Metabolomic Profiling of Submaximal Exercise at a Standardised Relative Intensity in Healthy Adults

Abstract

Ten physically active subjects underwent two cycling exercise trials. In the first, aerobic capacity (VO2max) was determined and the second was a 45 min submaximal exercise test. Urine samples were collected separately the day before (day 1) , the day of (day 2), and the day after (day 3) the submaximal exercise test (12 samples per subject). Metabolomic profiling of the samples was carried out using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) coupled to an Orbitrap Exactive mass spectrometer. Data were extracted, database searched and then subjected to principle components (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares (OPLSDA) modelling. The best results were obtained from pre-treating the data by normalising the metabolites to their mean output on days 1 and 2 of the trial. This allowed PCA to separate the day 2 first void samples (D2S1) from the day 2 post-exercise samples (D2S3) PCA also separated the equivalent samples obtained on day 1 (D1S1 and D1S3). OPLSDA modelling separated both the D2S1 and D2S3 samples and D1S1 and D1S3 samples. The metabolites affected by the exercise samples included a range of purine metabolites and several acyl carnitines. Some metabolites were subject to diurnal variation these included bile acids and several amino acids, the variation of these metabolites was similar on day 1 and day 2 despite the exercise intervention on day 2. Using OPLS modelling it proved possible to identify a single abundant urinary metabolite provisionally identified as oxo-aminohexanoic acid (OHA) as being strongly correlated with VO2max when the levels in the D2S3 samples were considered.

Metabolite Concentration Changes in Humans After a Bout of Exercise: a Systematic Review of Exercise Metabolomics Studies

“…5). Blood pyruvate and lactate then decline within an hour after exercise but high urine concentrations are also measured 24 h after exercise [36,37]. In contrast to pyruvate and lactate, glycolytic intermediates did only appear in blood in one study [34] and are therefore not shown in the graphs.…”

Transgenerational cardiology: One way to a baby's heart is through the mother

“…Glucose alone does not mediate the maternal-age associated risk in the Nkx2-5 +/− mouse, but other metabolites may alone or in combination with glucose. The concentrations of a growing number of metabolites have been reported to vary with age, exercise and fitness (Tomas-Loba et al, 2013; Chaleckis et al, 2016; Cheng et al, 2015; Lewis et al, 2010; Lustgarten et al, 2013; Muhsen Ali et al, 2016). Age and exercise should have opposing effects on the concentration of a metabolite involved in the maternal-age associated risk.…”

Ultramarathon Plasma Metabolomics: Phosphatidylcholine Levels Associated with Running Performance

“…The metabolomic profile associated with superior endurance sports performance has yet to be explored, though metabolomics studies have already identified choline-containing compounds and certain phospholipids to be positively associated with level of physical fitness [4,5]. Numerous studies have looked at the immediate impact of exercise on the metabolome [6][7][8][9], however there is little information on the difference in the metabolomic profiles of exceptionally physically fit vs. sedentary adults. Studying elite ultramarathon runners vs. non-athletic controls allow us to make the unique comparison of two groups with starkly different levels of physical fitness and add to the current limited literature available regarding the metabolites associated with increased physical fitness.…”