Metabo-tip: a metabolomics platform for lifestyle monitoring supporting the development of novel strategies in predictive, preventive and personalised medicine

Brunmair, Julia; Bileck, Andrea; Stimpfl, Thomas; Raible, Florian; Favero, Giorgia Del; Meier‐Menches, Samuel M.; Gerner, Christopher

doi:10.1007/s13167-021-00241-6

Cited by 17 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 67 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Metabolic profiling of minute amounts of sweat as well as of low abundant plasma eicosanoids using the Q Exactive HF hyphenated with an ultra-high-performance LC (UPLC) was already successfully demonstrated by us [ 10 , 11 , 45 , 46 ]; consequently, this set-up was also applied for tear fluid analysis. Regarding sample preparation, several extraction conditions were tested in order to ensure optimal extraction for both, metabolites and eicosanoids, present in tears (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since sweat has already been demonstrated to be a rich source for biologically highly relevant molecules [ 10 , 11 ], this study was conducted to evaluate the composition of tear fluid collected with Schirmer strips in greater detail. Therefore, sweat and tears from 20 healthy participants were collected in parallel in order to investigate and compare the distinct molecular composition of these two non-invasively sampled biofluids.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finger sweat samples were collected and processed as previously described [ 10 , 11 ]. In short, pre-wetted filter papers were provided in 0.5-mL Eppendorf tubes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All of these matrices are accessible in a non-invasive fashion, and can be collected painlessly, rapidly, with only minimal to no discomfort and stress for the patients, thus, supporting optimal compliance for biomedical studies [ 1 , 6 – 9 ]. As we have previously investigated, the composition of sweat collected from the fingertip was found to be a rich source for various biologically highly relevant metabolites [ 10 , 11 ]. Sweat from fingertips can be sampled in a frequent manner (up to 12 times per hour); hence, finger sweat analysis proved to be an optimal tool for kinetic measurements, exemplified by the ingestion of caffeine and its hepatic conversion to paraxanthine, theobromine, and theophylline.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this basic research project, we have developed a simple and quick sample preparation workflow for the comprehensive investigation of tear fluid, which is based on our previously established liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) methods for sweat metabolomics [ 10 , 11 ] and plasma eicosadomics [ 45 , 46 ]. This study was conducted to explore potential fields of applications of tear fluid analysis in the clinical routine, hence, supporting the further development of PPPM.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Metabolic phenotyping of tear fluid as a prognostic tool for personalised medicine exemplified by T2DM patients

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background/aims Concerning healthcare approaches, a paradigm change from reactive medicine to predictive approaches, targeted prevention, and personalisation of medical services is highly desirable. This raises demand for biomarker signatures that support the prediction and diagnosis of diseases, as well as monitoring strategies regarding therapeutic efficacy and supporting individualised treatments. New methodological developments should preferably rely on non-invasively sampled biofluids like sweat and tears in order to provide optimal compliance, reduce costs, and ensure availability of the biomaterial. Here, we have thus investigated the metabolic composition of human tears in comparison to finger sweat in order to find biofluid-specific marker molecules derived from distinct secretory glands. The comprehensive investigation of numerous biofluids may lead to the identification of novel biomarker signatures. Moreover, tear fluid analysis may not only provide insight into eye pathologies but may also be relevant for the prediction and monitoring of disease progression and/ or treatment of systemic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Sweat and tear fluid were sampled from 20 healthy volunteers using filter paper and commercially available Schirmer strips, respectively. Finger sweat analysis has already been successfully established in our laboratory. In this study, we set up and evaluated methods for tear fluid extraction and analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry hyphenated with liquid chromatography, using optimised gradients each for metabolites and eicosanoids. Sweat and tears were systematically compared using statistical analysis. As second approach, we performed a clinical pilot study with 8 diabetic patients and compared them to 19 healthy subjects. Results Tear fluid was found to be a rich source for metabolic phenotyping. Remarkably, several molecules previously identified by us in sweat were found significantly enriched in tear fluid, including creatine or taurine. Furthermore, other metabolites such as kahweol and various eicosanoids were exclusively detectable in tears, demonstrating the orthogonal power for biofluid analysis in order to gain information on individual health states. The clinical pilot study revealed that many endogenous metabolites that have previously been linked to type 2 diabetes such as carnitine, tyrosine, uric acid, and valine were indeed found significantly up-regulated in tears of diabetic patients. Nicotinic acid and taurine were elevated in the diabetic cohort as well and may represent new biomarkers for diabetes specifically identified in tear fluid. Additionally, systemic medications, like metformin, bisoprolol, and gabapentin, were readily detectable in tears of patients. Conclusions The high number of identified marker molecules found in tear fluid apparently supports disease development prediction, developing preventive approaches as well as tailoring individual patients’ treatments and monitoring treatment efficacy. Tear fluid analysis may also support pharmacokinetic studies and patient compliance control.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finger sweat samples were collected and processed as previously described [ 10 , 11 ]. In short, pre-wetted filter papers were provided in 0.5-mL Eppendorf tubes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%