1H NMR-based metabolomics reveals the effect of maternal habitual dietary patterns on human amniotic fluid profile

Abstract

Maternal diet may influence offspring’s health, even within well-nourished populations. Amniotic fluid (AF) provides a rational compartment for studies on fetal metabolism. Evidence in animal models indicates that maternal diet affects AF metabolic profile; however, data from human studies are scarce. Therefore, we have explored whether AF content may be influenced by maternal diet, using a validated food-frequency questionnaire and implementing NMR-based metabolomics. Sixty-five AF specimens, from women undergoing second-trimester amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis, were analysed. Complementary, maternal serum and urine samples were profiled. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified 2 dietary patterns, cluster 1 (C1, n = 33) and cluster 2 (C2, n = 32). C1 was characterized by significantly higher percentages of energy derived from refined cereals, yellow cheese, red meat, poultry, and “ready-to-eat” foods, while C2 by higher (P < 0.05) whole cereals, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts. 1H NMR spectra allowed the identification of metabolites associated with these dietary patterns; glucose, alanine, tyrosine, valine, citrate, cis-acotinate, and formate were the key discriminatory metabolites elevated in C1 AF specimens. This is the first evidence to suggest that the composition of AF is influenced by maternal habitual dietary patterns. Our results highlight the need to broaden the knowledge on the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy.

The maturity in fetal pigs using a multi-fluid metabolomic approach

“…The study of the metabolome in the late gestation period is a promising way to predict immediate or later outcomes as well as to evaluate fetal growth retardation 19 . www.nature.com/scientificreports/ In humans, some metabolomic studies have already been performed on amniotic fluid collected during amniocentesis in the second or the third trimester of pregnancy 20,21 . However, most other metabolomic surveys in humans have been performed later at birth, especially on cord blood [22][23][24] , or on urine 25 .…”

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy in Food Science: A Comprehensive Review

“…Characteristic examples of these applications include the evaluation of the metabolite profile of genetically modified (GM) foods (Le Gall et al., ), monitoring the origin and quality of beer (Mannina et al., ) and other beverages (Lee et al., ; Lee et al., ), monitoring the compositional changes during fermentation of wine as well as characterization of the final product, (Hong, ; Mazzei et al., ; Skogerson et al., ), evaluation and authentication of edible oils (Alonso‐Salces et al., , ), and juices (Vogels et al., ), classification of fruits (Vermathen et al., ) and vegetables (Sobolev et al., ), as well as correlating the spectral pattern with sensory perception (Malmendal et al., ). In addition, the combination of NMR with MVSA allows the identification of metabolic biomarkers to determine metabolic status in humans (Fotiou et al., ) and animals (Sundekilde et al, ) and studying the impact of a nutritional approach by analyzing variations in the composition of bio‐fluids, such as urine and serum.…”

“…1: valine; 2: leucine; 3: isoleucine; 4: isobutyrate; 5: 2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyrate; 6: 2‐hydroxybutyrate; 7: lactate; 8: 3‐hydroxybutyrate; 9: alanine; 10: lysine; 11: arginine; 12: acetate; 13: acetone; 14: acetoacetate; 15: glutamine; 16: glutamate; 17: citrate; 18: methylamine; 19: aspartate; 20: dimethylamine; 21: creatine; 22: creatinine; 23: choline; 24: phosphocholine; 25: betaine; 26: methanol; 27: α‐ d ‐glucose; 28: β‐ d ‐glucose; 29: glycine; 30: glycerol; 31: myo‐inositol; 32: threonine; 33: tyrosine; 34: histidine; 35: phenylalanine; 36: formate. (Reprinted from Fotiou et al., , with permission under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).…”

“…However, thus far, only a few studies involve the NMR analysis of saliva although this number is expected to increase. Amniotic fuid is also a promising biofluid especially for studies involving fetal nutrition and metabolism (Fotiou et al., ). Figure shows the 1 H NMR spectrum of amniotic fluid obtained from women in the second trimester of pregnancy to study the impact of maternal habitual dietary patterns on the biochemical composition of human amniotic fuid and thus the significance of maternal nutrition on pregnancy.…”

The maturity in fetal pigs using a multi-fluid metabolomic approach

“…The study of the metabolome in the late gestation is a promising approach to predict immediate or later outcomes and to evaluate fetal growth retardation [33]. In humans, some metabolomic studies have already been performed on amniotic fluid collected during the amniocentesis at the second or the third trimester of gestation [19,25]. However, most of the other metabolomic surveys in humans have been performed later at birth, especially on cord blood [17,18,48], or on urine [14].…”