Metabolomics profile of Japanese female patients with restricting-type anorexia nervosa

Association of mental disorders with sepsis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

Background

Substantial research evidence supports the correlation between mental disorders and sepsis. Nevertheless, the causal connection between a particular psychological disorder and sepsis remains unclear.

Methods

For investigating the causal relationships between mental disorders and sepsis, genetic variants correlated with mental disorders, including anorexia nervosa (AN), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and tourette syndrome (TS), were all extracted from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC). The causal estimates and direction between these mental disorders and sepsis were evaluated employing a two-sample bidirectional MR strategy. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary approach utilized. Various sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the validity of the causal effect. Meta-analysis, multivariable MR, and mediation MR were conducted to ensure the credibility and depth of this research.

Results

The presence of AN was in relation to a greater likelihood of sepsis (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.14; p = 0.013). A meta-analysis including validation cohorts supported this observation (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.09). None of the investigated mental disorders appeared to be impacted when sepsis was set as the exposure factor. Even after adjusting for confounding factors, AN remained statistically significant (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.15; p = 0.013). Mediation analysis indicated N-formylmethionine levels (with a mediated proportion of 7.47%), cystatin D levels (2.97%), ketogluconate Metabolism (17.41%) and N10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis (20.06%) might serve as mediators in the pathogenesis of AN-sepsis.

Conclusion

At the gene prediction level, two-sample bidirectional MR analysis revealed that mental disorder AN had a causal association with an increased likelihood of sepsis. In addition, N-formylmethionine levels, cystatin D levels, ketogluconate metabolism and N10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis may function as potential mediators in the pathophysiology of AN-sepsis. Our research may contribute to the investigation of novel therapeutic strategies for mental illness and sepsis.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: a Mendelian randomization study of gut microbiota

Background

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) poses a significant challenge to global public health. Despite extensive research, conclusive evidence regarding the association between gut microbes and the risk of AN and BN remains elusive. Mendelian randomization (MR) methods offer a promising avenue for elucidating potential causal relationships.

Materials and methods

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) datasets of AN and BN were retrieved from the OpenGWAS database for analysis. Independent single nucleotide polymorphisms closely associated with 196 gut bacterial taxa from the MiBioGen consortium were identified as instrumental variables. MR analysis was conducted utilizing R software, with outlier exclusion performed using the MR-PRESSO method. Causal effect estimation was undertaken employing four methods, including Inverse variance weighted. Sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity analysis, horizontal multivariate analysis, and assessment of causal directionality were carried out to assess the robustness of the findings.

Results

A total of 196 bacterial taxa spanning six taxonomic levels were subjected to analysis. Nine taxa demonstrating potential causal relationships with AN were identified. Among these, five taxa, including Peptostreptococcaceae, were implicated as exerting a causal effect on AN risk, while four taxa, including Gammaproteobacteria, were associated with a reduced risk of AN. Similarly, nine taxa exhibiting potential causal relationships with BN were identified. Of these, six taxa, including Clostridiales, were identified as risk factors for increased BN risk, while three taxa, including Oxalobacteraceae, were deemed protective factors. Lachnospiraceae emerged as a common influence on both AN and BN, albeit with opposing effects. No evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was detected for significant estimates.

Conclusion

Through MR analysis, we revealed the potential causal role of 18 intestinal bacterial taxa in AN and BN, including Lachnospiraceae. It provides new insights into the mechanistic basis and intervention targets of gut microbiota-mediated AN and BN.

Metabolomics of testosterone enanthate administration during severe-energy deficit

INTRODUCTION

Testosterone administration attenuates reductions in total body mass and lean mass during severe energy deficit (SED).

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the effects of testosterone administration on the serum metabolome during SED.

METHODS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, non-obese men were randomized to receive 200-mg testosterone enanthate/wk (TEST) (n = 24) or placebo (PLA) (n = 26) during a 28-d inpatient, severe exercise- and diet-induced energy deficit. This study consisted of three consecutive phases. Participants were free-living and provided a eucaloric diet for 14-d during Phase 1. During Phase 2, participants were admitted to an inpatient unit, randomized to receive testosterone or placebo, and underwent SED for 28-d. During Phase 3, participants returned to their pre-study diet and physical activity habits. Untargeted metabolite profiling was conducted on serum samples collected during each phase. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry after 11-d of Phase 1 and after 25-d of Phase 2 to determine changes in fat and lean mass.

RESULTS

TEST had higher (Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted, q < 0.05) androgenic steroid and acylcarnitine, and lower (q < 0.05) amino acid metabolites after SED compared to PLA. Metabolomic differences were reversed by Phase 3. Changes in lean mass were associated (Bonferroni-adjusted, p < 0.05) with changes in androgenic steroid metabolites (r = 0.42-0.70), acylcarnitines (r = 0.37-0.44), and amino acid metabolites (r = - 0.36-- 0.37). Changes in fat mass were associated (p < 0.05) with changes in acylcarnitines (r = - 0.46-- 0.49) and changes in urea cycle metabolites (r = 0.60-0.62).

CONCLUSION

Testosterone administration altered androgenic steroid, acylcarnitine, and amino acid metabolites, which were associated with changes in body composition during SED.

Microbiota and Metabolite Profiling as Markers of Mood Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study in Obese Patients

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several neurological and psychiatric diseases, but few studies report the contribution of biological features in the occurrence of mood disorders in obese patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the potential links between serum metabolomics and gut microbiome, and mood disturbances in a cohort of obese patients. Psychological, biological characteristics and nutritional habits were evaluated in 94 obese subjects from the Food4Gut study stratified according to their mood score assessed by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The fecal gut microbiota and plasma non-targeted metabolomics were analysed. Obese subjects with increased negative mood display elevated levels of Coprococcus as well as decreased levels of Sutterella and Lactobacillus. Serum metabolite profile analysis reveals in these subjects altered levels of several amino acid-derived metabolites, such as an increased level of L-histidine and a decreased in phenylacetylglutamine, linked to altered gut microbiota composition and function rather than to differences in dietary amino acid intake. Regarding clinical profile, we did not observe any differences between both groups. Our results reveal new microbiota-derived metabolites that characterize the alterations of mood in obese subjects, thereby allowing to propose new targets to tackle mood disturbances in this context. Food4gut, clinicaltrial.gov: NCT03852069.

Possible role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN), an eating disorder, is characterized by extreme weight loss and fear of weight gain. Psychosocial factors are thought to play important roles in the development and progression of AN; however, biological factors also presumably contribute to eating disorders. Recent evidence has shown that the gut microbiota plays an important role in pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders including AN. In this article, we describe the possible role of the gut microbiota in the development and persistence of AN, based on the latest research works, including those of our group.

Unveiling Metabolic Phenotype Alterations in Anorexia Nervosa through Metabolomics

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain that affects mainly young women. It courses with a negative body image leading to altered eating behaviors that have devastating physical, metabolic, and psychological consequences for the patients. Although its origin is postulated to be multifactorial, the etiology of AN remains unknown, and this increases the likelihood of chronification and relapsing. Thus, expanding the available knowledge on the pathophysiology of AN is of enormous interest. Metabolomics is proposed as a powerful tool for the elucidation of disease mechanisms and to provide new insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of AN. A review of the literature related to studies of AN patients by employing metabolomic strategies to characterize the main alterations associated with the metabolic phenotype of AN during the last 10 years is described. The most common metabolic alterations are derived from chronic starvation, including amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate disturbances. Nonetheless, recent findings have shifted the attention to gut-microbiota metabolites as possible factors contributing to AN development, progression, and maintenance. We have identified the areas of ongoing research in AN and propose further perspectives to improve our knowledge and understanding of this disease.