Metabolites

30 pages, 8877 KB

Open AccessReview

Machine Learning–Integrated Metabolomics for Precision Pharmacotherapy: Advances, Challenges, and Clinical Translation

by Pan Li, Jing Mao, Xianglin Hu, Yujiao Hu, Xiaoke Zhang, Qian Zheng, Xiaoying Hou, Yuchen Liu and Min Huang

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080600 - 21 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Machine learning (ML) integrated with metabolomics has emerged as a promising strategy to advance precision pharmacotherapy, enabling data-driven prediction of drug response. This review provides an overview of commonly applied ML methodologies in metabolomics-based pharmacological studies, including supervised models (Random Forest, Extreme Gradient [...] Read more.

Machine learning (ML) integrated with metabolomics has emerged as a promising strategy to advance precision pharmacotherapy, enabling data-driven prediction of drug response. This review provides an overview of commonly applied ML methodologies in metabolomics-based pharmacological studies, including supervised models (Random Forest, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors), unsupervised models (K-Means Clustering, Principal Component Analysis), and deep learning approaches. We summarize recent progress in the application of metabolomics-driven ML to personalized medication, with a focus on drug dosage optimization, therapeutic efficacy prediction, and adverse drug reaction assessment. Despite these advances, significant challenges remain, including limited explainability, insufficient prospective clinical validation, lack of standardization and reproducibility, and data dimensionality and quality issues. Addressing these issues will be essential for the clinical translation of ML-metabolomics integration. Looking ahead, continued methodological innovation, large-scale multi-center prospective validation, and integration with other omics platforms will be key to unlocking the full potential of metabolomics combined with ML in precision healthcare. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pharmacology and Drug Metabolism)

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17 pages, 11978 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mammalian Arachidonic Acid 15-Lipoxygenases: Fed-Batch Fermentation, Enzyme Purification and Functional Characterization

by Vladislav Aksenov, Angelina V. Kurchatova, Alexey Golovanov, Veronika Ulasenko, Olga Zubkova, Alexander Zhuravlev, Ekaterina Makishvili, Nikolay E. Kushlinskii, Hartmut Kuhn and Igor Ivanov

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080599 - 21 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background: Mammalian arachidonic acid lipoxygenases (ALOXs) are non-heme iron-containing enzymes that oxygenate polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with at least two isolated double bonds to hydroperoxy derivatives. The patho-physiological roles of these enzymes in inflammatory, hyperproliferative, and neurological diseases have made them promising targets [...] Read more.

Background: Mammalian arachidonic acid lipoxygenases (ALOXs) are non-heme iron-containing enzymes that oxygenate polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with at least two isolated double bonds to hydroperoxy derivatives. The patho-physiological roles of these enzymes in inflammatory, hyperproliferative, and neurological diseases have made them promising targets for pharmacological interventions. Unfortunately, the expression levels of ALOX isoforms in mammalian cells are very low, which makes functional characterization of native enzymes and the development of isoform-specific inhibitors challenging. Methods: Here, we developed a unifying experimental protocol for fed-batch fermentation of mammalian ALOX isoforms in a bioreactor, followed by purification of the recombinant proteins and their functional characterization. Results: Our methodological protocol allowed the preparation of mg amounts of catalytically active human ALOX15, mouse Alox15 and human ALOX15B. The purified proteins are suitable for high-throughput inhibitor screening assays but can also be used as antigens for the preparation of isoform-specific antibodies and for direct structural analyses. Antibodies cross-reacting with human ALOX15 and ALOX15B have been detected in the blood of patients suffering from colorectal cancer. Conclusions: Our functional ALOX data stresses the catalytic differences between mouse and human ALOX15 orthologs, and these catalytic peculiarities need to be considered when the results of mechanistic studies obtained in mouse models of human diseases are transferred to the human situation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Lipid Metabolism in Health and Diseases)

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18 pages, 6228 KB

Open AccessArticle

Volatile Profiling and Transcriptomic Analysis of Peel and Flesh in Wampee (Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels)

by Ruibing Xu, Qingshan Li, Gengrui Zhu, Yi Chen and Gaoyang Zhang

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080598 - 21 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background: Wampee (Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels) is an understudied Rutaceae crop native to southern China, whose fruit features a complex aroma profile with simultaneous sour, sweet, bitter and astringent notes. Although bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids and volatile oils in wampee [...] Read more.

Background: Wampee (Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels) is an understudied Rutaceae crop native to southern China, whose fruit features a complex aroma profile with simultaneous sour, sweet, bitter and astringent notes. Although bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids and volatile oils in wampee fruit have been partially characterized, the tissue-specific metabolic and transcriptional basis underlying its distinctive aroma formation remains largely unclear. Methods: We performed an integrated volatile metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis on the pericarp (peel) and flesh of wampee fruit across three cultivars (Shanyellowpi, Heijingang, Bingtangxin). Volatile metabolites were profiled via headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), and transcriptome profiles were generated by RNA-Seq. Multi-omics integration was conducted using Procrustes analysis, gene–metabolite correlation network construction and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Results: A total of 288 volatile metabolites were identified, representing the most comprehensive volatile inventory for C. lansium reported to date. Principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed distinct volatile profiles between pericarp and flesh; terpenoids were the dominant chemical class, accounting for 71.56–91.48% of total volatiles in pericarp and 61.88–67.22% in flesh. Notably, organoheterocyclic compounds were significantly enriched in Shanyellowpi flesh (40.45%), forming a cultivar-specific metabolic signature absent in the other two cultivars. Transcriptomic analysis showed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis was the most significantly enriched pathway among differentially expressed genes, followed by monoterpene biosynthesis and sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis. Procrustes analysis demonstrated a strong global concordance between the two omics layers (M² = 0.535, p < 0.001). Gene–metabolite correlation networks identified terpene synthase (TPS) genes (HP075360, HP217350) and oxidoreductase genes (SOD1, GST, 10HGO) as candidate co-regulators of terpenoid biosynthesis. WGCNA further prioritized TPS genes, cytochrome P450 genes and MYB transcription factor genes as key regulators driving volatile metabolic divergence between tissues. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive volatile and transcriptomic atlas of wampee fruit, and identifies tissue-specific and cultivar-specific metabolic signatures as well as their candidate regulatory genes. These findings advance our understanding of quality differentiation in Rutaceae fruits and lay a foundation for molecular breeding and flavor improvement of wampee. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Metabolomics in Plants)

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38 pages, 11369 KB

Open AccessReview

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Adenylyltransferase 1 and NAD⁺ Homeostasis in Neuroprotection and Aging

by You Sun, Bowei Li and Zhengjiang Qian

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080597 - 21 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is a fundamental metabolic cofactor and signaling molecule that supports redox reactions, DNA repair, chromatin regulation, stress adaptation, inflammation, and neuronal maintenance. Age-associated NAD⁺ decline has been implicated in brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders, but the [...] Read more.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is a fundamental metabolic cofactor and signaling molecule that supports redox reactions, DNA repair, chromatin regulation, stress adaptation, inflammation, and neuronal maintenance. Age-associated NAD⁺ decline has been implicated in brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders, but the causal node and limiting compartment differ across tissues and disease states. Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMNAT-1) catalyzes the final step in NAD⁺ biosynthesis and represents the major nuclear isoform of the mammalian NMNAT family. Direct human genetic evidence establishes NMNAT-1 as a causal gene in inherited retinal degeneration, whereas evidence linking endogenous NMNAT-1 to broader brain aging or sporadic neurodegeneration is mainly convergent preclinical, preliminary, or indirect. Beyond NAD⁺ synthesis, biochemical and Drosophila studies suggest possible chaperone-like and proteostasis-supporting functions, but a separable NAD⁺-independent function of endogenous mammalian NMNAT-1 has not yet been established in vivo. Here, we review the molecular structure, localization, and regulation of NMNAT-1, emphasizing calibrated distinctions among catalytic nuclear NAD⁺ supply, engineered axonal protection, pathway-adjacent NAD⁺ interventions, and putative non-catalytic protection. We further discuss how NMNAT-1 dysfunction may contribute to aging-associated genomic instability, neuroinflammation, synaptic impairment, retinal degeneration, selected neurodegenerative models, and glioma biology. Finally, we evaluate therapeutic strategies targeting NMNAT-1 and NAD⁺ pathways, noting that no human trial has yet established efficacy for an NMNAT-1-directed neurological therapy. A compartment-aware and evidence-stratified view is therefore essential for translating NMNAT-1 biology into interventions for age-related neural disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reactive Oxygen Species and Metabolic Dysregulation: From Bench to Bedside)

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12 pages, 693 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor in Skeletal Muscle of Older Adults and the Effects of Weight Loss and Aerobic Training

by Alice S. Ryan, Guoyan Li, Colleen Lynch, Sausan M. Jaber and Galya Bigman

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080596 - 21 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a pleiotropic cytokine with central and peripheral actions, has been implicated in obesity, insulin resistance, and aging, yet its role in skeletal muscle and cardiometabolic health remains unclear. This study examined skeletal muscle CNTF mRNA expression in relation [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a pleiotropic cytokine with central and peripheral actions, has been implicated in obesity, insulin resistance, and aging, yet its role in skeletal muscle and cardiometabolic health remains unclear. This study examined skeletal muscle CNTF mRNA expression in relation to adiposity and glucose tolerance in older adults and assessed the effects of six-month weight loss (WL) and aerobic exercise training (AEX) interventions on its expression. Methods: Sixty-seven adults (age, 60.75 ± 7.58) underwent a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy, VO₂max testing, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, a resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate oxidation assessment, and a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test with glucose and insulin area under the curve (AUC) calculation. A subset completed 6 months of either a WL program (n = 21) or a supervised 3 times per week AEX intervention (n = 20). Results: At baseline, skeletal muscle CNTF expression was inversely associated with RMR, fat oxidation, 3-h glucose AUC, and insulin AUC, but not with BMI, percent body fat, or VO₂max. WL reduced body weight, fat mass, glucose AUC, insulin AUC, and basal muscle CNTF expression, whereas AEX increased VO₂max and reduced fat mass without altering body weight, glucose AUC, insulin AUC, or basal CNTF. Insulin-stimulated CNTF expression increased after both WL and AEX, and the intervention-induced change in glucose disposal (M) was positively associated with the change in insulin-stimulated CNTF. Conclusions: In older adults, skeletal muscle CNTF is associated with glucose intolerance but is not associated with body composition or aerobic fitness. Improvements in insulin sensitivity are associated with increases in muscle CNTF during hyperinsulinemia. Further work is needed to determine the mechanism for muscle CNTF change during hyperinsulinemia after weight loss and exercise training, and its role in glucose metabolism and obesity in older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise and Lifestyle on Cardiometabolic Health)

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15 pages, 4018 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnostic Performance of Serum Xenopsin-Related Peptide-1 in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Observational Study

by Yasin Karadag, Ozgur Ozdemır, Gulseren İpek Karadag and Erinç Tekin

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080595 - 21 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic disorders during pregnancy and is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Xenopsin-Related Peptide-1 (XRP-1) has recently emerged as a potential regulator of glucose metabolism and insulin homeostasis. This study [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic disorders during pregnancy and is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Xenopsin-Related Peptide-1 (XRP-1) has recently emerged as a potential regulator of glucose metabolism and insulin homeostasis. This study evaluated serum XRP-1 levels and assessed their diagnostic performance in women with GDM. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 120 pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation were enrolled, including 60 women with GDM and 60 healthy controls. Serum XRP-1 concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical, biochemical, and obstetric characteristics were compared between groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and independent association of XRP-1 with GDM. Results: Serum XRP-1 levels were significantly higher in women with GDM than in healthy controls (3.45 ± 0.47 vs. 2.87 ± 0.46 ng/mL, p = 0.003). ROC analysis demonstrated moderate discriminatory performance for XRP-1 in identifying GDM (AUC = 0.658, 95% CI: 0.560–0.750), with an optimal cut-off value of 3.12 ng/mL, corresponding to 63.3% sensitivity and 61.7% specificity. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that serum XRP-1 remained independently associated with GDM after adjustment for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and parity (adjusted OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.31–5.73; p = 0.007). HbA1c and C-reactive protein levels were also significantly higher in the GDM group. Conclusions: Serum XRP-1 concentrations were independently associated with GDM and demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy. Although XRP-1 cannot replace established diagnostic methods, it may represent a complementary biomarker for identifying gestational dysglycemia. Larger multicenter studies are required to validate its clinical utility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Changes During Pregnancy: Biomarkers, Metabolomics and Pregnancy Complications)

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19 pages, 1163 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Psychobiotic Therapy on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Post-COVID Syndrome—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

by Sylwia Drzymała, Anna Blask-Osipa, Anna Szczepańska-Álvarez, Małgorzata Dobrzyńska, Hanna Markowska, Sławomira Drzymała-Czyż and Jarosław Walkowiak

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080594 - 19 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background: Recovering from COVID-19 does not always lead to complete recovery, and many patients report symptoms of anxiety and depression. One potential mechanism behind these disorders is dysbiosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of psychobiotic therapy on [...] Read more.

Background: Recovering from COVID-19 does not always lead to complete recovery, and many patients report symptoms of anxiety and depression. One potential mechanism behind these disorders is dysbiosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of psychobiotic therapy on the effectiveness of treating anxiety and depressive symptoms in individuals who had previously experienced COVID-19. Methods: This study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 62 participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups: a psychobiotic group (PG; 23 women, 9 men) receiving 3 × 10⁹ CFU Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum, or a control group (CG; 21 women, 9 men) receiving a placebo, for 6 weeks. Fifty-six participants finalized the study and were included in the analysis (28 per group). The severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms at baseline and after the intervention was assessed using validated self-assessment tools: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90). Additionally, the profile of selected short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the stool was assessed. Results: Following the supplementation period, the PG showed significantly lower median levels of depression and anxiety compared to the CG, corresponding to a 57.2% reduction in anxiety severity (GAD-7) and a 50.9% reduction in depressive symptoms (BDI) (HADS—Depression and Anxiety, and GAD-7: p = 0.0001; BDI: p = 0.0003). Additionally, the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms significantly decreased in the PG compared to the CG based on the HADS-A (p = 0.0044), GAD-7 (p = 0.0219), and BDI (p = 0.0011) scores. Among the measured SCFAs, only the butyric acid concentration in PG increased significantly during supplementation (baseline vs. follow-up—p = 0.0338) and was higher in PG than in CG at the study’s end (p = 0.0248). However, in the PG, changes in the concentrations of all analyzed acids correlated with a reduction in the severity of anxiety symptoms measured using the HADS-A. Conclusions: Psychobiotic supplementation in individuals recovering from COVID-19 who exhibit anxiety and/or depressive symptoms led to mood improvement and a reduction in symptom severity, and it may serve as a supportive treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Dietary Supplementation in the Context of Health, Disease, and Physical Performance)

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15 pages, 578 KB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Effects of Combined Resistance Exercise and Vitamin D Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Profiles and Functional Capacities in Elderly Women with Type 2 Diabetes

by Hyoung-Jun Kim, Deok-Su Yoo and Man-Gyoon Lee

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080593 - 19 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: This 12-week randomized controlled trial investigated whether progressive resistance training combined with vitamin D supplementation produces enhanced combined improvements in cardiometabolic profiles and functional capacities compared with monotherapies in elderly Korean women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and vitamin D [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: This 12-week randomized controlled trial investigated whether progressive resistance training combined with vitamin D supplementation produces enhanced combined improvements in cardiometabolic profiles and functional capacities compared with monotherapies in elderly Korean women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and vitamin D deficiency. Methods: In a 2 × 2 factorial design, 52 women (aged 65–80 years) with T2DM and serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL were assigned to four groups: Exercise + Vitamin D (Ex + VitD, n = 15), Exercise + Placebo (Ex + Placebo, n = 13), Vitamin D only (VitD, n = 11), or Control (n = 13). Exercise groups completed supervised progressive resistance training three times weekly, and vitamin D groups received 2000 IU/day cholecalciferol. Results: The Ex + VitD group achieved significant improvements in HbA1c (−0.13%, p = 0.019), fasting glucose (−0.79 mmol/L, p < 0.001), insulin (−1.96 μU/mL, p = 0.050), and HOMA-IR (−0.77, p = 0.020). Serum 25(OH)D increased substantially (+15.57 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Calcitonin rose exclusively in the Ex + VitD group (+2.57 pg/mL, p < 0.001, d = 3.34), while monotherapies showed no change. Total cholesterol (−23.93 mg/dL), triglycerides (−25.07 mg/dL), and LDL-cholesterol (−10.20 mg/dL) decreased significantly. Both exercise groups showed marked strength gains (chair stand +8.33 to +10.00 repetitions, p < 0.001) and balance improvements (functional reach +2.47 to +4.46 cm, p ≤ 0.033). Conclusions: Twelve weeks of progressive resistance training combined with vitamin D supplementation produced enhanced combined improvements in glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, calcitonin secretion, muscular strength, and lipid metabolism in elderly women with T2DM and vitamin D deficiency, targeting complementary pathways that neither intervention engaged alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lifestyle, Physical Activity, and Exercise on Cardiometabolic Health and Diseases)

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21 pages, 15691 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cold-Induced Elevation of 3-Hydroxypropionate Exacerbates Colitis by Remodeling Gut Microbiota and Impairing Mitochondrial Respiration in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

by Yankun Jia, Baodong Gao, Kefei Wu, Mengjie Gao, Qi Lin, Tu Qian, Junjie Ma, Hongyu Zhang, Ping Zhu, Zhinan Chen and Yue Zhai

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080592 - 19 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder influenced by environmental factors including cold stress. While cold exposure exacerbates intestinal inflammation, the specific microbial metabolites linking environmental stress to colitis remain unclear. 3-Hydroxypropionate (3-HPA) is a gut microbial metabolite elevated following [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder influenced by environmental factors including cold stress. While cold exposure exacerbates intestinal inflammation, the specific microbial metabolites linking environmental stress to colitis remain unclear. 3-Hydroxypropionate (3-HPA) is a gut microbial metabolite elevated following cold exposure, but its pathogenic role in intestinal inflammation has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine whether 3-HPA contributes to colitis progression and to characterize its effects on gut microbiota and intestinal epithelial function. Methods: We employed a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model to assess the impact of cold exposure and exogenous 3-HPA administration. Paired shotgun metagenomic and metabolomic analyses were performed to evaluate gut microbial composition and metabolic outputs. Mechanistic studies using NCM460 intestinal epithelial cells were conducted to examine mitochondrial respiration and tight junction integrity under nutrient-limited conditions. Results: Cold exposure increased fecal 3-HPA levels and aggravated DSS-induced colitis, characterized by enhanced weight loss, histological damage, and immune cell infiltration. Direct 3-HPA supplementation alone was sufficient to worsen colitis severity. Multi-omics profiling revealed that 3-HPA reshaped gut microbiota composition, depleted short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and disrupted microbial tryptophan and bile acid metabolism. In vitro, 3-HPA impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, reduced ATP production, and compromised tight junction organization in intestinal epithelial cells. Conclusions: These findings identify 3-HPA as a gut microbial metabolite elevated by cold exposure that contributes to colitis progression by disrupting beneficial microbial metabolism while also impairing epithelial mitochondrial function and barrier integrity. Modulating 3-HPA production or its downstream epithelial effects may represent a potential therapeutic approach for IBD exacerbated by environmental stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Metabolites and Host Health)

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17 pages, 8969 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Peganum harmala Stem Ethanolic Extract on Serum Inflammatory and Antioxidant Markers, Duodenal Metabolomic Features, and Hepatic Transcriptomic Profiles in Hu Sheep

by Bo Wang, Cunxi Nie, Yanfeng Liu, Rongyan Qin, Wenqi Wang and Yanfen Cheng

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080591 - 19 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background: Peganum harmala L. stem ethanolic extract (PHL) has been scarcely evaluated as a ruminant feed component. We evaluated its effects on serum inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers and duodenal and hepatic molecular responses in Hu sheep. Methods: Twelve male Hu sheep, approximately [...] Read more.

Background: Peganum harmala L. stem ethanolic extract (PHL) has been scarcely evaluated as a ruminant feed component. We evaluated its effects on serum inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers and duodenal and hepatic molecular responses in Hu sheep. Methods: Twelve male Hu sheep, approximately 120 days old, were randomly assigned to a control group or a PHL treatment group (n = 6 per group). After a 7-day adaptation period, the PHL group received 3 g/head/day of PHL (total flavonoid content: 65.7 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/g; approximately 197.1 mg RE/head/day) for 50 days. Serum markers, duodenal untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) metabolomics, liver RNA sequencing, and alternative splicing were analyzed. Results: Serum interleukin-6 and malondialdehyde were lower, whereas interleukin-4 and glutathione peroxidase were higher, in the PHL group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Using variable importance in projection ≥ 1, fold change ≥ 1.2 or ≤0.83, and unadjusted p < 0.05 as screening criteria, 479 LC–MS features met these nominal screening criteria, of which 81 had database annotations. Following Benjamini–Hochberg correction, only two features remained significant (q < 0.05); however, only one was successfully annotated, rendering the pathway analysis exploratory. Liver RNA sequencing identified 279 differentially expressed genes (absolute log₂FC ≥ 1 and q ≤ 0.001) and 104 skipped-exon events (false discovery rate < 0.05). Functional enrichment analysis highlighted annotations related to bile secretion, ATP-binding cassette transport, nutrient metabolism, and glutathione metabolism. Conclusions: PHL supplementation was associated with selective changes in serum inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers, accompanied by hepatic molecular responses. The duodenal metabolomic findings remain exploratory, and dose–response studies incorporating alkaloid quantification and targeted molecular validation are required before practical application can be considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial and Nutrition Metabolism in Animals)

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21 pages, 3525 KB

Open AccessArticle

HDCA Supplementation During Maternal High-Fat Diet Exposure Is Associated with Offspring Gut Microbiota at Weaning and Adult Metabolic Phenotypes in a Mouse Model

by Halizere Simayi, Yating Yang, Li Gao, Bin Yu, Yuwen Shi, Ningxin Chen, Jialing He, Meng Duan, Wei He, Shankuan Zhu and Fei Yang

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080590 - 19 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objective: Maternal diet is an important determinant of gut microbiota composition in dams and offspring. This study investigated whether HDCA supplementation during maternal high-fat diet (HFD) exposure was associated with gut microbiota composition in dams and offspring and with selected obesity-related phenotypes. [...] Read more.

Background/Objective: Maternal diet is an important determinant of gut microbiota composition in dams and offspring. This study investigated whether HDCA supplementation during maternal high-fat diet (HFD) exposure was associated with gut microbiota composition in dams and offspring and with selected obesity-related phenotypes. Methods: Nineteen C57BL/6J female mice were assigned to a control diet group (CON), a high-fat diet group (HFD), and a high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5% hyodeoxycholic acid group (HFD+HDCA). Fecal samples were collected from the dams before mating, following 8 weeks of dietary intervention, and from the offspring at weaning. All samples were analyzed using 5R 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Body weight was monitored in both dams and offspring, and liver histology was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: HFD exposure was associated with obesity-related phenotypes in dams and offspring, including increased maternal body weight and greater hepatic lipid accumulation and visceral adiposity in offspring. LEfSe and ANCOM-BC2 analyses identified concordant microbial changes between dams and offspring under corresponding dietary conditions. Lachnospiraceae_Unknown_genus3261 and Coprococcus increased with HFD exposure in both dams and offspring, whereas Bifidobacterium, Coprococcus, and Allobaculum decreased following HDCA supplementation. These findings indicate maternal–offspring concordance in microbiota responses to HFD and HDCA, without establishing direct vertical transmission. PICRUSt2 analysis suggested group association differences in predicted functional potential for pathways annotated to propionate, pyruvate, and β-alanine metabolism. Conclusions: HDCA supplementation during maternal HFD exposure was associated with differences in offspring gut microbiota at weaning and with attenuation of selected obesity-related phenotypes. These findings suggest a potential role of the gut microbiota–bile acid axis in mediating intergenerational dietary effects. However, the study does not establish direct microbial transmission, altered metabolic activity, or causality; these findings require confirmation in litter-aware and mechanistic studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Nutrition, Obesity and Metabolic Diseases)

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24 pages, 1945 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lipidomic Profiling Reveals Distinct Molecular Signatures Across Clinical Subtypes of Myasthenia Gravis

by Yufei Song, Die Dai, Min Cao, Rongrong Li, Jiaru Liu, Min Zhang, Yuqing Chen, Ruimin Tian, Peiyu Liu, Xiaoting Peng, Jiayi Huang, Qilin Fang, Beibei Dong, Biyi Pang and Liang Liu

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080589 - 19 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an immune-mediated neuromuscular disorder for which antibody-based assays have limited sensitivity, particularly in double-seronegative MG (dsNMG), highlighting the need for complementary biomarkers. Given their roles in immune regulation, membrane integrity, and metabolic stress responses, lipids represent promising candidates [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an immune-mediated neuromuscular disorder for which antibody-based assays have limited sensitivity, particularly in double-seronegative MG (dsNMG), highlighting the need for complementary biomarkers. Given their roles in immune regulation, membrane integrity, and metabolic stress responses, lipids represent promising candidates for biomarker discovery. Methods: We designed a prospective case–control study and systematically stratified 68 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) according to clinical classification and autoantibody status. Using LC–MS/MS, we quantified 824 lipids in 136 serum samples collected from these patients and 68 healthy controls. The analyzed subtypes included ocular MG (OMG), generalized MG (GMG), acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive MG (AChR-MG), and dsNMG. Differential lipid analysis, correlation network construction, KEGG pathway enrichment, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Diagnostic and subtype prediction models were developed using LASSO with 10 × 10 repeated cross-validation and interpreted using Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis. A longitudinal follow-up analysis was conducted to assess dynamic associations between lipid signatures and disease activity. Results: In total, 240 lipids were significantly altered in MG compared with controls. Lipids distinguishing GMG from OMG were enriched in ether lipid metabolism, necroptosis, and sphingolipid signaling pathways. AChR-MG and dsNMG shared lipid networks related to membrane remodeling and signaling regulation, whereas dsNMG exhibited marked elevations in acylcarnitines and bile acid-related metabolites, potentially reflecting a distinct phenotype characterized by altered energy metabolism. The lipid-based model achieved an AUC of 0.917 for distinguishing MG from controls, and AUCs of 0.77 and 0.71 for differentiating AChR-MG from dsNMG and GMG from OMG, respectively. Longitudinal analyses showed that SM(d18:1/23:0) and Cer(d24:1/18:0(2OH)) displayed dynamic changes consistent with disease activity. Conclusions: Serum lipidomics revealed subtype-specific metabolic features of MG, with stable disease-associated remodeling and dynamic sphingolipid changes potentially reflecting disease activity. By integrating systematic clinical and antibody-based subtype stratification with longitudinal follow-up, this study supports lipidomics as a complementary tool for precision diagnosis and disease stratification, particularly in antibody-negative dsNMG. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lipid Metabolism in Health and Disease)

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16 pages, 2697 KB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Large Yellow Tea Supplementation Confers Intergenerational Protection Against BPA-Induced Metabolic and Behavioral Disorders in Mice

by Erkang Jiang, Hongyu Wang, Meiyun Li, Xi Wang, Guohuo Wu, Shoujun Huang, Huijun Cheng, Zhuang Li and Zhongwen Xie

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080588 - 18 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background: Large yellow tea (LYT), a distinctive variety made from mature leaves, has recently gained attention for its remarkable health benefits. However, whether these benefits can be transmitted from mother to offspring remains unexplored. Purpose: This study investigated whether maternal LYT consumption confers [...] Read more.

Background: Large yellow tea (LYT), a distinctive variety made from mature leaves, has recently gained attention for its remarkable health benefits. However, whether these benefits can be transmitted from mother to offspring remains unexplored. Purpose: This study investigated whether maternal LYT consumption confers intergenerational protection against metabolic and behavioral disorders induced by perinatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in F1 offspring. Methods: A mouse model of perinatal BPA exposure (0.03% in diet) was established with or without maternal LYT supplementation (2.5% in diet). Metabolic parameters were assessed through biochemical assays and gene expression analysis (RT-PCR). Energy expenditure and spontaneous activity were monitored using a Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS). Hippocampal proteomic profiling was performed using label-free quantitative proteomics. Results: LYT significantly reduced maternal BPA body burden, potentially via limiting absorption, enhancing glucuronidation metabolism, and promoting excretion. Notably, LYT exhibited bidirectional metabolic regulation, alleviating gestational hyperglycemia in dams while restoring hypoglycemia in offspring, and normalizing underweight and hypolipidemia. Mechanistically, the SIRT6 (sirtuin 6)/FOXO1 and SIRT6/SREBP1 pathways may be involved in regulating gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis. Concurrently, LYT rectified BPA-induced hyperactivity and reduced excessive energy expenditure. Proteomic analysis revealed that LYT partially restores BPA-induced dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism and glutamatergic/GABAergic synaptic pathways, which may contribute to rebalancing synaptic homeostasis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that maternal LYT supplementation confers intergenerational protection against BPA-induced metabolic and behavioral disorders in mice, potentially acting through enhanced toxin clearance, bidirectional metabolic regulation, behavioral normalization, and partial restoration of hippocampal synaptic homeostasis. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing natural dietary interventions to mitigate developmental toxicant-induced health risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Metabolomics)

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16 pages, 3545 KB

Open AccessArticle

Guanosine Attenuates Astrocyte-Associated Glutamatergic Dysregulation and Improves Survival in Acute Liver Failure-Induced Hepatic Encephalopathy

by Pedro Arend Guazzelli, Felipe dos Santos Fachim, Anderson Santos Travassos, Yasmine Nonose, Andréia Silva da Rocha, Francieli Rohden, Fernanda Urruth Fontella, Adriano Martimbianco de Assis and Diogo Onofre Souza

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080587 - 18 Aug 2026

Viewed by 289

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Acute liver failure (ALF) rapidly induces hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a severe neurological syndrome associated with astrocytic dysfunction and glutamatergic dysregulation. Guanosine (GUO), an endogenous guanine-based nucleoside, has neuroprotective properties, but its effects on astrocyte-associated glutamate regulation in ALF-induced HE remain incompletely understood. [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Acute liver failure (ALF) rapidly induces hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a severe neurological syndrome associated with astrocytic dysfunction and glutamatergic dysregulation. Guanosine (GUO), an endogenous guanine-based nucleoside, has neuroprotective properties, but its effects on astrocyte-associated glutamate regulation in ALF-induced HE remain incompletely understood. This study tested whether GUO attenuates neurological deterioration and glutamatergic dysfunction in an experimental model of ALF-induced HE. Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent 92% subtotal hepatectomy and received intraperitoneal GUO (7.5 mg/kg) or saline at prespecified time points after surgery. Neurological severity and survival were monitored for 72 h. Astrocytic morphology was assessed by GFAP immunofluorescence. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albumin, glutamate, and glutamine levels, cortical Na⁺-dependent glutamate uptake, GLAST immunocontent, and the 67 kDa GLT-1 monomer immunocontent were evaluated. Results: Subtotal hepatectomy induced progressive neurological impairment, high mortality, GFAP-associated astrocytic remodeling, increased CSF albumin, glutamate, and glutamine levels, and reduced cortical glutamate uptake. GUO attenuated neurological deterioration and increased 72 h survival from 10.5% to 39.0% (log-rank p = 0.03). GUO also reduced CSF albumin, glutamate, and glutamine concentrations and improved cortical Na⁺-dependent glutamate uptake without altering GLAST or GLT-1 monomer immunocontent. Conclusions: GUO attenuated astrocyte-associated glutamatergic dysregulation and improved survival in ALF-induced HE. These findings support further mechanistic and translational investigation of GUO as an experimental modulator of astrocyte-associated glutamate handling in ALF-induced HE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Endocrinology and Clinical Metabolic Research)

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15 pages, 3755 KB

Open AccessReview

Therapeutic Mechanisms of Resmetirom and Semaglutide in MASLD/MASH: A Review of Inflammatory and Fibrotic Metabolites

by Nobuyuki Toshikuni

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080586 - 18 Aug 2026

Viewed by 406

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, and its progressive inflammatory phenotype, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), is characterized by hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. These processes are closely linked to altered metabolite networks, including lipotoxic lipids, [...] Read more.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, and its progressive inflammatory phenotype, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), is characterized by hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. These processes are closely linked to altered metabolite networks, including lipotoxic lipids, oxidized lipid mediators, bile acids, amino acids, acylcarnitines, redox-related metabolites, gut-derived metabolites, and extracellular matrix remodeling products. The recent introduction of resmetirom and semaglutide for MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis provides two complementary models for interpreting these networks. Resmetirom, a liver-directed thyroid hormone receptor-β agonist, primarily enhances intrahepatic lipid handling, mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism, cholesterol turnover, and lipoprotein remodeling. Through this “inside-out” mechanism, resmetirom may reduce hepatocyte lipotoxic stress and secondarily attenuate inflammatory and fibrogenic signaling. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, mainly acts through systemic metabolic unloading by reducing energy intake, body weight, insulin resistance, and adipose–liver substrate flux. Through this “outside-in” mechanism, semaglutide may improve the hepatic metabolite environment indirectly. However, histological improvement does not by itself establish causal metabolite mediators, and many specific metabolite-level mechanisms remain incompletely defined in human MASH. This review summarizes metabolite networks linked to inflammation and fibrosis in MASLD/MASH, compares the metabolic implications of resmetirom and semaglutide, and discusses how therapeutic metabolomics may support biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and precision pharmacotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms and Prevention in Steatotic Liver Disease)

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13 pages, 1045 KB

Open AccessTechnical Note

PyCompound: An Open-Source Python Package for Spectral-Library Matching in Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics

by Hunter Dlugas, Xiang Zhang, Xun Bao, Jing Li, Ikuko Kato and Seongho Kim

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080585 - 18 Aug 2026

Viewed by 363

Abstract

Spectral-library matching is a widely used approach for compound annotation in mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics, yet annotation performance is influenced by spectrum preprocessing, parameter selection, and similarity-measure choice. We present PyCompound, an open-source Python package for spectral-library matching with flexible preprocessing, parameter optimization, [...] Read more.

Spectral-library matching is a widely used approach for compound annotation in mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics, yet annotation performance is influenced by spectrum preprocessing, parameter selection, and similarity-measure choice. We present PyCompound, an open-source Python package for spectral-library matching with flexible preprocessing, parameter optimization, and diverse similarity measures for both nominal-resolution and high-resolution mass spectrometry data. PyCompound implements six preprocessing procedures, nineteen similarity measures, including the newly developed Rényi entropy similarity in this work for spectral-library matching, user-defined composite similarity scores, and automated parameter optimization using grid search and differential evolution. The software supports common spectral formats and is accessible through a Python API, command-line interface, and interactive Shiny application. The software was validated using public GNPS LC-MS/MS and WebNIST GC-MS datasets, where the newly developed Rényi entropy similarity demonstrated annotation performance comparable to that of the established Shannon and Tsallis entropy similarity measures. PyCompound provides a flexible platform for practical compound annotation through configurable preprocessing workflows, diverse similarity measures, and automated parameter optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Bioinformatics and Data Analysis)

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14 pages, 1713 KB

Open AccessArticle

In Vivo Metabolite Formation and In Vitro Cytochrome P450-Mediated Metabolism of Vonoprazan in Horses

by Camilo J. Morales, Daniel S. Mckemie, Jayanti Bhandari Neupane and Heather K. Knych

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080584 - 18 Aug 2026

Viewed by 282

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Vonoprazan is a potassium-competitive acid blocker with potential for the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Vonoprazan metabolic pathways in horses have not been characterized. This study aimed to identify vonoprazan metabolites following oral administration and to determine the metabolic enzymes responsible [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Vonoprazan is a potassium-competitive acid blocker with potential for the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Vonoprazan metabolic pathways in horses have not been characterized. This study aimed to identify vonoprazan metabolites following oral administration and to determine the metabolic enzymes responsible for their metabolism using in vitro models. Methods: Six healthy adult Thoroughbred horses received vonoprazan (0.5 and 1 mg/kg PO) in a randomized crossover design. Plasma concentrations of vonoprazan-N-oxide (M-I) and vonoprazan-nitrone (M-III) were quantified using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, and a non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. In vitro metabolism was evaluated using equine liver microsomes (ELMs) and equine recombinant CYP450 (eq-rCYP) enzymes. Enzyme kinetics were characterized using nonlinear regression modeling. Results: Both metabolites were detected in plasma after oral administration. Systemic exposure to M-I was markedly greater than M-III at both doses. At 1 mg/kg, mean ± SD C_max values were 39.2 ± 28.3 ng/mL for M-I and 1.67 ± 1.66 ng/mL for M-III. AUC_0–∞ increased dose-proportionally for both metabolites. In ELMs, M-I formation followed substrate inhibition kinetics, whereas M-III formation followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Among recombinant enzymes, CYP2D50 and CYP3A94 were the primary contributors to metabolite formation, exhibiting metabolite-specific kinetic profiles. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that vonoprazan undergoes hepatic oxidative metabolism in horses, with M-I as the predominant circulating metabolite. Equine recombinants CYP2D50 and CYP3A94 appear to play central roles in equine vonoprazan metabolism, providing foundation for future evaluation of drug–drug interaction potential and clinical use in this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pharmacology and Drug Metabolism)

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11 pages, 587 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association Between Serum Magnesium Levels and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in a Nationally Representative Sample of Korean Adults, 2024

by Seong-Uk Baek and Jin-Ha Yoon

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080583 - 18 Aug 2026

Viewed by 302

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Magnesium (Mg) deficiency has been linked to various adverse health outcomes; however, its association with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has not been fully elucidated. This study examined the association of serum Mg levels with MASLD in Korean adults. Methods: We [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Magnesium (Mg) deficiency has been linked to various adverse health outcomes; however, its association with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has not been fully elucidated. This study examined the association of serum Mg levels with MASLD in Korean adults. Methods: We analyzed a nationwide sample of 4952 adults in South Korea. Serum Mg levels (mg/dL) were measured. MASLD was defined as a hepatic steatosis index score of ≥36 together with the presence of cardiometabolic risk factor, including overweight/obesity, high fasting glucose, high blood pressure, high plasma triglycerides, or low plasma HDL cholesterol. The association between serum Mg levels and MASLD was examined using logistic regressions. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined. Results: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) serum Mg level was 2.13 (0.15) mg/dL. The prevalence of MASLD was 25.7%. After adjusting for the sociodemographic variables, the OR (95% CI) for the association between a 1–SD increment in serum Mg levels and MASLD was 0.90 (0.84–0.96, p = 0.004). Conclusions: This nationally representative cross-sectional study found that serum Mg levels were inversely associated with the likelihood of MASLD among adults in South Korea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD))

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14 pages, 11864 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Metabolomics-Based Selection of Biostimulant and Biocontrol Microbial Consortia

by Polina Volkova, John M. Wong and Jacqueline Wong

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080582 - 17 Aug 2026

Viewed by 731

Abstract

Microbial biostimulants and microbial plant protection products overlap in biological function, creating both R&D opportunities and regulatory challenges. In particular, multi-strain bacterial consortia may simultaneously affect nutrient mobilisation and abiotic stress tolerance, induce resistance, and demonstrate direct antagonism against phytopathogens. This multifunctionality complicates [...] Read more.

Microbial biostimulants and microbial plant protection products overlap in biological function, creating both R&D opportunities and regulatory challenges. In particular, multi-strain bacterial consortia may simultaneously affect nutrient mobilisation and abiotic stress tolerance, induce resistance, and demonstrate direct antagonism against phytopathogens. This multifunctionality complicates early product development because strain identity alone is sometimes insufficient in predicting product function, efficacy, or the most appropriate regulatory and claims strategy. Here, we used non-targeted LC-MS metabolomics as a hypothesis-generating tool to support formulation decisions for microbial consortia. Three bacterial consortia were compared: a full soil-oriented consortium C1 containing Bacillus spp., Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Nitrosomonas europaea, and Nitrobacter winogradskyi; a Bacillus-only consortium C2 intended for foliar stress-resilience applications; and a Bacillus-only consortium C3 grown with a chitin-related inducer to promote biocontrol-associated metabolism. Metabolomic profiling revealed clear differences between formulations. The full consortium C1 showed higher relative abundances of features putatively associated with biofertilising and growth support, whereas the Bacillus-only consortium C2 contained features putatively associated with biocontrol and induced resistance that were not detected in C1 under the applied criteria. The addition of the chitin-related inducer (C3) did not yield a completely distinct metabolite profile but increased the relative abundance of selected features putatively associated with biocontrol, while decreasing features putatively annotated as auxin-related or associated with abiotic stress responses. These results suggest that non-targeted metabolomics can help differentiate metabolic profiles putatively associated with biostimulant- and plant-protection-oriented formulations and thereby support prioritisation before extensive greenhouse or field testing. By linking formulation, medium composition, and microbial interactions to measurable metabolic signatures, metabolomics provides an evidence-based, hypothesis-generating framework for formulation development and the prioritisation of subsequent efficacy trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant–Microbe Interactions: Advances and Applications)

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24 pages, 5067 KB

Open AccessArticle

MPR-MOPSO-ASFS: A Stable Multi-Objective Feature Selection Algorithm for Metabolomics

by Qing Ye, Zeng Deng, Xin Xie, Qiang Huang and Jigen Luo

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080581 - 17 Aug 2026

Viewed by 290

Abstract

Background: Metabolomics data is inherently characterized by high dimensionality and small sample size. Existing multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO)-based feature selection algorithms suffer from two critical limitations: they generally neglect the stability of selected feature subsets and exhibit poor adaptability when processing [...] Read more.

Background: Metabolomics data is inherently characterized by high dimensionality and small sample size. Existing multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO)-based feature selection algorithms suffer from two critical limitations: they generally neglect the stability of selected feature subsets and exhibit poor adaptability when processing high-dimensional data, which restricts their practical application in biomedical research. Methods: To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel MPR-MOPSO-ASFS algorithm. Specifically, we first construct a stability-driven bi-objective optimization model. Then, we integrate a Maximum Pattern Recognition (MPR) filter to achieve rapid dimensionality reduction of high-dimensional features. Finally, an improved Adaptive Sparsity Feature Selection mechanism is designed to simultaneously optimize the compactness, classification accuracy, and stability of the selected feature subsets. Results: Extensive experiments were conducted on three metabolomics datasets and five public high-dimensional small-sample datasets. The results demonstrate that the proposed MPR-MOPSO-ASFS algorithm outperforms mainstream algorithms including CMDPSOFS and MOEAD-FS in core evaluation metrics such as Pareto front quality and classification accuracy. Additionally, we clarify the optimal configuration of the algorithm’s core parameters and verify the collaborative effectiveness of its key design components. Conclusions: This study makes the first attempt to incorporate the harmonic mean of accuracy and stability into the multi-objective optimization framework. The two-stage combination of the proposed MPR strategy and MOPSO breaks through the performance bottleneck of traditional algorithms and significantly enhances their adaptability and robustness to high-dimensional small-sample data. The proposed algorithm provides an efficient new solution for feature selection in high-dimensional biomedical data and offers a technical reference for the application of swarm intelligence optimization algorithms in the biomedical field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Learning Applications in Metabolomics Analysis: 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 2309 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Association Between Graves’ Disease and the Risk of Thyroid Carcinoma: The Role of Clinical, Metabolic, Hormonal, Immunological, and Ultrasound Biomarkers

by Mihaela Andreea Precup, Andrei Korodi, Flaviu Ionut Faur, Paul Pasca, Draga-Maria Mandi, Dan Brebu, Cosmin Burta, Amadeus Dobrescu and Ciprian Duta

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080580 - 17 Aug 2026

Viewed by 382

Abstract

Background: The relationship between Graves’ disease (GD) and thyroid carcinoma (TC) remains controversial, particularly regarding the predictive value of metabolic, hormonal, immunological, and ultrasound biomarkers. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of TC in patients with GD and [...] Read more.

Background: The relationship between Graves’ disease (GD) and thyroid carcinoma (TC) remains controversial, particularly regarding the predictive value of metabolic, hormonal, immunological, and ultrasound biomarkers. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of TC in patients with GD and to identify biomarkers associated with an increased risk of malignancy. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020. Primary studies providing direct evidence in patients with Graves’ disease or indirect evidence concerning thyroid carcinoma-associated biomarkers were considered. Owing to substantial differences in study populations, designs, exposures, and outcomes, quantitative pooling was restricted to sufficiently comparable estimates, while the remaining evidence was synthesized descriptively. Results: Six primary studies were included. Two retrospective cohorts directly evaluated thyroid carcinoma in patients with Graves’ disease and included 1051 patients, of whom 317 had thyroid carcinoma. The remaining studies provided indirect evidence from patients with hyperthyroidism, population-based thyroid cancer cohorts, or genetic datasets. Because of substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity, a single pooled estimate was not considered appropriate. Thyroid nodules and larger nodule size were associated with malignancy in Graves’ disease, while elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, and higher body mass index were associated with thyroid carcinoma in a surgically selected Graves’ disease cohort. Evidence concerning hormonal, immunological, inflammatory, and genetically determined metabolic markers was heterogeneous and largely indirect. Conclusions: Thyroid carcinoma risk in Graves’ disease is heterogeneous and appears to be concentrated in patients presenting with suspicious ultrasound findings and adverse metabolic profiles. Ultrasound biomarkers remain the most robust predictors of malignancy, while metabolic biomarkers represent promising complementary tools for individualized risk stratification. Current evidence does not support the routine use of hormonal or immunological biomarkers as independent predictors of thyroid carcinoma. Large prospective multicenter studies using standardized biomarker assessment are required to validate these findings and optimize personalized surveillance strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanistic Insights into Metabolic Interactions with the Tumor Microenvironment)

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20 pages, 2229 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Nitrate- and Betalain-Rich Beetroot Juice Ingestion on Vascular Function and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study

by Cameron Haswell, Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick, Roger Hurst, Marie Wong, Hajar Mazahery, Ajmol Ali and Rachel Page

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080579 - 17 Aug 2026

Viewed by 509

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Health challenges associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have stimulated investigations into the effectiveness of nutraceutical interventions, including beetroot juice (BRJ), in mitigating MetS risk factors. Methods: This repeated-measures crossover trial (n = 16 healthy participants) investigates the effects of daily ingestion [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Health challenges associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have stimulated investigations into the effectiveness of nutraceutical interventions, including beetroot juice (BRJ), in mitigating MetS risk factors. Methods: This repeated-measures crossover trial (n = 16 healthy participants) investigates the effects of daily ingestion of two different BRJs [United Kingdom beetroot juice (UKBR), 1280 mg nitrate, 147 mg betalains; New Zealand beetroot juice (NZBR), 1120 mg nitrate, 506 mg betalains] and placebo (PL) on plasma nitrate and nitrite levels, MetS biomarkers and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Participants consumed the juices for 6 days, with measures taken on day 7 fasted (pre-dose) and 2 h and 5 h post ingestion (acute). Results: On day 7, pre-dose plasma nitrate levels were significantly elevated for UKBR and NZBR compared to PL (297.2, 177.1 and 64.2 µmol/L, respectively). On day 7, UKBR achieved significantly higher plasma nitrate levels 2 h and 5 h post consumption than NZBR (2 h: 750.3 vs. 577.7 µmol/L; 5 h: 703.4 vs. 510.1 µmol/L) and PL at all timepoints. Plasma nitrite was elevated pre-dose for UKBR only and for both juices relative to PL at 2 h and 5 h. On day 7, pre-dose systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly lower for NZBR than PL (−4.96 mmHg) and 2 h post-ingestion for both UKBR (−5.63 mmHg) and NZBR (−4.98 mmHg) compared with PL. Systemic vascular resistance was 11.6% lower after 6 days of consumption of NZBR relative to PL (ratio 0.884, 95% CI 0.803 to 0.974). Conclusions: Supplementation with BRJ reduced SBP relative to placebo, and the betalain-rich NZBR also reduced SVR, whereas the higher-nitrate UKBR did not. This suggests that betalains and nitrates may play an important role in these improvements. The Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ID for this study is: ACTRN12622000714785. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Metabolism)

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19 pages, 6675 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Inflammation, Gut Mycobiota, and Microbial Cross-Kingdom Associations with Cardiovascular Health in Older Adults

by Yuchen Fu, Yuxiao Wu, Shuyue Wang, Xiaoyang An, Yong Li and Meihong Xu

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080578 - 16 Aug 2026

Viewed by 340

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Dietary inflammation may influence cardiometabolic health, yet the gut mycobiome and bacterial–fungal interactions remain unclear. Building upon our earlier findings and data from the TALENTs trial (Targeting Aging and Longevity with Exogenous Nucleotides) baseline data, we explored gut fungal profiles and bacterial–fungal [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Dietary inflammation may influence cardiometabolic health, yet the gut mycobiome and bacterial–fungal interactions remain unclear. Building upon our earlier findings and data from the TALENTs trial (Targeting Aging and Longevity with Exogenous Nucleotides) baseline data, we explored gut fungal profiles and bacterial–fungal co-occurrence patterns in relation to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) in older adults. Methods: We enrolled 301 community residents aged 60–70 years, with 285 providing qualified fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing data. DII scores were derived from 3-day dietary records to reflect dietary inflammatory risk, and LE8 (integrating health behaviors including physical activity and metabolic health factors including BMI, blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood glucose) was used to assess cardiovascular health; LE8_non-diet was applied as a sensitivity measure. Fungal diversity, genus-level taxa, ecological guilds, and bacterial–fungal associations were analyzed using diversity indices, ZINB/Hurdle models, bootstrap, E-values, DIABLO analysis, and network construction. Results: DII showed an inverse correlation with LE8_non-diet (r = −0.130, p = 0.024). Fungal alpha and beta diversity did not differ significantly across DII-defined groups. Conversely, better cardiovascular status was linked to higher fungal richness, with significantly elevated Chao1 and ACE indices in the high-CVH group (both p < 0.05). Additionally, integrated ZINB, Hurdle, and stability analyses jointly pinpointed four candidate fungal genera that correlated with both DII and LE8. Both ZINB and DIABLO analyses consistently indicated that antagonistic interactions dominated gut bacterial–fungal associations (89.9% vs. 63.8% of negative associations, respectively), with DIABLO further revealing synchronized community-level co-variation between the two kingdoms (r = 0.325, p < 0.01). FUNGuild prediction further revealed saprotrophic guilds enriched in the high-CVH group and host-associated guilds in the low-CVH group, with similar patterns across DII-defined groups. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study reveals gut mycobiome profiles and potential bacterial–fungal co-occurrence patterns among older adults stratified by dietary inflammatory potential and cardiovascular health status, generating testable hypotheses for subsequent nutritional and metabolic research integrating lifestyle behaviors and functional health outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Dietary Supplementation in the Context of Health, Disease, and Physical Performance)

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15 pages, 4424 KB

Open AccessArticle

Plumbagin Is a PKM2 Activator That Modulates Glutamine Metabolism and Dependency in Leukemia

by Nikolina Vrdoljak, Mark D. Minden and Paul A. Spagnuolo

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080577 - 16 Aug 2026

Viewed by 350

Abstract

Background: AML cells can be defined by impairments in glycolytic metabolism, resulting in increased glucose uptake coupled with reduced glycolytic flux. Consequently, cells rely on alternative pathways such as glutamine metabolism to fuel mitochondrial respiration through anapleurosis. AML cells express upregulated levels of [...] Read more.

Background: AML cells can be defined by impairments in glycolytic metabolism, resulting in increased glucose uptake coupled with reduced glycolytic flux. Consequently, cells rely on alternative pathways such as glutamine metabolism to fuel mitochondrial respiration through anapleurosis. AML cells express upregulated levels of glutamine transporters and catabolic enzymes such as solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5) and glutaminase 1 (GLS-1), respectively, to support metabolic needs; impairment of glutamine metabolism induces proliferative arrest. Our previous work identified plumbagin (PLB) as a selective activator of pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2), resulting in increased PKM2 tetrameric protein, impaired PKM2 nuclear translocation and suppressed c-Myc expression. Objective: Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether PLB-mediated PKM2 activation influences glutamine metabolism as a downstream effect of c-Myc suppression in AML. Methods/Results: AML cell lines treated with PLB were cultured in the presence or absence of glutamine and were compared to cell models with genetically suppressed PKM2 to assess for differences in growth. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that PLB treatment reduces intracellular glutamine uptake, and immunoblotting indicated suppression of GLS-1 expression, ultimately leading to reduced AML cell proliferation and viability. Supplementation with glutamine partially restored cell growth, indicating that PKM2 modulation is associated with impaired glutamine uptake and utilization. Conclusion: Overall, this study explores the downstream implications of PLB-induced alterations in the c-Myc/PKM2 axis, expanding the understanding of PKM2’s function beyond glycolysis. The findings presented confirm that PKM2 activation leads to indirect consequences on glutamine metabolism in AML, providing further insight into the mechanisms of PLB-mediated AML cell death. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Insights into Natural Health Products and Dietary Supplements for Human Health)

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20 pages, 1238 KB

Open AccessReview

Application of Metabolomics in the Exploration of Bioactive Compounds and Drug Development from Medicinal Fungi

by Yan Tong, Chuyu Tang, Bing Jia, Haoxu Tang, Jinxuan Yan, Yuling Li and Xiuzhang Li

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080576 - 16 Aug 2026

Viewed by 489

Abstract

Medicinal fungi are important sources of natural medicines and are rich in a wide range of secondary metabolites with significant bioactivities, including terpenoids and alkaloids. As one of the core tools of systems biology, metabolomics has developed from simple metabolite detection into a [...] Read more.

Medicinal fungi are important sources of natural medicines and are rich in a wide range of secondary metabolites with significant bioactivities, including terpenoids and alkaloids. As one of the core tools of systems biology, metabolomics has developed from simple metabolite detection into a key approach for understanding the complex life processes and medicinal value of medicinal fungi. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of metabolomics to the discovery of bioactive compounds from medicinal fungi, the optimization of cultivation and extraction processes, the analysis of pharmacological mechanisms, and the improvement of drug delivery strategies. The main methods used in metabolomics are outlined, with emphasis on the key steps of sample preparation, data acquisition, and data analysis. The review then describes how metabolomics can be used for the rapid discovery of bioactive compounds in medicinal fungi. It further explains how metabolomics can guide the precise optimization of fermentation parameters and the improvement of extraction processes by revealing the effects of environmental factors, such as light, temperature, pH, and inducers, as well as different extraction methods, on metabolic networks. In addition, this review summarizes the role of metabolomics in clarifying the molecular mechanisms by which bioactive compounds exert pharmacological effects through the modulation of specific metabolic pathways, as well as its application in optimizing dose, formulation, and route of administration. Representative studies have demonstrated that integrated metabolomic and proteomic analyses have revealed the preferential accumulation of triterpenoids, sterols, and polyphenolic compounds during the budding stage of Ganoderma lucidum. Finally, future studies should integrate metabolomics with genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and other omics approaches to link bioactive metabolites with their biosynthetic genes, regulatory networks, and molecular targets. In such an integrated framework, metabolomics can serve as a phenotype-oriented core for the discovery and functional characterization of therapeutic metabolites from medicinal fungi, although further experimental and clinical validation remains essential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Characteristics of Microbial Cells and Enzymes)

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21 pages, 1587 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Metabolomics-Driven Integrated Machine Learning Framework for Early Prediction of Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis

by Qing Huang, Xiaoyan Shen, Ying Li, Haoxi Wu, Xiangxiang Huang, Guangming Li and Di Wang

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080575 - 15 Aug 2026

Viewed by 337

Abstract

Background/Objective: Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) can progress to chronic pancreatitis and ultimately pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; therefore, early identification of patients at high recurrence risk is clinically important. However, the high dimensionality, inherent variability, and susceptibility to outliers of metabolomic data pose challenges [...] Read more.

Background/Objective: Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) can progress to chronic pancreatitis and ultimately pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; therefore, early identification of patients at high recurrence risk is clinically important. However, the high dimensionality, inherent variability, and susceptibility to outliers of metabolomic data pose challenges for reliable biomarker identification. Methods: Here, we propose an integrated framework that combines Isolation Forest-based outlier handling to systematically assess the influence of aberrant samples, a dual-pathway adaptive Lasso feature selection strategy incorporating stability-oriented and sparsity-oriented pathways, and statistical significance filtering to reduce false positives. Results: When applied to a cohort of 63 patients, Random Forest (RF) achieved the highest mean outer-fold area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) among the five classifiers evaluated (0.933 ± 0.133). In an exploratory modality analysis incorporating 11 prespecified baseline clinical covariates, the clinical-only, metabolomics-only, and combined clinical–metabolomic RF models achieved mean outer-fold AUCs of 0.712 ± 0.265, 0.933 ± 0.133, and 0.986 ± 0.029, respectively. Although the combined model showed the highest numerical AUC, it did not significantly outperform the metabolomics-only model based on pooled out-of-fold predictions. Notably, in this small-sample setting, the dual-pathway selection strategy recurrently identified orotic acid as a candidate metabolite with the most consistent fold-wise statistical support across outer training partitions. Re-execution of the workflow on a public gastric cancer metabolomics dataset demonstrated its technical portability to a distinct classification task. Conclusions: Together, these findings provide a framework that distinguishes internal predictive performance and feature stability from biochemical validation, offering a reproducible basis for prioritizing RAP-associated metabolic signals and guiding future multicenter targeted validation studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Metabolomics: Evaluating the Metabolic Profile of Biological Samples)

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14 pages, 1827 KB

Open AccessArticle

Biatrial Inflammatory and Fibrotic Remodeling in Severe Aortic Stenosis Compared with CABG Controls

by Adrian-Grigore Merce, Daniel Dumitru Nișulescu, Anca Hermenean, Adrian-Petru Merce, Raluca Muntean, Daniel-Miron Brie, Oana-Maria Burciu, Dan Găiță, Adina Ionac, Simina Crișan and Cristian Mornoș

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080574 - 14 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background: Extensive prior work has established severe aortic stenosis as a whole-heart remodeling process involving chronic pressure overload, concentric hypertrophy, myocardial stiffness, and progressive ventricular fibrosis. However, direct paired histological characterization of both atria remains limited. Methods: This single-center observational comparative study included [...] Read more.

Background: Extensive prior work has established severe aortic stenosis as a whole-heart remodeling process involving chronic pressure overload, concentric hypertrophy, myocardial stiffness, and progressive ventricular fibrosis. However, direct paired histological characterization of both atria remains limited. Methods: This single-center observational comparative study included 28 patients with severe aortic stenosis referred for surgical aortic valve replacement and 14 coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) controls without significant valvular disease, consecutively enrolled between 9 May 2024 and 28 April 2025. Left- and right-atrial tissue samples were collected intraoperatively. The relative expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) was quantified by RT-qPCR using pooled tissue samples and interpreted descriptively as a group-level molecular output. Atrial fibrosis was measured histologically at the patient level using Masson’s trichrome staining and digital image analysis. Results: Compared with CABG controls, patients with severe aortic stenosis demonstrated greater left-atrial fibrosis (median: 19.12% [IQR: 16.12–23.12] vs. 11.54% [9.53–14.29]; p < 0.0001) and right-atrial fibrosis (16.33% [15.07–19.13] vs. 8.40% [5.75–11.27]; p = 0.0001). Pooled RT-qPCR outputs descriptively suggested higher IL-6, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta expression in both atria, although biological replication was insufficient for inferential testing. Echocardiographically, the aortic stenosis group showed higher aortic jet velocity and transvalvular gradients, thicker ventricular walls, a larger right-ventricular diameter, higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and a larger estimated left-atrial volume. A sensitivity analysis of 13 within-group correlations found that no correlation retained statistical significance at q < 0.05. Exploratory regressions restricted to patient-level histological outcomes suggested that severe aortic stenosis status remained associated with left- and right-atrial fibrosis after limited adjustment for age and sex. Conclusions: These findings complement the extensive ventricular fibrosis literature by providing paired human biatrial tissue evidence of greater atrial fibrosis in severe aortic stenosis compared with CABG controls. The pooled molecular findings remain descriptive and require validation using patient-level biological measurements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiometabolic Disorders)

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20 pages, 7159 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Profiling and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Heracleum millefolium Diels Revealed by Molecular Networking, Network Pharmacology, and Cellular Validation

by Genhua Zhu, Xueqin Yin, Ciren Dunzhu, Xiang Zhou, Meijuan Shao, En Yuan, Zhihong Yan and Xiaoyu Xie

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080573 - 13 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Heracleum millefolium Diels (HMD) is a traditional Tibetan medicinal herb that has been reported to possess analgesic, anti-edematous, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its chemical composition and anti-inflammatory mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Heracleum millefolium Diels (HMD) is a traditional Tibetan medicinal herb that has been reported to possess analgesic, anti-edematous, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its chemical composition and anti-inflammatory mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS), combined with database searching and “seed”-based molecular networking, was used to systematically characterize the chemical constituents of HMD. Furthermore, an integrated strategy combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cellular validation was applied to explore potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms associated with HMD. Results: A total of 472 compounds were identified or tentatively identified from HMD. Network pharmacology analysis predicted five key targets, namely TNF, IL-6, IL-1β, GAPDH, and AKT1, together with four potential bioactive constituents, including velutin, artemitin, kaempferol, and naringenin. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the potential anti-inflammatory effects of HMD were mainly associated with lipid and atherosclerosis and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. Molecular docking suggested potential favorable interactions between the selected constituents and key targets. Moreover, cellular experiments demonstrated that the four compounds significantly inhibited inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Conclusions: This study systematically characterized the chemical profile of HMD and preliminarily explored its potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms, providing a scientific basis for further investigation of its bioactive constituents and pharmacological properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Metabolomics: Driving Innovation in Bio-Analysis and Natural Products Research)

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23 pages, 2451 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bioactive Potential of “Jaspeado Garlic” (Allium sativum) from Northwestern Mexico: In Vitro Antioxidant and Bacteriostatic Effects

by Elizabeth Varela-Navarro, Luis Alberto Anguiano-Sevilla, Gilberto Velázquez-Juárez, Ivan David Meza-Canales, Rocío Ivette López-Roa, María Eugenia Jaramillo-Flores, Fabián Rho-Mas, Julio César Muro-Valdez, Abril Melchor-González and Adelaida Sara M. Zepeda-Morales

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080572 - 12 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Garlic (Allium sativum) has long been valued for its rich constellation of organosulfur and phenolic compounds, molecules that underpin its many recognized biological activities. Despite its deep roots in traditional medicine, the functional profile of garlic is far from uniform; [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Garlic (Allium sativum) has long been valued for its rich constellation of organosulfur and phenolic compounds, molecules that underpin its many recognized biological activities. Despite its deep roots in traditional medicine, the functional profile of garlic is far from uniform; it shifts notably depending on how its bioactive components are extracted. Most scientific attention has gravitated toward ethanolic extracts, leaving the behavior of aqueous-buffer preparations relatively unexplored. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and exploratory immunometabolic effects of extracts obtained with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 50% ethanol in PBS (EtOH:PBS; 50:50, v/v), using a regional garlic variety (“Jaspeado”) cultivated in northwestern Mexico. Methods: Their antioxidant potential was profiled through DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC assays; phenolic content was quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, and a broader chemical fingerprint was obtained through UPLC-ESI-TQ-MS/MS. Furthermore, we analyzed their antimicrobial action against Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus, and examined their immunometabolic influence in LPS-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results: The extracts showed distinct, solvent-dependent patterns of antioxidant activity. The PBS extract displayed the highest ORAC values, whereas the EtOH:PBS extract showed a stronger DPPH and ABTS activity and a higher phenolic recovery. The PBS extract exhibited a broader bacteriostatic effect, inhibiting the growth of all strains, and selectively modulated antioxidant gene expression and influenced cytokine changes in adipocytes. Conclusions: Overall, this regional garlic variety exhibits solvent-dependent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, while the PBS extract provided a biocompatible preparation for exploring relationships between chemical composition and biological activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activity and Chemical Biodiversity of Plant Secondary Metabolites)

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14 pages, 1893 KB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Performance of Simplified First-Trimester Placental Volume Estimation Combined with Uterine Artery Doppler and Maternal Serum Biomarkers for Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction: A Retrospective Cohort Study

by Serem Kel Ilgın, Mehmet Nuri Duran, Süreyya Sarıdaş Demir and Bülent Demir

Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080571 - 12 Aug 2026

Viewed by 338

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are major obstetric complications originating from abnormal placental development during early pregnancy. Early identification of pregnancies at increased risk remains challenging despite the availability of several first-trimester biochemical and biophysical markers. Objective: This study [...] Read more.

Background: Preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are major obstetric complications originating from abnormal placental development during early pregnancy. Early identification of pregnancies at increased risk remains challenging despite the availability of several first-trimester biochemical and biophysical markers. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of first-trimester placental volume, bilateral uterine artery Doppler pulsatility indices (UtA-PI), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-hCG) for the subsequent development of preeclampsia and FGR. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 251 singleton pregnancies that underwent routine first-trimester aneuploidy screening. Placental volume was estimated using a standardized two-dimensional ultrasonographic method; bilateral uterine artery Doppler examinations were performed according to Fetal Medicine Foundation recommendations, and maternal serum PAPP-A and free β-hCG values were recorded as multiples of the median. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, multivariable logistic regression, and leave-one-out cross-validation were performed to evaluate predictive performance. Results: Preeclampsia and FGR developed in 8 (3.2%) and 29 (11.6%) pregnancies, respectively. None of the investigated biochemical or biophysical markers differed significantly between affected and unaffected pregnancies. Individual biomarkers demonstrated poor discriminatory performance, with AUC values ranging from 0.50 to 0.64. Following adjustment for maternal characteristics, only lower maternal free β-hCG remained independently associated with FGR (adjusted OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25–0.96; p = 0.038). The apparent performance of the combined prediction model was not maintained following internal validation, indicating substantial model overfitting. Conclusions: First-trimester placental volume, uterine artery Doppler indices, PAPP-A, and free β-hCG demonstrated limited predictive performance for preeclampsia and FGR in this cohort. These findings suggest that currently available first-trimester biomarkers are insufficient as stand-alone screening tools and support the development of multimodal prediction strategies integrating biochemical, biophysical, angiogenic, and molecular biomarkers rather than relying on isolated first-trimester markers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biomarkers of Disease: Discovery and Clinical Applications)

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