Analysis of metabolic characteristics of metabolic syndrome in elderly patients with gastric cancer by non-targeted metabolomics

BACKGROUND The relationship between metabolic syndrome(MetS)and gastric cancer(GC),which is a common metabolic disease,has attracted much attention.However,the specific metabolic characteristics of MetS in elderly patients with GC remain unclear.AIM To investigate the differentially abundant metabolites and metabolic pathways between preoperative frailty and MetS in elderly patients with GC based on nontargeted metabolomics techniques.METHODS In this study,125 patients with nonfrail nonmeal GC were selected as the control group,and 50 patients with GC in the frail group were selected as the frail group.Sixty-five patients with GC combined with MetS alone were included in the MetS group,and 50 patients with GC combined with MetS were included in the MetS group.Nontargeted metabolomics techniques were used to measure plasma metabolite levels by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Multivariate statistical analysis was performed by principal component analysis,orthogonal partial least squares,pattern recognition analysis,cluster analysis,and metabolic pathway annotation.RESULTS A total of 125 different metabolites,including amino acids,glycerophospholipids,sphingolipids,fatty acids,sugars,nucleosides and nucleotides,and acidic compounds,were identified via nontargeted metabolomics techniques.Compared with those in the control group,there were 41,32,and 52 different metabolites in the MetS group,the debilitated group,and the combined group,respectively.Lipid metabolites were significantly increased in the MetS group.In the weak group,amino acids and most glycerol phospholipid metabolites decreased significantly,and fatty acids and sphingosine increased significantly.The combined group was characterized by significantly increased levels of nucleotide metabolites and acidic compounds.The alanine,aspartic acid,and glutamate metabolic pathways were obviously enriched in the asthenic group,and the glycerol and phospholipid metabolic pathways were obviously enriched in the combined group.CONCLUSION Elderly GC patients with simple frailty,simple combined MetS,and frailty combined with MetS have different metabolic characteristics,among which amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolite levels are significantly lower in frail elderly GC patients,and comprehensive supplementation of fat and protein should be considered.Many kinds of metabolites,such as amino acids,lipids,nucleotides,and acidic compounds,are abnormally abundant in patients with MetS combined with fthenia,which may be related to tumor-related metabolic disorders.

Based on non-targeted metabolomics for differential components screening of Rosae Chinensis Flos and Rosae Rugosae Flos and their quality evaluation

Background:Rosa chinensis Jacq.and Rosa rugosa Thunb.are not only of ornamental value,but also edible flowers and the flower buds have been listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as traditional medicines.The two plants have some differences in efficacy,but the flower buds are easily confused for similar traits.In addition,large-scale cultivation of ornamental rose flowers may lead to a decrease in the effective components of medicinal roses.Therefore,it is necessary to study the chemical composition and make quality evaluation of Rosae Chinensis Flos(Yueji)and Rosae Rugosae Flos(Meigui).Methods:In this study,40 batches of samples including Meigui and Yueji from different regions in China were collected to establish high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints.Then,the fingerprints data was analyzed using principal component analysis,hierarchical cluster analysis,and partial least squares discriminant analysis analysis chemometrics to obtain information on intergroup differences,and non-targeted metabolomic techniques were applied to identify and compare chemical compositions of samples which were chosen from groups with large differences.Differential compounds were screened by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and S-plot,and finally multi-component quantification was performed to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Yueji and Meigui.Results:The similarity between the fingerprints of 40 batches roses and the reference print R was 0.73 to 0.93,indicating that there were similarities and differences between the samples.Through principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of fingerprints data,the samples from different origins and varieties were intuitively divided into four groups.Partial least-squares discriminant analysis analysis showed that Meigui and Yueji cluster into two categories and the model was reliable.A total of 89 compounds were identified by high resolution mass spectrometry,mainly were flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides,as well as phenolic acids.Eight differential components were screened out by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and S-plot analysis.Quantitative analyses of the eight compounds,including gallic acid,ellagic acid,hyperoside,isoquercitrin,etc.,showed that Yueji was generally richer in phenolic acids and flavonoids than Meigui,and the quality of Yueji from Shandong and Hebei was better.It is worth noting that Xinjiang rose is rich in various components,which is worth focusing on more in-depth research.Conclusion:In this study,the fingerprints of Meigui and Yueji were established.The chemical components information of roses was further improved based on non-targeted metabolomics and mass spectrometry technology.At the same time,eight differential components of Meigui and Yueji were screened out and quantitatively analyzed.The research results provided a scientific basis for the quality control and rational development and utilization of Rosae Chinensis Flos and Rosae Rugosae Flos,and also laid a foundation for the study of their pharmacodynamic material basis.

Protective mechanism of Coprinus comatus polysaccharide on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice,the metabolomics and gut microbiota investigation

Coprinus comatus polysaccharide(CCP)has significant hepatoprotective effect.To explore hepatoprotective mechanism of CCP,the study analyzed preventive effect of CCP on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice by histopathological examination and biochemical analysis.Simultaneously,hepatoprotective mechanism was also analyzed in conjunction with metabolomics and proliferation of gut microbiota.The results showed that CCP significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and triglyceride(TG)levels in serum of alcoholic liver disease(ALD)mice.Histopathological examination showed that CCP can significantly improve liver damage.Metabolomics results showed that there were significant differences in the level of metabolites in liver tissue of control group,ALD group and CCP group,including taurine,xanthosine,fumaric acid and arachidonic acid,among others.Metabolites pathways analysis showed that hepatoprotective effect of CCP was related to energy metabolism,biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids,amino acids metabolism and lipid metabolism.Additionally,CCP inhibited an increase in the number of Clostridium perfringens,Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus,and a decrease in the number of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the gut of ALD mice.All these findings suggested that CCP treatment reversed the phenotype of ethanol-induced liver injury and the associated metabolites pathways.

Changes in the Non-targeted Metabolomic Profile of Three-year-old Toddlers with Elevated Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Objective To investigate changes in the urinary metabolite profiles of children exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)during critical brain development and explore their potential link with the intestinal microbiota.Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine ten hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs(OH-PAHs)in 36-month-old children.Subsequently,37 children were categorized into low-and high-exposure groups based on the sum of the ten OH-PAHs.Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify non-targeted metabolites in the urine samples.Furthermore,fecal flora abundance was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq.Results The concentrations of 21 metabolites were significantly higher in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group(variable importance for projection>1,P<0.05).Most of these metabolites were positively correlated with the hydroxyl metabolites of naphthalene,fluorine,and phenanthrene(r=0.336–0.531).The identified differential metabolites primarily belonged to pathways associated with inflammation or proinflammatory states,including amino acid,lipid,and nucleotide metabolism.Additionally,these distinct metabolites were significantly associated with specific intestinal flora abundances(r=0.34–0.55),which were mainly involved in neurodevelopment.Conclusion Higher PAH exposure in young children affected metabolic homeostasis,particularly that of certain gut microbiota-derived metabolites.Further investigation is needed to explore the potential influence of PAHs on the gut microbiota and their possible association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Mechanism of action of Wuzi Yanzong pill in the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia in rats determined via serum metabolomics

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of action of Wuzi Yanzong pill(WYP)in rats with oligoasthenozoospermia(OAZ)via metabolomics and to provide a possible basis for improving this WYP-based treatment.Methods:A rat model of OAZ was established by treating male SpragueeDawley rats with glucosides from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.F.Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into six groups:control,L-carnitine(positive control),model,and low-,medium-,and high-dose WYP groups.Rats in the experimental groups were treated with WYP for 4 weeks.At the end of the treatment period,sperm cell quality(density,motility,and viability)was assessed using a semen analysis system,mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)was assessed using flow cytometry,and testicular injury was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining to validate the therapeutic effect of WYP in OAZ.Further,serum metabolomics-based analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify differential metabolic pathways and possible mechanisms of action of WYP in OAZ treatment.Results:A rat model of OAZ was considered successfully-established after comparing the quality of spermatozoa in the model group to that in the control group.WYP-M and WYP-H treatments significantly improved sperm cell density,motility,and viability compared with those in the model group(all P<.05).Compared with the model group,both WYP-M and WYP-H treatments increased MMP values(P=.006 and P=.021 respectively),while there was no significant difference in the L-carnitine group.L-carnitine and WYP administration reversed damage to the testes to varying degrees compared with that in the model group.Further,44 differential metabolites and four metabolic pathways,especially autophagy pathway,related to OAZ were identified via metabolomics.Conclusions:WYP improves sperm cell quality and MMP in OAZ primarily via autophagy regulation.These findings can be employed to improve the efficacy of WYP in humans.

Review on analytical technologies and applications in metabolomics

Over the past decade,the swift advancement of metabolomics can be credited to significant progress in technologies such as mass spectrometry,nuclear magnetic resonance,and multivariate statistics.Currently,metabolomics garners widespread application across diverse fields including drug research and development,early disease detection,toxicology,food and nutrition science,biology,prescription,and chinmedomics,among others.Metabolomics serves as an effective characterization technique,offering insights into physiological process alterations in vivo.These changes may result from various exogenous factors like environmental conditions,stress,medications,as well as endogenous elements including genetic and protein-based influences.The potential scientific outcomes gleaned from these insights have catalyzed the formulation of innovative methods,poised to further broaden the scope of this domain.Today,metabolomics has evolved into a valuable and widely accepted instrument in the life sciences.However,comprehensive reviews focusing on the sample preparation and analytical methodologies employed in metabolomics within the life sciences are surprisingly scant.This review aims to fill that gap,providing an overview of current trends and recent advancements in metabolomics.Particular emphasis is placed on sample preparation,sophisticated analytical techniques,and their applications in life science research.

Metabolomics for the diagnosis of bladder cancer: A systematic review

Objective: Metabolomics has been extensively utilized in bladder cancer (BCa) research, employing mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to compare various variables (tissues, serum, blood, and urine). This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for early BCa diagnosis.Methods: A search strategy was designed to identify clinical trials, descriptive and analytical observational studies from databases such as Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences. Inclusion criteria comprised studies involving BCa tissue, serum, blood, or urine profiling using widely adopted metabolomics techniques like mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Primary outcomes included description of metabolites and metabolomics profiling in BCa patients and the association of metabolites and metabolomics profiling with BCa diagnosis compared to control patients. The risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy.Results: The search strategy yielded 2832 studies, of which 30 case-control studies were included. Urine was predominantly used as the primary sample for metabolite identification. Risk of bias was often unclear inpatient selection, blinding of the index test, and reference standard assessment, but no applicability concerns were observed. Metabolites and metabolomics profiles associated with BCa diagnosis were identified in glucose, amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, and aldehydes metabolism.Conclusion: The identified metabolites in urine included citric acid, valine, tryptophan, taurine, aspartic acid, uridine, ribose, phosphocholine, and carnitine. Tissue samples exhibited elevated levels of lactic acid, amino acids, and lipids. Consistent findings across tissue, urine, and serum samples revealed downregulation of citric acid and upregulation of lactic acid, valine, tryptophan, taurine, glutamine, aspartic acid, uridine, ribose, and phosphocholine.

Advances and Challenges of Exosome Metabolomics in Body Fluids

Exosomes,ubiquitously present in body fluids,serve as non-invasive biomarkers for disease diagnosis,monitoring,and treatment.As intercellular messengers,exosomes encapsulate a rich array of proteins,nucleic acids,and metabolites,although most studies have primarily focused on proteins and RNA.Recently,exosome metabolomics has demonstrated clinical value and potential advantages in disease detection and pathophysiology,despite significant challenges,particularly in exosome isolation and metabolite detection.This review discusses the significant technical challenges in exosome isolation and metabolite detection,highlighting the advancements in these areas that support the clinical application of exosome metabolomics,and illustrates the potential of exosomal metabolites from various body fluids as biomarkers for early disease diagnosis and treatment.

Identification of key taste components in Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.fruit using non-targeted metabolomics

Among the numerous fruit species of Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.,‘LR’(white flesh)and‘BR’(pink flesh)are two kinds of local strains with high edibility.In order to study the metabolic causes of taste differences,we performed the non-targeted metabonomics analysis of‘LR’and‘BR’using LC-MS/MS.541 metabolites were totally identified,and 45 kinds of metabolites(carbohydrates,fatty acids,flavonoids and terpenoids,etc.)were different between the two strains.The results indicate L-sorbose,D-(+)-glucose,citric acid,L-phenylalanine and oleamide,α-eleostearic acid were the main primary metabolites.The significant difference existed in pathways of unsaturated fatty acids between the studied two strains by pathway enrichment analysis.The results demonstrate that the different in composition,as well as the abundance of primary and secondary metabolites may be the potential causes of taste differences,which provides a new insight into the possible metabolic factors setting off the changing taste of B.ramiflora.

Reveal the pharmacodynamic substances and mechanism of an edible medicinal plant Rhodiola crenulate in DSS-induced colitis through plasma pharmacochemistry and metabolomics

Rhodiola crenulate is the edible medicinal herbal medicine widely used for altitude sickness in China.Interestingly,our previous work has found that R.crenulate extract(RCE)could significantly improve the pathology associated with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis.Thus,the current research aims to reveal the pharmacodynamic material basis of RCE,as well as its mechanism against colitis.The chemical characterization of RCE was performed by UHPLC-HR-MS,through which a total of 88 constituents were identified.Meanwhile,our results also found 29 constituents absorbed into blood and 8 metabolized absorbable compounds.The decreased flavonoids prototype and the elevated sulfated products of phenols were observed under pathophysiological conditions of colitis.The metabolomics study revealed that colitis caused the alternation of fatty acid metabolism,steroid hormone biosynthesis and bile acid metabolism.Correspondingly,RCE could prevent colitis by improving fatty acid metabolism and secondary bile acid metabolism.

Integrated spatial metabolomics and transcriptomics decipher the hepatoprotection mechanisms of wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Eclipta prostrata L.has been used in traditional medicine and known for its liver-protective properties for centuries.Wedelolactone(WEL)and demethylwedelolactone(DWEL)are the major coumarins found in E.prostrata L.However,the comprehensive characterization of these two compounds on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)still remains to be explored.Utilizing a well-established zebrafish model of thioacetamide(TAA)-induced liver injury,the present study sought to investigate the impacts and mechanisms of WEL and DWEL on NAFLD through integrative spatial metabolomics with liver-specific transcriptomics analysis.Our results showed that WEL and DWEL significantly improved liver function and reduced the accumulation of fat in the liver.The biodistributions and metabolism of these two compounds in whole-body zebrafish were successfully mapped,and the discriminatory endogenous metabolites reversely regulated by WEL and DWEL treatments were also characterized.Based on spatial metabolomics and transcriptomics,we identified that steroid biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism are mainly involved in the hepatoprotective effects of WEL instead of DWEL.Our study unveils the distinct mechanism of WEL and DWEL in ameliorating NAFLD,and presents a“multi-omics”platform of spatial metabolomics and liver-specific transcriptomics to develop highly effective compounds for further improved therapy.

Global status and trends of metabolomics in diabetes: A literature visualization knowledge graph study

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia,which has increased the global medical burden and is also the main cause of death in most countries.AIM To understand the knowledge structure of global development status,research focus,and future trend of the relationship between diabetes and metabolomics in the past 20 years.METHODS The articles about the relationship between diabetes and metabolomics in the Web of Science Core Collection were retrieved from 2002 to October 23,2023,and the relevant information was analyzed using CiteSpace6.2.2R(CiteSpace),VOSviewer6.1.18(VOSviewer),and Bibliometrix software under R language.RESULTS A total of 3123 publications were included from 2002 to 2022.In the past two decades,the number of publications and citations in this field has continued to increase.The United States,China,Germany,the United Kingdom,and other relevant funds,institutions,and authors have significantly contributed to this field.Scientific Reports and PLoS One are the journals with the most publications and the most citations.Through keyword co-occurrence and cluster analysis,the closely related keywords are"insulin resistance","risk","obesity","oxidative stress","metabolomics","metabolites"and"biomarkers".Keyword clustering included cardiovascular disease,gut microbiota,metabonomics,diabetic nephropathy,molecular docking,gestational diabetes mellitus,oxidative stress,and insulin resistance.Burst detection analysis of keyword depicted that"Gene","microbiota","validation","kidney disease","antioxidant activity","untargeted metabolomics","management",and"accumulation"are knowledge frontiers in recent years.CONCLUSION The relationship between metabolomics and diabetes is receiving extensive attention.Diabetic nephropathy,diabetic cardiovascular disease,and kidney disease are key diseases for future research in this field.Gut microbiota,molecular docking,and untargeted metabolomics are key research directions in the future.Antioxidant activity,gene,validation,mass spectrometry,management,and accumulation are at the forefront of knowledge frontiers in this field.

Characterization of squash polysaccharide and the anti-diabetic effect on type 2 diabetic rat revealed by urine metabolomics analysis

The present study reports the structural characteristics of 3 polysaccharide fractions(SPS-F1,SPS-F2 and SPS-F3)isolated and purified from squash.SPS-F1(molecular weight(Mw)=12.30 kDa)and SPS-F2(Mw=19.40 kDa)were likely to contain HG and RG-I domain of pectic polysaccharide,respectively.SPS-F2(Mw=270.4 kDa)was mainly composed of rhamnose,galactose and arabinose.The treatment with SPS decreased body weight gain,glucose and TG levels in type 2 diabetes rats.Besides,25 differential metabolites were identified based on urinary metabolomics analysis,which are crucial to the anti-diabetic effect of SPS.The regulation of nicotinamide N-oxide,histamine,cis-aconitate,citrate,L-malic acid,3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid and N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid were mainly associated with energy metabolism,gut microbiota and inflammation.Study of surface plasmon resonance revealed the binding kinetics with galectin-3(Gal-3)and fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2).The K_(D)values of SPS-F2 and SPS-F3 to Gal-3 were 4.97×10^(-3)and 1.48×10^(-3)mol/L,indicating a weak binding affinity.All 3 fractions showed moderate binding to FGF2 and the affinity was SPS-F3>SPS-F2>SPS-F1.Thus,the metabolomics and SPR approach were proved to be a promising tool in exploring the anti-diabetes effects of SPS and provided a deep understanding of the mechanisms.

Analysis of flavor and widely metabolomics differences in black sesame before and after processing

The objective of this study was to determine the differences of aroma and taste in three black sesame originsbefore and after processing via flavor and widely metabolomics.By analyzing the sensory characteristics and metabolites of raw and treated black sesame from China,Vietnam,and Myanmar,treated Chinese sesame have the most significant change in hardness after thermal processing,low viscosity and was easy to chew.The electronic nose could distinguish between raw and treated sesame due to the aroma distribution.The reason of treated sesame from China was“fragrant”is due to the highest content(2545.50μg/kg)of total pyrazines including 2,5-dimethylpyrazine,2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine,2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine,3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine.933 metabolites were detected via a wide targeted metabolomics in the taste of raw and treated sesame.Based on the analysis of metabolites related to bitterness,145 substances were selected.The main bitter contributors may be amino acids,dipeptides and organic acids.

Underlying anti-hypertensive mechanism of the Mizuhopecten yessoensis derived peptide NCW in spontaneously hypertensive rats via widely targeted kidney metabolomics

The angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitory peptide NCW derived from Mizuhopecten yessoensis has been demonstrated to have significant in vivo anti-hypertensive effects,however,its anti-hypertensive mechanism is still not fully clarified.This study established a UPLC-Q-TRAP-MS/MS-based widely targeted kidney metabolomics approach to explore the changes of kidney metabolic profiles and to clarify the antihypertensive mechanism of peptide NCW in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the kidney metabolic profiles were clearly separated between the SHR-NCW and SHRUntreated groups.A total of 85 metabolites were differentially regulated,and 16 metabolites were identified as potential kidney biomarkers,e.g.,3-hydroxybutyrate,malonic acid,deoxycytidine,and L-aspartic acid.The peptide NCW might regulate kidney metabolic disorder of SHRs to alleviate hypertension by suppressing inflammation and improving nitric oxide production under the regulation of linoleic acid metabolism,folate related pathways,synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies,pyrimidine metabolism,β-alanine metabolism,and retinal metabolism.

Integration of 1H-NMR-Based Metabolomics Approach with Traditional Chinese Pulse Diagnosis to Evaluate the Qi-Enhancing Activity of Herbal Tea

Human metabolism is intricately linked to an individual’s health status. Regardless of living habits, it will be reflected in the metabolic characteristics of urine. The utilization of the 1H NMR-based metabolomics method has enabled examine the metabolomic changes in urine under various physiology conditions, providing valuable insights into metabolites. In this particular study, volunteers were divided into two groups based on the strength of their spleen pulses, using the pulse diagnosis method employed in traditional Chinese medicine. Subsequently, their urine samples were analyzed, revealing notable variances in urea, creatinine, citric acid, succinic acid, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), alanine, hippuric acid, and glycine between the two groups. Interestingly, individuals with weak spleen pulses showed significant improvements after consuming herbal tea. Furthermore, we conducted LC-MS analysis on herbal tea and performed adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity tests on the C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell line. The results indicated that within a reasonable concentration range, exposure to herbal tea led to an increase in the mitochondrial ATP production capacity of C2C12 cells. These findings shed light on the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis and urine metabolites, highlighting their potential as non-invasive and straightforward health assessment indicators. They can aid in the preliminary determination of necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to enhance overall bodily health.

Targeted metabolomics reveals the aberrant energy status in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the neuroprotective mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine JinMaiTong

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and devastating complication of diabetes, for which effective therapies are currently lacking. Disturbed energy status plays a crucial role in DPN pathogenesis. However, the integrated profile of energy metabolism, especially the central carbohydrate metabolism, remains unclear in DPN. Here, we developed a metabolomics approach by targeting 56 metabolites using high-performance ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPIC-MS/MS) to illustrate the integrative characteristics of central carbohydrate metabolism in patients with DPN and streptozotocin-induced DPN rats. Furthermore, JinMaiTong (JMT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, was found to be effective for DPN, improving the peripheral neurological function and alleviating the neuropathology of DPN rats even after demyelination and axonal degeneration. JMT ameliorated DPN by regulating the aberrant energy balance and mitochondrial functions, including excessive glycolysis restoration, tricarboxylic acid cycle improvement, and increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. Bioenergetic profile was aberrant in cultured rat Schwann cells under high-glucose conditions, which was remarkably corrected by JMT treatment. In-vivo and in-vitro studies revealed that these effects of JMT were mainly attributed to the activation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and downstream peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). Our results expand the therapeutic framework for DPN and suggest the integrative modulation of energy metabolism using TCMs, such as JMT, as an effective strategy for its treatment.

Mechanism of action of Linggui Zhugan Decoction in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using untargeted metabolomics approach

Background:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a liver disorder characterized by the accumulation and degeneration of fat in the liver cells,a condition that may further deteriorate and lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.Numerous studies showed that metabolic dysfunction can promote NAFLD development.Linggui Zhugan Decoction(LGZGD)has therapeutic effects on NAFLD.The mechanism of LGZGD still remains unclear.This study was to examine the impact of LGZGD on the metabolic processes involved in the development of NAFLD.Methods:A mice model of NAFLD was treated with LGZGD.The therapeutic potential of LGZGD was evaluated by assessing the activity of transaminases,lipids levels of blood,and pathological changes in the liver of the mice model of NAFLD.Additionally,this study also evaluated the influence of LGZGD on liver inflammation and oxidative stress.Results:The results of untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that LGZGD reduced the disordered lipid metabolism in NAFLD mice.LGZGD improved the oxidative stress and also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver.Untargeted metabolomics analysis of liver samples revealed that LGZGD treatment improved metabolic disorders,including alanine,aspartate,glutamate,glycerophospholipid metabolism,and citrate cycle.Further RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that LGZGD could regulate the expression of key enzymes in the metabolic pathway of the citrate cycle,including ATP-citrate lyase(ACLY),alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase-2(AGXT2),phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase(PEMT),and succinate dehydrogenase(SDH).Conclusion:We found that LGZGD can treat NAFLD by reducing inflammatory responses,inhibiting oxidative stress,regulating alanine,aspartate,glutamate,and glycerophospholipid metabolism,and citrate cycle pathways.

Identification of key genes regulating the synthesis of quercetin derivatives in Rosa roxburghii through integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics

Rosa roxburghii fruit is rich in flavonoids, but little is known about their biosynthetic pathways. In this study, we employed transcriptomics and metabolomics to study changes related to the flavonoids at five different stages of R. roxburghii fruit development. Flavonoids and the genes related to their biosynthesis were found to undergo significant changes in abundance across different developmental stages, and numerous quercetin derivatives were identified. We found three gene expression modules that were significantly associated with the abundances of the different flavonoids in R. roxburghii and identified three structural UDP-glycosyltransferase genes directly involved in the synthesis of quercetin derivatives within these modules. In addition, we found that RrBEH4, RrLBD1 and RrPIF8could significantly increase the expression of downstream quercetin derivative biosynthesis genes. Taken together,these results provide new insights into the metabolism of flavonoids and the accumulation of quercetin derivatives in R. roxburghii.

Integrated gut microbiota,plasma metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal the anti-ischemic stroke effect of cooked rhubarb

Background:Cooked rhubarb(CR)is obtained by steaming raw rhubarb(Rheum palmatum L.,Rheum officinale Baill.,or Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.)with millet wine.It is used as a traditional Chinese medicine for treating cerebral stroke,where patients often face severe constipation.This study explored the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of CR against ischemic stroke(IS)in rats.We used integrated analysis of gut microbiota,metabolomics,and network pharmacology.Methods:The compounds in CR were identified using LC-MS/MS.The impact of CR on rat middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)-induced cerebral infarct size and brain tissue pathology was assessed through 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride and HE staining.Changes in hemorheology were measured by evaluating blood viscosity,and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine were also determined.Gut microbiota composition was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Serum metabolites were examined using untargeted metabolomics and Spearman correlation analysis.The pseudo-germ-free test was used to determine whether tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)improvement in IS are dependent on gut microbiota.Results:In vivo studies showed CR enhances neurobehavioral function in MCAO/R rats and reduces cerebral infarction area.CR also ameliorates brain and intestinal barrier damage caused by stroke.It also decreased inflammation and oxidative stress in IS rats.Furthermore,CR promotes the growth of Akkermansia and Verrucomicrobia,aiding in intestinal barrier repair.Notably,CR primarily influences the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway.The pseudo-germ-free experiment and network pharmacology confirmed TNF-αand IL-1βas potential targets.CR relies on gut microbiota for its anti-inflammatory effects to improve IS.Conclusion:Cooked rhubarb offers neuroprotective benefits by enhancing beneficial bacteria abundance and regulating bile acid metabolism.It emerges as a potential therapeutic agent for IS.