg BJ, Feiters MC, Rutjes FP, Tessari M Abstract NMR spectroscopy is one of the most powerful techniques to simultaneously obtain qualitative and quantitative information in chemical analysis. Despite its versatility, the applications of NMR in the study of biofluids are often limited by the insensitivity of the technique, further aggravated by the poor signal dispersion in the (1)H spectra. Recent advances in para-H2 induced hyperpolarization have proven to address both these limitations for specific classes of compounds. Herein, this approach is for the first time applied for quantitative determination in biofluid extracts. We demonstrate that a combination of solid phase extraction, para-hydrogen induced hyperpolarization and selective NMR detection quickly reveals a doping substance, nikethamide, at sub-μM concentrations in urine. We suggest that this method can be further optimized for the detection of different analytes in various biofluids, anticipating a wider application of hyperpolarized NMR in metabolomics and pharmacokinetics studies in the near future. PMID: 27221513 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Cytofluorometric Quantification of Cell Death Elicited by NLR Proteins. Methods Mol Biol. 2016;1417:231-45 Authors: Sica V, Manic G, Kroemer G, Vitale I, Galluzzi L Abstract Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing (NLR) proteins, also known as NOD-like receptors, are critical components of the molecular machinery that senses intracellular danger signals to initiate an innate immune response against invading pathogens or endogenous sources of hazard. The best characterized effect of NLR signaling is the secretion of various cytokines with immunostimulatory effects, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Moreover, at least under specific circumstances, NLRs can promote regulated variants of cell death. Here, we detail two protocols for the cytofluorometric quantification of cell death-associated parameters that can be conveniently employed to assess the lethal activity of specific NLRs or their ligands. PMID: 27221495 [PubMed - in process]

Changes in serum metabolites with the stage of chronic kidney disease: Comparison of diabetes and non-diabetes. Clin Chim Acta. 2016 May 21; Authors: Lee J, Choi JY, Kwon YK, Lee D, Jung HY, Ryu HM, Cho JH, Ryu DH, Kim YL, Hwang GS Abstract BACKGROUND: The renal dysfunction of chronic kidney disease (CKD) alters serum metabolite levels, but it is not clear how diabetes mellitus (DM) affects the metabolic changes in CKD. METHODS: Serum metabolites from pre-dialysis CKD patients (n=291) with or without DM and from healthy controls (n=56) was measured using nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: Initial principal components analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis score plots segregated the CKD patients according to CKD stage and separated DM from non-DM patients. In the CKD patients, associations were seen with clinical characteristics, hyperglycemia, altered amino acid metabolism, accumulated uremic toxins, and dyslipidemia. Of interest, diabetes more strongly affected the metabolic signature during early stage CKD. Furthermore, serum metabolite profiles were successfully applied to the PLS regression model to predict the estimated glomerular filtration rate. The R(2) values from the PLS models for CKD patients with DM were higher than those for CKD without DM. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolomics is useful clinically for providing a metabolic signature that is associated with the CKD phenotype and diabetes more seriously affects patients with early stage CKD compared to those with advanced CKD. PMID: 27221201 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Non-targeted metabolomics by high resolution mass spectrometry in HPRT knockout mice. Life Sci. 2016 May 21; Authors: Tschirner SK, Bähre H, Kaever A, Schneider EH, Seifert R, Kaever V Abstract AIMS: Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) is characterized by hyperuricemia as well as neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms including repetitive self-injurious behavior. Symptoms are caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) as a result of a mutation on the X chromosome. To elucidate the pathophysiology of LND, we performed a metabolite screening for brain and serum extracts from HPRT knockout mice as an animal model for LND. MAIN METHODS: Analyses were performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-coupled quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS). KEY FINDINGS: In brain extracts, we found six metabolites with significantly different contents in wild-type and HPRT-deficient mice. Two compounds we could identify as 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide (AICAR) and 1-methylimidazole-4-acetic acid (1-MI4AA). Whereas AICAR was accumulated in brains of HPRT knockout mice, 1-MI4AA was decreased in these mice. SIGNIFICANCE: Both metabolites play a role in histidine metabolism and, as a consequence, histamine metabolism. AICAR, in addition, is part of the purine metabolism. Our findings may help to better understand the mechanisms leading to the behavioral phenotype of LND. PMID: 27221022 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles An Integrated Metabolic Atlas of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Cell. 2016 Jan 11;29(1):104-16 Authors: Hakimi AA, Reznik E, Lee CH, Creighton CJ, Brannon AR, Luna A, Aksoy BA, Liu EM, Shen R, Lee W, Chen Y, Stirdivant SM, Russo P, Chen YB, Tickoo SK, Reuter VE, Cheng EH, Sander C, Hsieh JJ Abstract Dysregulated metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, manifested through alterations in metabolites. We performed metabolomic profiling on 138 matched clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)/normal tissue pairs and found that ccRCC is characterized by broad shifts in central carbon metabolism, one-carbon metabolism, and antioxidant response. Tumor progression and metastasis were associated with metabolite increases in glutathione and cysteine/methionine metabolism pathways. We develop an analytic pipeline and visualization tool (metabolograms) to bridge the gap between TCGA transcriptomic profiling and our metabolomic data, which enables us to assemble an integrated pathway-level metabolic atlas and to demonstrate discordance between transcriptome and metabolome. Lastly, expression profiling was performed on a high-glutathione cluster, which corresponds to a poor-survival subgroup in the ccRCC TCGA cohort. PMID: 26766592 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of genetic, pharmacogenetic and biochemical studies. Mol Psychiatry. 2016 May 24; Authors: Bonvicini C, Faraone SV, Scassellati C Abstract The adult form of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has a prevalence of up to 5% and is the most severe long-term outcome of this common disorder. Family studies in clinical samples as well as twin studies suggest a familial liability and consequently different genes were investigated in association studies. Pharmacotherapy with methylphenidate (MPH) seems to be the first-line treatment of choice in adults with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and some studies were conducted on the genes influencing the response to this drug. Finally some peripheral biomarkers were identified in ADHD adult patients. We believe this work is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of candidate gene association studies, pharmacogenetic and biochemical (metabolomics) studies performed in adults with ADHD to identify potential genetic, predictive and peripheral markers linked specifically to ADHD in adults. After screening 5129 records, we selected 87 studies of which 61 were available for candidate gene association studies, 5 for pharmacogenetics and 21 for biochemical studies. Of these, 15 genetic, 2 pharmacogenetic and 6 biochemical studies were included in the meta-analyses. We obtained an association between adult ADHD and the gene BAIAP2 (brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1-associated protein 2), even after Bonferroni correction, with any heterogeneity in effect size and no publication bias. If we did not apply the Bonferroni correction, a trend was found for the carriers allele 9R of dopamine transporter SLC6A3 40 bp variable tandem repeat polymorphism (VNTR) and for 6/6 homozygotes of SLC6A3 30 bp VNTR. Negative results were obtained for the 9-6 haplotype, the dopamine receptor DRD4 48 bp VNTR, and the enzyme COMT SNP rs4680. Concerning pharmacogenetic studies, no association was found for the SLC6A3 40 bp and response to MPH with only two studies selected. For the metabolomics studies, no differences between ADHD adults and controls were found for salivary cortisol, whereas lower serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were found in ADHD adults. This last association was significant even after Bonferroni correction and in absence of heterogeneity. Other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as AA (arachidonic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DyLA (dihomogammalinolenic acid) levels were not different between patients and controls. No publication biases were observed for these markers. Genes linked to dopaminergic, serotoninergic and noradrenergic signaling, metabolism (DBH, TPH1, TPH2, DDC, MAOA, MAOB, BCHE and TH), neurodevelopment (BDNF and others), the SNARE system and other forty genes/proteins related to different pathways were not meta-analyzed due to insufficient data. In conclusion, we found that there were not enough genetic, pharmacogenetic and biochemical studies of ADHD in adults and that more investigations are needed. Moreover we confirmed a significant role of BAIAP2 and DHA in the etiology of ADHD exclusively in adults. Future research should be focused on the replication of these findings and to assess their specificity for ADHD.Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication, 24 May 2016; doi:10.1038/mp.2016.74. PMID: 27217152 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Biomarker analysis of liver cells exposed to surfactant-wrapped and oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Sci Total Environ. 2016 May 20; Authors: Henderson WM, Bouchard D, Chang X, Al-Abed SR, Teng Q Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have great potential in industrial, consumer, and mechanical applications, based partly on their unique structural, optical and electronic properties. CNTs are commonly oxidized or treated with surfactants to facilitate aqueous solution processing, and these CNT surface modifications also increase possible human and ecological exposures to nanoparticle-contaminated waters. To determine the exposure outcomes of oxidized and surfactant-wrapped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on biochemical processes, metabolomics-based profiling of human liver cells (C3A) was utilized. Cells were exposed to 0, 10, or 100ng/mL of MWCNTs for 24 and 48h; MWCNT particle size distribution, charge, and aggregation were monitored concurrently during exposures. Following MWCNT exposure, cellular metabolites were extracted, lyophilized, and buffered for (1)H NMR analysis. Acquired spectra were subjected to both multivariate and univariate analysis to determine the consequences of nanotube exposure on the metabolite profile of C3A cells. Resulting scores plots illustrated temporal and dose-dependent metabolite responses to all MWCNTs tested. Loadings plots coupled with t-test filtered spectra identified metabolites of interest. XPS analysis revealed the presence of hydroxyl and carboxyl functionalities on both MWCNTs surfaces. Metal content analysis by ICP-AES indicated that the total mass concentration of the potentially toxic impurities in the exposure experiments were extremely low (i.e. [Ni]≤2×10(-10)g/mL). Preliminary data suggested that MWCNT exposure causes perturbations in biochemical processes involved in cellular oxidation as well as fluxes in amino acid metabolism and fatty acid synthesis. Dose-response trajectories were apparent and spectral peaks related to both dose and MWCNT dispersion methodologies were determined. Correlations of the significant changes in metabolites will help to identify potential biomarkers associated with carbonaceous nanoparticle exposure. PMID: 27216968 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Metabolic Dysfunction in Heart Failure: Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Pathophysiologic Insights From Metabolomic Profiling. Curr Heart Fail Rep. 2016 May 23; Authors: Hunter WG, Kelly JP, McGarrah RW, Kraus WE, Shah SH Abstract Metabolic impairment is an intrinsic component of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology. Although initially conceived as a myocardial defect, metabolic dysfunction is now recognized as a systemic process with complex interplay between the myocardium and peripheral tissues and organs. Specifically, HF-associated metabolic dysfunction includes alterations in substrate utilization, insulin resistance, defects in energy production, and imbalanced anabolic-catabolic signaling leading to cachexia. Each of these metabolic abnormalities is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients with HF; however, their detection and therapeutic management remains challenging. Given the difficulty in obtaining human cardiac tissue for research purposes, peripheral blood metabolomic profiling, a well-established approach for characterizing small-molecule metabolite intermediates from canonical biochemical pathways, may be a useful technology for dissecting biomarkers and mechanisms of metabolic impairment in HF. In this review, metabolic abnormalities in HF will be discussed with particular emphasis on the application of metabolomic profiling to detecting, risk stratifying, and identifying novel targets for metabolic therapy in this heterogeneous population. PMID: 27216948 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

A transcriptome-based global map of signaling pathways in the ovarian cancer microenvironment associated with clinical outcome. Genome Biol. 2016;17(1):108 Authors: Reinartz S, Finkernagel F, Adhikary T, Rohnalter V, Schumann T, Schober Y, Nockher WA, Nist A, Stiewe T, Jansen JM, Wagner U, Müller-Brüsselbach S, Müller R Abstract BACKGROUND: Soluble protein and lipid mediators play essential roles in the tumor environment, but their cellular origins, targets, and clinical relevance are only partially known. We have addressed this question for the most abundant cell types in human ovarian carcinoma ascites, namely tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages. RESULTS: Transcriptome-derived datasets were adjusted for errors caused by contaminating cell types by an algorithm using expression data derived from pure cell types as references. These data were utilized to construct a network of autocrine and paracrine signaling pathways comprising 358 common and 58 patient-specific signaling mediators and their receptors. RNA sequencing based predictions were confirmed for several proteins and lipid mediators. Published expression microarray results for 1018 patients were used to establish clinical correlations for a number of components with distinct cellular origins and target cells. Clear associations with early relapse were found for STAT3-inducing cytokines, specific components of WNT and fibroblast growth factor signaling, ephrin and semaphorin axon guidance molecules, and TGFβ/BMP-triggered pathways. An association with early relapse was also observed for secretory macrophage-derived phospholipase PLA2G7, its product arachidonic acid (AA) and signaling pathways controlled by the AA metabolites PGE2, PGI2, and LTB4. By contrast, the genes encoding norrin and its receptor frizzled 4, both selectively expressed by cancer cells and previously not linked to tumor suppression, show a striking association with a favorable clinical course. CONCLUSIONS: We have established a signaling network operating in the ovarian cancer microenvironment with previously unidentified pathways and have defined clinically relevant components within this network. PMID: 27215396 [PubMed - in process]

Requirement for the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier in Mammalian Development Revealed by a Hypomorphic Allelic Series. Mol Cell Biol. 2016 May 23; Authors: Bowman CE, Zhao L, Hartung T, Wolfgang MJ Abstract Glucose and oxygen are two of the most important molecules transferred from mother to fetus during eutherian pregnancy, and the metabolic fates of these nutrients converge at the transport and metabolism of pyruvate in mitochondria. Pyruvate enters the mitochondrial matrix through the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), a complex in the inner mitochondrial membrane that consists of two essential components, MPC1 and MPC2. Here we define the requirement for mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism during development with a progressive allelic series of Mpc1 deficiency in mouse. Mpc1 deletion was homozygous lethal in mid-gestation, but Mpc1 hypomorphs and tissue-specific deletion of Mpc1 presented as early perinatal lethality. The allelic series demonstrated that graded suppression of MPC resulted in dose-dependent metabolic and transcriptional changes. Steady-state metabolomics analysis of brain and liver from Mpc1 hypomorph embryos identified compensatory changes in amino acid and lipid metabolism. Flux assays in Mpc1-deficient embryonic fibroblasts also reflected these changes, including a dramatic increase in mitochondrial alanine utilization. The mitochondrial alanine transaminase, GPT2, was found to be necessary and sufficient for increased alanine flux upon MPC inhibition. These data show that impaired mitochondrial pyruvate transport results in biosynthetic deficiencies that can be mitigated in part by alternative anaplerotic substrates in utero. PMID: 27215380 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Metabolomics reveals significant variations in metabolites and correlations regarding the maturation of walnuts (Juglans regia L.). Biol Open. 2016 May 23; Authors: Rao G, Sui J, Zhang J Abstract The content of walnut metabolites is related to its nutritive value and physiological characteristics, however, comprehensive information concerning the metabolome of walnut kernels is limited. In this study we analyzed the metabolites of walnut kernels at five developmental stages from filling to ripening using GC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics; of a total 252 peaks identified, 85 metabolites were positively identified. Further statistical analysis revealed that these 85 metabolites covered different types of metabolism pathways. PCA scores revealed that the metabolic compositions of the embryo are different at each stage, while the metabolic composition of the endotesta could not be significantly separated into distinct groups. Additionally, 7225 metabolite-metabolite correlations were detected in walnut kernel by a Pearson correlation coefficient approach; during screening of the calculated correlations, 463 and 1047 were determined to be significant with r(2)≥0.49 and had a false discovery rate (FDR) ≤0.05 in endotesta and embryo, respectively. This work provides the first comprehensive metabolomic study of walnut kernels and reveals that most of the carbohydrate and protein-derived carbon was transferred into other compounds, such as fatty acids, during the maturation of walnuts, which may potentially provide the basis for further studies on walnut kernel metabolism. PMID: 27215321 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography for the Simultaneous determination of Sildenafil and N-desmethyl sildenafil in plasma of children. Biomed Chromatogr. 2016 May 23; Authors: Goffredo BM, Cairoli S, Vitale A, Corsetti T, Pastore A Abstract Sildenafil is a selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) used for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) in the adults. In pediatrics, PAH treatment options include the off-label use of sildenafil. Sildenafil is metabolized in the liver by cytocrome P450 into its active metabolite, N-desmethyl sildenafil. The determination of plasma levels of sildenafil and N-desmethyl sildenafil could be useful for therapy optimization and pharmacokinetic studies. We have developed and validated a method for the quantification of sildenafil and its metabolite in plasma of children by rapid extraction, using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection. The calibration range was fitted at least square model (r(2)  ≥ 0.999), with an accuracy and an intra- and inter-day RSD% (Relative Standard Deviation) lower than 15% for both analytes. The mean recovery was 102.5 % for sildenafil and 101.8 % for N-desmethyl sildenafil. This simple method could be successful used in children with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension under treatment with sildenafil. PMID: 27215176 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles Metabolite Profiling of Diverse Rice Germplasm and Identification of Conserved Metabolic Markers of Rice Roots in Response to Long-Term Mild Salinity Stress. Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(9):21959-74 Authors: Nam MH, Bang E, Kwon TY, Kim Y, Kim EH, Cho K, Park WJ, Kim BG, Yoon IS Abstract The sensitivity of rice to salt stress greatly depends on growth stages, organ types and cultivars. Especially, the roots of young rice seedlings are highly salt-sensitive organs that limit plant growth, even under mild soil salinity conditions. In an attempt to identify metabolic markers of rice roots responding to salt stress, metabolite profiling was performed by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy in 38 rice genotypes that varied in biomass accumulation under long-term mild salinity condition. Multivariate statistical analysis showed separation of the control and salt-treated rice roots and rice genotypes with differential growth potential. By quantitative analyses of ¹H-NMR data, five conserved salt-responsive metabolic markers of rice roots were identified. Sucrose, allantoin and glutamate accumulated by salt stress, whereas the levels of glutamine and alanine decreased. A positive correlation of metabolite changes with growth potential and salt tolerance of rice genotypes was observed for allantoin and glutamine. Adjustment of nitrogen metabolism in rice roots is likely to be closely related to maintain the growth potential and increase the stress tolerance of rice. PMID: 26378525 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Effects of Oral Administration of Chitin Nanofiber on Plasma Metabolites and Gut Microorganisms. Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(9):21931-49 Authors: Azuma K, Izumi R, Kawata M, Nagae T, Osaki T, Murahata Y, Tsuka T, Imagawa T, Ito N, Okamoto Y, Morimoto M, Izawa H, Saimoto H, Ifuku S Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effects of oral administration of chitin nanofibers (CNFs) and surface-deacetylated (SDA) CNFs on plasma metabolites using metabolome analysis. Furthermore, we determined the changes in gut microbiota and fecal organic acid concentrations following oral administrations of CNFs and SDACNFs. Healthy female mice (six-week-old) were fed a normal diet and administered tap water with 0.1% (v/v) CNFs or SDACNFs for 28 days. Oral administration of CNFs increased plasma levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). Oral administration of SDACNFs affected the metabolisms of acyl-carnitines and fatty acids. The fecal organic level analysis indicated that oral administration of CNFs stimulated and activated the functions of microbiota. These results indicate that oral administration of CNFs increases plasma levels of ATP and 5-HT via activation of gut microbiota. PMID: 26378523 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles Identification of the Lomofungin Biosynthesis Gene Cluster and Associated Flavin-Dependent Monooxygenase Gene in Streptomyces lomondensis S015. PLoS One. 2015;10(8):e0136228 Authors: Zhang C, Sheng C, Wang W, Hu H, Peng H, Zhang X Abstract Streptomyces lomondensis S015 synthesizes the broad-spectrum phenazine antibiotic lomofungin. Whole genome sequencing of this strain revealed a genomic locus consisting of 23 open reading frames that includes the core phenazine biosynthesis gene cluster lphzGFEDCB. lomo10, encoding a putative flavin-dependent monooxygenase, was also identified in this locus. Inactivation of lomo10 by in-frame partial deletion resulted in the biosynthesis of a new phenazine metabolite, 1-carbomethoxy-6-formyl-4,9-dihydroxy-phenazine, along with the absence of lomofungin. This result suggests that lomo10 is responsible for the hydroxylation of lomofungin at its C-7 position. This is the first description of a phenazine hydroxylation gene in Streptomyces, and the results of this study lay the foundation for further investigation of phenazine metabolite biosynthesis in Streptomyces. PMID: 26305803 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles GC-MS-Based Metabonomic Profiling Displayed Differing Effects of Borna Disease Virus Natural Strain Hu-H1 and Laboratory Strain V Infection in Rat Cortical Neurons. Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(8):19347-68 Authors: Liu S, Bode L, Zhang L, He P, Huang R, Sun L, Chen S, Zhang H, Guo Y, Zhou J, Fu Y, Zhu D, Xie P Abstract Borna disease virus (BDV) persists in the central nervous systems of a wide variety of vertebrates and causes behavioral disorders. Previous studies have revealed that metabolic perturbations are associated with BDV infection. However, the pathophysiological effects of different viral strains remain largely unknown. Rat cortical neurons infected with human strain BDV Hu-H1, laboratory BDV Strain V, and non-infected control (CON) cells were cultured in vitro. At day 12 post-infection, a gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabonomic approach was used to differentiate the metabonomic profiles of 35 independent intracellular samples from Hu-H1-infected cells (n = 12), Strain V-infected cells (n = 12), and CON cells (n = 11). Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed to demonstrate discrimination between the three groups. Further statistical testing determined which individual metabolites displayed significant differences between groups. PLS-DA demonstrated that the whole metabolic pattern enabled statistical discrimination between groups. We identified 31 differential metabolites in the Hu-H1 and CON groups (21 decreased and 10 increased in Hu-H1 relative to CON), 35 differential metabolites in the Strain V and CON groups (30 decreased and 5 increased in Strain V relative to CON), and 21 differential metabolites in the Hu-H1 and Strain V groups (8 decreased and 13 increased in Hu-H1 relative to Strain V). Comparative metabonomic profiling revealed divergent perturbations in key energy and amino acid metabolites between natural strain Hu-H1 and laboratory Strain V of BDV. The two BDV strains differentially alter metabolic pathways of rat cortical neurons in vitro. Their systematic classification provides a valuable template for improved BDV strain definition in future studies. PMID: 26287181 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]