Urine metabolomics signatures in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is unclear. An unbiased systems-based approach might help to illustrate the metabolite profiling and underlying pathophysiology. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome patients and matched controls recruited in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. 1H-Nuclear magnetic resonance was used to initially explore the metabolic profile, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was then used to identify metabolic alterations in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Untargeted metabolite screening was randomly performed on 10 reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome patients and 10 control subjects in the discovery phase. The selected untargeted metabolites were further validated on 47 reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome patients during their ictal stage (with 40 of them having remission samples) and 47 controls in the replication phase. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Six metabolites-hippurate, citrate, 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid, ascorbic acid, D-glucurono-6,3-lactone, and D-threo-isocitric acid-with t-test derived p-value < 0.05 and VIP score >1, were identified as potential urine signatures that can well distinguish reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome subjects at ictal stage from controls. Among them, citrate, hippurate, ascorbic acid, and D-glucurono-6,3-lactone were significantly lower, and 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid and D-threo-isocitric acid were higher in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome patients. Of these, four selected metabolites, citrate, D-glucurono-6,3-lactone, ascorbic acid, and 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid, returned to normal levels in remission. These metabolites are related to pathways associated with free radical scavenging, with the hub molecules being associated with endothelial dysfunction or sympathetic overactivity. Whether these metabolites and their implicated networks play a role in the pathogenesis of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome remains to be confirmed.

Novel metabolic and lipidomic biomarkers of sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of sarcopenia is complex and multifactorial and has not been fully elucidated. The impact of resistance training and nutritional support (RTNS) on metabolomics and lipodomics in older adults with sarcopenia remains uncertain. This study aimed to explore potential biomarkers of sarcopenia and clinical indicators of RTNS in older sarcopenic adults. METHODS: Older individuals diagnosed with sarcopenia through routine health checkups at a community hospital were recruited for a 12-week randomized controlled trial focusing on RTNS. Plasma metabolomic and lipidomic profiles of 45 patients with sarcopenia and 47 matched controls were analysed using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS). RESULTS: At baseline, the patient and control groups had similar age, sex, and height distribution. The patient group had significantly lower weight, BMI, grip strength, gait speed, skeletal muscle index, lean mass of both the upper and lower limbs, and lower limb bone mass. There was a significant difference in 12 metabolites between the control and patient groups. They are isoleucine (patient/control fold change [FC] = 0.86 ± 0.04, P = 0.0005), carnitine (FC = 1.05 ± 0.01, P = 0.0110), 1-methylhistamine/3-methylhistamine (FC = 1.24 ± 0.14, P = 0.0039), creatinine (FC = 0.71 ± 0.04, P < 0.0001), carnosine (FC = 0.71 ± 0.04, P = 0.0007), ureidopropionic acid (FC = 0.61 ± 0.10, P = 0.0107), uric acid (FC = 0.88 ± 0.03, P = 0.0083), PC (18:2/20:0) (FC = 0.69 ± 0.03, P = 0.0010), PC (20:2/18:0) (FC = 0.70 ± 0.06, P = 0.0014), PC (18:1/20:1) (FC = 0.74 ± 0.05, P = 0.0015), PI 32:1 (FC = 4.72 ± 0.17, P = 0.0006), and PI 34:3 (FC = 1.88 ± 0.13, P = 0.0003). Among them, carnitine, 1-methylhistamine/3-methylhistamine, creatinine, ureidopropionic acid, uric acid, PI 32:1, and PI 34:3 were first identified. Notably, PI 32:1 had highest diagnostic accuracy (0.938) for sarcopenia. 1-Methylhistamine/3-methylhistamine, carnosine, PC (18:2/20:0), PI 32:1, and PI 34:3 levels were not different from the control group after RTNS. These metabolites are involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the PI3K-AKT/mTOR signalling pathway through the ingenuity pathway analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide information on metabolic changes, lipid perturbations, and the role of RTNS in patients with sarcopenia. They reveal new insights into its pathological mechanisms and potential therapies.

Metabolomic and proteomic characterization of sng and pain phenotypes in fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread pain. Its pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood, and effective diagnosis and treatments are lacking. This study aimed to identify significantly changed biosignatures in FM and propose a novel classification for FM based on pain and soreness (sng) symptoms. METHODS: Urine and serum samples from 30 FM patients and 25 controls underwent metabolomic and proteomic profiling. RESULTS: Compared with controls, FM patients showed significant differential expression of three metabolites in urine and five metabolites and eight proteins in serum. Of them, DETP, 4-guanidinobutanoic acid, SM(d18:1/18:0), PC(20:1(11Z)/18:0), S100A7, SERPINB3, galectin-7 and LYVE1 were first reported as potential biomarkers for FM. Furthermore, lactate, 2-methylmaleate and cotinine in urine and lactate, SM(d18:1/25:1), SM(d18:1/26:1) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and PCYOX1, ITIH4, PFN1, LRG1, C8G, C8A, CP, CDH5 and DBH in serum could differentiate pain- (PG) and sng-dominant groups (SG). Lactate, 2-methylmaleate, cotinine, PCYOX1, ITIH4, PFN1 and DBH have a higher level in SG. SM(d18:1/25:1), SM(d18:1/26:1), PGD2, LRG1, C8G, C8A, CP and CDH5 in SG are lower than PG. The omics results indicated disordered free radical scavenging, and lipid and amino acid metabolism networks and resulting NF-κB-dependent cytokine generation in FM. Lactate level was altered simultaneously in urine and serum and significantly higher in sng-dominant patients than others. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we identified potential biomarkers from FM patients. The selected biomarkers could discriminate sng and pain phenotypes in FM patients. These results could help elucidate the underlying pathological mechanisms for more effective diagnosis and therapy for FM.

Gastrodiae rhizoma attenuates brain aging via promoting neuritogenesis and neurodifferentiation.

BACKGROUND: Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma), the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata Bl. (Orchidaceae), is listed as a top-grade herbal medicine in Shen-nong Ben-ts'ao Jing and has been used for treating headaches, dizziness, vertigo and convulsion. It has a neuroprotective effect and extends the lifespan in mouse models of Huntington's disease and Niemann-Pick type C disease. However, its effect on senescence remains unknown. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the anti-aging effects and the underlying mechanism of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. METHODS: D-galactose (D-gal)- and BeSO4-induced cellular senescence and senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) activity were evaluated in SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells. D-gal-induced aging mice were used as an in vivo model. Animal behaviors including nesting and burrowing and Morris water maze were conducted. Neurogenesis in the hippocampus was assessed by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, and the aging-related proteins were assessed by Western blot analysis. The potential neuritogenesis activity of the partially purified fraction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (TM-2) and its major ingredients were investigated in PC12 cells. RESULTS: TM-2 could improve D-gal-induced learning and memory impairement by inhibiting oxidative stress, increasing hippocampal neurogenesis and regulating the SH2B1-Akt pathway. Moreover, N6-(4-hydroxybenzyl)adenine riboside (T1-11) and parishins A and B, three constituents of TM-2, had anti-aging activity, as did T1-11 and parishin A induced neuritogenesis. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that TM-2 slowed down D-gal-induced cellular and mouse brain aging. These results indicate that Gastrodiae Rhizoma has a beneficial effect on senescence. It may be used for neuroprotection and promoting neurogenesis.

T1-11, an adenosine derivative, ameliorates aging-related behavioral physiology and senescence markers in aging mice.

Aging is a natural human process. It is uniquely individual, taking into account experiences, lifestyle habits and environmental factors. However, many disorders and syndromes, such as osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive decline etc., often come with aging. The present study was designed to investigate the possible anti-aging effect of N6-(4-hydroxybenzyl)adenine riboside (T1-11), an adenosine analog isolated from Gastrodia elata, in a mouse model of aging created by D-galactose (D-gal) and the underlying mechanism, as well as explore the role of adenosine signaling in aging. T1-11 activated A2AR and suppressed D-gal- and BeSO4-induced cellular senescence in vitro. In vivo results in mice revealed that T1-11 abated D-gal-induced reactive oxygen species generation and ameliorated cognitive decline by inducing neurogenesis and lowering D-gal-caused neuron death. T1-11 could be a potent agent for postponing senility and preventing aging-related neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

ASIC3-dependent metabolomics profiling of serum and urine in a mouse model of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread pain. The pathogenesis of FM remains unclear. No specific biomarkers are available. Animal models of FM may provide an opportunity to explore potential biomarkers in a relative homogenous disease condition. Here, we probed the metabolomics profiles of serum and urine in a mouse model of FM induced by intermittent cold stress (ICS). We focused on the role of acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) in the metabolomics profiling because ICS treatment induced chronic widespread muscle pain lasting for 1 month in wild-type (Asic3+/+) but not Asic3-knockout (Asic3-/-) mice. Serum and urine samples were collected from both genotypes at different ICS stages, including before ICS (basal level) and post-ICS at days 10 (middle phase, P10) and 40 (recovery phase, P40). Control naïve mice and ICS-induced FM mice differed in 1H-NMR- and LC-MS-based metabolomics profiling. On pathway analysis, the leading regulated pathways in Asic3+/+ mice were taurine and hypotaurine, cysteine and methionine, glycerophospholipid, and ascorbate and aldarate metabolisms, and the major pathways in Asic3-/- mice involved amino acid-related metabolism. Finally, we developed an algorithm for the impactful metabolites in the FM model including cis-aconitate, kynurenate, taurine, pyroglutamic acid, pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid, and 4-methoxyphenylacetic acid in urine as well as carnitine, deoxycholic acid, lysoPC(16:0), lysoPC(20:3), oleoyl-L-carnitine, and trimethylamine N-oxide in serum. Asic3-/- mice were impaired in only muscle allodynia development but not other pain symptoms in the ICS model, so the ASIC3-dependent metabolomics changes could be useful for developing diagnostic biomarkers specific to chronic widespread muscle pain, the core symptom of FM. Further pharmacological validations are needed to validate these metabolomics changes as potential biomarkers for FM diagnosis and/or treatment responses.