The robust NMR toolbox for metabolomics

Identifying Anti-NSCLC Bioactive Compounds in Scutellaria via 2D NMR-Based Metabolomic Analysis of Pharmacologically Classified Crude Extracts

We presented a strategy utilizing 2D NMR-based metabolomic analysis of crude extracts, categorized by different pharmacological activities, to rapidly identify the primary bioactive components of TCM. It was applied to identify the potential bioactive components from Scutellaria crude extracts that exhibit anti-non-small cell lung cancer (anti-NSCLC) activity. Four Scutellaria species were chosen as the study subjects because of their close phylogenetic relationship, but their crude extracts exhibit significantly different anti-NSCLC activity. Cell proliferation assay was used to assess the anti-NSCLC activity of four species of Scutellaria. 1H-13C HSQC spectra were acquired for the chemical profiling of these crude extracts. Based on the pharmacological classification (PCA, OPLS-DA and univariate hypothesis test) were performed to identify the bioactive constituents in Scutellaria associated with the anti-NSCLC activity. As a result, three compounds, baicalein, wogonin and scutellarin were identified as bioactive compounds. The anti-NSCLC activity of the three potential active compounds were further confirmed via cell proliferation assay. The mechanism of the anti-NSCLC activity by these active constituents was further explored via flow cytometry and western blot analyses. This study demonstrated 2D NMR-based metabolomic analysis of pharmacologically classified crude extracts to be an efficient approach to the identification of active components of herbal medicine.

1H-NMR-based urine metabolomics of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are prevalent conditions affecting a significant portion of the male population, particularly with advancing age. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, have limitations in specificity and sensitivity, leading to potential overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies.

Significance

This study explores the effectiveness of 1H NMR urine metabolomics in distinguishing PCa from BPH and in differentiating various PCa grades, presenting a non-invasive diagnostic alternative with the potential to enhance early detection and patient-specific treatment strategies.

Results

The study demonstrated the capability of 1H NMR urine metabolomics in detecting distinct metabolic profiles between PCa and BPH, as well as among different Gleason grade groups. Notably, this method surpassed the PSA test in distinguishing PCa from BPH. Untargeted metabolomics analysis also revealed several metabolites with varying relative concentrations between PCa and BPH cases, suggesting potential biomarkers for these conditions.

Richer than previously probed: An application of 1H NMR reveals one hundred metabolites using only fifty microliter serum

The classical approach restricts the detection of metabolites in serum samples by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; however, the presence of copious proteins and lipoproteins emphasize and necessitate the development of a contemporary, high-throughput tactic. To eliminate the lipoproteins and proteins from sera to engender filtered sera (FS), the study was executed with 50 μl serum obtained from five healthy individuals with 5 years of age difference from 25 to 45 years old and the application of a unique mechanical filter with molecular weight cut-off value of 2KDa. The 10 μl FS from each individual was pooled to make 50 μl final volume filled in a co-axial tube for acquisition of a battery of 1D/2D investigations at 800 MHz NMR spectrometer and the assigned metabolites was confirmed through mass spectrometry as well as by comparing 1H NMR spectra of individual metabolites. This innovative tactic is commissioning to reveal more than 100 metabolites. In contrast to the protein precipitation method, 24 new metabolites were recognized in the present study. The present innovative approach characterizes nucleosides, nitrogenous bases, and volatile metabolites that possibly produce a landmark for the delineation of a comprehensive metabolic profile applicable for detection of the molecular cause of pathogenicity, early-stage disease detection and prognosis, inborn error of metabolism, and forensic investigations exerting the least volume of FS and NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of 100 metabolites using 1H NMR-based FS is described for the first time in the present report.

Improving quality of analysis by suppression of unwanted signals through band-selective excitation in NMR spectroscopy for metabolomics studies

INTRODUCTION

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy stands as a preeminent analytical tool in the field of metabolomics. Nevertheless, when it comes to identifying metabolites present in scant amounts within various types of complex mixtures such as plants, honey, milk, and biological fluids and tissues, NMR-based metabolomics presents a formidable challenge. This predicament arises primarily from the fact that the signals emanating from metabolites existing in low concentrations tend to be overshadowed by the signals of highly concentrated metabolites within NMR spectra.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to tackle the issue of intense sugar signals overshadowing the desired metabolite signals, an optimal pulse sequence with band-selective excitation has been proposed for the suppression of sugar's moiety signals (SSMS). This sequence serves the crucial purpose of suppressing unwanted signals, with a particular emphasis on mitigating the interference caused by sugar moieties' signals.

METHODS

We have implemented this comprehensive approach to various NMR techniques, including 1D 1H presaturation (presat), 2D J-resolved (RES), 2D 1H-1H Total Correlation Spectroscopy (TOCSY), and 2D 1H-13C Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence (HSQC) for the samples of dates-flesh, honey, a standard stock solution of glucose, and nine amino acids, and commercial fetal bovine serum (FBS).

RESULTS

The outcomes of this approach were significant. The suppression of the high-intensity sugar signals has considerably enhanced the visibility and sensitivity of the signals emanating from the desired metabolites.

CONCLUSION

This, in turn, enables the identification of a greater number of metabolites. Additionally, it streamlines the experimental process, reducing the time required for the comparative quantification of metabolites in statistical studies in the field of metabolomics.

Present and future of pure shift NMR in metabolomics

NMR is one of the most powerful techniques for the analysis of biological samples in the field of metabolomics. However, the high complexity of fluids, tissues, or other biological materials taken from living organisms is still a challenge for state-of-the-art pulse sequences, thereby limiting the detection, the identification, and the quantification of metabolites. In this context, the resolution enhancement provided by broadband homonuclear decoupling methods, which allows for simplifying 1 H multiplet patterns into singlets, has placed this so-called pure shift technique as a promising approach to perform metabolic profiling with unparalleled level of detail. In recent years, the many advances achieved in the design of pure shift experiments has paved the way to the analysis of a wide range of biological samples with ultra-high resolution. This review leads the reader from the early days of the main pure shift methods that have been successfully developed over the last decades to address complex samples, to the most recent and promising applications of pure shift NMR to the field of NMR-based metabolomics.

Untargeted metabolomics analysis of four date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars using MS and NMR

Since ancient times, the inhabitants of dry areas have depended on the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as a staple food and means of economic security. For example, dates have been a staple diet for the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula and Sahara Desert in North Africa for millennia and the local culture is rich in knowledge and experience with the benefits of dates, suggesting that dates contain many substances essential for the human body. Madinah dates are considered one of the most important types of dates in the Arabian Peninsula, with Ajwa being one of the most famous types and grown only in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Date seeds are traditionally used for animal feed, seed oil production, cosmetics, and as a coffee substitute. Phytochemical compounds that have been detected in date fruits and date seeds include phenolic acids, carotenoids, and flavonoids. Phenolic acids are the most prevalent bioactive constituents that contribute to the antioxidant activity of date fruits. The bioactive properties of these phytochemicals are believed to promote human health by reducing the risk of diseases such as chronic inflammation. Ajwa dates especially are thought to have superior bioactivity properties. To investigate these claims, in this study, we compare the metabolic profiles of Ajwa with different types of dates collected from Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. We show by UHPLC-MS that date seeds contain several classes of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acid derivatives, including citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, and hydroxyadipic acid. Additionally, GC-MS profiling showed that date seeds are richer in metabolite classes, such as hydrocinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids), than flesh samples. Deglet N fruit extract (minimum inhibitory concentration: 27 MIC/μM) and Sukkari fruit extract (IC50: 479 ± 0.58μg /mL) have higher levels of antibacterial and antioxidative activity than Ajwa fruits. However, the seed analysis showed that seed extracts have better bioactivity effects than fruit extracts. Specifically, Ajwa extract showed the best MIC and strongest ABTS radical-scavenging activity among examined seed extracts (minimum inhibitory concentration: 20 μM; IC50: 54 ± 3.61μg /mL). Our assays are a starting point for more advanced in vitro antibacterial models and investigation into the specific molecules that are responsible for the antioxidative and anti-bacterial activities of dates.

Growth performance, liver and kidney functions, blood hormonal profile, and economic efficiency of broilers fed different levels of threonine supplementation during feed restriction

The objective of the existing investigation was to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of threonine amino acid at different levels during feed restriction on growth indices, liver and kidney function parameters, and some hormonal profiles along with economic indicators in broiler chickens. A total of 1,600 from 2 different breeds (800 Ross 308 and 800 Indian River) at 21-day-old age were incorporated. Chicks were randomly assigned into 2 main groups, control and feed-restricted (8 h/d), during the fourth week of age. Each main group was subdivided into 4 groups. The first group was fed a basal diet without adding extra threonine (100%), the second, third, and fourth groups were fed a basal diet with extra threonine levels of 110, 120, and 130%, respectively. Each subgroup consisted of 10 replicates of 10 birds. We noticed that the dietary inclusion of threonine at extra levels in the basal diets significantly enhanced final body weight, body weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio. This was mainly due to the enhanced levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF1), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). Moreover, the lowest feed cost per kilogram body weight gain and improved return parameters were reported in control and feed-restricted birds fed higher levels of threonine than other groups. Also, a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and urea levels was observed in feed-restricted birds supplemented with 120 and 130% levels of threonine. Hence, we recommend supplementing threonine at levels of 120 and 130% in the diet of broilers to promote growth and profitability.

Research Progress of Natural Matrine Compounds and Synthetic Matrine Derivatives

Matrine is a quinoline alkaloid extracted and separated from the dried root, fruit, and other parts of the plant Sophora flavescens using an organic solvent. Matrine exhibits a variety of biological activities and is widely used in pharmacy, agronomy, and other fields. Due to its low bioavailability, poor chemical stability, and toxicity to the central nervous system, a large number of researchers have searched for matrine derivatives with higher biological activity and safety by modifying its structure. In this review article, the research progress of matrine derivatives obtained using two methods (extraction from Sophora flavescens and structural modifications) from 2018 to 2022 in terms of pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, and structure-activity relationship are presented. The modification of matrine over the past five years has been mainly on the D-ring. Many new matrine alkaloids have been extracted from natural products, some of which have good pharmacological activity, which broadens the strategy for matrine structural modification in the future.

Dietary Flavonoid Intake and Carotid Calcification in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

INTRODUCTION

Owing to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, flavonoids can influence the initiation and development of atherosclerosis, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely undetermined. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between dietary flavonoids and carotid calcification in patients with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

This study screened consecutive patients with ischemic stroke via Nanjing Stroke Registry Program from February 2016 to April 2021. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary consumption of flavonoids and other nutritional components. Presence and degree of carotid calcification were determined according to Agatston scores on computer tomography angiography. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between dietary flavonoids (total flavonoids, flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and isoflavones) and carotid calcification.

RESULTS

Of the 601 enrolled patients, 368 (61.2%) were detected with carotid calcification. Patients with high intake of total flavonoids (the fifth quintile) had a 52% lower carotid calcification risk than those with low intake (the first quintile; odds ratio [OR] = 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.90; p = 0.007 for trends) after adjusting for major confounders. Patients with high intake of flavan-3-ols (the fifth quintile) had a 51% lower carotid calcification risk than those with low intake (the first quintile; OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25-0.97; p = 0.016 for trends).

CONCLUSION

Dietary flavonoid intake is associated with carotid calcification, and, therefore, may influence the risk of stroke occurrence and recurrence.

Compound-Specific 1D 1H NMR Pulse Sequence Selection for Metabolomics Analyses

NMR-based metabolomics approaches have been used in a wide range of applications, for example, with medical, plant, and marine samples. One-dimensional (1D) ¹H NMR is routinely used to find out biomarkers in biofluids such as urine, blood plasma, and serum. To mimic biological conditions, most NMR studies have been carried out in an aqueous solution where the high intensity of the water peak is a major problem in obtaining a meaningful spectrum. Different methods have been used to suppress the water signal, including 1D Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) presat, consisting of a T₂ filter to suppress macromolecule signals and reduce the humped curve in the spectrum. 1D nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY) is another method for water suppression that is used routinely in plant samples with fewer macromolecules than in biofluid samples. Other common 1D ¹H NMR methods such as 1D ¹H presat and 1D ¹H ES have simple pulse sequences; their acquisition parameters can be set easily. The proton with presat has just one pulse and the presat block causes water suppression, while other 1D ¹H NMR methods including those mentioned above have more pulses. However, it is not well known in metabolomics studies because it is used only occasionally and in a few types of samples by metabolomics experts. Another effective method is excitation sculpting to suppress water. Herein, we evaluate the effect of method selection on signal intensities of commonly detected metabolites. Different classes of samples including biofluid, plant, and marine samples were investigated, and recommendations on the advantages and limitations of each method are presented.

Lactoferrin: Antimicrobial impacts, genomic guardian, therapeutic uses and clinical significance for humans and animals

Lactoferrin (LF) is a protein found in several bodily fluids, such as milk. This protein has a diverse range of functions and is evolutionarily conserved. Lactoferrin is a multifunction protein with distinct biological abilities affecting mammals' immune structures. Reports indicated that the daily uptake of LF from dairy products is unsatisfactory in detecting further health-promoting abilities. Research has shown that it protects against infection, mitigates cellular senescence, and improves nutritional quality. Additionally, LF is being studied as a potential treatment for various diseases and conditions, including gastrointestinal issues and infections. Studies have also demonstrated its effectiveness against various viruses and bacteria. In this article, we'll look closer at the structure of LF and its various biological activities, including its antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-osteoporotic, detoxifying, and immunomodulatory properties. More specifically, the protective effect of LF against oxidative DNA damage was also clarified through its ability to abolish DNA damaging issues without interfacing with host genetic material. Fortification with LF protects mitochondria dysfunction syndromes via sustaining redox status and biogenesis and suppressing apoptosis and autophagy singling. Additionally, we'll examine the potential benefits of lactoferrin and provide an overview of recent clinical trials conducted to examine its use in laboratory and living models.

Nano-Liquid Chromatography with a New Monolithic Column for the Analysis of Coenzyme Q10 in Pistachio Samples

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vital substance found throughout body. It helps convert food into energy and is eaten small amounts in foods. CoQ10 has gained great interest in recent years as a potential candidate for the treatment of various diseases. The content of CoQ10 in food samples is a crucial quality index for foods. Therefore, the development of sensitive separation and quantification method for determining the amount of CoQ10 in various samples, especially in foods, is an important issue, especially for food nutrition. In this study, a new, miniaturized monolithic column was developed and applied for the determination of CoQ10 in pistachio samples by nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC). The monolithic column with a 50 µm i.d. was prepared by in situ polymerization using laurylmethacrylate (LMA) as the main monomer and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) as the crosslinker. Methanol (MeOH) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) were used as porogenic solvents. The final monolithic column was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chromatographic analyses. The monolithic column with a 50 µm i.d. was applied to the analysis of CoQ10 in pistachio samples in nano-LC. This analytical method was validated by means of sensitivity, linearity, precision, recovery, and repeatability. The LOD and LOQ values were 0.05 and 0.48 µg/kg, respectively. The developed method using the monolithic column was optimized to achieve very sensitive analyses of CoQ10 content in the food samples. The applicability of the method was successfully demonstrated by the analysis of CoQ10 in pistachio samples.

Consequences of supplementing duck's diet with charcoal on carcass criteria, meat quality, nutritional composition, and bacterial load

The influence of charcoal as feed additives on carcass and meat characteristics was studied in 144 four weeks old Muller ducks. The experimental ducklings were assigned to six groups of 24 birds (Eight per replicates each). The dietary treatments contained 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% charcoal for G1 (C), G2 (L1), G3 (L2), G4 (L3), G5 (L4) and G6 (L5), respectively. All experimental birds were raised under similar environmental and managerial conditions. Results indicated that charcoal did not affect most carcass traits significantly except for dressing percentage was higher (P < 0.05) in 1.5 and 2 % charcoal included ducks diets compared to control ducks. Charcoal supplementation significantly affected duck meat tenderness, juiciness and water holding capacity. Moreover, charcoal altered (P < 0.05) meat components such as crude protein, calcium components, desirable fatty acids, nutritional value and some bacterial counts. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances reduced in birds fed charcoal at 1.5, 2, and 2.5%, with significant variation among treatments. No significant differences in the number of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were detected among the ducks fed with charcoal and the control group. It could be concluded that charcoal could be included in ducks' diets at 1.5 and 2% with beneficial effects on carcass parameters.

Methodological Developments for Metabolic NMR Spectroscopy from Cultured Cells to Tissue Extracts: Achievements, Progress and Pitfalls

This is a broad overview and critical review of a particular group of closely related ex vivo and in vitro metabolic NMR spectroscopic methods. The scope of interest comprises studies of cultured cells and excised tissue, either intact or after physicochemical extraction of metabolites. Our detailed discussion includes pitfalls that have led to erroneous statements in the published literature, some of which may cause serious problems in metabolic and biological interpretation of results. To cover a wide range of work from relevant research areas, we consider not only the most recent achievements in the field, but also techniques that proved to be valid and successful in the past, although they may not have generated a very significant number of papers more recently. Thus, this comparative review also aims at providing background information useful for judiciously choosing between the metabolic ex vivo/in vitro NMR methods presented. Finally, the methods of interest are discussed in the context of, and in relation to, other metabolic analysis protocols such as HR-MAS and cell perfusion NMR, as well as the mass spectrometry approach.

You Are What You Eat: Application of Metabolomics Approaches to Advance Nutrition Research

A healthy condition is defined by complex human metabolic pathways that only function properly when fully satisfied by nutritional inputs. Poor nutritional intakes are associated with a number of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and osteoporosis. In recent years, nutrition science has undergone an extraordinary transformation driven by the development of innovative software and analytical platforms. However, the complexity and variety of the chemical components present in different food types, and the diversity of interactions in the biochemical networks and biological systems, makes nutrition research a complicated field. Metabolomics science is an "-omic", joining proteomics, transcriptomics, and genomics in affording a global understanding of biological systems. In this review, we present the main metabolomics approaches, and highlight the applications and the potential for metabolomics approaches in advancing nutritional food research.