Nuclear magnetic resonance-based study reveals the metabolomics profile of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance ([1 H]-NMR) spectroscopy has been used to investigate metabolites in serum and several types of tissue. We used NMR spectroscopy to explore the differential metabolic profiles in serum from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Moreover, metabolites with potential as biomarkers for identifying NPC patients were primarily identified. Serum samples were collected from 40 enrolled participants comprising 20 healthy subjects and 20 NPC patients. Samples were analyzed using a 600-MHz NMR spectrometer. The [ 1 H]-NMR spectra were further analyzed with partial least squares-discriminant analysis for screening differential metabolites. NMR spectroscopy identified a total of eight metabolites that were present at different levels when the sera of NPC patients were compared with those of healthy individuals. Methionine, taurine (P < 0.05), and choline-like metabolites (P < 0.05) were mostly elevated in the sera of NPC patients. In contrast, the levels of lipids (P < 0.01), isoleucine (P < 0.05), unsaturated lipids (P < 0.01), trimethylamine oxidase (P < 0.05), and carbohydrates (P < 0.05) were lower in the sera of the NPC patients than in the healthy controls. We explored the differential metabolic profiles in sera from NPC patients. [1 H]-NMR spectroscopy can be used to identify specific metabolites, and is capable of distinguishing between NPC patients and healthy individuals.

Metabolic characteristics revealing cell differentiation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by combining NMR spectroscopy with Raman spectroscopy

“…The reason for this phenomenon is still unclear. Other research has shown that choline level in NPC patients is significantly higher than that in normal control so as to maintain the integrity of cell membrane [18, 41]. Interesting, our results from NPC cells don’t fully agree with this view, and the opposite direction seems to be more rational.…”

“…For example, Yi et al demonstrated that gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis could identify stages of NPC subjects via metabolic profiling, and possible therapeutic outcome were evaluated through certain metabolites alterations [16, 17]. Wang et al [18] also revealed metabolic abnormalities during NPC serum study by NMR spectroscopy. However, neither the underlying metabolism that is characteristic of NPC cell differentiation has not been deeply investigated nor the relationship between differentiation degree and metabolism in cells has not been fully clarified.…”

The Metabolic Profile of Stable Ischemic Heart Disease by Serum 1H NMR

“…The significant correlation between metabolites of phosphatidylcholine (betaine, choline, trimethylamine-N-oxide) and individuals who experienced myocardial infarction, stroke, or death has been found also by Wang et al [39]. Positive correlation of betaine levels and inflammation is mentioned by ECLIPSE study [40].…”

Balancing the Equation: A Natural History of Trimethylamine and Trimethylamine-N-oxide

“…The association of circulating TMAO levels with cancer is more variable and is dependent on cancer type. Low serum concentrations of TMAO have been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients 178 and renal cell carcinoma, with levels increasing post-nephrectomy. 186 In contrast, higher levels of serum or plasma TMAO have been reported for primary liver cancer patients (sex-and age-adjusted odds ratio of 3.43), 180 oral squamous cell carcinoma, 348 cancer.…”

“…The association of circulating TMAO levels with cancer is more variable and is dependent on cancer type. Low serum concentrations of TMAO have been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and renal cell carcinoma, with levels increasing post-nephrectomy . In contrast, higher levels of serum or plasma TMAO have been reported for primary liver cancer patients (sex- and age-adjusted odds ratio of 3.43), oral squamous cell carcinoma, and colorectal cancer. , In the case of pancreatic cancer, contradictory results have been published, with one study finding significantly lower serum TMAO concentrations in patients and another reporting that higher concentrations of TMAO were associated with risk for pancreatic cancer …”