BCAA was more closely associated with visceral fat area than subcutaneous fat area in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) has been reported to be associated with obesity, the association of BCAA with visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) remained unclear in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 284 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Enzyme-linked immunospecific assay was used to measure levels of serum BCAA and branched-chain keto acid (BCKA). VFA and SFA were measured with bio-impedance analysis method. The association between BCAA and VFA was calculated using Pearson correlation and multivariable linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the means of body mass index, waist circumstance, SFA and VFA among the three groups divided by total BCAA tertiles (all p < 0.05). Compared to patients with lower levels of serum BCAA (the lower tertile group), the means of VFA and SFA were significantly larger in the middle and upper tertile groups (all p < 0.05). However, the differences in above obesity parameters were nonsignificant according to various BCKA tertiles. Pearson correlation analysis also demonstrated that BCAA levels were positive associated with each obesity parameter (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, multivariable linear regression analysis showed that levels of serum BCAA were correlated with VFA, BMI and WC (all p < 0.05) rather than SFA after adjusted for other confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

levels of serum BCAA were more closely correlated with VFA than SFA, prospective studies should be warranted to further explore the mechanism mediating BCAA and visceral fat accumulation in Human beings.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Resveratrol: Challenges and prospects in extraction and hybridization with nanoparticles, polymers, and bio-ceramics

Resveratrol (RSV), a bioactive natural phenolic compound found in plants, fruits, and vegetables, has garnered significant attention in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries due to its remarkable biological and pharmacological activities. Despite its potential in treating various diseases, its poor pharmacokinetic properties, such as low solubility, stability, bioavailability, and susceptibility to rapid oxidation, limit its biomedical applications. Recent advancements focus on incorporating resveratrol into innovative materials like nanoparticles, polymers, and bio-ceramics to enhance its properties and bioavailability. In this review, an exhaustive literature search was conducted from PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to explore these advancements, to compares conventional and innovative extraction methods, and to highlights resveratrol's therapeutic potential, including its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-cancerogenic, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and cardio-protective properties. Additionally, we discuss the challenges and prospects of hybrid materials combining resveratrol with nanoparticles, polymers, and bio-ceramics for therapeutic applications. Rigorous studies are still needed to confirm their clinical efficacy.

Advances and Prospects in Liquid Biopsy Techniques for Malignant Tumor Diagnosis and Surveillance

Liquid biopsy technology provides invaluable support for the early diagnosis of tumors and surveillance of disease course by detecting tumor-related biomarkers in bodily fluids. Currently, liquid biopsy techniques are mainly divided into two categories: biomarker and label-free. Biomarker liquid biopsy techniques utilize specific antibodies or probes to identify and isolate target cells, exosomes, or molecules, and these techniques are widely used in clinical practice. However, they have certain limitations including dependence on tumor markers, alterations in cell biological properties, and high cost. In contrast, label-free liquid biopsy techniques directly utilize physical or chemical properties of cells, exosomes, or molecules for detection and isolation. These techniques have the advantage of not needing labeling, not impacting downstream analysis, and low detection cost. However, most are still in the research stage and not yet mature. This review first discusses recent advances in liquid biopsy techniques for early tumor diagnosis and disease surveillance. Several current techniques are described in detail. These techniques exploit differences in biomarkers, size, density, deformability, electrical properties, and chemical composition in tumor components to achieve highly sensitive tumor component identification and separation. Finally, the current research progress is summarized and the future research directions of the field are discussed.

Characteristics of intestinal flora in nonobese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients and the impact of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment on these features

The study aimed to investigate the alterations in gut microbiota among nonobese individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their response to treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). A total of 90 patients diagnosed with NAFLD and 36 healthy subjects were recruited to participate in this study. Among them, a subgroup of 14 nonobese nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were treated with UDCA. Demographic and serologic data were collected for all participants, while stool samples were obtained for fecal microbiome analysis using 16S sequencing. In nonobese NAFLD patients, the alpha diversity of intestinal flora decreased (Shannon index, p < 0.05), and the composition of intestinal flora changed (beta diversity, p < 0.05). The abundance of 20 genera, including Fusobacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Klebsiella, etc., exhibited significant changes (p < 0.05). Among them, nine species including Fusobacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Klebsiella, etc. were found to be associated with abnormal liver enzymes and glucolipid metabolic disorders. Among the 14 NASH patients treated with UDCA, improvements were observed in terms of liver enzymes, CAP values, and E values (p < 0.05), however, no improve the glucolipid metabolism. While the alpha diversity of intestinal flora did not show significant changes after UDCA treatment, there was a notable alteration in the composition of intestinal flora (beta diversity, p < 0.05). Furthermore, UCDA treatment led to an improvement in the relative abundance of Alistipes, Holdemanella, Gilisia, etc. among nonobese NASH patients (p < 0.05). Nonobese NAFLD patients exhibit dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota. UDCA can ameliorate hepatic enzyme abnormalities and reduce liver fat content in nonobese NASH patients, potentially through its ability to restore intestinal microbiota balance.

Lipidomic perturbations of normal-weight adiposity phenotypes and their mediations on diet-adiposity associations

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Normal-weight obesity (NWO) and normal-weight central obesity (NWCO) have been linked to higher cardiometabolic risks, but their etiological bases and attributable dietary factors remain unclear. In this study we therefore aimed to identify lipidomic signatures and dietary factors related to NWO and NWCO and to explore the mediation associations of lipids in diet-adiposity associations.

METHODS

Using a high-coverage targeted lipidomic approach, we quantified 1245 serum lipids in participants with NWO (n = 150), NWCO (n = 150), or propensity-score-matched normal-weight controls (n = 150) based on the Regional Ethnic Cohort Study in Northwest China. Consumption frequency of 28 major food items was recorded using a food frequency questionnaire.

RESULTS

Profound lipidomic perturbations of NWCO relative to NWO were observed, and 249 (dominantly glycerolipids) as well as 48 (dominantly glycerophospholipids) lipids were exclusively associated with NWCO or NWO. Based on strong lipidomic signatures identified by a LASSO model, phospholipid biosynthesis was the top enriched pathway of NWCO, and sphingolipid metabolism was the top pathway of NWO. Remarkably, sphingolipids were positively associated with NWO and NWCO, but lyso-phosphatidylcholines were negatively associated with them. Rice, fruit juice, and carbonated drink intakes were positively associated with the risk of NWCO. Both global and individual lipidomic signatures, including SE(28:1_22:6) and HexCer(d18:1/20:1), mediated these diet-NWCO associations (mediation proportion: 15.92%-26.10%).

CONCLUSIONS

Differential lipidomic signatures were identified for overall and abdominal adiposity accumulation in normal-weight individuals, underlining their core mediation roles in dietary contributions to adiposity deposition.

Adipose tissue in older individuals: a contributing factor to sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by a functional decline in muscle. The prevalence of sarcopenia increases with natural aging, becoming a serious health problem among elderly individuals. Therefore, understanding the pathology of sarcopenia is critical for inhibiting age-related alterations and promoting health and longevity in elderly individuals. The development of sarcopenia may be influenced by interactions between visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, particularly under conditions of chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. This hypothesis is supported by the following observations: (i) accumulation of senescent cells in both adipose tissue and skeletal muscle with age; (ii) gut dysbiosis, characterized by an imbalance in gut microbial communities as the main trigger for inflammation, sarcopenia, and aged adipose tissue; and (iii) microbial dysbiosis, which could impact the onset or progression of a senescent state. Moreover, adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ, releasing molecules that participate in intricate communication networks between organs. Our discussion focuses on novel adipokines and their role in regulating adipose tissue and muscle, particularly those influenced by aging and obesity, emphasizing their contributions to disease development. On the basis of these findings, we propose that age-related adipose tissue and sarcopenia are disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Finally, we explore new potential therapeutic strategies involving specialized proresolving mediator (SPM) G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists, non-SPM GPCR agonists, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, antidiabetic drugs in conjunction with probiotics and prebiotics, and compounds designed to target senescent cells and mitigate their pro-inflammatory activity.

Leucine-Enriched Diet Reduces Fecal MPO but Does Not Protect Against DSS Colitis in a Mouse Model of Crohn's Disease-like Ileitis

Understanding the complex link between inflammation, gut health, and dietary amino acids is becoming increasingly important in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study tested the hypothesis that a leucine-rich diet could attenuate inflammation and improve gut health in a mouse model of IBD. Specifically, we investigated the effects of a leucine-rich diet on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in germ-free (GF) SAMP1/YitFC (SAMP) mice colonized with human gut microbiota (hGF-SAMP). hGF-SAMP mice were fed one of four different diets: standard mouse diet (CHOW), American diet (AD), leucine-rich AD (AD + AA), or leucine-rich CHOW diet (CH + AA). Body weight, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, gut permeability, colonoscopy scores, and histological analysis were measured. Mice on a leucine-rich CHOW diet showed a decrease in fecal MPO prior to DSS treatment as compared to those on a regular diet (p > 0.05); however, after week five, prior to DSS, this effect had diminished. Following DSS treatment, there was no significant difference in gut permeability, fecal MPO activity, or body weight changes between the leucine-supplemented and control groups. These findings suggest that while a leucine-rich diet may transiently affect fecal MPO levels in hGF-SAMP mice, it does not confer protection against DSS-induced colitis symptoms or mitigate inflammation in the long term.

Interaction between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity on the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases

BACKGROUNDS

This investigation seeks to explore the correlation between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and to to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of CVDs.

METHODS

This study utilized data from the Jinchang cohort platform, including 19,399 participants without pre-existing major CVDs. Based on the general population and gender stratification, Cox models were used to analyze the risk of NAFLD for CVDs. The combined effect of NAFLD and different obesity indicators on CVDs was analyzed by additive and multiplicative interaction models and subgroups.

RESULTS

There were 3129 NAFLD patients out of 19399 subjects, and 723 (23.11%) of them had the CVD. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, the Cox model revealed a 1.17-fold increase in the risk of CVDs among patients with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD. Moreover, there was no notable disparity in CVDs risk among most NAFLD patients at the same level of obesity. The results indicated no additive interaction between NAFLD and obesity concerning CVDs risk, but rather a positive multiplicative interaction. Using the normal population as a reference, it was found that people with both obesity and NAFLD significantly increased the risk of developing CVDs, with HRs and 95% CIs of 1.790 (1.508, 2.126), 1.356 (1.213, 1.517), and 1.807 (1.503, 2.174), respectively, for BMI, WC, and the combination of BMI and WC.

CONCLUSIONS

NAFLD and obesity are independent risk factors for CVDs. The synergy of obesity and NAFLD implies that NAFLD patients should control weight gain. Larger BMI and WC values may increase the CVDs risk for NAFLD patients, especially women.

Dietary intakes of branch chained amino acids and obesity risk among Chinese gestational diabetes women

Introduction

Epidemiological studies have assessed the correlation between daily dietary branch chain amino acid (BCAA) intakes and the risk of obesity, however, the findings from these studies were inconsistent and investigations among GDM women were few.

Objective

The present study was to investigate the associations of daily BCAA intakes with the risks of overweight and abdominal obesity among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) postpartum.

Method

We performed a cross-sectional study of 1,263 women with prior GDM at 1-5 years post-delivery. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of daily dietary intakes of BCAAs with the risks of overweight and abdominal obesity.

Results

The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) across quartiles of daily BCAA intakes postpartum were 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.97), 1.00 (reference), 1.21 (95% CI 0.88-1.68), and 1.31 (95% CI 0.95-1.81) for general overweight, and 1.38 (95% CI 0.99-1.90), 1.00, 1.19 (95% CI 0.86-1.64), and 1.43 (95% CI 1.04-1.98) for abdominal obesity, respectively. Women with the lowest quartile of daily BCAA intakes significantly increased the risks of general overweight (OR 1.49; 95 %CI 1.06-2.09) and abdominal obesity (OR 1.50; 95 %CI 1.08-2.11) compared with women at quartile 2 of daily BCAA intakes after further adjustment of daily energy intake.

Conclusion

The present study indicated that daily lower BCAA intakes were associated with increased risks of general overweight and abdominal obesity among women with prior GDM.

The beneficial impact of curcumin on cardiac lipotoxicity

Lipotoxicity is defined as a prolonged metabolic imbalance of lipids that results in ectopic fat distribution in peripheral organs such as the liver, heart, and kidney. The harmful consequences of excessive lipid accumulation in cardiomyocytes cause cardiac lipotoxicity, which alters the structure and function of the heart. Obesity and diabetes are linked to lipotoxic cardiomyopathy. These anomalies might be caused by a harmful metabolic shift that accumulates toxic lipids and shifts glucose oxidation to less fatty acid oxidation. Research has linked fatty acids, fatty acyl coenzyme A, diacylglycerol, and ceramide to lipotoxic stress in cells. This stress can be brought on by apoptosis, impaired insulin signaling, endoplasmic reticulum stress, protein kinase C activation, p38 Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, or modification of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) family members. Curcuma longa is used to extract curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol derivative with a variety of pharmacological characteristics. Throughout the years, curcumin has been utilized as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity drug. Curcumin reduces cardiac lipotoxicity by inhibiting apoptosis and decreasing the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, reducing the expression of inflammatory cytokines, activating the autophagy signaling pathway, and inhibiting the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress marker proteins.

A cocktail of histidine, carnosine, cysteine and serine reduces adiposity and improves metabolic health and adipose tissue immunometabolic function in ovariectomized rats

Many women have sought alternative therapies to address menopause. Recently, a multi-ingredient supplement (MIS) containing L-histidine, L-carnosine, L-serine, and L-cysteine has been shown to be effective at ameliorating hepatic steatosis (HS) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, a postmenopausal oestrogen deficiency model. Considering that HS frequently accompanies obesity, which often occurs during menopause, we aimed to investigate the effects of this MIS for 8 weeks in OVX rats. Twenty OVX rats were orally supplemented with either MIS (OVX-MIS) or vehicle (OVX). Ten OVX rats received vehicle orally along with subcutaneous injections of 17β-oestradiol (OVX-E2), whereas 10 rats underwent a sham operation and received oral and injected vehicles (control group). MIS consumption partly counteracted the fat mass accretion observed in OVX animals, leading to decreased total fat mass, adiposity index and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RWAT) adipocyte hypertrophy. OVX-MIS rats also displayed increased lean mass and lean/fat ratio, suggesting a healthier body composition, similar to the results reported for OVX-E2 animals. MIS consumption decreased the circulating levels of the proinflammatory marker CRP, the total cholesterol-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio and the leptin-to-adiponectin ratio, a biomarker of diabetes risk and metabolic syndrome. RWAT transcriptomics indicated that MIS favourably regulated genes involved in adipocyte structure and morphology, cell fate determination and differentiation, glucose/insulin homeostasis, inflammation, response to stress and oxidative phosphorylation, which may be mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects described for OVX-MIS rats. Our results pave the way for using this MIS formulation to improve the body composition and immunometabolic health of menopausal women.

Emerging methods and techniques for cancer biomarker discovery

Modern cancer research depends heavily on the identification and validation of biomarkers because they provide important information about the diagnosis, prognosis, and response to treatment of the cancer. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of cancer biomarkers, including their development phases and recent breakthroughs in transcriptomics and computational techniques for detecting these biomarkers. Blood-based biomarkers have great potential for non-invasive tumor dynamics and treatment response monitoring. These include circulating tumor DNA, exosomes, and microRNAs. Comprehensive molecular profiles are provided by multi-omic technologies, which combine proteomics, metabolomics, and genomes to support the identification of biomarkers and the targeting of therapeutic interventions. Genetic changes are detected by next-generation sequencing, and patterns of protein expression are found by protein arrays and mass spectrometry. Tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution can be understood using metabolic profiling and single-cell studies. It is projected that the use of several biomarkers-genetic, protein, mRNA, microRNA, and DNA profiles, among others-will rise, enabling multi-biomarker analysis and improving individualised treatment plans. Biomarker identification and patient outcome prediction are further improved by developments in AI algorithms and imaging techniques. Robust biomarker validation and reproducibility require cooperation between industry, academia, and doctors. Biomarkers can provide individualized care, meet unmet clinical needs, and enhance patient outcomes despite some obstacles. Precision medicine will continue to take shape as scientific research advances and the integration of biomarkers with cutting-edge technologies continues to offer a more promising future for personalized cancer care.

Dark tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of dysglycaemia and increased urinary glucose and sodium excretion in Chinese adults

AIM

To examine the associations of tea consumption (both frequency and type) with (1) prediabetes and diabetes and (2) urinary glucose and sodium excretion in Chinese community-dwelling adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 1923 participants (457 with diabetes, 720 with prediabetes, and 746 with normoglycaemia), the frequency (occasional, frequent, daily, or nil) and type (green, black, dark, or other) of tea consumption were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Morning spot urinary glucose and urine glucose-to-creatinine ratios (UGCRs) were assessed as markers of urinary glucose excretion. Tanaka's equation was used to estimate 24-h urinary sodium excretion. Logistic and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Compared with non-tea drinkers, the corresponding multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for prediabetes and diabetes were 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48, 0.83) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.41, 0.82) in participants drinking tea daily. However, only drinking dark tea was associated with reduced ORs for prediabetes (0.49, 95% CI 0.36, 0.66) and diabetes (0.41, 95% CI 0.28, 0.62). Dark tea consumption was associated with increased morning spot urinary glucose (0.22 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.11, 0.34 mmol/L), UGCR (0.15 mmol/mmol, 95% CI 0.05, 0.25 mmol/L) and estimated 24-h urinary sodium (7.78 mEq/day, 95% CI 2.27, 13.28 mEq/day).

CONCLUSIONS

Regular tea consumption, especially dark tea, is associated with a reduced risk of dysglycaemia and increased urinary glucose and sodium excretion in Chinese community-dwelling adults.

Integrated gene-metabolite association network analysis reveals key metabolic pathways in gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of the most death cause cancers worldwide. Metabolomics is an effective approach for investigating the occurrence and progression of cancer and detecting prognostic biomarkers by studying the profiles of small bioactive molecules. To fully decipher the functional roles of the disrupted metabolites that modulate the cellular mechanism of gastric cancer, integrated gene-metabolite association network methods are critical to map the associations between metabolites and genes. In this study, we constructed a knowledge-based gene-metabolite association network of gastric cancer using the dysregulated metabolites and genes between gastric cancer patients and control group. The topological pathway analysis and gene-protein-metabolite-disease association analysis revealed four key gene-metabolite pathways which include eleven metabolites associated with modulated genes. The integrated gene-metabolite association network enables mechanistic investigation and provides a comprehensive overview regarding the investigation of molecular mechanisms of gastric cancer, which facilitates the in-depth understanding of metabolic biomarker roles in gastric cancer.

Glucose Metabolism-Modifying Natural Materials for Potential Feed Additive Development

Glucose, a primary energy source derived from animals' feed ration, is crucial for their growth, production performance, and health. However, challenges such as metabolic stress, oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota disruption during animal production practices can potentially impair animal glucose metabolism pathways. Phytochemicals, probiotics, prebiotics, and trace minerals are known to change the molecular pathway of insulin-dependent glucose metabolism and improve glucose uptake in rodent and cell models. These compounds, commonly used as animal feed additives, have been well studied for their ability to promote various aspects of growth and health. However, their specific effects on glucose uptake modulation have not been thoroughly explored. This article focuses on glucose metabolism is on discovering alternative non-pharmacological treatments for diabetes in humans, which could have significant implications for developing feed additives that enhance animal performance by promoting insulin-dependent glucose metabolism. This article also aims to provide information about natural materials that impact glucose uptake and to explore their potential use as non-antibiotic feed additives to promote animal health and production. Further exploration of this topic and the materials involved could provide a basis for new product development and innovation in animal nutrition.

Potential Effect of Curcumin in Lowering Blood Glucose Level in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Purpose

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has significantly increased, with 537 million individuals living with diabetes in 2021. Curcumin, a natural compound present in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that aid in controlling diabetes. Curcumin can lower blood glucose levels, increase pancreatic cell function, and reduce insulin resistance. The pathophysiology of diabetes involves oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress, which can lead to cell death. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of curcumin in rats by administering it for a month and evaluating pancreatic tissue histology.

Patients and Methods

STZ-induced diabetic rats were fed a high-fat diet containing glibenclamide, 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) curcumin, 400 mg/kg BW curcumin, or a placebo for 4 weeks. After intervention, blood glucose levels were measured, and the pancreatic tissue was examined. Blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h.

Results

One-way ANOVA was performed to measure the mean difference among the groups at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h of observation, which reported a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The blood glucose levels decreased after 4 h in the group receiving curcumin. Histological evaluation of the pancreas showed slight hydropic degeneration after 4 weeks of curcumin treatment.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that curcumin has a beneficial effect in diabetic rats by reducing blood glucose levels and a protective effect on the pancreas.

Targeting lipid droplets and lipid droplet-associated proteins: a new perspective on natural compounds against metabolic diseases

BACKGROUND

Lipid droplet (LD) is a metabolically active organelle, which changes dynamically with the metabolic state and energy requirements of cells. Proteins that either insert into the LD phospholipid monolayer or are present in the cytoplasm, playing a crucial role in lipid homeostasis and signaling regulation, are known as LD-associated proteins.

METHODS

The keywords "lipid droplets" and "metabolic diseases" were used to obtain literature on LD metabolism and pathological mechanism. After searching databases including Scopus, OVID, Web of Science, and PubMed from 2013 to 2024 using terms like "lipid droplets", "lipid droplet-associated proteins", "fatty liver disease", "diabetes", "diabetic kidney disease", "obesity", "atherosclerosis", "hyperlipidemia", "natural drug monomers" and "natural compounds", the most common natural compounds were identified in about 954 articles. Eventually, a total of 91 studies of 10 natural compounds reporting in vitro or in vivo studies were refined and summarized.

RESULTS

The most frequently used natural compounds include Berberine, Mangostin, Capsaicin, Caffeine, Genistein, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, Chlorogenic acid, Betaine, Ginsenoside, Resveratrol. These natural compounds interact with LD-associated proteins and help ameliorate abnormal LDs in various metabolic diseases.

CONCLUSION

Natural compounds involved in the regulation of LDs and LD-associated proteins hold promise for treating metabolic diseases. Further research into these interactions may lead to new therapeutic applications.

Analyzing and evaluating the prevalence and metabolic profile of lean NAFLD compared to obese NAFLD: a systemic review and meta-analysis

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver condition affecting 25%-40% of the worldwide population. NAFLD is traditionally related to obesity and metabolic disorders. NAFLD can also affect non-obese individuals, termed "lean NAFLD" (LN), who exhibit a paradoxical combination of physical leanness and metabolic obesity. Factors contributing to LN remain unclear, necessitating further research. This analysis aims to understand LN's prevalence and metabolic characteristics compared to obese NAFLD (ON) populations.

Methods

This meta-analysis searched various databases until August 1, 2023. Inclusion criteria involved observational studies comparing LN with overweight/obese NAFLD. Data extraction included baseline characteristics, disease occurrence, metabolic profile, and clinical parameters-statistical analysis employed calculating risk ratios (RR) and standard mean differences.

Results

Twenty-five studies were analyzed. LN is associated with lower prevalence in both NAFLD (RR 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14-0.52, p = <0.0001) and total (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.15-0.51, p < 0.0001) population. LN had lower diabetes mellitus (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.71-0.87, p < 0.00001), dyslipidemia (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.95, p = 0.002), hypertension (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74-0.87, p < 0.00001), and metabolic syndrome (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.31-0.64, p < 0.00001) compared to those with ON. The LN group's lipid profile, blood pressure, and other clinical parameters were favorable compared to ON.

Conclusion

The prevalence of NAFLD among lean and non-lean individuals varies by region. Our analysis revealed that LN is associated with lower metabolic diseases, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, and a more favorable lipid profile compared to ON.

The effects of APOE4 and familial Alzheimer's disease mutations on free fatty acid profiles in mouse brain are age- and sex-dependent

APOE4 encoding apolipoprotein (Apo)E4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). ApoE is key in intercellular lipid trafficking. Fatty acids are essential for brain integrity and cognitive performance and are implicated in neurodegeneration. We determined the sex- and age-dependent effect of AD and APOE4 on brain free fatty acid (FFA) profiles. FFA profiles were determined by LC-MS/MS in hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum of female and male, young (≤3 months) and older (>5 months), transgenic APOE3 and APOE4 mice with and without five familial AD (FAD) mutations (16 groups; n = 7-10 each). In the different brain regions, females had higher levels than males of either saturated or polyunsaturated FFAs or both. In the hippocampus of young males, but not of older males, APOE4 and FAD each induced 1.3-fold higher levels of almost all FFAs. In young and older females, FAD and to a less extent APOE4-induced shifts among saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FFAs without affecting total FFA levels. In cortex and cerebellum, APOE4 and FAD had only minor effects on individual FFAs. The effects of APOE4 and FAD on FFA levels and FFA profiles in the three brain regions were strongly dependent of sex and age, particularly in the hippocampus. Here, most FFAs that are affected by FAD are similarly affected by APOE4. Since APOE4 and FAD affected hippocampal FFA profiles already at young age, these APOE4-induced alterations may modulate the pathogenesis of AD.

Metabolomic Applications in Gut Microbiota-Host Interactions in Human Diseases

The human gut microbiota, consisting of trillions of microorganisms, encodes diverse metabolic pathways that impact numerous aspects of host physiology. One key way in which gut bacteria interact with the host is through the production of small metabolites. Several of these microbiota-dependent metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, have been shown to modulate host diseases. In this review, we examine how disease-associated metabolic signatures are identified using metabolomic platforms, and where metabolomics is applied in gut microbiota-disease interactions. We further explore how integration of metagenomic and metabolomic data in human studies can facilitate biomarkers discoveries in precision medicine.

The Interplay of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Oral Diseases: Recent Updates in Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Implications

Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to various systemic and localized diseases, including oral diseases like periodontitis, oral cancer, and temporomandibular joint disorders. This paper explores the intricate mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in oral pathologies, encompassing oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired energy metabolism. Furthermore, it elucidates the bidirectional relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and oral diseases, wherein the compromised mitochondrial function exacerbates disease progression, while oral pathologies, in turn, exacerbate mitochondrial dysfunction. Understanding these intricate interactions offers insights into novel therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial function for managing oral diseases. This paper pertains to the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction, its implications in various oral pathological and inflammatory conditions, and emerging versatile treatment approaches. It reviews current therapeutic strategies to mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction, including antioxidants, mitochondrial-targeted agents, and metabolic modulators.

Combined matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-mass spectrometry imaging with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for observing spatial distribution of lipids in whole Caenorhabditis elegans

RATIONALE

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is a powerful label-free technique for biomolecule detection (e.g., lipids), within tissue sections across various biological species. However, despite its utility in many applications, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is not routinely used in combination with MALDI-MSI. The lack of studies exploring spatial distribution of biomolecules in nematodes is likely due to challenges with sample preparation.

METHODS

This study developed a sample preparation method for whole intact nematodes, evaluated using cryosectioning of nematodes embedded in a 10% gelatine solution to obtain longitudinal cross sections. The slices were then subjected to MALDI-MSI, using a RapifleX Tissuetyper in positive and negative polarities. Samples were also prepared for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis using an Exploris 480 coupled to a HPLC Vanquish system to confirm the MALDI-MSI results.

RESULTS

An optimised embedding method was developed for longitudinal cross-sectioning of individual worms. To obtain longitudinal cross sections, nematodes were frozen at -80°C so that all worms were rod shaped. Then, the samples were defrosted and transferred to a 10% gelatine matrix in a cryomold; the worms aligned, and the whole cryomold submerged in liquid nitrogen. Using MALDI-MSI, we were able to observe the distribution of lipids within C. elegans, with clear differences in their spatial distribution at a resolution of 5 μm. To confirm the lipids from MALDI-MSI, age-matched nematodes were subjected to LC-MS/MS. Here, 520 lipids were identified using LC-MS/MS, indicating overlap with MALDI-MSI data.

CONCLUSIONS

This optimised sample preparation technique enabled (un)targeted analysis of spatially distributed lipids within individual nematodes. The possibility to detect other biomolecules using this method thus laid the basis for prospective preclinical and toxicological studies on C. elegans.

The metabolic signature of blood lipids: a causal inference study using twins

Dyslipidemia is one of the cardiometabolic risk factors that influences mortality globally. Unraveling the causality between blood lipids and metabolites and the complex networks connecting lipids, metabolites, and other cardiometabolic traits can help to more accurately reflect the body's metabolic disorders and even cardiometabolic diseases. We conducted targeted metabolomics of 248 metabolites in 437 twins from the Chinese National Twin Registry. Inference about Causation through Examination of FAmiliaL CONfounding (ICE FALCON) analysis was used for causal inference between metabolites and lipid parameters. Bidirectional mediation analysis was performed to explore the linkages between blood lipids, metabolites, and other seven cardiometabolic traits. We identified 44, 1, and 31 metabolites associated with triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), most of which were gut microbiota-derived metabolites. There were 9, 1, and 14 metabolites that showed novel associations with TG, TC, and HDL-C, respectively. ICE FALCON analysis found that TG and HDL-C may have a predicted causal effect on 23 and six metabolites, respectively, and one metabolite may have a predicted causal effect on TG. Mediation analysis discovered 14 linkages connecting blood lipids, metabolites, and other cardiometabolic traits. Our study highlights the significance of gut microbiota-derived metabolites in lipid metabolism. Most of the identified cross-sectional associations may be due to the lipids having a predicted causal effect on metabolites, but not vice versa, nor are they due to family confounding. These findings shed new light on lipid metabolism and personalized management of cardiometabolic diseases.

Mass spectrometric approaches in discovering lipid biomarkers for COVID-19 by lipidomics: Future challenges and perspectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global health threat and has rapidly spread worldwide. Significant changes in the lipid profile before and after COVID-19 confirmed the significance of lipid metabolism in regulating the response to viral infection. Therefore, understanding the role of lipid metabolism may facilitate the development of new therapeutics for COVID-19. Owing to their high sensitivity and accuracy, mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods are widely used for rapidly identifying and quantifying of thousands of lipid species present in a small amount of sample. To enhance the capabilities of MS for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of lipids, different platforms have been combined to cover a wide range of lipidomes with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Currently, MS-based technologies are being established as efficient methods for discovering potential diagnostic biomarkers for COVID-19 and related diseases. As the lipidome of the host cell is drastically affected by the viral replication process, investigating lipid profile alterations in patients with COVID-19 and targeting lipid metabolism pathways are considered to be crucial steps in host-directed drug targeting to develop better therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes various MS-based strategies that have been developed for lipidomic analyzes and biomarker discoveries to combat COVID-19 by integrating various other potential approaches using different human samples. Furthermore, this review discusses the challenges in using MS technologies and future perspectives in terms of drug discovery and diagnosis of COVID-19.

Unraveling the Hidden Potential of Barley (Hordeum vulgare): An Important Review

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a winter crop well known for its small-seeded grains and self-pollinating characteristics. The flour derived from barley grains plays a crucial role in numerous processed food items, contributing to their taste and nutritional value. Barley consists of complex carbohydrates (80%), proteins (11.5-14.2%), lipids (4.7-6.8%), β-glucans (3.7-7.7%), and ash (1.8-2.4%). Beyond its other nutrients, barley boasts a good reservoir of phenolic compounds (1.2-2.9 mg/g GAE). This abundance of beneficial compounds positions barley as an attractive industrial substrate. In this review, the nutritional composition and bioactive profile of barley are discussed in a systemic manner, emphasizing its potential in the development of innovative barley-based products that promote health and well-being. By incorporating barley into various food formulations, industries can not only boost nutritional content but also offer consumers a wide range of health benefits. In conclusion, barley's diverse applications in food and health highlight its essential role in promoting healthier living.

Alterations of the gut microbiota and metabolites by ShenZhu TiaoPi granule alleviates hyperglycemia in GK rats

ShenZhu TiaoPi granule (STG) is a compound prescription that is used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Previous studies have indicated a hypoglycaemic effect, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were used to establish an in vivo T2DM model (Mod). The metformin (Met) and STG treatment time was 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin levels and the area under the glucose curve (GAUC) were measured. Intestinal pathology and permeability were observed. Microbial diversity analysis and metabolomics were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Compared with the Con group, the T2DM Mod group presented significant differences in weight, FBG, GAUC, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indices (p < 0.01). Met and STG improved these indicators (p < 0.01). The pathological morphology and zonula occludens 1 protein levels in the intestines of the Mod group of rats were altered, leading to increases in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels. In the Met and STG groups, the intestinal conditions improved, and the LPS and IL-1β levels significantly decreased (p < 0.01). Changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites occurred in the Mod group. In the STG group, the abundance of Intestinimonas increased, and the abundance of Eubacterium coprostanoligenes decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, STG also altered 2-deoxyglucose, beta-muricholic acid and dioxolithocholic acid production. In addition, the main metabolic pathways affected by STG were bile acid biosynthesis and cholesterol metabolism. Intestinimonas, D-maltose_and_alpha-lactose may be potential biomarkers for the effects of STG. STG alleviates hyperglycaemia via the gut microbiota and metabolites in GK rats.

Peripheral Lipid Signatures, Metabolic Dysfunction, and Pathophysiology in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

Metabolic dysfunction is commonly observed in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). The causes of metabolic comorbidity in SSDs are complex and include intrinsic or biological factors linked to the disorder, which are compounded by antipsychotic (AP) medications. The exact mechanisms underlying SSD pathophysiology and AP-induced metabolic dysfunction are unknown, but dysregulated lipid metabolism may play a role. Lipidomics, which detects lipid metabolites in a biological sample, represents an analytical tool to examine lipid metabolism. This systematic review aims to determine peripheral lipid signatures that are dysregulated among individuals with SSDs (1) with minimal exposure to APs and (2) during AP treatment. To accomplish this goal, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsychINFO databases in February 2024 to identify all full-text articles written in English where the authors conducted lipidomics in SSDs. Lipid signatures reported to significantly differ in SSDs compared to controls or in relation to AP treatment and the direction of dysregulation were extracted as outcomes. We identified 46 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Most of the lipid metabolites that significantly differed in minimally AP-treated patients vs. controls comprised glycerophospholipids, which were mostly downregulated. In the AP-treated group vs. controls, the significantly different metabolites were primarily fatty acyls, which were dysregulated in conflicting directions between studies. In the pre-to-post AP-treated patients, the most impacted metabolites were glycerophospholipids and fatty acyls, which were found to be primarily upregulated and conflicting, respectively. These lipid metabolites may contribute to SSD pathophysiology and metabolic dysfunction through various mechanisms, including the modulation of inflammation, cellular membrane permeability, and metabolic signaling pathways.

The inverse associations of glycine and histidine in diet with hyperlipidemia and hypertension

BACKGROUND

Amino acids are crucial for nutrition and metabolism, regulating metabolic pathways and activities vital to organismal health and stability. Glycine and histidine act as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents; however, limited knowledge exists regarding the associations between these amino acids and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between dietary glycine and histidine, and hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

METHODS

This population-based cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of dietary glycine and histidine, as well as their combined effect, on hyperlipidemia and hypertension in Chinese adults participating in the Nutrition Health Atlas Project (NHAP). General characteristics were acquired using a verified Internet-based Dietary Questionnaire for the Chinese. Binary logistic regression, along with gender, age groups, and median energy intake subgroup analyses, was employed to investigate the associations between dietary glycine and histidine and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of excluding individuals who smoke and consume alcohol on the results.

RESULTS

Based on the study's findings, 418 out of 1091 cases had hyperlipidemia, whereas 673 had hypertension. A significant inverse relationship was found between dietary glycine, histidine, and glycine + histidine and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Compared with the 1st and 2nd tertiles, the multivariable-adjusted odd ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) (CIs) of the 3rd tertile of dietary glycine for hyperlipidemia and hypertension were 0.64 (0.49-0.84) (p < 0.01) and 0.70 (0.56-0.88) (p < 0.001); histidine was 0.63 (0.49-0.82) (p < 0.01) and 0.80 (0.64-0.99) (p < 0.01); and glycine + histidine was 0.64 (0.49-0.83) (p < 0.01) and 0.74 (0.59-0.92) (p < 0.001), respectively. High glycine and high histidine (HGHH) intake were negatively associated with hyperlipidemia and hypertension OR (95% CIs) were: 0.71 (0.58-0.88) (p < 0.01) and 0.73 (0.61-0.87) (p < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary glycine and histidine, as well as their HGHH group, revealed an inverse relationship with hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Further investigations are needed to validate these findings.

Dispersive solid-phase extraction based on zirconium metal-organic framework coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determining sugar phosphates in biological samples

BACKGROUND

Sugar phosphates (SPx) play important role in the metabolism of the organism. SPx such as glycerate 3-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate in biological samples have the poor stability, similar structure and low abundance, which make their separation and detection more challenging.

METHOD

UiO-66-NH2 and ZrO2 coated SiO2(SBA-15) hard-core-shell adsorbents (UiO-66-NH2@SBA-15 and ZrO2@SBA-15) were synthesized, which were further used for dispersive solid-phase extraction for enriching the SPx in biological samples. The protocol was developed by UiO-66-NH2@SBA-15 and ZrO2@SBA-15 coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the detection of trace SPx. The univariate experiment and response surface methodology were used to optimize the adsorption and desorption conditions.

RESULTS

The adsorbents showed excellent adsorption capacity and specificity towards SPx, which were proved by adsorption and selective experiments. Under the optimized conditions, there were good linearity within the range of 5.0-5000.0 ng mL-1, low limits of detection (0.001-1.0 ng mL-1), low limits of quantification (0.005-5.0 ng mL-1) and good precision (relative standard deviation less than 14.7 % for intra-day and inter-day). The satisfactory recoveries (89.1-113.8 %) and precision (0.5-14.6 %) were obtained when the sorbents were used to extract SPx from serum, saliva and cell samples. Moreover, UiO-66-NH2@SBA-15 was applied to the quantitative analysis of SPx from gastric cancer patients, because of a higher adsorption capacity (169.5-196.1 mg g-1).

CONCLUSIONS

UiO-66-NH2@SBA-15 showed great potential in the extraction of SPx in biological samples, which was beneficial to find out the metabolic change of SPx and explain the pathogenesis of the disease.

Plasma lipidomics in early APP/PS1 female mouse model and its relationship with brain: Is it affected by the estrous cycle?

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent dementia, showing higher incidence in women. Besides, lipids play an essential role in brain, and they could be dysregulated in neurodegeneration. Specifically, impaired plasma lipid levels could predict early AD diagnosis. This work aims to identify the main plasma lipids altered in early AD female mouse model and evaluate their relationship with brain lipidome. Also, the possible involvement of the estrous cycle in lipid metabolism has been evaluated.

METHODS

Plasma samples of wild-type (n = 10) and APP/PS1 (n = 10) female mice of 5 months of age were collected, processed, and analysed using a lipidomic mass spectrometry-based method. A statistical analysis involving univariate and multivariate approaches was performed to identify significant lipid differences related to AD between groups. Also, cytology tests were conducted to confirm estrous cycle phases.

RESULTS

Three hundred thirty lipids were detected in plasma, 18 of them showed significant differences between groups; specifically, some triacylglycerols, cholesteryl esters, lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines, and ether-linked phosphatidylcholines, increased in early AD; while other phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, ceramides, and ether-linked phosphatidylethanolamines decreased in early AD. A multivariate approach was developed from some lipid variables, showing high diagnostic indexes (70% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 80% accuracy). From brain and plasma lipidome, some significant correlations were observed, mainly in the glycerophospholipid family. Also, some differences were found in both plasma and brain lipids, according to the estrous cycle phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, lipid alterations can be identified in plasma at early AD stages in mice females, with a relationship with brain lipid metabolism for most of the lipid subfamilies, suggesting some lipids as potential AD biomarkers. In addition, the estrous cycle monitoring could be relevant in female studies.

Proteomics and metabolomics analyses of urine for investigation of gallstone disease in a high-altitude area

BACKGROUND

The incidence of gallstones is high in Qinghai Province. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of gallstones remain unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we collected urine samples from 30 patients with gallstones and 30 healthy controls. The urine samples were analysed using multi-omics platforms. Proteomics analysis was conducted using data-independent acquisition, whereas metabolomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

RESULTS

Among the patients with gallstones, we identified 49 down-regulated and 185 up-regulated differentially expressed proteins as well as 195 up-regulated and 189 down-regulated differentially expressed metabolites. Six pathways were significantly enriched: glycosaminoglycan degradation, arginine and proline metabolism, histidine metabolism, pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, drug metabolism-other enzymes, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Notably, 10 differentially expressed proteins and metabolites showed excellent predictive performance and were selected as potential biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

The findings of our metabolomics and proteomics analyses provide new insights into novel biomarkers for patients with cholelithiasis in high-altitude areas.

Light-responsive adipose-hypothalamus axis controls metabolic regulation

Light is fundamental for biological life, with most mammals possessing light-sensing photoreceptors in various organs. Opsin3 is highly expressed in adipose tissue which has extensive communication with other organs, particularly with the brain through the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Our study reveals a new light-triggered crosstalk between adipose tissue and the hypothalamus. Direct blue-light exposure to subcutaneous white fat improves high-fat diet-induced metabolic abnormalities in an Opsin3-dependent manner. Metabolomic analysis shows that blue light increases circulating levels of histidine, which activates histaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and stimulates brown adipose tissue (BAT) via SNS. Blocking central actions of histidine and denervating peripheral BAT blunts the effects of blue light. Human white adipocytes respond to direct blue light stimulation in a cell-autonomous manner, highlighting the translational relevance of this pathway. Together, these data demonstrate a light-responsive metabolic circuit involving adipose-hypothalamus communication, offering a potential strategy to alleviate obesity-induced metabolic abnormalities.

The Application of Metabolomics in Hyperlipidemia: Insights into Biomarker Discovery and Treatment Efficacy Assessment

Hyperlipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder that refers to increased levels of total triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). It is a major public health issue with increased prevalence and incidence worldwide. The ability to identify individuals at risk of this disorder before symptoms manifest will facilitate timely intervention and management to avert potential complications. This can be achieved by employing metabolomics as an early detection method for the diagnostic biomarkers of hyperlipidemia. Metabolomics is an analytical approach used to detect and quantify metabolites. This provides the ability to explain the metabolic processes involved in the development and progression of certain diseases. In recent years, interest in the use of metabolomics to identify disease biomarkers has increased, and several biomarkers have been discovered, such as docosahexaenoic acid, glycocholic acid, citric acid, betaine, and carnitine. This review discusses the primary metabolic alterations in the context of hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, we provide an overview of recent studies on the application of metabolomics to the assessment of the efficacy of traditional herbal products and common lipid-lowering medications.

Pharmacokinetics of aspirin: evaluating shortcomings in the literature

INTRODUCTION

Aspirin is known for its therapeutic benefits in preventing strokes and relieving pain. However, it is toxic to some individuals, and the biological mechanisms causing toxicity are unknown. Limited literature is available on the role of glycine conjugation as the principal pathway in aspirin detoxification. Previous studies have quantified this two-step enzyme reaction as a singular enzymatic process. Consequently, the individual contributions of these enzymes to the kinetics remain unclear.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarized the available information on the pharmacokinetics and detoxification of aspirin by the glycine conjugation pathway. Literature searches were conducted using Google Scholar and the academic journal databases accessible through the North-West University Library. Furthermore, the factors affecting interindividual variation in aspirin metabolism and what is known regarding aspirin toxicity were discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

The greatest drawback in understanding the pharmacokinetics of aspirin is the limited information available on the substrate preference of the xenobiotic ligase (ACSM) responsible for activating salicylate to salicyl-CoA. Furthermore, previous pharmacokinetic studies did not consider the contribution of other substrates from the diet or genetic variants, to the detoxification rate of glycine conjugation. Impaired glycine conjugation might contribute to adverse health effects seen in Reye's syndrome and cancer.

Impact of internal standard selection on measurement results for long chain fatty acids in blood

Introduction

Internal standards correct for measurement variation due to sample loss. Isotope labeled analytes are ideal internal standards for the measurement of fatty acids in human plasma but are not always readily available. For this reason, quantification of multiple analytes at once is most often done using only a single or few internal standards. The magnitude of the impact this has on method accuracy and precision is not well studied for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry systems.

Objective

This study aims to estimate bias and changes in uncertainty associated with using alternative fatty acid isotopologue internal standards for the estimation of similar or dissimilar long chain fatty acids.

Method

Using a previously reported method for the quantification of 27 fatty acids in human plasma using 18 internal standards we obtained estimates of bias and uncertainty at up to three levels of fatty acid concentration.

Results

With some notable exceptions, method accuracy remained relatively stable when using an alternative internal standard (Median Relative Absolute Percent Bias: 1.76%, Median Spike-Recovery Absolute Percent Bias: 8.82%), with larger changes in method precision (Median Increase in Variance: 141%). Additionally, the degree of difference between analyte and internal standard structure was related to the magnitude of bias and uncertainty of the measurement.

Conclusion

The data presented here show that the choice of internal standard used to estimate fatty acid concentration can affect the accuracy and reliability of measurement results and, therefore, needs to be assessed carefully when developing analytical methods for the measurement of fatty acid profiles.Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Service, and the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Mass spectrometry imaging as a promising analytical technique for herbal medicines: an updated review

Herbal medicines (HMs) have long played a pivotal role in preventing and treating various human diseases and have been studied widely. However, the complexities present in HM metabolites and their unclear mechanisms of action have posed significant challenges in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Over the past two decades, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has garnered increasing attention as a robust analytical technique that enables the simultaneous execution of qualitative, quantitative, and localization analyses without complex sample pretreatment. With advances in technical solutions, MSI has been extensively applied in the field of HMs. MSI, a label-free ion imaging technique can comprehensively map the spatial distribution of HM metabolites in plant native tissues, thereby facilitating the effective quality control of HMs. Furthermore, the spatial dimension information of small molecule endogenous metabolites within animal tissues provided by MSI can also serve as a supplement to uncover pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms of HMs. In the review, we provide an overview of the three most common MSI techniques. In addition, representative applications in HM are highlighted. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and propose several potential solutions. We hope that the summary of recent findings will contribute to the application of MSI in exploring metabolites and mechanisms of action of HMs.

Dietary and circulating branched chain amino acids are unfavorably associated with body fat measures among Chinese adults

Animal studies showed a detrimental effect of dietary branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) on metabolic health, while epidemiological evidence on dietary BCAAs and obesity is limited and inconclusive. We hypothesized that high dietary and circulating BCAAs are unfavorably associated with obesity in community-dwelling adults. We evaluated the 1-year longitudinal associations of dietary BCAA intake and circulating BCAAs with body fat measures. Body weight, height, and circumferences of the waist (WC) and hip (HC) were measured at baseline and again after 1-year. Body composition and liver fat [indicated by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)] were also assessed after 1-year. Serum BCAA concentrations at baseline were quantified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Diet was collected using 4 quarterly 3-day recalls during the 1-year. The correlation coefficients between dietary and serum BCAAs were 0.12 (P = .035) for total dietary BCAAs, and ranged from -0.02 (soy foods, P = .749) to 0.18 (poultry, P = .001). Total dietary BCAA intake was associated with increase in body weight (β = 0.044, P = .022) and body mass index (BMI, β = 0.047, P = .043). BCAAs from animal foods were associated with increase in HC, while BCAAs from soy foods were associated with weight gain and higher CAP (all P < .05). Serum BCAAs were associated with higher WC, HC, BMI, body fat mass, visceral fat level, and CAP (all P < .05). These results support that dietary and circulating BCAAs are positively associated with the risk of obesity. More cohort studies with validated dietary assessment tools and long-term follow-up among diverse populations are needed to confirm our findings.

Dietary intake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), serum BCAAs, and cardiometabolic risk markers among community-dwelling adults

PURPOSE

To investigate the associations between dietary/serum branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and cardiometabolic risk markers.

METHODS

In a cohort of 2791 participants, diet and cardiometabolic risk markers were measured twice at baseline in overall participants and after 1-year in a subset of 423 participants. We assessed serum BCAAs at baseline and arterial stiffness after 1-year. The cross-sectional associations between dietary/serum BCAAs and cardiometabolic risk markers were analyzed using baseline measurements by linear regression, while the 1-year longitudinal association were analyzed using repeated measurements by linear mixed-effects regression.

RESULTS

Higher BCAA intake from poultry was associated with lower triglycerides (β=-0.028, P = 0.027) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, β = 0.013, P = 0.006), while BCAAs in red and processed meat or fish were inversely associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 0.025, P = 0.001) and total cholesterol (β = 0.012, P = 0.033), respectively. BCAAs in whole grains and nuts were associated with higher HDL-C (β = 0.011, P = 0.016), and lower TG (β=-0.021, P = 0.041) and diastolic blood pressure (β=-0.003, P = 0.027). Also, BCAAs from soy or vegetables and fruits were inversely associated with arterial stiffness (β=-0.018, P = 0.047) and systolic blood pressure (β=-0.011, P = 0.003), respectively. However, BCAAs in refined grains were positively associated with triglycerides (β = 0.037, P = 0.014). Total serum BCAAs were unfavorably associated with multiple cardiometabolic risk markers (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dietary BCAAs in poultry, whole grains and nuts, soy, and vegetables and fruits may be favorably, while BCAAs in red and processed meat, fish, and refined grains were unfavorably associated with cardiometabolic health. Serum BCAAs showed a detrimental association with cardiometabolic risk markers.

Advanced Glycation End-Products Acting as Immunomodulators for Chronic Inflammation, Inflammaging and Carcinogenesis in Patients with Diabetes and Immune-Related Diseases

Increased production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) among reducing sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose, or ribose) and amino acids/proteins via non-enzymatic Maillard reaction can be found in lifestyle-related disease (LSRD), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and obesity and immune-related diseases. Increased serum levels of AGEs may induce aging, diabetic complications, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), neurodegenerative diseases (NDD), cancer, and inflamm-aging (inflammation with immunosenescence). The Maillard reaction can also occur among reducing sugars and lipoproteins or DNAs to alter their structure and induce immunogenicity/genotoxicity for carcinogenesis. AGEs, as danger-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs), operate via binding to receptor for AGE (RAGE) or other scavenger receptors on cell surface to activate PI3K-Akt-, P38-MAPK-, ERK1/2-JNK-, and MyD88-induced NF-κB signaling pathways to mediate various pathological effects. Recently, the concept of "inflamm-aging" became more defined, and we have unveiled some interesting findings in relation to it. The purpose of the present review is to dissect the potential molecular basis of inflamm-aging in patients with diabetes and immune-mediated diseases caused by different AGEs.

Identification of Plant Compounds with Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI)

The presence and localization of plant metabolites are indicative of physiological processes, e.g., under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Further, the chemical composition of plant parts is related to their quality as food or for medicinal applications. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has become a popular analytical technique for exploring and visualizing the spatial distribution of plant molecules within a tissue. This review provides a summary of mass spectrometry methods used for mapping and identifying metabolites in plant tissues. We present the benefits and the disadvantages of both vacuum and ambient ionization methods, considering direct and indirect approaches. Finally, we discuss the current limitations in annotating and identifying molecules and perspectives for future investigations.

Longevity extension in rats via improved redox homeostasis with high carbohydrate diet intervention from weaning to adulthood: a comprehensive multi-omics study

Early dietary patterns potentially influence the health status and lifespan throughout adulthood and the entire lifespan. However, dietary behaviors are difficult for everyone to control during adolescence. It is even more important to study the effects of interventions of early dietary patterns on the lifespan under arbitrary feeding conditions. The research involves observing the survival status and lifespan of rats from weaning to adulthood with three different dietary patterns (a high-carbohydrate diet (HC), a high-protein diet (HP), and a high-fat diet (HF)) under ad libitum feeding conditions. The administration of high-carbohydrate diets leads to a significant extension of both median and maximum survival times (P < 0.05) in Wistar rats. Furthermore, it markedly enhanced the spatial memory capacity, mitigated the occurrence of liver and kidney pathological outcomes in elderly rats, and increased the abundance of gut microbiota improving amino acid metabolism. Additionally, feeding rats a high-carbohydrate diet improved glutathione (GSH) synthesis and recycling and activated the expression and upregulation of the lifespan-related proteins Foxo3a/Sirt3 and the key metabolic enzyme GPX-4. The high-carbohydrate diet from weaning to adulthood may potentially extend the lifespan by enhancing rat systemic glutathione synthesis, recycling, and improving the redox state pathway.

Plasma Metabolomics Study on the Impact of Different CRF Levels on MetS Risk Factors

To investigate the metabolomic mechanisms by which changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels affect metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors and to provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of body metabolism via CRF in people with MetS risk factors, a comparative blood metabolomics study of individuals with varying levels of CRF and varying degrees of risk factors for MetS was conducted.

METHODS

Ninety subjects between the ages of 40 and 45 were enrolled, and they were categorized into low-MetS (LM ≤ two items) and high MetS (HM > three items) groups, as well as low- and high-CRF (LC, HC) and LCLM, LCLM, LCHM, and HCHM groups. Plasma was taken from the early morning abdominal venous blood. LC-MS was conducted using untargeted metabolomics technology, and the data were statistically and graphically evaluated using SPSS26.0 and R language.

RESULTS

(1) There were eight common differential metabolites in the HC vs. LC group as follows: methionine (↓), γ-aminobutyric acid (↑), 2-oxoglutatic acid (↑), arginine (↑), serine (↑), cis-aconitic acid (↑), glutamine (↓), and valine (↓); the HM vs. LM group are contrast. (2) In the HCHM vs. LCLM group, trends were observed in 2-oxoglutatic acid (↑), arginine (↑), serine (↑), cis-aconitic acid (↑), glutamine (↓), and valine (↓). (3) CRF and MetS risk factors jointly affect biological metabolic pathways such as arginine biosynthesis, TCA cycle, cysteine and methionine metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism.

CONCLUSION

The eight common differential metabolites can serve as potential biomarkers for distinguishing individuals with different CRF levels and varying degrees of MetS risk factors. Increasing CRF levels may potentially mitigate MetS risk factors, as higher CRF levels are associated with reduced MetS risk.

From Hypothalamic Obesity to Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Physiology Meets the Clinics via Metabolomics

Metabolic health is tightly regulated by neuro-hormonal control, and systemic metabolic dysfunction may arise from altered function of the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary axis (HAPA). Ancient experimental observations of hypothalamic obesity (HO) and liver cirrhosis occurring among animals subjected to hypothalamic injury can now be explained using the more recent concepts of lipotoxicity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Lipotoxicity, the range of abnormalities resulting from the harmful effects of fatty acids accumulated in organs outside of adipose tissue, is the common pathogenic factor underlying closely related conditions like hypothalamic syndrome, HO, and MASLD. The hormonal deficits and the array of metabolic and metabolomic disturbances that occur in cases of HO are discussed, along with the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead, within the MASLD spectrum, from uncomplicated steatotic liver disease to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Emphasis is placed on knowledge gaps and how they can be addressed through novel studies. Future investigations should adopt precision medicine approaches by precisely defining the hormonal imbalances and metabolic dysfunctions involved in each individual patient with HO, thus paving the way for tailored management of MASLD that develops in the context of altered HAPA.

Largescale multicenter study of a serum metabolite biomarker panel for the diagnosis of breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is currently the most prevalent malignancy worldwide, and finding effective non-invasive biomarkers for routine clinical detection of BC remains a significant challenge. Here, we performed non-targeted and targeted metabolomics analysis on the screening, training and validation cohorts of serum samples from 1,947 participants. A metabolite biomarker model including glutamate, erythronate, docosahexaenoate, propionylcarnitine, and patient's age was established for detecting BC. This model demonstrated better diagnostic performance than carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) alone in discriminating BC from healthy controls both in the training and validation cohorts [area under the curve (AUC), 0.954; sensitivity, 87.1% and specificity, 93.5% for the training cohort and 0.834, 68.3%, and 85.2%, respectively, for the validation cohort 1]. This study has established a noninvasive approach for the detection of BC, which shows potential as a suitable supplement to the clinical screening methods currently employed for BC.

Association between dietary glycine intake and the prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, overweight or obesity in rural northern China: a cross-sectional study

Objective

The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between dietary glycine consumption and the prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and overweight or obesity in economically disadvantaged areas of northern China using a cross-sectional study design.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involving 774 participants utilized a web-based dietary questionnaire (IDQC) and underwent physical measurements. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics software (Version 21). Participants were stratified into four groups based on quartiles of their dietary glycine intake: Q1 (<1.32), Q2 (1.32-1.82), Q3 (1.82-2.26), and Q4 (>2.26). Continuous variables were reported as mean ± standard deviation and compared using ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test, while categorical variables were presented as frequencies (%) and compared using the chi-square test. Finally, multivariable logistic regression with p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Significant differences in dietary glycine intake were observed between the highest quartile group (Q4) and the lowest quartile group (Q1), with corresponding dominance ratios of 0.590 (95% CI, 0.360-0.966), 0.547 (95% CI, 0.327-0.913), and 0.547 (95% CI, 0.353-0.850) for the risk of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and overweight/obesity, respectively. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between dietary glycine intake and hypertension or hyperlipidemia within each sex and age subgroup.

Conclusion

There exists a potential correlation between increased dietary glycine intake and reduced prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and overweight/obesity. However, additional research is necessary to validate this finding through larger-scale studies conducted at a population level.

Exploration of the Amino Acid Metabolic Profiling and Pathway in Clonorchis sinensis-Infected Rats Revealed by the Targeted Metabolomic Analysis

Background: Clonorchiasis remains a serious public health problem. However, the molecular mechanism underlying clonorchiasis remains largely unknown. Amino acid (AA) metabolism plays key roles in protein synthesis and energy sources, and improves immunity in pathological conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the AA profiles of spleen in clonorchiasis and speculate the interaction between the host and parasite. Methods: Here targeted ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry was applied to discover the AA profiles in spleen of rats infected with Clonorchis sinensis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis (KEGG) was performed to characterize the dysregulated metabolic pathways. Results: Pathway analysis revealed that phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis and β-alanine metabolism were significantly altered in clonorchiasis. There were no significant correlations between 14 significant differential AAs and interleukin (IL)-1β. Although arginine, asparagine, histidine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine were positively correlated with IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α as well as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase; β-alanine and 4-hydroxyproline were negatively correlated with IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. Conclusion: This study reveals the dysregulation of AA metabolism in clonorchiasis and provides a useful insight of metabolic mechanisms at the molecular level.

10-hydroxy decanoic acid, trans-10-hydroxy-2-decanoic acid, and sebacic acid: Source, metabolism, and potential health functionalities and nutraceutical applications

The popularity of royal jelly (RJ) as a functional food has attracted attention from various industries, especially nutraceuticals, due to the increasing demand from health enthusiasts. Sebacic acid, 10-hydroxy decanoic acid, and trans-10-hydroxy-2-decanoic acid are the primary medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) within RJ responsible for their health benefits. This review aims to consolidate information on these MCFAs' metabolic relationship and health functionalities in nutraceutical applications. We also investigated the natural characteristics mediated by these MCFAs and their metabolism in organisms. Finally, the production of these MCFAs using conventional (from castor oil) and alternative (from RJ) pathways was also discussed. This review can be a reference for using them as functional ingredients in nutraceutical industries.

Metabolomic profiling of upper GI malignancies in blood and tissue: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort human studies evaluating metabolite markers identified using high-throughput metabolomics techniques on esophageal cancer (EC), cancer of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), and gastric cancer (GC) in blood and tissue.

BACKGROUND

Upper gastrointestinal cancers (UGC), predominantly EC, GEJ, and GC, are malignant tumour types with high morbidity and mortality rates. Numerous studies have focused on metabolomic profiling of UGC in recent years. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we have provided a collective summary of previous findings on metabolites and metabolomic profiling associated with EC, GEJ and GC.

METHODS

Following the PRISMA procedure, a systematic search of four databases (Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) for molecular epidemiologic studies on the metabolomic profiles of EC, GEJ and GC was conducted and registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023486631). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to benchmark the risk of bias for case-controlled and cohort studies. QUADOMICS, an adaptation of the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy) tool, was used to rate diagnostic accuracy studies. Original articles comparing metabolite patterns between patients with and without UGC were included. Two investigators independently completed title and abstract screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation. Meta-analysis was conducted whenever possible. We used a random effects model to investigate the association between metabolite levels and UGC.

RESULTS

A total of 66 original studies involving 7267 patients that met the required criteria were included for review. 169 metabolites were differentially distributed in patients with UGC compared to healthy patients among 44 GC, 9 GEJ, and 25 EC studies including metabolites involved in glycolysis, anaerobic respiration, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and lipid metabolism. Phosphatidylcholines, eicosanoids, and adenosine triphosphate were among the most frequently reported lipids and metabolites of cellular respiration, while BCAA, lysine, and asparagine were among the most commonly reported amino acids. Previously identified lipid metabolites included saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids and ketones. However, the key findings across studies have been inconsistent, possibly due to limited sample sizes and the majority being hospital-based case-control analyses lacking an independent replication group.

CONCLUSION

Thus far, metabolomic studies have provided new opportunities for screening, etiological factors, and biomarkers for UGC, supporting the potential of applying metabolomic profiling in early cancer diagnosis. According to the results of our meta-analysis especially BCAA and TMAO as well as certain phosphatidylcholines should be implicated into the diagnostic procedure of patients with UGC. We envision that metabolomics will significantly enhance our understanding of the carcinogenesis and progression process of UGC and may eventually facilitate precise oncological and patient-tailored management of UGC.

Mapping the lipidome in mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) in an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease

The disruption of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAMs) plays a relevant role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). MAMs have been implicated in neuronal dysfunction and death since it is associated with impairment of functions regulated in this subcellular domain, including lipid synthesis and trafficking, mitochondria dysfunction, ER stress-induced unfolded protein response (UPR), apoptosis, and inflammation. Since MAMs play an important role in lipid metabolism, in this study we characterized and investigated the lipidome alterations at MAMs in comparison with other subcellular fractions, namely microsomes and mitochondria, using an in vitro model of AD, namely the mouse neuroblastoma cell line (N2A) over-expressing the APP familial Swedish mutation (APPswe) and the respective control (WT) cells. Phospholipids (PLs) and fatty acids (FAs) were isolated from the different subcellular fractions and analyzed by HILIC-LC-MS/MS and GC-MS, respectively. In this in vitro AD model, we observed a down-regulation in relative abundance of some phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) species with PUFA and few PC with saturated and long-chain FA. We also found an up-regulation of CL, and antioxidant alkyl acyl PL. Moreover, multivariate analysis indicated that each organelle has a specific lipid profile adaptation in N2A APPswe cells. In the FAs profile, we found an up-regulation of C16:0 in all subcellular fractions, a decrease of C18:0 levels in total fraction (TF) and microsomes fraction, and a down-regulation of 9-C18:1 was also found in mitochondria fraction in the AD model. Together, these results suggest that the over-expression of the familial APP Swedish mutation affects lipid homeostasis in MAMs and other subcellular fractions and supports the important role of lipids in AD physiopathology.

Using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to predict potential biomarkers for missed miscarriage and its metabolic pathways in a tertiary center: A cross-sectional analytic study

OBJECTIVE

To determine and compare the serum metabolites in missed abortion versus normal early pregnancy using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and to determine how these metabolites can be used to predict the potential biomarkers and possible metabolic pathways of a missed abortion.

METHODS

The serum of patients with a missed abortion was used as the experimental group and the serum of patients with an induced abortion during normal early pregnancy was used as the control group. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis were additionally used to observe the difference in metabolite distribution between the two groups. A variable weight value (variable importance in the projection; VIP) obtained from the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model more than 1 and P less than 0.05 were taken to indicate significant differences in metabolite screening. After this, enrichment analysis of the metabolic pathways of these metabolites was conducted using Fisher precise test in order to find the metabolic pathway with the highest correlation with the differential metabolites.

RESULTS

In total, 30 patients were included in the experimental group, with 30 patients in the control group. Fifty-five metabolites (VIP > 1, P < 0.05) with significant differences related to missed abortion were selected, among which 35 metabolites increased and 20 decreased in patients with a missed abortion. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the four metabolic pathways with the highest correlation were cholesterol metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, cell apoptosis, and the FoxO signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

The missed abortion serum metabolites and changes in related metabolic pathways reported in this study provide a basis for the early prediction and diagnosis of a missed abortion.