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van Wegberg AMJ, van der Weerd JC, Engelke UFH, Coene KLM, Jahja R, Bakker SJL, Huijbregts SCJ, Wevers RA, Heiner-Fokkema MR, van Spronsen FJ. The clinical relevance of novel biomarkers as outcome parameter in adults with phenylketonuria. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024. [PMID: 38556470 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies in PKU patients identified alternative biomarkers in blood using untargeted metabolomics. To test the added clinical value of these novel biomarkers, targeted metabolomics of 11 PKU biomarkers (phenylalanine, glutamyl-phenylalanine, glutamyl-glutamyl-phenylalanine, N-lactoyl-phenylalanine, N-acetyl-phenylalanine, the dipeptides phenylalanyl-phenylalanine and phenylalanyl-leucine, phenylalanine-hexose conjugate, phenyllactate, phenylpyruvate, and phenylacetate) was performed in stored serum samples of the well-defined PKU patient-COBESO cohort and a healthy control group. Serum samples of 35 PKU adults and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Group differences were tested using the Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with these biomarkers as predictors of (neuro-)cognitive functions working memory, sustained attention, inhibitory control, and mental health. Compared to healthy controls, phenylalanine, glutamyl-phenylalanine, N-lactoyl-phenylalanine, N-acetyl-phenylalanine, phenylalanine-hexose conjugate, phenyllactate, phenylpyruvate, and phenylacetate were significant elevated in PKU adults (p < 0.001). The remaining three were below limit of detection in PKU and controls. Both phenylalanine and N-lactoyl-phenylalanine were associated with DSM-VI Attention deficit/hyperactivity (R2 = 0.195, p = 0.039 and R2 = 0.335, p = 0.002, respectively) of the ASR questionnaire. In addition, N-lactoyl-phenylalanine showed significant associations with ASR DSM-VI avoidant personality (R2 = 0.265, p = 0.010), internalizing (R2 = 0.192, p = 0.046) and externalizing problems (R2 = 0.217, p = 0.029) of the ASR questionnaire and multiple aspects of the MS2D and FI tests, reflecting working memory with R2 between 0.178 (p = 0.048) and 0.204 (p = 0.033). Even though the strength of the models was not considered strong, N-lactoyl-phenylalanine outperformed phenylalanine in its association with working memory and mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M J van Wegberg
- Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, The Netherlands
| | - J C van der Weerd
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - U F H Engelke
- Department of Human Genetics, Translational Metabolic Laboratory, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - K L M Coene
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - R Jahja
- Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, The Netherlands
| | - S J L Bakker
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - S C J Huijbregts
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies-Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R A Wevers
- Department of Human Genetics, Translational Metabolic Laboratory, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M R Heiner-Fokkema
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - F J van Spronsen
- Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, The Netherlands
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Muri R, Maissen-Abgottspon S, Reed MB, Kreis R, Hoefemann M, Radojewski P, Pospieszny K, Hochuli M, Wiest R, Lanzenberger R, Trepp R, Everts R. Compromised white matter is related to lower cognitive performance in adults with phenylketonuria. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad155. [PMID: 37265600 PMCID: PMC10231812 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite increasing knowledge about the effects of phenylketonuria on brain structure and function, it is uncertain whether white matter microstructure is affected and if it is linked to patients' metabolic control or cognitive performance. Thus, we quantitatively assessed white matter characteristics in adults with phenylketonuria and assessed their relationship to concurrent brain and blood phenylalanine levels, historical metabolic control and cognitive performance. Diffusion tensor imaging and 1H spectroscopy were performed in 30 adults with early-treated classical phenylketonuria (median age 35.5 years) and 54 healthy controls (median age 29.3 years). Fractional anisotropy and mean, axial and radial diffusivity were investigated using tract-based spatial statistics, and white matter lesion load was evaluated. Brain phenylalanine levels were measured with 1H spectroscopy whereas concurrent plasma phenylalanine levels were assessed after an overnight fast. Retrospective phenylalanine levels were collected to estimate historical metabolic control, and a neuropsychological evaluation assessed the performance in executive functions, attention and processing speed. Widespread reductions in mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity and fractional anisotropy occurred in patients compared to controls. Mean diffusivity and axial diffusivity were decreased in several white matter tracts and were most restricted in the optic radiation (effect size rrb = 0.66 to 0.78, P < 0.001) and posterior corona radiata (rrb = 0.83 to 0.90, P < 0.001). Lower fractional anisotropy was found in the optic radiation and posterior corona radiata (rrb = 0.43 to 0.49, P < 0.001). White matter microstructure in patients was significantly associated with cognition. Specifically, inhibition was related to axial diffusivity in the external capsule (rs = -0.69, P < 0.001) and the superior (rs = -0.58, P < 0.001) and inferior longitudinal fasciculi (rs = -0.60, P < 0.001). Cognitive flexibility was associated with mean diffusivity of the posterior limb of the internal capsule (rs = -0.62, P < 0.001), and divided attention correlated with fractional anisotropy of the external capsule (rs = -0.61, P < 0.001). Neither concurrent nor historical metabolic control was significantly associated with white matter microstructure. White matter lesions were present in 29 out of 30 patients (96.7%), most often in the parietal and occipital lobes. However, total white matter lesion load scores were unrelated to patients' cognitive performance and metabolic control. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that white matter alterations in early-treated phenylketonuria persist into adulthood, are most prominent in the posterior white matter and are likely to be driven by axonal damage. Furthermore, diffusion tensor imaging metrics in adults with phenylketonuria were related to performance in attention and executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaela Muri
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Maissen-Abgottspon
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Murray Bruce Reed
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Roland Kreis
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Magnetic Resonance Methodology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maike Hoefemann
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Magnetic Resonance Methodology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Piotr Radojewski
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katarzyna Pospieszny
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michel Hochuli
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Wiest
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Regula Everts
- Correspondence to: Regula Everts Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital Bern University Hospital and University of Bern Freiburgstrasse, Bern 3010, Switzerland E-mail:
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Costa-Lathan C, Vazquez-Agra N, Marques-Afonso AT, Cruces-Sande A, Martinez-Olmos MA, Araujo-Vilar D, Hermida-Ameijeiras A. The role of phenylalanine levels in the neuropsychological and neuroanatomical status of adult patients with phenylketonuria: The impact of fluctuations. J Investig Med 2023; 71:149-158. [PMID: 36647337 DOI: 10.1177/10815589221143485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the role of plasma phenylalanine (Phe) levels and its fluctuations in some neurocognitive domains and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in adult patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). It was an observational study that included patients older than 18 years with early-treated classical PKU. Plasma Phe levels were measured every other month throughout 2 years and predictor variables were the mean, maximum (max), minimum (min), range (min-max), and plasma Phe levels at the time of cognitive testing. Patients were evaluated for executive function, processing speed, visual attention, and fluid cognitive abilities using the Trail Making Test (TMT) and for the presence of brain MRI abnormalities. In all, 22 patients with a mean age of 34 years were included, of which 18 (81%) were women. Patients with higher range and maximum Phe levels had a poorer time-based performance on TMT form A and form B. Patients with brain MRI abnormalities had higher range, maximum, and mean Phe levels. Range of Phe levels showed a good performance for MRI abnormalities (area under the curve (AUC): 0.881, standard error (SE): 0.095, 95% CI: 0.695-0.999, p = 0.044) and for the poorest time-based performances on TMT form A (AUC: 0.822, SE: 0.092, 95% CI: 0.641-0.999, p = 0.024) and B (AUC: 0.816, SE: 0.094, 95% CI: 0.632-0.999, p = 0.021). Greater Phe variability may have a negative impact on some neurocognitive domains and could be related to the severity of brain structural damage in adult patients with PKU.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nestor Vazquez-Agra
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - Anton Cruces-Sande
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Miguel-Angel Martinez-Olmos
- Division of Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain.,CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Araujo-Vilar
- Division of Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain.,UETeM-Molecular Pathology Group, Department of Medicine, IDIS-CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Alvaro Hermida-Ameijeiras
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain.,UETeM-Molecular Pathology Group, Department of Medicine, IDIS-CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
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Romani C, Olson A, Aitkenhead L, Baker L, Patel D, Spronsen FV, MacDonald A, Wegberg AV, Huijbregts S. Meta-analyses of cognitive functions in early-treated adults with phenylketonuria. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 143:104925. [PMID: 36283539 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Our study estimated size of impairment for different cognitive functions in early-treated adults with PKU (AwPKU) by combining literature results in a meta-analytic way. We analysed a large set of functions (N = 19), each probed by different measures (average = 12). Data were extracted from 26 PKU groups and matched controls, with 757 AwPKU contributing 220 measures. Effect sizes (ESs) were computed using Glass' ∆ where differences in performance between clinical/PKU and control groups are standardized using the mean and standard deviation of the control groups. Significance was assessed using measures nested within independent PKU groups as a random factor. The weighted Glass' ∆ was - 0.44 for all functions taken together, and - 0.60 for IQ, both highly significant. Separate, significant impairments were found for most functions, but with great variability (ESs from -1.02 to -0.18). The most severe impairments were in reasoning, visual-spatial attention speed, sustained attention, visuo-motor control, and flexibility. Effect sizes were larger with speed than accuracy measures, and with visuo-spatial than verbal stimuli. Results show a specific PKU profile that needs consideration when monitoring the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew Olson
- Psychology Department, University of Birmingham, UK.
| | | | - Lucy Baker
- Psychology Department, Aston University, UK.
| | | | | | - Anita MacDonald
- Birmingham Women' s and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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Correlations between the Major Amino Acids and Biochemical Blood Parameters of Pigs at Controlled Fattening Duration. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27072278. [PMID: 35408677 PMCID: PMC9000419 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Analytical control of protein and amino acid (AA) contents of animal tissues is an important problem in the fundamental and applied aspects. The aims of the work were the following: to measure the pig blood AAs; and to establish the correlations between AAs and biochemical parameters in dependence on the pig fattening duration. All 80 animals were divided onto 4 animal groups: 65, 72, 82, and 90 fattening days. The correlations between AAs and the total protein or its fractions (TP&F), nitrogen metabolites, carbohydrates, lipids, some enzymes in the pig blood for each of these animal groups obtained for the first time. The authors established the following total amounts of correlation coefficients (with reasonable p-values) in each of the group separately: group 1, 1* (p < 0.05); group 2, 0; group 3, 28* (p < 0.05) and 9** (p < 0.01); group 4, 28* (p < 0.05) and 25** (p < 0.01). Thus, about 82−90 days (groups 3 and 4) can be the optimal for the pig fattening, based on the correlation analysis for the numerous data of major AA and biochemical parameters of pig blood. These results can be useful for animal health monitoring and husbandry.
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