Phosphatidylethanolamine Plasmalogen Research Articles

Distinctive Lipid Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer Revealed through Non-targeted Lipidomics Analysis of Tongue Coating.

The metabolites and microbiota in tongue coating display distinct characteristics in certain digestive disorders, yet their relationship with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unexplored. Here, we employed liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to analyze the lipid composition of tongue coating using a nontargeted approach in 30 individuals with colorectal adenomas (CRA), 32 with CRC, and 30 healthy controls (HC). We identified 21 tongue coating lipids that effectively distinguished CRC from HC (AUC = 0.89), and 9 lipids that differentiated CRC from CRA (AUC = 0.9). Furthermore, we observed significant alterations in the tongue coating lipid composition in the CRC group compared to HC/CRA groups. As the adenoma-cancer sequence progressed, there was an increase in long-chain unsaturated triglycerides (TG) levels and a decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen (PE-P) levels. Furthermore, we noted a positive correlation between N-acyl ornithine (NAOrn), sphingomyelin (SM), and ceramide phosphoethanolamine (PE-Cer), potentially produced by members of the Bacteroidetes phylum. The levels of inflammatory lipid metabolite 12-HETE showed a decreasing trend with colorectal tumor progression, indicating the potential involvement of tongue coating microbiota and tumor immune regulation in early CRC development. Our findings highlight the potential utility of tongue coating lipid analysis as a noninvasive tool for CRC diagnosis.

Differences in metabolomic profiles between Black and White women in the U.S.: Analyses from two prospective cohorts.

There is growing interest in incorporating metabolomics into public health practice. However, Black women are under-represented in many metabolomics studies. If metabolomic profiles differ between Black and White women, this under-representation may exacerbate existing Black-White health disparities. We therefore aimed to estimate metabolomic differences between Black and White women in the U.S. We leveraged data from two prospective cohorts: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; n = 2077) and Women's Health Initiative (WHI; n = 2128). The WHI served as the replication cohort. Plasma metabolites (n = 334) were measured via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Observed metabolomic differences were estimated using linear regression and metabolite set enrichment analyses. Residual metabolomic differences in a hypothetical population in which the distributions of 14 risk factors were equalized across racial groups were estimated using inverse odds ratio weighting. In the NHS, Black-White differences were observed for most metabolites (75 metabolites with observed differences |0.50| standard deviations). Black women had lower average levels than White women for most metabolites (e.g., for N6, N6-dimethlylysine, mean Black-White difference = - 0.98 standard deviations; 95% CI: - 1.11, - 0.84). In metabolite set enrichment analyses, Black women had lower levels of triglycerides, phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylethanolamines, and organoheterocyclic compounds, but higher levels of phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens, phosphatidylcholine plasmalogens, cholesteryl esters, and carnitines. In a hypothetical population in which distributions of 14 risk factors were equalized, Black-White metabolomic differences persisted. Most results replicated in the WHI (88% of 272 metabolites available for replication). Substantial differences in metabolomic profiles exist between Black and White women. Future studies should prioritize racial representation.

Lipidomic and Fatty Acid Biomarkers in Whole Blood Can Predict the Dietary Intake of Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids in a Danish Population

BackgroundThe intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been associated with health benefits. Blood levels of these fatty acids, measured by gas chromatography (GC), are associated with their dietary intake, but the relationships with lipidomic measurements are not well defined. ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the lipidomic biomarkers in whole blood that predict intakes of EPA + DHA and examine the relationship between lipidomic and GC-based n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n–3 PUFA) biomarkers. MethodsLipidomic and fatty acid analyses were completed on 120 whole blood samples collected from Danish participants. Dietary intakes were completed using a web-based 7-d food diary. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to identify the fatty acid and lipidomic variables that predict intakes of EPA + DHA and to determine lipidomic species that predict commonly used fatty acid biomarkers. ResultsStepwise regression selected lipidomic variables with an R2 = 0.52 for predicting EPA + DHA intake compared to R2 = 0.40 for the selected fatty acid GC-based variables. More predictive models were generated when the lipidomic variables were selected for females only (R2 = 0.62, n = 68) and males only (R2 = 0.72, n = 52). Phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen species containing EPA or DHA tended to be the most predictive lipidomic variables. Stepwise regression also indicated that selected lipidomic variables can predict commonly used fatty acid GC-based n–3 PUFA biomarkers as the R2 values ranged from 0.84 to 0.91. ConclusionsBoth fatty acid and lipidomic data can be used to predict EPA + DHA intakes, and fatty acid GC-based biomarkers can be emulated by lipidomic species. Lipidomic-based biomarkers appear to be influenced by sex differences, probably in n–3 PUFA and lipoprotein metabolism. These results improve our ability to understand the relationship between novel lipidomic data and GC fatty acid data and will increase our ability to apply lipidomic methods to fatty acid and lipid nutritional research.

Parallel Metabolomics and Lipidomics of a PSMA/GCPII Deficient Mouse Model Reveal Alteration of NAAG Levels and Brain Lipid Composition.

Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII, also known as PSMA or FOLH1) is responsible for the cleavage of N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) to N-acetyl-aspartate and glutamate in the central nervous system and facilitates the intestinal absorption of folate by processing dietary folyl-poly-γ-glutamate in the small intestine. The physiological function of GCPII in other organs like kidneys is still not known. GCPII inhibitors are neuroprotective in various conditions (e.g., ischemic brain injury) in vivo; however, their utilization as potential drug candidates has not been investigated in regard to not yet known GCPII activities. To explore the GCPII role and possible side effects of GCPII inhibitors, we performed parallel metabolomic and lipidomic analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine, plasma, and brain tissue of mice with varying degrees of GCPII deficiency (fully deficient in Folh1, -/-; one allele deficient in Folh1, +/-; and wild type, +/+). Multivariate analysis of metabolites showed no significant differences between wild-type and GCPII-deficient mice (except for NAAG), although changes were observed between the sex and age. NAAG levels were statistically significantly increased in the CSF, urine, and plasma of GCPII-deficient mice. However, no difference in NAAG concentrations was found in the whole brain lysate likely because GCPII, as an extracellular enzyme, can affect only extracellular and not intracellular NAAG concentrations. Regarding the lipidome, the most pronounced genotype-linked changes were found in the brain tissue. In brains of GCPII-deficient mice, we observed statistically significant enrichment in phosphatidylcholine-based lipids and reduction of sphingolipids and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens. We hypothesize that the alteration of the NAA-NAAG axis by absent GCPII activity affected myelin composition. In summary, the absence of GCPII and thus similarly its inhibition do not have detrimental effects on metabolism, with just minor changes in the brain lipidome.

NOVEL MOLECULAR MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PLCG2, ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, AND LONGEVITY

Abstract Phospholipase C-gamma-2 (PLCγ2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the membrane phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to form diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3), which subsequently feed into numerous downstream signaling pathways. PLCG2 rare coding variants are associated with both reduced (P522R) and increased (M28L) risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and with longevity (P522R). In the brain, PLCG2 is primarily expressed by microglia, where it is proposed to regulate phagocytosis, secretion of cytokines and chemokines, cell survival and proliferation. We analyzed the brains of 3-month-old PLCγ2 knockout (KO), heterozygous (HET), and wild-type (WT) mice using multi-omic and histological approaches. Lipidomic analyses revealed sex-specific changes in total brain PIP2 and DAG content in KOs. Surprisingly, we found that PLCγ2 depletion led to significant decreases in myelin-enriched lipids including cerebrosides, sulfatides and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens. Consistent with our lipidomics results, gene expression profiling revealed sex-specific changes in myelin-related genes. Further, in line with the available literature, gene expression profiling revealed PLCγ2 depletion led to subtle changes on microglia phenotype, suggestive of reduced microglia reactivity. Immunofluorescence confirmed subtle differences in density of microglia and oligodendrocytes in KOs. Exploratory proteomic pathway analyses revealed changes in KO and HET females compared to WTs, with over-abundant proteins pointing to mTOR signaling, and under-abundant proteins pointing to oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, a PLCG2 M28L knockin mouse model displayed phenotypes of accelerated aging, including exacerbated thymic atrophy, increased frailty scores, and impaired spatial memory. In summary, our study unraveled novel putative mechanisms underlying the association between PLCγ2, AD, and longevity (mTOR signaling and myelin homeostasis).

Fetal sex differences in placental LCPUFA ether and plasmalogen phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine contents in pregnancies complicated by obesity

BackgroundWe have previously reported that maternal obesity reduces placental transport capacity for lysophosphatidylcholine-docosahexaenoic acid (LPC-DHA), a preferred form for transfer of DHA (omega 3) to the fetal brain, but only in male fetuses. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), have either sn-1 ester, ether or vinyl ether (plasmalogen) linkages to primarily unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and DHA or arachidonic acid (ARA, omega 6) in the sn-2 position. Whether ether and plasmalogen PC and PE metabolism in placenta impacts transfer to the fetus is unexplored. We hypothesized that ether and plasmalogen PC and PE containing DHA and ARA are reduced in maternal–fetal unit in pregnancies complicated by obesity and these differences are dependent on fetal sex.MethodsIn maternal, umbilical cord plasma and placentas from obese women (11 female/5 male infants) and normal weight women (9 female/7 male infants), all PC and PE species containing DHA and ARA were analyzed by LC–MS/MS. Placental protein expression of enzymes involved in phospholipid synthesis, were determined by immunoblotting. All variables were compared between control vs obese groups and separated by fetal sex, in each sample using the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate adjustment to account for multiple testing.ResultsLevels of ester PC containing DHA and ARA were profoundly reduced by 60–92% in male placentas of obese mothers, while levels of ether and plasmalogen PE containing DHA and ARA were decreased by 51–84% in female placentas. PLA2G4C abundance was lower in male placentas and LPCAT4 abundance was lower solely in females in obesity. In umbilical cord, levels of ester, ether and plasmalogen PC and PE with DHA were reduced by 43–61% in male, but not female, fetuses of obese mothers.ConclusionsWe found a fetal sex effect in placental PE and PC ester, ether and plasmalogen PE and PC containing DHA in response to maternal obesity which appears to reflect an ability of female placentas to adapt to maintain optimal fetal DHA transfer in maternal obesity.

Association of healthy dietary patterns and cardiorespiratory fitness in the community.

To evaluate the associations of dietary indices and quantitative cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measures in a large, community-based sample harnessing metabolomic profiling to interrogate shared biology. Framingham Heart Study (FHS) participants underwent maximum effort cardiopulmonary exercise tests for CRF quantification (via peak VO2) and completed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Dietary quality was assessed by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and Mediterranean-style Diet Score (MDS), and fasting blood concentrations of 201 metabolites were quantified. In 2380 FHS participants (54 ± 9 years, 54% female, body mass index 28 ± 5 kg/m2), 1 SD higher AHEI and MDS were associated with 5.2% (1.2 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 4.3-6.0%, P < 0.0001) and 4.5% (1.0 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 3.6-5.3%, P < 0.0001) greater peak VO2 in linear models adjusted for age, sex, total daily energy intake, cardiovascular risk factors, and physical activity. In participants with metabolite profiling (N = 1154), 24 metabolites were concordantly associated with both dietary indices and peak VO2 in multivariable-adjusted linear models (FDR < 5%). Metabolites that were associated with lower CRF and poorer dietary quality included C6 and C7 carnitines, C16:0 ceramide, and dimethylguanidino valeric acid, and metabolites that were positively associated with higher CRF and favourable dietary quality included C38:7 phosphatidylcholine plasmalogen and C38:7 and C40:7 phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens. Higher diet quality is associated with greater CRF cross-sectionally in a middle-aged community-dwelling sample, and metabolites highlight potential shared favourable effects on cardiometabolic health.

Changes in Plasma Neutral and Ether-Linked Lipids Are Associated with The Pathology and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease.

Aberrant lipid metabolism has been strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, the role of lipids in the pathophysiological processes of AD and their clinical progression is unclear. We hypothesized that plasma lipids are associated with the pathological hallmarks of AD, progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD, and the rate of cognitive decline in MCI patients. To evaluate our hypotheses, we analysed the plasma lipidome profile by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in an LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS platform for 213 subjects recruited consecutively: 104 AD, 89 MCI, and 20 control subjects. Forty-seven (52.8%) MCI patients progressed to AD during follow-up (58 ± 12.5 months). We found that higher plasma levels of sphingomyelin SM(36:0) and diglyceride DG(44:3) were associated with an increased risk of amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) positivity in CSF, while levels of SM(40:1) were associated with a reduced risk. Higher plasma levels of ether-linked triglyceride TG(O-60:10) were negatively associated with pathological levels of phosphorylated tau in CSF. Plasma levels of fatty acid ester of hydroxy fatty acid FAHFA(34:0) and ether-linked phosphatidylcholine PC(O-36:1) were positively associated with pathological levels of total tau in CSF. Regarding the plasma lipids most associated with progression from MCI to AD, our analysis detected phosphatidyl-ethanolamine plasmalogen PE(P-36:4), TG(59:12), TG(46:0), and TG(O-62:7). Furthermore, TG(O-62:7) was the lipid that was most strongly associated with the rate of progression. In conclusion, our results indicate that neutral and ether-linked lipids are involved in the pathophysiological processes of AD and the progression from MCI to AD dementia, suggesting the involvement of lipid-mediated antioxidant mechanisms in AD.

Lipid Profiles of Urinary Extracellular Vesicles Released during the Inactive and Active Phases of Aged Male Mice with Spontaneous Hypertension.

Hypertension remains a major problem, especially in the elderly, as it increases the risk for cardiovascular, coronary artery, cerebrovascular, and kidney diseases. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a role in the aging process and contribute to pathophysiology. Our goal was to examine differences in lipid profiles of urinary EVs (uEVs) collected during the inactive and active phases of aged mice and investigate whether these EVs regulate the density of lipid rafts in mouse cortical collecting duct (mpkCCD) principal cells. Here, we demonstrate the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) inhibitor benzyl amiloride reduced systolic blood pressure in aged male mice during the inactive and active phases. Lipidomics data demonstrate differential enrichment of lipids between the two groups. For example, there are more phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens, particularly in the form of alkyl phosphatidylethanolamines, that are enriched in active phase uEVs compared to inactive phase uEVs from the same mice. Amiloride-sensitive transepithelial current increased more in mpkCCD cells challenged with uEVs from the active phase group. Moreover, more ENaC alpha protein was distributed to lipid raft fractions of mpkCCD cells challenged with active phase uEVs. Taken together, the identification of bioactive lipids associated with lipid rafts that are enriched in EVs released during the active phase of aged mice may offer clues to help understand lipid raft organization in recipient principal cells after EV uptake and increased renal ENaC activity, leading to a time-of-day dependent regulation of blood pressure in an aging model.

Brief exposure of neuronal cells to levels of SCFAs observed in human systemic circulation impair lipid metabolism resulting in apoptosis

Communication between gut microbiota and the brain is an enigma. Alterations in the gut microbial community affects enteric metabolite levels, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs have been proposed as a possible mechanism through which the gut microbiome modulate brain health and function. This study analyzed for the first time the effects of SCFAs at levels reported in human systemic circulation on SH-SY5Y human neuronal cell energy metabolism, viability, survival, and the brain lipidome. Cell and rat brain lipidomics was done using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Neuronal cells viability, survival and energy metabolism were analyzed via flow cytometer, immunofluorescence, and SeahorseXF platform. Lipidomics analysis demonstrated that SCFAs significantly remodeled the brain lipidome in vivo and in vitro. The most notable remodulation was observed in the metabolism of phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens, and mitochondrial lipids carnitine and cardiolipin. Increased mitochondrial mass, fragmentation, and hyperfusion occurred concomitant with the altered mitochondrial lipid metabolism resulting in decreased neuronal cell respiration, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and increased cell death. This suggests SCFAs at levels observed in human systemic circulation can adversely alter the brain lipidome and neuronal cell function potentially negatively impacting brain health outcomes.

Prediagnostic Plasma Metabolomics and the Risk of Exfoliation Glaucoma.

PurposeThe etiology of exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) is poorly understood. We aimed to identify a prediagnostic plasma metabolomic signature associated with XFG.MethodsWe conducted a 1:1 matched case-control study nested within the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. We collected blood samples in 1989–1990 (Nurses’ Health Study) and 1993–1995 (Health Professionals Follow-up Study). We identified 205 incident XFG cases through 2016 (average time to diagnosis from blood draw = 11.8 years) who self-reported glaucoma and were confirmed as XFG cases with medical records. We profiled plasma metabolites using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We evaluated 379 known metabolites (transformed for normality using probit scores) using multiple conditional logistic models. Metabolite set enrichment analysis was used to identify metabolite classes associated with XFG. To adjust for multiple comparisons, we used number of effective tests (NEF) and the false discovery rate (FDR).ResultsMean age of cases (n = 205) at diagnosis was 71 years; 85% were women and more than 99% were Caucasian; controls (n = 205) reported eye examinations as of the matched cases’ index date. Thirty-three metabolites were nominally significantly associated with XFG (P < 0.05), and 4 metabolite classes were FDR-significantly associated. We observed positive associations for lysophosphatidylcholines (FDR = 0.02) and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens (FDR = 0.004) and inverse associations for triacylglycerols (FDR < 0.0001) and steroids (FDR = 0.03). In particular, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio with each 1 standard deviation higher plasma cortisone levels was 0.49 (95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.74; NEF = 0.05).ConclusionsIn plasma from a decade before diagnosis, lysophosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens were positively associated and triacylglycerols and steroids (e.g., cortisone) were inversely associated with XFG risk.

Abstract 2253: Plasma metabolomic profiles associated with early and late-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Abstract Background: Ovarian cancer has poor survival due to more than 60% of patients being diagnosed at advanced stage. Therefore, discovery of novel, non-invasive early detection biomarkers has high potential to improve survival. Here, we identified plasma metabolomic profiles associated with early-stage and late-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common histotype. Method: We examined 197 lipid and lipid-related metabolites measured using a validated, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method (Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA) in plasma collected prior to surgery from 40 early-stage and 40 late-stage HGSOC patients and 40 population-based controls matched on age, year, and menopausal status at blood draw. We used multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for matching factors, tubal ligation, oral contraceptive use, and parity, to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of ovarian cancer risk per 1 standard deviation increase in probit-transformed metabolite levels. We used Metabolite Set Enrichment Analysis (MSEA) to identify metabolite groups. We accounted for testing multiple correlated hypotheses using the number of effective tests (NEF) or false discovery rate (FDR). Results: Compared to controls, there were 34 metabolites associated with early-stage HGSOC and 88 metabolites associate with late-stage HGSOC (unadjusted p-value&amp;lt;0.05). All metabolites associated with risk of early-stage HGSOC and majority (n=80, 90%) of the metabolites associated with risk of late-stage HGSOC were inversely associated with ORs ranging from 0.28 to 0.48 for early-stage and 0.08 to 0.59 for late-stage HGSOC. Interestingly, the direction of association across all these metabolites were similar in both early-stage and late-stage HGSOC, with stronger effect estimates for late-stage HGSOC. After multiple testing correction, there were 9 statistically significant metabolites associated with risk of late-stage HGSOC (NEF p-value&amp;lt;0.05) whereas no individual metabolites remained associated with risk of early-stage HGSOC. MSEA revealed similar patterns of association compared to controls across the 11 lipid groups assessed in early and late-stage HGSOC cases. Metabolite groups of phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens and triglycerides were inversely associated with early-stage HGSOC compared to controls (FDR p-value&amp;lt;0.05). Metabolite groups of phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens and phosphatidylcholines were inversely, and diglycerides were positively associated with late-stage HGSOC compared to controls (FDR p-value&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: Our results revealed early-stage and late-stage HGSOC having similar plasma metabolomic profiles overall although there were more metabolites that were significantly associated with late-stage HGSOC than early-stage HGSOC compared to population-based controls. Citation Format: Naoko Sasamoto, Oana A. Zeleznik, Allison F. Vitonis, Daniel W. Cramer, Julian Avila-Pacheco, Clary B. Clish, Shelley S. Tworoger, Kathryn L. Terry. Plasma metabolomic profiles associated with early and late-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 2253.

Exposure to the Brominated Flame Retardant Hexabromocyclododecane Results in Systemic Changes in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism Within Phospholipids of Mice

Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products to reduce flammability, but often leach into the surrounding environment over time. Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is one brominated flame retardant detected in human blood across the world. HBCD exposure can result in neurological problems and altered lipid metabolism, but to date the two remain unlinked. As lipids constitute ~50% of brain dry weight, lipid metabolism plays a critical role in neuronal function and homeostasis. To determine the effect of HBCD exposure on brain lipid metabolism, young adult male mice were exposed to 1 mg/kg HBCD every 3 days for 28 days. HBCD exposure altered lipid abundance of 8 major lipid classes in the dorsal striatum, including fatty acids (FA), lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC), lysophosphatidylethanolamines (LPE), phosphatidylcholines (PC), phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) alkylphosphatidylethanolamines (PEO), phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens (PEP), and sphingomyelins (SM). The liver, as a major lipid metabolism hub, and blood were also examined to determine whether these alterations correlated to systemic changes in lipid metabolism. Although several lipid classes changed in the liver and blood, only PE was consistently altered between organs. Despite the lack of commonalities between lipid class alterations of differing organs, phospholipid fatty acid tails displayed a consistent enrichment of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) such as Arachidonic Acid (AA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) across lipid classes and organs. Free AA was enriched in the blood as well as AA contained within phospholipids of the liver (in PE), blood (in LPC, PEO, and PEP), and dorsal striatum (in PE, PEO). Additionally, although free DHA was unchanged in the blood, DHA‐containing phospholipids were enriched in the liver (in PE), blood (in LPC, LPE), and dorsal striatum (in PE, PEO, PEP, PS). These studies indicate that HBCD can cause systemic alterations in PUFA metabolism. Further study is necessary to determine the mechanisms underlying the lipid alterations and their functional consequences.

Plasma Metabolomic Signature of Early Abuse in Middle-Aged Women.

Metabolomic profiling may provide insights into biological mechanisms underlying the strong epidemiologic links observed between early abuse and cardiometabolic disorders in later life. We examined the associations between early abuse and midlife plasma metabolites in two nonoverlapping subsamples from the Nurses' Health Study II, comprising 803 (mean age = 40 years) and 211 women (mean age = 61 years). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays were used to measure metabolomic profiles, with 283 metabolites consistently measured in both subsamples. Physical and sexual abuse before age 18 years was retrospectively assessed by validated questions integrating type/frequency of abuse. Analyses were conducted in each sample and pooled using meta-analysis, with multiple testing adjustment using the q value approach for controlling the positive false discovery rate. After adjusting for age, race, menopausal status, body size at age 5 years, and childhood socioeconomic indicators, more severe early abuse was consistently associated with five metabolites at midlife (q value < 0.20 in both samples), including lower levels of serotonin and C38:3 phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen and higher levels of alanine, proline, and C40:6 phosphatidylethanolamine. Other metabolites potentially associated with early abuse (q value < 0.05 in the meta-analysis) included triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine plasmalogens, bile acids, tyrosine, glutamate, and cotinine. The association between early abuse and midlife metabolomic profiles was partly mediated by adulthood body mass index (32% mediated) and psychosocial distress (13%-26% mediated), but not by other life-style factors. Early abuse was associated with distinct metabolomic profiles of multiple amino acids and lipids in middle-aged women. Body mass index and psychosocial factors in adulthood may be important intermediates for the observed association.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Enriched Lipid Fingerprint of Glioblastoma Proliferative Regions Is Differentially Regulated According to Glioblastoma Molecular Subtype.

Glioblastoma (GBM) represents one of the deadliest tumors owing to a lack of effective treatments. The adverse outcomes are worsened by high rates of treatment discontinuation, caused by the severe side effects of temozolomide (TMZ), the reference treatment. Therefore, understanding TMZ’s effects on GBM and healthy brain tissue could reveal new approaches to address chemotherapy side effects. In this context, we have previously demonstrated the membrane lipidome is highly cell type-specific and very sensitive to pathophysiological states. However, little remains known as to how membrane lipids participate in GBM onset and progression. Hence, we employed an ex vivo model to assess the impact of TMZ treatment on healthy and GBM lipidome, which was established through imaging mass spectrometry techniques. This approach revealed that bioactive lipid metabolic hubs (phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen species) were altered in healthy brain tissue treated with TMZ. To better understand these changes, we interrogated RNA expression and DNA methylation datasets of the Cancer Genome Atlas database. The results enabled GBM subtypes and patient survival to be linked with the expression of enzymes accounting for the observed lipidome, thus proving that exploring the lipid changes could reveal promising therapeutic approaches for GBM, and ways to ameliorate TMZ side effects.

Alterations of Sphingolipid and Phospholipid Pathways and Ornithine Level in the Plasma as Biomarkers of Parkinson's Disease.

The biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain to be investigated. This work aimed to identify blood biomarkers for PD using targeted metabolomics analysis. We quantified the plasma levels of 255 metabolites in 92 PD patients and 60 healthy controls (HC). PD patients were sub-grouped into early (Hoehn–Yahr stage ≤ 2, n = 72) and advanced (Hoehn–Yahr stage > 2, n = 20) stages. Fifty-nine phospholipids, 3 fatty acids, 3 amino acids, and 7 biogenic amines, demonstrated significant alterations in PD patients. Six of them, dihydro sphingomyelin (SM) 24:0, 22:0, 20:0, phosphatidylethanolamine-plasmalogen (PEp) 38:6, and phosphatidylcholine 38:5 and 36:6, demonstrated lowest levels in PD patients in the advanced stage, followed by those in the early stage and HC. By contrast, the level of ornithine was highest in PD patients at the advanced stage, followed by those at the early stage and HC. These biomarker candidates demonstrated significant correlations with scores of motor disability, cognitive dysfunction, depression, and quality of daily life. The support vector machine algorithm using α-synuclein, dihydro SM 24:0, and PEp 38:6 demonstrated good ability to separate PD from HC (AUC: 0.820). This metabolomic analysis demonstrates new plasma biomarker candidates for PD and supports their role in participating PD pathogenesis and monitoring disease progression.

Short-term supplementation of EPA-enriched ethanolamine plasmalogen increases the level of DHA in the brain and liver of n-3 PUFA deficient mice in early life after weaning.

A lack of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in mothers' diet significantly reduced the amount of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the brains of offspring, which might affect their brain function. Our previous research has proven multiple benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-enriched ethanolamine plasmalogen (pPE) in enhancing the learning and memory ability. However, the effect of dietary supplementation with EPA-pPE on the DHA content in the brain and liver of offspring lacking n-3 PUFAs in early life is still unclear. Female ICR mice were fed with n-3 PUFA-deficient diets throughout the gestation and lactation periods to get n-3 PUFA-deficient offspring. The lipid profiles in the cerebral cortex and liver of offspring were analyzed using lipidomics after dietary supplementation with EPA-pPE (0.05%, w/w) and EPA-phosphatidylcholine (PC) (0.05%, w/w) for 2 weeks after weaning. Dietary supplementation with EPA could significantly change fatty acid composition in a variety of phospholipid molecular species compared with the n-3 deficient group. EPA-pPE and EPA-PC remarkably increased the DHA content in the brain PC, ether-linked phosphatidylcholine (ePC), and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen (pPE) and liver triglyceride (TG), lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC), ePC, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and pPE molecular species, in which EPA-pPE showed more significant effects on the increase of DHA in cerebral cortex PC, ePC and liver PC compared with EPA-PC. Both EPA-phospholipids could effectively increase the DHA levels, and the pPE form was superior to PC in the contribution of DHA content in the cerebral cortex PC, ePC and liver PC molecular species. EPA-enriched ethanolamine plasmalogen might be a good nutritional supplement to increase DHA levels in the brains of n-3 PUFA-deficient offspring.

Changes in Plasma Phospholipid Metabolism Are Associated with Clinical Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with fibrosis of the skin and/or internal organs, causing a decrease in quality of life and survival. There is no causative therapy, and the pathophysiology of the SSc remains unclear. Studies showed that lipid metabolism was relevant for autoimmune diseases, but little is known about the role of lipids in SSc. In the present study, we sought to explore the phospholipid profile of SSc by using the lipidomics approach. We also aimed to analyze lipidomics results for different clinical manifestations of SSc. Experiments were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for the lipidomic profiling of plasma samples from patients with SSc. Our study showed, for the first time, significant changes in the level of phospholipids such as plasmalogens and sphingomyelins from the plasma of SSc patients as compared to controls. Phosphatidylcholine plasmalogens species and sphingomyelins were significantly increased in SSc patients as compared to controls. Our results also demonstrated a significant association of changes in the metabolism of phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens species and sphingomyelins) with different clinical manifestations of SSc. Further lipidomic studies might lead to the detection of lipids as new biomarkers or therapeutic targets of SSc.

Holistic Characterization of a Salmonella Typhimurium Infection Model Using Integrated Molecular Imaging.

A more complete and holistic view on host-microbe interactions is needed to understand the physiological and cellular barriers that affect the efficacy of drug treatments and allow the discovery and development of new therapeutics. Here, we developed a multimodal imaging approach combining histopathology with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and same section imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to study the effects of Salmonella Typhimurium infection in the liver of a mouse model using the S. Typhimurium strains SL3261 and SL1344. This approach enables correlation of tissue morphology and specific cell phenotypes with molecular images of tissue metabolism. IMC revealed a marked increase in immune cell markers and localization in immune aggregates in infected tissues. A correlative computational method (network analysis) was deployed to find metabolic features associated with infection and revealed metabolic clusters of acetyl carnitines, as well as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen species, which could be associated with pro-inflammatory immune cell types. By developing an IMC marker for the detection of Salmonella LPS, we were further able to identify and characterize those cell types which contained S. Typhimurium.

Plasma lipidomics in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective nested case–control study in Chinese women

Lipid metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. There is little evidence regarding the prospective association of the maternal lipidome with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), especially in Chinese populations. We aimed to identify novel lipid species associated with GDM risk in Chinese women, and assess the incremental predictive capacity of the lipids for GDM. We conducted a nested case-control study using the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort with 336 GDM cases and 672 controls, 1:2 matched on age and week of gestation. Maternal blood samples were collected at 6-15 wk, and lipidomes were profiled by targeted ultra-HPLC-tandem MS. GDM was diagnosed by oral-glucose-tolerance test at 24-28 wk. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator is a regression analysis method that was used to select novel biomarkers. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the associations. Of 366 detected lipids, 10 were selected and found to be significantly associated with GDM independently of confounders: there were positive associations with phosphatidylinositol 40:6, alkylphosphatidylcholine 36:1, phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen 38:6, diacylglyceride 18:0/18:1, and alkylphosphatidylethanolamine 40:5 (adjusted ORs per 1 log-SD increment range: 1.34-2.86), whereas there were inverse associations with sphingomyelin 34:1, dihexosyl ceramide 24:0, mono hexosyl ceramide 18:0, dihexosyl ceramide 24:1, and phosphatidylcholine 40:7 (adjusted ORs range: 0.48-0.68). Addition of these novel lipids to the classical GDM prediction model resulted in a significant improvement in the C-statistic (discriminatory power of the model) to 0.801 (95% CI: 0.772, 0.829). For every 1-point increase in the lipid risk score of the 10 lipids, the OR of GDM was 1.66 (95% CI: 1.50, 1.85). Mediation analysis suggested the associations between specific lipid species and GDM were partially explained by glycemic and insulin-related indicators. Specific plasma lipid biomarkers in early pregnancy were associated with GDM in Chinese women, and significantly improved the prediction for GDM.