Metabolomic profiling revealed altered lipid metabolite levels in childhood food allergy

Abstract

The pathophysiology of childhood food allergy (FA) and its natural history are poorly understood. Clarification of the underlying mechanism may help identify novel biomarkers and strategies for clinical intervention in children with FA. This study aimed to identify metabolites associated with the development and resolution of FA. The metabolomic profiles of 20 children with FA and 20 healthy controls were assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Comparative analysis was performed to identify metabolites associated with FA and FA resolution. For subjects with FA, serum samples were collected at the time of diagnosis and after resolution to identify the changes in metabolite levels. The selected metabolites were then quantified in a quantification cohort to validate the results. Finally, genome-wide association analysis of the metabolite levels was performed. The study demonstrated a significantly higher level of sphingolipid metabolites and a lower level of acylcarnitine metabolites in children with FA than those in healthy controls. At diagnosis, subjects with resolving FA had a significantly high level of omega-3 metabolites and a low level of platelet-activating factors compared to persistent FA. However, the level of omega-3 metabolites decreased in children with resolving FA but increased in children with persistent FA during the same time. The quantification data of omega-3-derived resolvins, platelet-activating factor, and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity further supported these results. The lipid metabolite profile is closely related to childhood FA and FA resolution. This study suggests potential predictive biomarkers and provides insight into the mechanisms underlying childhood FA.