1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based serum metabolomics of human gallbladder inflammation

Objective and design

We present in this article ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolic approach to screen the serum metabolic alterations in human gallbladder inflammation with chronic cholecystitis (CC).

Material/methods

Total of 71 human serum samples was divided into two groups, (n = 41, CC) and (n = 30 control). ¹H NMR metabolic profiling was carried out for investigation of metabolic alterations. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied for pattern recognition and identification of metabolites playing crucial role in gallbladder inflammation. Receiver operating curve (ROC) and pathway analysis on NMR data were also carried out to validate the findings.

Results

Serum metabolites such as glutamine, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), alanine, branch chained amino acids (BCAA), histidine and tyrosine were found to be depleted whereas formate, lactate, 1,2-propanediol were found to be elevated in CC. Metabolic pathways associated with metabolite alteration have also been reported.

Conclusions

NMR has been established for disease diagnosis along with identification of metabolic pattern recognition in biofluids. Gallstones cause inflammation of the gallbladder in the form of CC. Inflammation plays a major role in causation of gall bladder cancer and leads the way to malignancy. Metabolic analysis of CC may lead to early diagnosis of disease and its progression to gallbladder cancer.