Acid Profile In Patients Research Articles

Characterization of plasma free amino acid profile in patients with type one diabetes in jordan

Characterization of plasma free amino acid profile in patients with type one diabetes in jordan

Infection‑associated bile acid disturbance contributes to macrophage activation in patients with cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis impairs macrophage function and disrupts bile acid homeostasis. Although bile acids affect macrophage function in patients with sepsis, whether and how the bile acid profile is changed by infection in patients with cirrhosis to modulate macrophage function remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the changes in the bile acid profile of patients with cirrhosis and infection and their effects on macrophage function. Serum was collected from 20 healthy subjects, 18 patients with cirrhosis and 39 patients with cirrhosis and infection. Bile acid profiles were detected using high‑performance liquid chromatography‑triple time‑of‑flight mass spectrometer. The association between bile acid changes and infection was analysed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Infection‑altered bile acids were used in combination with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to stimulate RAW264.7/THP‑1 cells in vitro. The migratory capacity was evaluated using wound healing and Transwell migration assays. The expression of Arg‑1, iNOS, IκBα, phosphorylated (p‑)IκBα and p65 was examined with western blotting and immunofluorescence, Tnfα, Il1b and Il6 mRNA was examined with RT‑qPCR, and CD86, CD163 and phagocytosis was measured with flow cytometry. The ROC curves showed that decreased hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) levels were associated with infection. HDCA or DCA combined with LPS enhanced the phagocytic and migratory ability of macrophages, accompanied by upregulation of iNOS and CD86 protein expression as well as Tnfα, Il1b, and Il6 mRNA expression. However, neither HDCA nor DCA alone showed an effect on these phenotypes. In addition, DCA and HDCA acted synergistically with LPS to increase the expression of p‑IκBα and the intranuclear migration of p65. Infection changed the bile acid profile in patients with cirrhosis, among which the reduction of DCA and HDCA associated most strongly with infection. HDCA and DCA enhanced the sensitivity of macrophage function loss to LPS stimulation. These findings suggested a potential role for monitoring the bile acid profile that could help manage patients with cirrhosis and infection.

Amino Acid Profile Alterations in Phenylketonuria: Implications for Clinical Practice.

Patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) must restrict their intake of phenylalanine, which can also affect the levels of other essential and non-essential amino acids due to inadequate supply. Therefore, our objective was to assess amino acids in serum samples from 20 PKU patients and compare them with results from 51 healthy subjects. A sample analysis was conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We obtained levels of 28 substances, including amino acids, biogenic amines, carnitine, and acetylcarnitine. Kynurenine (p = 0.000001), tyrosine (p = 0.0002), asparagine (p = 0.001), proline (p = 0.012), and the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (p < 0.000001) were identified as features that differed between the studied groups, being significantly lower in patients with PKU. Glycine (p = 0.000012), putrescine (p = 0.0055), asymmetric dimethylarginine (p = 0.01), creatinine (p = 0.035) levels, as well as the total level of glucogenic amino acids (p = 0.0018), and the ratios of putrescine/ornithine (p = 0.003) and citrulline/ornithine (p = 0.0043) were significantly higher in the PKU group. In conclusion, the amino acid profiles in patients with PKU differ significantly from those in healthy peers, with potential clinical implications. These findings confirm the importance of metabolic testing in clinical practice and highlight the necessity for adequate dietary monitoring and adjustment.

Plasma amino acid profiles in thalassaemia major with iron overload

Introduction: Iron overload in thalassaemia major patients mainly occurs due to periodic transfusions. When iron exceeds transferrin capacity, non-transferrin bound iron accumulates and causes tissue damage, including in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in impaired enterocyte function and amino acid absorption. The aim of this study was to evaluate amino acid profiles in patients with thalassaemia major after repeated transfusions and chelation. Methods: Whole blood amino acids were analysed from dried blood spots using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. This study consisted of two parts: a cross-sectional and a cohort study in thalassaemia-β-major patients. In the cross-sectional study, amino acid profiles were analysed in 219 thalassaemia patients who received routine transfusion and chelation therapy, and 60 healthy control subjects. The cohort study included 21 subjects, from whom blood samples were taken at pre-transfusion, 1-day posttransfusion, one and three months post-chelation to evaluate changes in amino acid levels. Results: There were significant differences between amino acid levels in thalassaemia subjects and controls. Positive correlations were found between serum iron and transferrin with age, also between transferrin with proline, valine, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and glutamic. Phenylalanine and aspartic acid were significantly lower in subjects with transferrin lower than 180 µg/dL. Significant correlations were found between haemoglobin with essential and non-essential amino acid groups. From the cohort study, significant changes were observed in glycine, alanine, leucine, and aspartic acid. Conclusion: Amino acid profiles in thalassaemia patients differed compared to healthy controls, even after transfusion and chelation. Phenylalanine and aspartic acid were significantly lower in subjects with low transferrin levels.

Comparative Analysis of Serum Amino Acid Profiles in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis and Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and myasthenia gravis (MG) are autoimmune diseases that attack the central nervous system (CNS) and the neuromuscular junction, respectively. As the common pathogenesis of both diseases is associated with an autoimmune background and the involvement of T and B lymphocytes, the overlapping of selected clinical symptoms may cause difficulties in the differential diagnosis of both diseases. Methods: The aim of the study was to use Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) in conjunction with multivariate statistical analyses to examine the changes in amino acid metabolic profiles between patients with MG, MS, and a control group. Results: Comparative analysis of amino acids (AA) between patients with MG, MS, and within the control group allowed for the identification of statistically significant differences in the amino acid profile. Comparing the patients (patients with MS and MG) with the control group, and after taking the results of multiple tests into account, it was observed that amino acids such as ARG, PRO, TRP, CIT were significantly different between the groups. When considering the comparison between the AA concentrations in MS and MG patients, we found three AAs that were significantly different in the MS and MG groups, after correcting for multiple testing (CIT, GABA, and AAA). Higher concentrations of amino acids that showed significant differences were observed in patients with myasthenia gravis. Conclusions: Our results have indicated AAs that may prove valuable for improving the diagnostics of MS and MG patients. To better assess the potential utility of these markers, their performance requires further validation in a larger study group and limitation of possible confounding factors, e.g., medications and diet.

Idiosyncratic Drug-Induced Liver Injury and Amoxicillin-Clavulanate: Spotlight on Gut Microbiota, Fecal Metabolome and Bile Acid Profile in Patients.

Several hepatic disorders are influenced by gut microbiota, but its role in idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (iDILI), whose main causative agent is amoxicillin-clavulanate, remains unknown. This pioneering study aims to unravel particular patterns of gut microbiota composition and associated metabolites in iDILI and iDILI patients by amoxicillin-clavulanate (iDILI-AC). Thus, serum and fecal samples from 46 patients were divided into three study groups: healthy controls (n = 10), non-iDILI acute hepatitis (n = 12) and iDILI patients (n = 24). To evaluate the amoxicillin-clavulanate effect, iDILI patients were separated into two subgroups: iDILI non-caused by amoxicillin-clavulanate (iDILI-nonAC) (n = 18) and iDILI-AC patients (n = 6). Gut microbiota composition and fecal metabolome plus serum and fecal bile acid (BA) analyses were performed, along with correlation analyses. iDILI patients presented a particular microbiome profile associated with reduced fecal secondary BAs and fecal metabolites linked to lower inflammation, such as dodecanedioic acid and pyridoxamine. Moreover, certain taxa like Barnesiella, Clostridia UCG-014 and Eubacterium spp. correlated with significant metabolites and BAs. Additionally, comparisons between iDILI-nonAC and iDILI-AC groups unraveled unique features associated with iDILI when caused by amoxicillin-clavulanate. In conclusion, specific gut microbiota profiles in iDILI and iDILI-AC patients were associated with particular metabolic and BA status, which could affect disease onset and progression.

Detection and analysis of serum bile acid profile in patients with colonic polyps.

Analyzing the variations in serum bile acid (BA) profile can provide a certain biological basis for early warning and prevention of various diseases. There is currently no comprehensive study on the relationship between the serum BA profile and colonic polyps. To study the serum BA profile detection results of patients with colonic polyps, and analyze the correlation between BA and colonic polyps. From January 1, 2022, to June 1, 2023, 204 patients with colonic polyps who were diagnosed and treated at Zhongda Hospital Southeast University were chosen as the study subjects, and 135 non-polyp people who underwent physical examination were chosen as the control group. Gathering all patients' clinical information, typical biochemical indicators, and BA profile. Compared with the control group, the serum levels of taurocholic acid, glycocholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, and taurochenodeoxycholic acid in the colonic polyp group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the content of deoxycholic acid (DCA) was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). When colonic polyps were analyzed as subgroups, it was shown that there was a strong correlation between changes in the BA profile and polyp diameter, location, morphology, pathological kind, etc. The serum BA profile showed significant changes in patients with colonic polyps, with a significant increase in primary conjugated BA content and a decrease in secondary free bile acid DCA content. There is a certain correlation between primary free BA and pathological parameters of polyps.

Bile acid profiles in adult patients with biliary atresia who achieve native liver survival after portoenterostomy

Bile acids have received increasing attention as a marker of the long-term prognosis and a potential therapeutic target in patients with biliary atresia, which is a progressive disease of the hepatobiliary system. A detailed analysis of serum and urinary bile acid compositions was conducted to assess the characteristics of bile acid profiles and the correlation between bile acid profiles and liver fibrosis markers in adult patients with biliary atresia who achieved bilirubin normalization. Serum total bile acids and glucuronide-conjugated (glyco- and tauro-) cholic acids (GCA and TCA) and chenodeoxycholic acids (GCDCA and TCDCA) were significantly higher in patients with biliary atresia than in healthy controls, whereas unconjugated CA and CDCA showed no significant difference. There were no significant differences in CA to CDCA ratios and glycine-to-taurine-conjugated ratios. Urinary glycocholic acid 3-sulfate (GCA-3S) was significantly higher in patients with biliary atresia. Serum GCDCA showed a strong positive correlation with Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi). These results demonstrate that bile acid congestion persists into adulthood in patients with biliary atresia, even after cholestasis has completely improved after Kasai portoenterostomy. These fundamental data on bile acid profiles also suggest the potential value of investigating bile acid profiles in patients with biliary atresia.

Investigation of Urine Organic Acid Profile in Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The high mortality and morbidity rate and its course with a wide variety of clinical symptoms indicate that the disease affects many metabolic pathways. The aim of our study was to investi-gate the metabolic effects of SARS-CoV-2 by evaluating the urinary organic acid profile in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Can metabolites in urine guide the diagnosis, follow-up, treatment, and prognosis of COVID-19? Forty-two patients, including 30 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive patients and 12 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR negative controls, were studied. SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swab samples was studied. Urines were evaluated in the GCMS-QP2010 SE Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (SHIMADZU) device for organic acid profile in the metabolism laboratory. Urine organic acid profile was evaluated by studying 117 organic acids in each patient. Tiglylglycine, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, erythro-4,5-dihydroxyhexanoic acid lactone, 2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, N-acetyltyrosine, 3-phenyllactic acid, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, 3-hydroxysebacic acid, palmitic acid, 3-methylglutaconic acid, 3-methylglutaric acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid-oxime, 3-hydroxysobutyric acid, and organic acids were found to be increased, compared to the control group. Tiglylglycine has been specifically identified as a potential biomarker of respiratory chain disorders. The deterioration in lipid metabolism and pyruvate pathway in COVID-19 patients was evaluated as remarkable.

Correlation between plasma glutamate and adiponectin in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Visceral fat accumulation is a major determinant of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have reported that glutamate is the most elevated amino acid in the plasma amino acid profile in patients with obesity and/or visceral fat accumulation. Here, we show the relationship between plasma glutamate and the clinical features of patients with type 2 diabetes. The study subjects were 62 (28 men and 34 women) Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Blood profiles, including glutamate and adiponectin (APN) levels and estimated visceral fat area (eVFA), were measured. We also evaluated the plasma amino acid levels in mice with or without obesity by GC/MS analysis. In patients with type 2 diabetes, plasma glutamate was positively correlated with BMI, eVFA, and fasting insulin but negatively correlated with APN and duration of diabetes. Additionally, multiple regression analysis revealed that plasma glutamate was a significant determinant of APN. The plasma glutamate level was most significantly increased in obese mice compared to control mice, and it was negatively correlated with APN. These results suggest that the level of plasma glutamate could be a strong indicator of adipocyte dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Comparative Analysis of Amino Acid Profiles in Patients with Glioblastoma and Meningioma Using Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS)

Brain tumors account for 1% of all cancers diagnosed de novo. Due to the specificity of the anatomical area in which they grow, they can cause significant neurological disorders and lead to poor functional status and disability. Regardless of the results of biochemical markers of intracranial neoplasms, they are currently of no diagnostic significance. The aim of the study was to use LC-ESI-MS/MS in conjunction with multivariate statistical analyses to examine changes in amino acid metabolic profiles between patients with glioblastoma, meningioma, and a group of patients treated for osteoarthritis of the spine as a control group. Comparative analysis of amino acids between patients with glioblastoma, meningioma, and the control group allowed for the identification of statistically significant differences in the amino acid profile, including both exogenous and endogenous amino acids. The amino acids that showed statistically significant differences (lysine, histidine, α-aminoadipic acid, phenylalanine) were evaluated for diagnostic usefulness based on the ROC curve. The best results were obtained for phenylalanine. Classification trees were used to build a model allowing for the correct classification of patients into the study group (patients with glioblastoma multiforme) and the control group, in which cysteine turned out to be the most important amino acid in the decision-making algorithm. Our results indicate amino acids that may prove valuable, used alone or in combination, toward improving the diagnosis of patients with glioma and meningioma. To better assess the potential utility of these markers, their performance requires further validation in a larger cohort of samples.

Analysis of the serum bile acid profile to facilitate diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NA(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide deficiency

Objective: This study focuses on Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) deficiency to analyze and investigate the value of the serum bile acid profile for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods: Clinical data of 66 patients with cholestatic liver diseases (CLDs) diagnosed and treated in the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from early April 2015 to the end of December 2021 were collected, including 32 cases of NTCP deficiency (16 adults and 16 children), 16 cases of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD), 8 cases of Alagille syndrome, and 10 cases of biliary atresia. At the same time, adult and pediatric healthy control groups (15 cases each) were established. The serum bile acid components of the study subjects were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The data were plotted and compared using statistical SPSS 19.0 and GraphPad Prism 5.0 software. The clinical and bile acid profiles of children with NTCP deficiency and corresponding healthy controls, as well as differences between NTCP deficiency and other CLDs, were compared using statistical methods such as t-tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Results: Compared with the healthy control, the levels of total conjugated bile acids, total primary bile acids, total secondary bile acids, glycocholic acid, taurocholic acid, and glycochenodeoxycholic acid were increased in NTCP deficiency patients (P < 0.05). Compared with adults with NTCP deficiency, the levels of total conjugated bile acids and total primary bile acids were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency (P < 0.05). The serum levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, taurohyocholate, and tauro-α-muricholic acid were significantly increased in children with NTCP deficiency, but the bile acid levels such as glycodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholate, and lithocholic acid were decreased (P < 0.05). The serum levels of secondary bile acids such as lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and hyodeoxycholic acid were significantly higher in children with NTCP deficiency than those in other CLD groups such as NICCD, Alagille syndrome, and biliary atresia (P < 0.05). Total primary bile acids/total secondary bile acids, total conjugated bile acids/total unconjugated bile acids, taurocholic acid, serum taurodeoxycholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid effectively distinguished children with NTCP deficiency from other non-NTCP deficiency CLDs. Conclusion: This study confirms that serum bile acid profile analysis has an important reference value for facilitating the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NTCP deficiency. Furthermore, it deepens the scientific understanding of the changing characteristics of serum bile acid profiles in patients with CLDs such as NTCP deficiency, provides a metabolomic basis for in-depth understanding of its pathogenesis, and provides clues and ideas for subsequent in-depth research.

Alterations in the amino acid profile in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma with and without Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Amino acids (AAs) play important physiological roles in living cells. Some amino acid changes in blood are specific for autoimmune disorders, and some are specific for thyroid cancer. The aims of this study were to profile AA metabolites in the serum of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC0) without Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and patients with PTC with HT (PTC1) and predict whether AA metabolites are associated with thyroid disease, thyroid hormone and thyroid autoantibodies. A total of 95 serum samples were collected, including 28 healthy controls (HCs), 28 PTC0 patients and 39 PTC1 patients. Serum samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-triple stage quadrupole-mass spectrometry (HPLC-TSQ-MS), and twenty-one amino acids (AAs) were detected. The serum concentration of glutamic acid was significantly elevated in PTC1 patients compared with PTC0 patients. Lysine was the second amino acid that differentiated these two groups of PTC patients. In addition, the serum concentrations of glycine, alanine and tyrosine were significantly reduced in both PTC patient groups compared to the HC group. These AAs were also correlated with thyroid hormones and antibodies. Five amino acid markers, namely, glycine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, glutamine and arginine, separated/distinguished PTC0 patients from healthy subjects, and eight AA markers, the same AAs as above without arginine but with alanine, leucine, valine and histidine, separated/distinguished PTC1 patients from healthy subjects based on ROC analysis. Compared with the HCs, changes in AAs in PTC0 and PTC1 patients showed similar patterns, suggesting the possibility of a common pathophysiological basis, which confirms preliminary research that PTC is significantly associated with pathologically confirmed HT. We found two AAs, lysine and alanine, that can perform diagnostic functions in distinguishing PTC1 from PTC0.

Gender differences of lipidomic and bile acid profiles in patients with and without coronary artery disease: Insights from the INTERCATH cohort

Gender differences of lipidomic and bile acid profiles in patients with and without coronary artery disease: Insights from the INTERCATH cohort

Serum amino acid profiles in patients with myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue. Diagnostic methods used for myasthenia gravis are not conclusive and satisfactory, therefore it is necessary to develop reliable tools to help diagnose myasthenia gravis as early as possible. The aim of the study was to use HPLC–MS in conjunction with multivariate statistical analyses to investigate changes in the amino acid metabolic profiles between myasthenia gravis patients compared and controls. In addition, the effect of treatment regimens and myasthenia gravis type, on the observed changes in amino acid metabolic profiles were assessed. Serum levels of 29 amino acids were determined in 2 groups of individuals—28 patients with myasthenia gravis and 53 control subjects (CS). The results of our study indicate that serum levels of several amino acids in patients with myasthenia gravis changed significantly compared to the control group. Statistical analysis revealed differences between amino acids concentration in patients with different therapeutic scheme. In conclusion, amino acids may be involved in mechanisms underlying myasthenia gravis pathogenesis as well as may be potential biomarkers in MG patients diagnosis. However, considering the multifactorial, heterogenous and complex nature of this disease, validation on a larger study sample in further research is required before application into diagnostic practice.

Short-chain fatty acids profile in patients with SARS-CoV-2: A case-control study.

SARS-CoV-2, as a new pandemic disease, affected the world. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acids are the main metabolites of human gut microbiota. The positive effects of SCFAs have been shown in infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza, and rhinovirus. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the concentration of SCFAs in patients with SARS-CoV-2 compared with the healthy group. This research was designed based on a case and control study. Twenty healthy individuals as the control group and 20 persons admitted to the hospital with a positive test of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) real-time polymerase chain reaction were included in the study as the patient group from September 2021 to October 2021, in Tabriz, Iran. Stool specimens were collected from volunteers, and analysis of SCFAs was carried out by a high-performance liquid chromatography system. The amount of acetic acid in the healthy group was 67.88 ± 23.09 μmol/g, while in the group of patients with COVID-19 was 37.04 ± 13.29 μmol/g. Therefore, the concentration of acetic acid in the patient group was significantly (p < 0.001) lower than in the healthy group. Propionic and butyric acid were present in a higher amount in the control group compared with the case group; however, this value was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). This study showed that the concentration of acetic acid as the metabolite caused by gut microbiota is significantly disturbed in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, therapeutic interventions based on gut microbiota metabolites in future research may be effective against COVID-19.

Branched Chain Amino Acids Are Associated with Physical Performance in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease.

Decreased circulating branched chain amino acids (BCAA) represent a prominent change in amino acid profiles in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). These alterations are considered to contribute to sarcopenia and hepatic encephalopathy and may relate to poor prognosis. Here, we cross-sectionally analyzed the association between plasma BCAA levels and the severity of ESLD and muscle function in participants of the liver transplant subgroup of TransplantLines, enrolled between January 2017 and January 2020. Plasma BCAA levels were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Physical performance was analyzed with a hand grip strength test, 4 m walking test, sit-to-stand test, timed up and go test, standing balance test and clinical frailty scale. We included 92 patients (65% men). The Child Pugh Turcotte classification was significantly higher in the lowest sex-stratified BCAA tertile compared to the highest tertile (p = 0.015). The times for the sit-to-stand (r = -0.352, p < 0.05) and timed up and go tests (r = -0.472, p < 0.01) were inversely correlated with total BCAA levels. In conclusion, lower circulating BCAA are associated with the severity of liver disease and impaired muscle function. This suggests that BCAA may represent a useful prognostic marker in the staging of liver disease severity.

Hepatic and serum branched-chain fatty acid profile in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A case-control study.

Alterations in the hepatic lipidome are a crucial factor involved in the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum and hepatic profile of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) in patients with different stages of NAFLD. This was a case-control study performed in 27 patients without NAFLD, 49 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver,and 17 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, defined by liver biopsies. Serum and hepatic levels of BCFAs were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The hepatic expression of genes involved in the endogenous synthesis of BCFAs was analyzed byreal-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A significant increase in hepatic BCFAs was found in subjects with NAFLD compared with those without NAFLD; no differences were observed in serum BCFAs between study groups. Trimethyl BCFAs, iso-BCFAs, and anteiso-BCFAs were increased in subjects with NAFLD (either nonalcoholic fatty liver or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) compared with those without NAFLD. Correlation analysis showed a relationship between hepatic BCFAs and the histopathological diagnosis of NAFLD, as well as other histological and biochemical parameters related to this disease. Gene expression analysis in liver showed that the mRNA levels of BCAT1, BCAT2, and BCKDHA were upregulated in patients with NAFLD. These results suggest that the increased production of liver BCFAs might be related to NAFLD development and progression.

PS-C06-6: LONG-CHAIN FATTY ACIDS IN SARCOPENIA PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IMPORTANCE OF N-9 MONOUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS

Background: Long chain fatty acids are essential components of energy supply, cellular membranes and autacoid synthesis. It was suggested that long chain fatty acids might be involved in pathophysiology underlying sarcopenia. Therefore, we investigated the association between sarcopenia and serum long chain fatty acid profile in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 308 cardiovascular patients (age: 72 ± 12, 174 males) admitted in our hospital. All patients were examined sarcopenia diagnostic tests and serum free fatty acids analysis. Results: Seventy-seven patients (25%) were diagnosed as sarcopenia. Serum fatty acid weight percentages of nervonic acid and erucic acid (n-9 long chain monounsaturated fatty acids) increased in sarcopenia patients than non-sarcopenia patients, while most of other long chain fatty acids weight percentages decreased in sarcopenia patients. Nervonic acid, which was an independent factor for sarcopenia on binary logistics regression analysis (B = 2.559, p &lt; 0.001), correlated negatively with skeletal muscle index (r = -0.331, p &lt; 0.001), gait speed (r = -0.387, p &lt; 0.001), and handgrip strength (r = -0.372, p &lt; 0.001). These significant relationships were certified in the groups of men, women, younger (≦ 73 years old), and elder (≧ 74 years old). On ROC curve analysis, the cut-off of nervonic acid weight percentage for diagnosis of sarcopenia was 1.37% with a sensitivity and specificity of 76.6% and 65.1%, respectively. Conclusions: Nervonic acid, a n-9 monounsaturated fatty acid, could be a new marker for sarcopenia in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Further study with large patient number is necessary to determine the roles of long chain fatty acids in sarcopenia.

Characterization of serum polyunsaturated fatty acid profile in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. The aetiology and pathogenesis of IBD are complex, which may lead to metabolic disorders. As a kind of metabolite, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) is closely related to IBD. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between the serum PUFAs and the pathogenesis of IBD. The study is a hospital-based case-control study. The serum free PUFAs of all participants, including 104 patients with IBD and 101 normal controls, were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Compared with the normal control, the levels of C18:2, α-C18:3 (ALA), ɤ-C18:3, C20:4 (AA), C20:5 (EPA), ω-3 C22:5, ω-6 C22:5 and C22:6 (DHA) PUFAs in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) were obviously decreased. However, in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), the levels of AA, EPA, ω-3 C22:5, ω-6 C22:5 and DHA were downregulated. The concentrations of seven PUFAs were significantly downregulated in the active CD group. In addition, four PUFAs had comparatively higher levels in the remission UC group. The present study revealed substantial differences in the levels of serum fatty acids between normal controls and patients with IBD. In detail, patients with CD were deficient in PUFAs, including the essential fatty acids. Moreover, as the disease activity aggravated, some PUFAs decreased dramatically.