GC/MS-Based Metabolomics Reveals Biomarkers in Asthma Murine Model Modulated by Opuntia humifusa

Mechanistic study of salidroside on ovalbumin-induced asthmatic model mice based on untargeted metabolomics analysis

Salidroside (SAL) is a natural component derived from Rhodiola rosea and is well known for its wide range of biological activities such as its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. However, its effects and mechanisms of action related to asthma have not been well explored yet. Recent studies have found that changes in host metabolism are closely related to the progression of asthma. Many natural components can ameliorate asthma by affecting host metabolism. The use of untargeted metabolomics can allow for a better understanding of the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of herbs on asthma. This study aimed to demonstrate the anti-asthmatic effects and metabolic regulatory mechanisms of SAL. In this study, the therapeutic effects of SAL on asthmatic mice were tested at first. Secondly, the effects of SAL on the airway inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress, and airway remodeling were investigated. Finally, untargeted metabolomics analysis was used to explore the influence of SAL on lung metabolites. The results showed that SAL had a significant therapeutic effect on asthmatic model mice. Moreover, SAL treatment lowered interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels but elevated interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-10 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, it also increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and decreased methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) levels in the lungs. Besides, SAL-treated mice showed decreased expression of smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in the lung. Untargeted metabolomics analysis showed 31 metabolites in the lungs that were influenced by SAL. These metabolites were related to pyrimidine metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. In conclusion, SAL treatment can reduce the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and airway remodeling in asthmatic model mice. The mechanism of SAL in the treatment of asthma may be related to the regulation of pyrimidine metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and the TCA cycle. Further studies can be carried out using targeted metabolomics and in vitro models to deeply elucidate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms of SAL on asthma based on regulating metabolism.

Study on the Potential Biomarkers of Maternal Urine Metabolomics for Fetus with Congenital Heart Diseases Based on Modified Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Background

There has been significant research on the genetic and environmental factors of congenital heart defects (CHDs), but few causes of teratogenicity, especially teratogenic mechanisms, can be clearly identified. Metabolomics has a potential advantage in researching the relationship between external factors and CHD.

Objective

To find and identify the urinary potential biomarkers of pregnancy (including in the second and third trimesters) for fetuses with CHD based on modified gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), which could reveal the possibility of high-risk factors for CHD and lay the foundation for early intervention, treatment, and prevention.

Methods

Using a case-control design, we measured the urinary potential biomarkers of maternal urine metabolomics based on GC-MS in a population-based sample of women whose infants were diagnosed with CHD (70 case subjects) or were healthy (70 control subjects). SIMCA-P 13.0 software, principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, and logistics regression were used to find significant potential biomarkers.

Result

The 3D score graph of the OPLS-DA showed that the CHD and control groups were fully separated. The fitting parameters were R²x=0.78 and R²y=0.69, and the forecast rate was Q²=0.61, indicating a high forecast ability. According to the ranking of VIPs from the OPLS-DA models, we found 34 potential metabolic markers with a VIP > 1, and after two pairwise rank sum tests, we found 20 significant potential biomarkers, which were further used in multifactor logistic regressions. Significant substances, including 4-hydroxybenzeneacetic acid (OR=4.74, 95% CI: 1.06-21.06), 5-trimethylsilyloxy-n-valeric acid (OR=15.78, 95% CI: 2.33-106.67), propanedioic acid (OR=5.37, 95% CI: 1.87-15.45), hydracrylic acid (OR=6.23, 95% CI: 1.07-36.21), and uric acid (OR=5.23, 95% CI: 1.23-22.32), were associated with CHD.

Conclusion

The major potential biomarkers in maternal urine associated with CHD were 4-hydroxybenzeneacetic acid, 5-trimethylsilyloxy-n-valeric acid, propanedioic acid, hydracrylic acid, and uric acid, respectively. These results indicated that the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and aromatic amino acid metabolism may be relevant with CHD.