Abstract
Background: Hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout are highly prevalent metabolic diseases caused by a high level of urate. This study aimed to investigate changes in the serum metabolic profile alterations and identify potential biomarkers of gout in patients with HUA by Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‑MS)-based metabolomics approach.Methods: To this end, we conducted a study in two parts. Firstly, serum samples were collected from 50 subjects, including 20 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH), 20 patients with gout and 10 healthy controls (HCs). Secondly, 10 newly diagnosed HUA subjects were recruited as a febuxostat treatment group. They were treated with 40 mg/d febuxostat, and the plasma samples were required in the 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks during the treatment. LC−MS combined with partial least squares–discriminant analysis was used to distinguish between samples from patients and HCs. Clinical measurements and pathway analysis were performed to help elucidate metabolic changes.Results: Through serum metabolic profiling, 60 metabolites, including lipids and amino acids, were found to be significantly altered in patients with AH or gout. The biomarker and clinical data showed differences between patients with HUA or gout and healthy individuals. According to pathway analysis, the metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate; and D‑arginine and D‑ornithine were significantly perturbed in patients with HUA. Moreover, 27 differential metabolites were identified between the AH and gout subgroups. Additionally, we found changes in the expression level of some metabolites during febuxostat treatment through a 24-week follow-up study.Clonclutions: Taken together, we identified the biomarker signature for HUA (AH and gout). Metabolomics signatures could be used as new strategies for the prevention and early diagnosis of gout.
Metabolome Analysis of Oryza sativa (Rice) Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for Characterizing Organ Specificity of Flavonoids with Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidant Activity