Solid state (13)C NMR analysis of human gallstones from cancer and benign gall bladder diseases

NMR spectroscopy-based analysis of gallstones of cancerous and benign gallbladders from different geographical regions of the Indian subcontinent

Analysis of the chemical composition of gallstones is vital for the etiopathogenesis of gallstone diseases that can ultimately help in the prevention of its formation. In the present study, gallstones from seven different regions of India were analyzed to highlight the major difference in their composition. Also, gallstones of different pathological conditions i.e., benign (chronic cholecystitis, CC) and malignant gallbladder disease (gallbladder cancer GBC) were characterized. The type of polymorphs of cholesterol molecules was also studied to provide insight into the structure of gallstones. 1H solution state NMR spectroscopy 1D experiments were performed on a total of 94 gallstone (GS) samples collected from seven different geographical regions of India. Solid-State NMR spectroscopy 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) experiments were done on the 20 CC GS samples and 20 GBC GS samples of two regions. 1H NMR spectra from the solution state NMR of all the stones reveal that cholesterol was a major component of the maximum stones of the north India region while in south Indian regions, GS had very less cholesterol. 13C CPMAS experiments reveal that the quantity of cholesterol was significantly more in the GS of CC in the Lucknow region compared with GBC stones of Lucknow and Chandigarh. Our study also revealed that GS of the Lucknow region of both malignant and benign gallbladder diseases belong to the monohydrate crystalline form of cholesterol while GS of Chandigarh region of both malignant and benign gallbladder diseases exists in both monohydrate crystalline form with the amorphous type and anhydrous form. Gallstones have a complicated and poorly understood etiology. Therefore, it is important to understand the composition of gallstones, which can be found in various forms and clinical conditions. Variations in dietary practices, environmental conditions, and genetic factors may influence and contribute to the formation of GS. Prevention of gallstone formation may help in decreasing the cases of gallbladder cancer.

Microstructural and heavy metal analysis of gallstones prevalent in Jharkhand and its implications in the treatment

OBJECTIVES

In the present study the structural and compositional analysis of gallstones was carried out by various characterization techniques. Also, the utility of the study was evaluated on how the findings can enhance the treatment and dissolution therapies of gallstones?

METHODS

Gallstones from the Jharkhand region were analyzed both structurally as well as chemically using Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), Carbon hydrogen and nitrogen analyzer (CHNS), Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and other instruments. The content of heavy metal was represented statistically as a mean with standard deviation.

RESULTS

FESEM analysis unveiled the crystal and globular structure of cholesterol and pigment gallstones respectively. Through ICP-OES analysis metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn etc. were detected in gallstones. FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the presence of cholesterol and calcium carbonate and other compounds in mixed stones and calcium bilirubinate and bilirubin in pigment gallstones. NMR analysis revealed the presence of monohydrate cholesterol (Crystalline) in Cholesterol and mixed gallstones. Mixed gallstones were found to be predominant in this region in contrast to pigmented stones that were prevalent earlier.

CONCLUSION

The present study uncovered the current composition and content of different heavy metals in gallstones of Jharkhand region which can be instrumental in enhancing the dissolution therapies for gallstone treatment. This can serve as a major tool for practitioners for gallstone treatment and change the way they are looked at.

A toolset for the solid-state NMR-based 3D structure calculation of proteins

Proteins are the building blocks of life. The shape of the protein determines its functionality. This understanding of the 3D structure of proteins has applications in study of diseases, medicine, body functions, and other aspects of life. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been a powerful tool for researchers to get insight into the metabolome of cells, tissues, biofluids, secretions, and overall etiology of the disease state. Solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy is used for samples that have low solubility in common NMR solvents. The use of ssNMR for 3D structure determination of proteins has been on the rise in the recent years especially for such samples. Still, one of the challenges that researchers face in this area is a shortage of easy and user-friendly computational aids. To address this, we are introducing our comprehensive software solution by automating every step of the process and essentially transforming the task into a few clicks of the mouse. The workflow for 3D structure determination has been simplified down to only a few procedures. Starting with selection of an ssNMR spectrum, user can receive its 3D structure along with an abundance of statistical information and validation tools using our software. We have tested this toolset to test the usefulness and user-friendliness with different data sets available on biological magnetic resonance bank (BMRB).

A novel multinuclear solid-state NMR approach for the characterization of kidney stones

The spectroscopic study of pathological calcifications (including kidney stones) is extremely rich and helps to improve the understanding of the physical and chemical processes associated with their formation. While Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging and optical/electron microscopies are routine techniques in hospitals, there has been a dearth of solid-state NMR studies introduced into this area of medical research, probably due to the scarcity of this analytical technique in hospital facilities. This work introduces effective multinuclear and multidimensional solid-state NMR methodologies to study the complex chemical and structural properties characterizing kidney stone composition. As a basis for comparison, three hydrates (n = 1 , 2 and 3) of calcium oxalate are examined along with nine representative kidney stones. The multinuclear magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR approach adopted investigates the 1 H , 13 C , 31 P and 31 P nuclei, with the 1 H and 13 C MAS NMR data able to be readily deconvoluted into the constituent elements associated with the different oxalates and organics present. For the first time, the full interpretation of highly resolved 1 H NMR spectra is presented for the three hydrates, based on the structure and local dynamics. The corresponding 31 P MAS NMR data indicates the presence of low-level inorganic phosphate species; however, the complexity of these data make the precise identification of the phases difficult to assign. This work provides physicians, urologists and nephrologists with additional avenues of spectroscopic investigation to interrogate this complex medical dilemma that requires real, multitechnique approaches to generate effective outcomes.

Interactions between hydroxyapatite and cholesterol associated with calcification in age-related macular degeneration

Hydroxyapatite deposition and calcification occurs over cholesterol-containing lipid droplets between Bruch's membrane and sub-retinal pigment epithelium (sub - RPE) in the eyes of patients affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as spherules, nodules, and Bruch's membrane plaques. In the present study, an attempt has been made to prepare a composite containing hydroxyapatite and cholesterol to elucidate interactions involved in the formation of such organic-inorganic interphase. To understand the mechanism of hydroxyapatite deposition on cholesterol, we have applied various biophysical techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy on the prepared composite. Our results give molecular level insight into the mechanism of biocalcification in the disease system.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics for cancer research

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has emerged as an effective tool in various spheres of biomedical research, amongst which metabolomics is an important method for the study of various types of disease. Metabolomics has proved its stronghold in cancer research by the development of different NMR methods over time for the study of metabolites, thus identifying key players in the aetiology of cancer. A plethora of one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments (in solids, semi-solids and solution phases) are utilized to obtain metabolic profiles of biofluids, cell extracts and tissue biopsy samples, which can further be subjected to statistical analysis. Any alteration in the assigned metabolite peaks gives an indication of changes in metabolic pathways. These defined changes demonstrate the utility of NMR in the early diagnosis of cancer and provide further measures to combat malignancy and its progression. This review provides a snapshot of the trending NMR techniques and the statistical analysis involved in the metabolomics of diseases, with emphasis on advances in NMR methodology developed for cancer research.

NMR-Based Metabolomics in Gallbladder Cancer Research

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a common form of malignancy, which has high incidence rates in the northern parts of India, South America, Japan, and in Native American populations. A few metabolomic studies have revealed changes in the composition of biofluids, tissues, and gallstones by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which may prove useful in understanding GBC. In this chapter, we focus on the use of NMR in unveiling the metabolomics of GBC.

Chemical and structural analysis of gallstones from the Indian subcontinent

Representative gallstones from north and southern parts of India were analyzed by a combination of physicochemical methods: X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), CHNS analysis, thermal analysis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (¹H and ¹³C). The stones from north Indian were predominantly consisting of cholesterol monohydrate and anhydrous cholesterol which was confirmed by XRD analysis. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of cholesterol and calcium bilirubinate in the south Indian gallstones. EDX spectroscopy revealed the presence of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, calcium, sulfur, sodium and magnesium and chloride in both south Indian and north Indian gallstones. FTIR and NMR spectroscopy confirmed the occurrence of cholesterol in north Indian gallstones. The respective colour of the north Indian and south Indian gallstones was yellowish and black. The morphology of the constituent crystals of the north Indian and south Indian gallstones were platy and globular respectively. The appreciable variation in colour, morphology and composition of south and north Indian gallstones may be due to different food habit and habitat.

Gallstones: A Worldwide Multifaceted Disease and Its Correlations with Gallbladder Carcinoma

Background

Gallstones (GS) associated diseases are among the most recurrent and frequent diseases delineated in India and United Arab Emirates. Several reports suggest that the association of GS with gallbladder cancer (GBC) is very high in Northern part of India; however, its occurrence in UAE and Southern part of India is notably low. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to perform compositional analysis of GS in three different geographical areas by Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy.

Methods

Natural abundance ¹³C cross polarization magic angle spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy is employed for the analysis of human gallstone.

Results

Cholesterol, bilirubin and calcium carbonate were present in variant concentrations in GS obtained from three different geographical regions. Cholesterol was present predominantly in gallstones from North India. Bilirubin was found to be a main constituent in gallstones pertaining to South India. Whereas GS from UAE showed both cholesterol and bilirubin as their major constituents. Calcium carbonate was found in varying concentrations in gallstones acquired from different regions.

Conclusion

Variation in environmental condition and dietary habits may contribute and affect the GS formation. Alterations in bile composition influence the GB and augment the crystallization of cholesterol. Analysis of different geographical regions GS could be an important stride to understand the etiology of GS diseases.

Potential biomarkers in gallbladder cancer: present status and future directions

CONTEXT

Carcinoma of the gallbladder (GBC) is the most common biliary tree cancer in the world. Beside gallstones, no specific risk factors for GBC are currently established. Several published studies have identified various prognostic gene expression markers in GBC.

OBJECTIVE

The present article reviewed published studies on gene expression biomarkers and gallbladder cancer susceptibility.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases using the search terms "Gallbladder", "cancer/carcinoma", "expression", "genes", "proteins", and "biomarker" updated until June 2012 and limited to English language papers. The online searching was accompanied by checking reference lists from the identified articles for potentially eligible original reports.

RESULTS

Potential GBC biomarkers identified by different studies were summarized.

CONCLUSION

To infer, the present article highlights a few potential biomarkers in GBC. However, none of the markers identified so far are effective as a routine screening test in GBC.

Lipid profiling of cancerous and benign gallbladder tissues by 1H NMR spectroscopy

Qualitative and quantitative (1) H NMR analysis of lipid extracts of gallbladder tissue in chronic cholecystitis (CC, benign) (n = 14), xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC, intermediate) (n = 9) and gallbladder cancer (GBC, malignant) (n = 8) was carried out to understand the mechanisms involved in the transformation of benign gallbladder tissue to intermediate and malignant tissue. The results revealed alterations in various tissue lipid components in gallbladder in CC, XGC and GBC. The difference in the nature of lipid components in benign and malignant disease may aid in the identification of the biological pathways involved in the etiopathogenesis of GBC. This is the first study on lipid profiling of gallbladder tissue by (1) H NMR spectroscopy, and has possible implications for the development of future diagnostic approaches.