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International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, heterogeneous, and inflammatory conditions mainly affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, endoscopy is the gold... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, heterogeneous, and inflammatory conditions mainly affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, endoscopy is the gold standard test for assessing mucosal activity and healing in clinical practice; however, it is a costly, time-consuming, invasive, and uncomfortable procedure for the patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for sensitive, specific, fast and non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of IBD in medical research. Urine is an excellent biofluid for discovering biomarkers because it is non-invasive to sample. In this review, we aimed to summarize proteomics and metabolomics studies performed in both animal models of IBD and humans that identify urinary biomarkers for IBD diagnosis. Future large-scale multi-omics studies should be conducted in collaboration with clinicians, researchers, and industry to make progress toward the development of sensitive and specific diagnostic biomarkers, thereby making personalized medicine possible.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Biomarkers; Body Fluids; Colitis, Ulcerative; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Proteomics
PubMed: 37373307
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210159 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Jul 2023Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a multifactorial illness that affects many body systems including the immune, nervous, endocrine,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a multifactorial illness that affects many body systems including the immune, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, and urinary systems. There is currently no universal diagnostic marker or targeted treatment for ME/CFS. Urine is a non-invasive sample that provides biomarkers that may have the potential to be used in a diagnostic capacity for ME/CFS. While there are several studies investigating urine-based biomarkers for ME/CFS, there are no published systematic reviews to summarise existing evidence of these markers. The aim of this systematic review was to compile and appraise literature on urinary-based biomarkers in ME/CFS patients compared with healthy controls.
METHODS
Three databases: Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for articles pertaining to urinary biomarkers for ME/CFS compared with healthy controls published between December 1994 to December 2022. The final articles included in this review were determined through application of specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality and bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Control Studies. A meta-analysis according to Cochrane guidelines was conducted on select studies, in particular, those that investigate urinary free cortisol levels in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls using the program STATA 17.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies were included in this review. All of the studies investigated urinary-based markers in ME/CFS patients compared with healthy controls. The reported changes in urinary outputs include urinary free cortisol (38.10%), carnitine (28.6%), iodine (4.76%), and the metabolome (42.86%). In most cases, there was minimal overlap in the main outcomes measured across the studies, however, differences in urinary free cortisol between ME/CFS patients and healthy controls were commonly reported. Seven studies investigating urinary free cortisol were included in the meta-analysis. While there were significant differences found in urinary free cortisol levels in ME/CFS patients, there was also substantial heterogeneity across the included studies that makes drawing conclusions difficult.
CONCLUSIONS
There is limited evidence suggesting a consistent and specific potential urinary-based biomarker for ME/CFS. Further investigations using more standardised methodologies and more stringent case criteria may be able to identify pathophysiological differences with diagnostic potential in ME/CFS patients compared with healthy controls.
Topics: Humans; Biomarkers; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; Hydrocortisone
PubMed: 37408028
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04295-0 -
RSC Advances Nov 2019Given the highly increased incidence of human diseases, a better understanding of the related mechanisms regarding endogenous metabolism is urgently needed. Mass... (Review)
Review
Given the highly increased incidence of human diseases, a better understanding of the related mechanisms regarding endogenous metabolism is urgently needed. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics has been used in a variety of disease research areas. However, the deep research of metabolites remains a difficult and lengthy process. Fortunately, mass spectrometry is considered to be a universal tool with high specificity and sensitivity and is widely used around the world. Mass spectrometry technology has been applied to various basic disciplines, providing technical support for the discovery and identification of endogenous substances in living organisms. The combination of metabolomics and mass spectrometry is of great significance for the discovery and identification of metabolite biomarkers. The mass spectrometry tool could further improve and develop the exploratory research of the life sciences. This mini review discusses metabolomics biotechnology with a focus on recent applications of metabolomics as a powerful tool to elucidate metabolic disturbances and the related mechanisms of diseases.
PubMed: 35542267
DOI: 10.1039/c9ra06697g -
Journal of Crohn's & Colitis Nov 2022Paediatric inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is characterized by altered immunological and metabolic pathways. Metabolomics may therefore increase pathophysiological...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Paediatric inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is characterized by altered immunological and metabolic pathways. Metabolomics may therefore increase pathophysiological understanding and could develop into characterization of biomarkers for diagnosis and IBD treatment response. However, no uniform metabolomic profiles have been identified to date. This systematic review aimed to identify faecal metabolomic signatures in paediatric IBD vs controls, and to describe metabolites associated with disease activity and treatment response.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in Embase, Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Studies assessing faecal metabolomics in paediatric patients < 18 years with IBD [de novo, active, inactive] with comparative groups [IBD vs non-IBD; responders vs non-responders] were included. The quality of included studies was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies were included [540 patients with IBD, 386 controls], assessing faecal short-chain fatty acids [SCFA] [five studies], amino acids [AA] [ten studies], bile acids [BA] [eight studies] and other metabolites [nine studies] using various methodologies. Significantly increased levels of AA [particularly phenylalanine], primary BA and lower levels of secondary BA were described in paediatric IBD compared to controls. Faecal SCFA results varied across studies. Additionally, responders and non-responders to exclusive enteral nutrition and infliximab showed differences in baseline faecal metabolites [based on BA, AA].
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review provides evidence for distinct faecal metabolomic profiles in paediatric IBD. However, results varied across studies, possibly due to differences in study design and applied analytical techniques. Faecal metabolomics could provide more insight into host-microbial interactions in IBD, but further studies with standardized methodologies and reporting are needed.
Topics: Humans; Child; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Feces; Metabolomics; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Bile Acids and Salts; Amino Acids
PubMed: 35679608
DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjac079 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Dec 2020This systematic review analyses the contribution of metabolomics to the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for uterine diseases. These diseases are... (Review)
Review
This systematic review analyses the contribution of metabolomics to the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for uterine diseases. These diseases are diagnosed invasively, which entails delayed treatment and a worse clinical outcome. New options for diagnosis and prognosis are needed. PubMed, OVID, and Scopus were searched for research papers on metabolomics in physiological fluids and tissues from patients with uterine diseases. The search identified 484 records. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 44 studies were included into the review. Relevant data were extracted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) checklist and quality was assessed using the QUADOMICS tool. The selected metabolomics studies analysed plasma, serum, urine, peritoneal, endometrial, and cervico-vaginal fluid, ectopic/eutopic endometrium, and cervical tissue. In endometriosis, diagnostic models discriminated patients from healthy and infertile controls. In cervical cancer, diagnostic algorithms discriminated patients from controls, patients with good/bad prognosis, and with/without response to chemotherapy. In endometrial cancer, several models stratified patients from controls and recurrent from non-recurrent patients. Metabolomics is valuable for constructing diagnostic models. However, the majority of studies were in the discovery phase and require additional research to select reliable biomarkers for validation and translation into clinical practice. This review identifies bottlenecks that currently prevent the translation of these findings into clinical practice.
PubMed: 33371433
DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040294 -
RSC Advances Jan 2020Metabolomics is the study of the investigation of small molecules derived from cellular and organism metabolism, which reflects the outcomes of the complex network of... (Review)
Review
Metabolomics is the study of the investigation of small molecules derived from cellular and organism metabolism, which reflects the outcomes of the complex network of biochemical reactions in living systems. As the most recent member of the omics family, there has been notable progress in metabolomics in the last decade, mainly driven by the improvement in mass spectrometry (MS). MS-based metabolomic strategies in modern health and medical science studies provide innovative tools for novel diagnostic and prognostic approaches, as well as an augmented role in drug development, nutrition science, toxicology, and forensic science. In the present review, we not only introduce the application of MS-based metabolomics in the above fields, but also discuss the MS analysis technologies commonly used in metabolomics and the application of metabolomics in precision medicine, and further explore the challenges and perspectives of metabolomics in the field of health and medical science, which are expected to make a little contribution to the better development of metabolomics.
PubMed: 35497733
DOI: 10.1039/c9ra08985c -
Cureus Oct 2022Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most prevalent and dangerous cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Recently, its direct or indirect association with gut dysbiosis has been... (Review)
Review
Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most prevalent and dangerous cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Recently, its direct or indirect association with gut dysbiosis has been an interest of study for many. It also includes the metabolomic and functional gene changes in hypertensives compared with healthy individuals. This systematic review aims to study quantitative and qualitative interactions between the two and re-defining the heart-gut axis. We have strictly followed the (PRISMA), 2020, guidelines. We conducted an in-depth search of databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Medline, and ScienceDirect to find relevant studies for our topic of interest. After the final quality check, we included eight articles in the systematic review. A significant difference in richness and diversity in gut microbiota was observed in hypertensive patients compared with healthy controls. There was an increased abundance of many bacteria such as , , , Enterobacteriaceae, , , , , and , while a decreased abundance of , , spp., and . Alteration of the composition also varied based on diet, age, ethnicity, and severity of HTN. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria are found to be on the lower side in hypertensives owing to the protective property of SCFAs against inflammation, especially butyric acid. From the perspective of metabolomic changes, harmful metabolites for cardiovascular health such as intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), zonulin, sphingomyelins, acylcarnitines, and trimethylamine -oxide (TMAO) were found to be increased in hypertensives. Changes in these biomarkers further establish the relation between gut epithelial health and high blood pressure (BP). Participants affected by diseases have an overall lower rate of acquiring new genes, which results in a low richness of genes in them compared with healthy individuals. There is increased expression of the choline utilization () gene and reduced expression of genes associated with biosynthesis and transport of amino acids in high-BP participants. The unique changes in the composition of the microbiota, functional changes in genes, and metabolome collectively help for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HTN and also suggest the gut as a promising new therapeutic target for HTN. To establish a further causal relationship between the two, more research is required.
PubMed: 36381851
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29927 -
BioMedicine 2023Glioblastoma multiforme, commonly known as GBM or glioblastoma is a grade IV astrocytoma. Brain tumors are difficult to treat and lead to poor prognosis and survival in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Glioblastoma multiforme, commonly known as GBM or glioblastoma is a grade IV astrocytoma. Brain tumors are difficult to treat and lead to poor prognosis and survival in patients. Gliomas are categorized into four different grades among which GBM is the worst grade primary brain tumor with a survival of less than a year. The genomic heterogeneity of the brain tumor results in different profiles for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. Precision medicine focuses on this specific tumor type and suggests specialized treatment for better prognosis and overall survival (OS).
PURPOSE
With the recent advancements in Genome-Wide Studies (GWS) and various characterizations of brain tumors based on genetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenetic, and metabolomics, this review discusses the advancements and opportunities of precision medicine therapeutics, drugs, and diagnosis methods based on the different profiles of glioblastoma.
METHODS
This review has exhaustively surveyed several pieces of works from various literature databases.
CONCLUSION
It is evident that most primary brain tumors including glioblastoma require specific and precision therapeutics for better prognosis and OS. In present and future, molecular understanding and discovering specific therapies are essential for treatment in the field of neurooncology.
PubMed: 37937301
DOI: 10.37796/2211-8039.1403 -
Current Pollution Reports Sep 2023There is a growing interest in understanding the health effects of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through the study of the human metabolome. In...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
There is a growing interest in understanding the health effects of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through the study of the human metabolome. In this systematic review, we aimed to identify consistent findings between PFAS and metabolomic signatures. We conducted a search matching specific keywords that was independently reviewed by two authors on two databases (EMBASE and PubMed) from their inception through July 19, 2022 following PRISMA guidelines.
RECENT FINDINGS
We identified a total of 28 eligible observational studies that evaluated the associations between 31 different PFAS exposures and metabolomics in humans. The most common exposure evaluated was legacy long-chain PFAS. Population sample sizes ranged from 40 to 1,105 participants at different stages across the lifespan. A total of 19 studies used a non-targeted metabolomics approach, 7 used targeted approaches, and 2 included both. The majority of studies were cross-sectional ( = 25), including four with prospective analyses of PFAS measured prior to metabolomics.
SUMMARY
Most frequently reported associations across studies were observed between PFAS and amino acids, fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, phosphosphingolipids, bile acids, ceramides, purines, and acylcarnitines. Corresponding metabolic pathways were also altered, including lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate, nucleotide, energy metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. We found consistent evidence across studies indicating PFAS-induced alterations in lipid and amino acid metabolites, which may be involved in energy and cell membrane disruption.
PubMed: 37753190
DOI: 10.1007/s40726-023-00269-4 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2023Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in developed countries. Over 382,000 new cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2018, and its incidence and... (Review)
Review
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in developed countries. Over 382,000 new cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2018, and its incidence and mortality are constantly rising due to longer life expectancy and life style factors including obesity. Two major improvements are needed in the management of patients with endometrial cancer, i.e., the development of non/minimally invasive tools for diagnostics and prognostics, which are currently missing. Diagnostic tools are needed to manage the increasing number of women at risk of developing the disease. Prognostic tools are necessary to stratify patients according to their risk of recurrence pre-preoperatively, to advise and plan the most appropriate treatment and avoid over/under-treatment. Biomarkers derived from proteomics and metabolomics, especially when derived from non/minimally-invasively collected body fluids, can serve to develop such prognostic and diagnostic tools, and the purpose of the present review is to explore the current research in this topic. We first provide a brief description of the technologies, the computational pipelines for data analyses and then we provide a systematic review of all published studies using proteomics and/or metabolomics for diagnostic and prognostic biomarker discovery in endometrial cancer. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for future studies are also given.
PubMed: 37091170
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1120178