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 June 2023, data generated from our platform(s) was highlighted in 37 studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The application areas ranged from agriculture to respiratory disorders.
The Metabolon Global Discovery Panel can detect and identify 5,400+ metabolites from serum, tissue, and fecal samples. 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. Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging
Singh P, Gollapalli K, Mangiola S, et al. Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging. Science. Jun 09 2023;380(6649):eabn9257. doi:10.1126/science.abn9257
Aging is a biological process that leads to increased vulnerability to diseases and, ultimately, death. This study found that concentrations of circulating taurine decline with aging in humans, monkeys, and mice. The Metabolon Global Discovery Panel revealed that lower taurine and taurine-related metabolites were associated with type 2 diabetes in humans. Conversely, exercise increased the concentrations of taurine metabolites in blood. In vivo studies demonstrated that taurine supplementation increases the health and life span in mice and worms and health span in monkeys. These findings indicate that reversing taurine deficiency during aging may be a promising antiaging strategy.
2. Genetic studies of paired metabolomes reveal enzymatic and transport processes at the interface of plasma and urine
Schlosser P, Scherer N, Grundner-Culemann F, et al. Genetic studies of paired metabolomes reveal enzymatic and transport processes at the interface of plasma and urine. Nat Genet. Jun 2023;55(6):995-1008. doi:10.1038/s41588-023-01409-8
The human kidney operates at the interface of plasma and urine by clearing waste products from the bloodstream while retaining essential nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes. To identify underlying molecular targets that drive this process, this research team conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of plasma and urine metabolites detected using the Metabolon Global Discovery Panel. This multi-omics study identified 1,299 associations and showed that profiling plasma alone would have missed associations with almost 40% of metabolites. The combined study of plasma and urine metabolomics also allowed for the distinction of systemic and kidney-specific processes. These results provide new insights into the roles of novel metabolites in health and disease and represent attractive pharmacological targets to treat kidney and metabolic disorders.
3. Metabolomics unravels subtype-specific characteristics related to neoadjuvant therapy response in breast cancer patients
Zapater-Moros A, Díaz-Beltrán L, Gámez-Pozo A, et al. Metabolomics unravels subtype-specific characteristics related to neoadjuvant therapy response in breast cancer patients. Metabolomics. Jun 21 2023;19(7):60. doi:10.1007/s11306-023-02024-8
Breast cancer is the most common tumor and most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Breast tumors are classified into three main subtypes: HER2+, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and luminal A and B. The standard of care for breast cancer is preoperative (neoadjuvant) treatment, which can lead to different prognoses, including pathological complete response (pCR) and pathological partial response (pPR). This research team used the Metabolon Global Discovery Panel to characterize metabolic differences in breast cancer according to their response to neoadjuvant treatment. Metabolomics revealed specific changes to each breast cancer subtype. HER2+ patients showed differences in metabolites related to amino acid and carbohydrate pathways between the two response groups, being higher in patients who achieved a pPR. Patients with TNBC showed differences in metabolites related to long-chain fatty acids, being higher in patients who attained a pCR than those who achieved pPR. Patients with luminal B tumors showed differences in metabolites related to acylcarnitine pathways, being higher in patients with a pPR to treatment. These findings pave the way to identifying predictive biomarkers to assess neoadjuvant treatment response in advance.
4. Potential Diagnostic Biomarker Detection for Prostate Cancer Using Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomic Profiling
Nitusca D, Socaciu C, Socaciu AI, et al. Potential Diagnostic Biomarker Detection for Prostate Cancer Using Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomic Profiling. Curr Issues Mol Biol. Jun 08 2023;45(6):5036-5051. doi:10.3390/cimb45060320
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide. Early detection is vital in effectively managing prostate cancer. However, current diagnostic methods are either highly invasive or lack proper specificity. To discover potential biomarkers for the early detection of prostate cancer, this research team first used the Metabolon Global Discovery Panel to profile plasma samples from prostate cancer patients. Next, they selected five metabolites (L-proline, L-tryptophan, acetylcarnitine, lysophosphatidylcholine, and spermine) for downstream targeted metabolomics. Targeted metabolomics revealed that regardless of prostate cancer stage, these metabolites were decreased in prostate cancer patients when compared to controls. These novel metabolites could represent future specific and non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection of prostate cancer.
5. Unique genetic architecture of CSF and brain metabolites pinpoints the novel targets for the traits of human wellness
Wang C, Western D, Yang C, et al. Unique genetic architecture of CSF and brain metabolites pinpoints the novel targets for the traits of human wellness. Res Sq. Jun 09 2023;doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2923409/v1
Brain metabolism perturbation can contribute to neurological traits and diseases. This study used the Metabolon Global Discovery Panel to conduct the largest cerebral spinal (CSF) and brain metabolite genome-wide association study (MGWAS) to date. MGWAS identified 219 associations for 144 CSF metabolites and 36 associations for 34 brain metabolites. Using powerful statistical approaches, they also identified 11 causal metabolite-to-trait effects for eight neurological traits, including alcoholism, bipolar disorder, and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Low mannose levels were found to be associated with bipolar disorder, suggesting that mannose may provide therapeutic benefits as a dietary supplement. Low galactosylglycerol levels were found to be causal to PD. These findings can be leveraged to inform druggable targets for improving neurological disease outcomes.
Agricultural
6. Metabolic signature of cervical mucus in ewe breeds with divergent cervical sperm transport: a focus on metabolites involved in amino acid metabolism
Abril-Parreño L, Druart X, Fair S, Krogenaes A. Metabolic signature of cervical mucus in ewe breeds with divergent cervical sperm transport: a focus on metabolites involved in amino acid metabolism. Metabolomics. Jun 20 2023;19(7):59. doi:10.1007/s11306-023-02021-x
7. Metabolic Profiling of a Fast Neutron Soybean Mutant Reveals an Increased Abundance of Isoflavones
Islam N, Krishnan HB, Slovin J, Natarajan S. Metabolic Profiling of a Fast Neutron Soybean Mutant Reveals an Increased Abundance of Isoflavones. J Agric Food Chem. Jul 05 2023;71(26):9994-10003. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01493
8. Autophagy during Maize Endosperm Development Dampens Oxidative Stress and Promotes Mitochondrial Clearance
Barros JAS, Chatt EC, Augustine RC, et al. Autophagy during Maize Endosperm Development Dampens Oxidative Stress and Promotes Mitochondrial Clearance. Plant Physiol. Jun 19 2023;doi:10.1093/plphys/kiad340
Cardiovascular Disease
9. Effects of ranolazine on right ventricular function, fluid dynamics, and metabolism in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension: insights from a longitudinal, randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled, multicenter study
Han QJ, Forfia P, Vaidya A, et al. Effects of ranolazine on right ventricular function, fluid dynamics, and metabolism in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension: insights from a longitudinal, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023;10:1118796. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2023.1118796
10. Gut bacterial metabolism contributes to host global purine homeostasis
Kasahara K, Kerby RL, Zhang Q, et al. Gut bacterial metabolism contributes to host global purine homeostasis. Cell Host Microbe. Jun 14 2023;31(6):1038-1053.e10. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2023.05.011
11. Novel roles for the transcriptional repressor E4BP4 in both cardiac physiology and pathophysiology
Mia S, Sonkar R, Williams L, et al. Novel roles for the transcriptional repressor E4BP4 in both cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. JACC: Basic to Translational Science. Jun 14 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2023.03.016
12. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of Fmo5-/- mice reveal roles for flavin-containing monooxygenase 5 (FMO5) in NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response, unfolded protein response, lipid homeostasis, and carbohydrate and one-carbon metabolism
Phillips IR, Veeravalli S, Khadayate S, Shephard EA. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of Fmo5-/- mice reveal roles for flavin-containing monooxygenase 5 (FMO5) in NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response, unfolded protein response, lipid homeostasis, and carbohydrate and one-carbon metabolism. PLoS One. 2023;18(6):e0286692. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0286692
13. Discovery of prognostic and treatment predictive biomarkers in recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients treated with anti TNF-alpha
Kostense S, Klap JM, Ashoor H, et al. Discovery of prognostic and treatment predictive biomarkers in recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients treated with anti TNFα. medRxiv. 2023:2023.05.29.23290668. doi:10.1101/2023.05.29.23290668
Gastrointestinal
14. Mucosal Metabolomic Signatures in Chronic Colitis: Novel Insights into the Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Calzadilla N, Qazi A, Sharma A, et al. Mucosal Metabolomic Signatures in Chronic Colitis: Novel Insights into the Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Preprints.org. Jun 13 2023. doi:10.20944/preprints202306.0902.v1
15. DietaAnti-Inflamatoria or DAIN: A Crohn’s disease management strategy tailored for Puerto Ricans
Rojas Correa M, Estremera L, Yap Y, et al. DietaAnti-Inflamatoria or DAIN: A Crohn’s disease management strategy tailored for Puerto Ricans. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. Aug 2023;34:101162. doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101162
Liver Disease
16. The Combination of a Human Biomimetic Liver Microphysiology System with BIOLOGXsym, a Quantitative Systems Toxicology (QST) Modeling Platform for Macromolecules, Provides Mechanistic Understanding of Tocilizumab- and GGF2-Induced Liver Injury
Beaudoin JJ, Clemens L, Miedel MT, et al. The Combination of a Human Biomimetic Liver Microphysiology System with BIOLOGXsym, a Quantitative Systems Toxicology (QST) Modeling Platform for Macromolecules, Provides Mechanistic Understanding of Tocilizumab- and GGF2-Induced Liver Injury. Int J Mol Sci. Jun 02 2023;24(11)doi:10.3390/ijms24119692
17. Faecal Microbiota transplantation affects liver DNA methylation in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a multi-omics approach
Stols-Gonçalves D, Mak AL, Madsen MS, et al. Faecal Microbiota transplantation affects liver DNA methylation in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a multi-omics approach. Gut Microbes. Dec 31 2023;15(1):2223330. doi:10.1080/19490976.2023.2223330
Neuroscience
18. Improved psychosocial measures associated with physical activity may be explained by alterations in brain-gut microbiome signatures
Guan M, Dong TS, Subramanyam V, et al. Improved psychosocial measures associated with physical activity may be explained by alterations in brain-gut microbiome signatures. Sci Rep. Jun 26 2023;13(1):10332. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-37009-z
19. The metabolic role of vitamin D in children’s neurodevelopment: a network study
Marzio MD, Lasky-Su J, Chu SH, et al. The metabolic role of vitamin D in children’s neurodevelopment: a network study. bioRxiv. 2023:2023.06.23.546277. doi:10.1101/2023.06.23.546277
20. Simultaneous neuronal expression of human amyloid-β and Tau genes drives global phenotypic and multi-omic changes in C. elegans
Holcom A, Fuentealba M, Sivapatham R, et al. Simultaneous neuronal expression of human amyloid-β and Tau genes drives global phenotypic and multi-omic changes in C. elegans. bioRxiv. 2023:2023.06.01.542377. doi:10.1101/2023.06.01.542377
Nutrition
21. Metabolomic profiling of an ultra-processed dietary pattern in a domiciled randomized controlled crossover feeding trial
O’Connor LE, Hall KD, Herrick KA, et al. Metabolomic Profiling of an Ultraprocessed Dietary Pattern in a Domiciled Randomized Controlled Crossover Feeding Trial. J Nutr. Jun 03 2023;doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.06.003
22. Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid and Glucose Systemic Metabolic Changes in the Mouse
Watkins BA, Newman JW, Kuchel GA, Fiehn O, Kim J. Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid and Glucose Systemic Metabolic Changes in the Mouse. Nutrients. Jun 08 2023;15(12)doi:10.3390/nu15122679
23. Dietary quality and circulating lipidomic profiles in two cohorts of middle-aged and older male Finnish smokers and American populations
Zhang T, Naudin S, Hong HG, et al. Dietary Quality and Circulating Lipidomic Profiles in 2 Cohorts of Middle-Aged and Older Male Finnish Smokers and American Populations. J Nutr. Jun 14 2023;doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.06.010
24. The mechanisms of hydroxy-α-sanshool from Zanthoxyum bungeanum maxim activates AMPK-HIF1-PKM2 pathway to fix the obesity
Ren T, Zhu Y, Zu F, et al. The mechanisms of hydroxy-α-sanshool from Zanthoxyum bungeanum maxim activates AMPK-HIF1-PKM2 pathway to fix the obesity. Journal of Functional Foods. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105599
25. The acute effect of different NAD+ precursors included in the combined metabolic activators
Li X, Yang H, Jin H, et al. The acute effect of different NAD+ precursors included in the combined metabolic activators. Free Radic Biol Med. Jun 02 2023;205:77-89. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.05.032
Oncology
26. Blood-brain barrier disruption defines the extracellular metabolome of live human high-grade gliomas
Riviere-Cazaux C, Carlstrom LP, Rajani K, et al. Blood-brain barrier disruption defines the extracellular metabolome of live human high-grade gliomas. Commun Biol. Jun 20 2023;6(1):653. doi:10.1038/s42003-023-05035-2
27. Metabolomic Analysis of Vitamin E Supplement Use in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial
Lim J, Hong HG, Weinstein SJ, et al. Metabolomic Analysis of Vitamin E Supplement Use in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Nutrients. 2023;15(13):2836. doi: 10.3390/nu15132836
28. Omics analysis revealed the antitumor effect of mitochondrial targeted drug combination
Li C, Zhang Y, Xia Q, et al. Omics analysis revealed the antitumor effect of mitochondrial targeted drug combination. Research Square. Jun 1 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101162
Population Studies
29. Metabolome-wide Mendelian randomization characterizes heterogeneous and shared causal effects of metabolites on human health
Yin X, Li J, Bose D, et al. Metabolome-wide Mendelian randomization characterizes heterogeneous and shared causal effects of metabolites on human health. medRxiv. 2023:2023.06.26.23291721. doi:10.1101/2023.06.26.23291721
30. Robust metabolomic age prediction based on a wide selection of metabolites
Faquih T, Vlieg AvH, Surendran P, et al. Robust metabolomic age prediction based on a wide selection of metabolites. medRxiv. 2023:2023.06.03.23290933. doi:10.1101/2023.06.03.23290933
Respiratory Disorders
31. Elevated third trimester corticosteroid levels are associated with fewer offspring infections
Prince N, Kelly RS, Chu SH, et al. Elevated third trimester corticosteroid levels are associated with fewer offspring infections. Sci Rep. Jun 28 2023;13(1):10461. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-36535-0
32. Multi-omic longitudinal study reveals immune correlates of clinical course among hospitalized COVID-19 patients
Diray-Arce J, Fourati S, Doni Jayavelu N, et al. Multi-omic longitudinal study reveals immune correlates of clinical course among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Cell Rep Med. Jun 20 2023;4(6):101079. doi:10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101079
Other
33. Non-Targeted Metabolomic Study of Fetal Growth Restriction
Chen F, Li Z, Xu Y, Huang S, Li Y, Jiang W. Non-Targeted Metabolomic Study of Fetal Growth Restriction. Metabolites. Jun 17 2023;13(6)doi:10.3390/metabo13060761
34. Effect of Genetically Reduced Maternal Myostatin on Late Gestation Maternal, Fetal, and Placental Metabolomes in Mice
Opoku R, DeCata J, Phillips CL, Schulz LC. Effect of Genetically Reduced Maternal Myostatin on Late Gestation Maternal, Fetal, and Placental Metabolomes in Mice. Metabolites. Jun 01 2023;13(6)doi:10.3390/metabo13060719
35. Effects of a therapeutic weight loss diet on weight loss and metabolic health in overweight and obese dogs
Pan Y, Spears JK, Xu H, Bhatnagar S. Effects of a therapeutic weight loss diet on weight loss and metabolic health in overweight and obese dogs. J Anim Sci. Jan 03 2023;101doi:10.1093/jas/skad183
36. Gut microbiota Turicibacter strains differentially modify bile acids and host lipids
Lynch JB, Gonzalez EL, Choy K, et al. Gut microbiota Turicibacter strains differentially modify bile acids and host lipids. Nat Commun. Jun 20 2023;14(1):3669. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39403-7
37. NK Cells from Human Cytomegalovirus–Seropositive Individuals Have a Distinct Metabolic Profile That Correlates with Elevated mTOR Signaling
Lozada JR, Zhang B, Miller JS, Cichocki F. NK Cells from Human Cytomegalovirus-Seropositive Individuals Have a Distinct Metabolic Profile That Correlates with Elevated mTOR Signaling. J Immunol. Jun 21 2023;doi:10.4049/jimmunol.2200851
