Metabolon’s contribution to scientific exploration in the form of data and services has been cited in over 3,000 scientific posters and publications. In July 2023, data generated from our platforms were highlighted in 27 studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The application areas ranged from cardiovascular disease to respiratory disorders to infant nutrition. The Metabolon Global Discovery Panel can detect and identify 5,400+ metabolites from serum, tissue, fecal, and urine samples. Metabolon’s Complex Lipids Targeted Panel is the only lipidomics platform able to provide both quantitative compositional analysis and complete speciation data. With 20+ years of experience and an industry-leading library, Metabolon has the broadest coverage and capability to see potential biomarkers in your data.
Highlighted Publications
1. Circulating metabolites modulated by diet are associated with depression
van der Spek A, Stewart ID, Kühnel B, et al. Circulating metabolites modulated by diet are associated with depression. Mol Psychiatry. Jul 26 2023;doi:10.1038/s41380-023-02180-2
Major depression is a complex disease and one of the most common psychiatric disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying depression are yet to be fully elucidated. The Metabolon Global Discovery Panel helped identify six novel metabolites from plasma associated with depression. Individuals with depression had increased levels of vitamin A, lecithin, and mannitol/sorbitol and lower levels of 4-hydroxycoumarin, alpha-aminocaprylic acid, and 1-linoleoyl-GPA. These findings highlight potential preventative targets, as most of these metabolites are food-derived and thus can be altered in patients suffering from depression through diet interventions.
2. Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic vulnerability of endocrine therapy and palbociclib-resistant metastatic breast cancers
El-Botty R, Morriset L, Montaudon E, et al. Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic vulnerability of endocrine therapy and palbociclib-resistant metastatic breast cancers. Nat Commun. Jul 14 2023;14(1):4221. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-40022-5
Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (ER+ BC) is the most common breast cancer subtype, accounting for approximately 80% of all diagnosed cases. ER+ BC patients are typically treated with endocrine therapies (ET), such as cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors. However, ET resistance occurs in a large population of patients, eventually displaying cancer recurrence. Global metabolomics profiling of primary tumors and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) was performed using the Metabolon Global Discovery Panel. The results helped demonstrate that a fraction of metastatic ER+ BC is highly reliant on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). This study identified OXPHOS as a novel-promising target for ET-resistant ER+ BC patients.
3. The lipidomic correlates of epigenetic aging across the adult lifespan: A population‐based study
Liu D, Aziz NA, Landstra EN, Breteler MMB. The lipidomic correlates of epigenetic aging across the adult lifespan: A population-based study. Aging Cell. Jul 26 2023:e13934. doi:10.1111/acel.13934
Aging is a biological process that leads to increased vulnerability to diseases and, ultimately, death. Understanding the molecular drivers of biological aging could enable the development of better therapeutic strategies to maximize health span. This research group used the Metabolon Complex Lipids Targeted Panel to investigate the relationship between blood-derived complex lipids and biological aging. They found that higher levels of neutral lipids, phosphatidylinositols, and dihydroceramides were associated with faster biological aging. Conversely, higher levels of hexosylceramide and lactosylceramide species were associated with slower biological aging. Altogether, this study elucidated several complex lipids associated with aging, increasing our understanding of the underlying biological mechanism of aging.
4. Integrating genetics and metabolomics from multi-ethnic and multi-fluid data reveals putative mechanisms for age-related macular degeneration
Han X, Lains I, Li J, et al. Integrating genetics and metabolomics from multi-ethnic and multi-fluid data reveals putative mechanisms for age-related macular degeneration. Cell Rep Med. Jul 18 2023;4(7):101085. doi:10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101085
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition and one of the leading causes of vision loss among people over the age of 50. This research team used the Metabolon Global Discovery Panel to discover novel plasma- and urine-derived metabolites associated with AMD in European and Hispanic populations. Data analysis identified 108 relationships between plasma metabolites and advanced AMD. These metabolites were enriched in pathways of lysophospholipid, triadylglycerol, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). However, they found limited evidence linking urine metabolites to AMD risk. These findings deciphered the contribution of plasma metabolites to AMD risk and highlighted the importance of using multi-fluid and multi-ethnic datasets.
5. Phenylpropionic acid produced by gut microbiota alleviates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity
Cho S, Yang X, Won KJ, et al. Phenylpropionic acid produced by gut microbiota alleviates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Gut Microbes. 2023;15(1):2231590. doi:10.1080/19490976.2023.2231590
Hepatic metabolism of pharmaceutical drugs is a critical biological process that eliminates potentially harmful chemicals from the body. Cytochrome 450 (CYP450) liver enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of over 90% of drugs in current clinical use. Although acetaminophen (APAP) is generally considered safe, some individuals are susceptible to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. To decipher metabolites that might influence APAP-induced liver toxicity, this research team used a mouse model of APAP-induced liver toxicity and the Metabolon Global Discovery Panel to analyze serum and liver tissues from these mice. Metabolomics identified phenylpropionic acid (PPA) as a critical gut metabolite involved in APAP metabolism. They showed that PPA supplementation decreases APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice by lowering CYP2E1 levels. These findings present a novel role of PPA, which can potentially alleviate PPA-induced liver toxicity.
Cardiovascular Disease
6. Serum Metabolites Are Associated With HFpEF in Biopsy‐Proven Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Wegermann K, Fudim M, Henao R, et al. Serum Metabolites Are Associated With HFpEF in Biopsy-Proven Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Am Heart Assoc. Jul 18 2023;12(14):e029873. doi:10.1161/JAHA.123.029873
7. Metabolomic Profiles of Sleep-Disordered Breathing are Associated with Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Development: the HCHS/SOL
Sofer T, Zhang Y, Yu B, et al. Metabolomic Profiles of Sleep-Disordered Breathing are Associated with Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Development: the HCHS/SOL. Res Sq. Jul 21 2023;doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3171622/v1
Neuroscience
8. Comparative brain metabolomics reveals shared and distinct metabolic alterations in Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy
Batra R, Krumsiek J, Wang X, et al. Comparative brain metabolomics reveals shared and distinct metabolic alterations in Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. medRxiv. Jul 27 2023;doi:10.1101/2023.07.25.23293055
9. Metabolomics and Self-Reported Depression, Anxiety, and Phobic Symptoms in the VA Normative Aging Study
Prince N, Stav M, Cote M, et al. Metabolomics and Self-Reported Depression, Anxiety, and Phobic Symptoms in the VA Normative Aging Study. Metabolites. Jul 15 2023;13(7)doi:10.3390/metabo13070851
10. Fatty acid oxidation organizes mitochondrial supercomplexes to sustain astrocytic ROS and cognition
Morant-Ferrando B, Jimenez-Blasco D, Alonso-Batan P, et al. Fatty acid oxidation organizes mitochondrial supercomplexes to sustain astrocytic ROS and cognition. Nat Metab. Jul 17 2023;doi:10.1038/s42255-023-00835-6
11. Multi-tissue transcriptomic and serum metabolomic assessment reveals systemic implications of acute ozone-induced stress response in male Wistar Kyoto rats
Jackson T, House J, Henriquez A, et al. Multi-tissue transcriptomic and serum metabolomic assessment reveals systemic implications of acute ozone-induced stress response in male Wistar Kyoto rats. Research Square. July 2023. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3178715/v1
12. Topic modeling for multi-omic integration in the human gut microbiome and implications for autism
Tataru C, Peras M, Rutherford E, et al. Topic modeling for multi-omic integration in the human gut microbiome and implications for Autism. Sci Rep. Jul 13 2023;13(1):11353. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-38228-0
13. Mediator kinase inhibition suppresses hyperactive interferon signaling in Down syndrome
Cozzolino K, Sanford L, Hunter S, et al. Mediator kinase inhibition suppresses hyperactive interferon signaling in Down syndrome. bioRxiv. 2023:2023.07.05.547813. doi:10.1101/2023.07.05.547813
14. The effect of inflammation, SARS-CoV-2 infection, age and mental health on serotonin, and kynurenine and catecholamine pathway metabolites
Hüfner K, Vedova S, Tymoszuk P, et al. The effect of inflammation, SARS-CoV-2 infection, age and mental health on serotonin, and kynurenine and catecholamine pathway metabolites. Psychoneuroendocrinology. Jul 14 2023;156:106334. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106334
15. Gut microbiota characteristics and its immunoregulatory role in inflammatory depression: joint clinical and animal data
Zhang K, Liu P, Liu Z, et al. Gut microbiota characteristics and its immunoregulatory role in inflammatory depression: joint clinical and animal data. Research Square. July 2023. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3154268/v1
16. A Proposed Explainable Artificial Intelligence-Based Machine Learning Model for Discriminative Metabolites for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Yagib F, Alkhateeb A, Raza A, et al. A Proposed Explainable Artificial Intelligence-Based Machine Learning Model for Discriminative Metabolites for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Preprints. July 2023. doi:10.20944/preprints202307.1585.v1
Nutrition
17. The Urinary Metabolomic Fingerprint in Extremely Preterm Infants on Total Parenteral Nutrition vs Enteral Feeds
Guardado M, Steurer M, Chapin C, et al. The Urinary Metabolomic Fingerprint in Extremely Preterm Infants on Total Parenteral Nutrition vs Enteral Feeds. Preprints. July 2023. doi: 10.20944/preprints202307.2091.v1
18. Prolonged fasting times reap greater geroprotective effects when combined with caloric restriction in adult female mice
Duregon E, Fernandez ME, Martinez Romero J, et al. Prolonged fasting times reap greater geroprotective effects when combined with caloric restriction in adult female mice. Cell Metab. Jul 11 2023;35(7):1179-1194.e5. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2023.05.003
Respiratory Disorders
19. Exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances and asthma phenotypes in childhood: an investigation of the COPSAC2010 cohort
Sevelsted A, Pedersen CT, Gürdeniz G, et al. Exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances and asthma phenotypes in childhood: an investigation of the COPSAC2010 cohort. EBioMedicine. Aug 2023;94:104699. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104699
20. Metabolomic differences in connective tissue disease‐associated versus idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension in the PVDOMICS cohort
Simpson CE, Hemnes AR, Griffiths M, et al. Metabolomic differences in connective tissue disease-associated versus idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension in the PVDOMICS cohort. Arthritis Rheumatol. Jun 19 2023;doi:10.1002/art.42632
Population Studies
21. The metabolomic profiling of total fat and fat distribution in a multi-cohort study of women and men
Zheng R, Michaëlsson K, Fall T, Elmståhl S, Lind L. The metabolomic profiling of total fat and fat distribution in a multi-cohort study of women and men. Sci Rep. Jul 10 2023;13(1):11129. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-38318-z
22. Ancestry-driven metabolite variation provides insights into disease states in admixed populations
Reynolds KM, Horimoto ARVR, Lin BM, et al. Ancestry-driven metabolite variation provides insights into disease states in admixed populations. Genome Med. Jul 17 2023;15(1):52. doi:10.1186/s13073-023-01209-z
23. Metabolic biomarkers significantly enhance the prediction of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure prognosis
Zhang Y, Tan W, Wang X, et al. Metabolic biomarkers significantly enhance the prediction of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure prognosis. J Hepatol. Jul 28 2023;doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2023.07.011
Other
24. Extensive transcriptome sex-reversal later in life, after developmental low-dose bisphenol A exposure
Dunder L, Lejonklou M, Lind M, et al. Extensive transcriptome sex-reversal later in life, after developmental low-dose bisphenol A exposure. Research Square. July 2023. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2977026/v1.
25. Untargeted Analysis of Serum Metabolomes in Dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Barko PC, Rubin SI, Swanson KS, McMichael MA, Ridgway MD, Williams DA. Untargeted Analysis of Serum Metabolomes in Dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Animals (Basel). Jul 14 2023;13(14)doi:10.3390/ani13142313
26. Absence of CD47 in the tumor microenvironment modulates tumor metabolism and immunosuppressive signatures limiting breast cancer progression.
Stirling ER, Tsai Y-T, Bronson SM, et al. Absence of CD47 in the tumor microenvironment modulates tumor metabolism and immunosuppressive signatures limiting breast cancer progression. bioRxiv. 2023:2023.07.12.548766. doi:10.1101/2023.07.12.548766
27. Lipid metabolism dysfunction following symbiont elimination is linked to altered Kennedy pathway homeostasis
Attardo GM, Benoit JB, Michalkova V, et al. Lipid metabolism dysfunction following symbiont elimination is linked to altered Kennedy pathway homeostasis. iScience. Jul 21 2023;26(7):107108. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.107108
