Metabolomics in Adult and Pediatric Nephrology

Abstract

Metabolomics, the latest of the “omics” sciences, has a non-selective approach and can thus lead to the identification of all the metabolites (molecules < 1 kDa) in a biological system. The metabolomic profile can be considered the most predictive phenotype capable of evaluating epigenetic modifications determined by external factors. It is so close to the phenotype as to be considered the phenotype itself in its unique individuality (fingerprinting), both in health (phenome), and disease (diseasome). Urine, compared to other biological liquids, has the advantage of being a complex fluid with many components, including intermediate metabolites. Metabolomics may thus play a role in the study of different kidney diseases and overcome diagnostic difficulties. We shall present the studies that to our knowledge have been published on Nephrology and Pediatric Nephrology. Some are experimental while others are clinical. We have not considered carcinomas and transplantations. Although scarce, the data on adults and the very few ones in pediatrics are quite interesting. Further studies on kidneys are needed to determine the practical clinical impact of metabolomics in kidney renal pathologies. The “multiplatform” “omic” study of urine and namely metabolomics can contribute to improving early diagnosis and the outcome of kidney diseases.

Review article: breath analysis in inflammatory bowel diseases

“…Ample experience exists from a variety of diseases outside of the intestine, employing the study of the metabolome for the identification of biomarkers. Several disease conditions have already established metabolome patterns to aid in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease processes, like cancer, asthma, diabetes, heart failure or kidney disease . The metabolome has also been evaluated in several gastrointestinal disorders.…”

Plasma lipidomics reveal profound perturbation of glycerophospholipids, fatty acids, and sphingolipids in diet-induced hyperlipidemia

“…Comprehensive characterization of renal diseases could provide important and integrative information to better characterize molecular relationships underlying this pathophysiology in order to develop more reliable and specific markers for diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and therapeutic response [2,24]. The growth of systems biology and development of new experimental and computational tools have enabled the connection of gene-cell-organ regulatory mechanisms at multiple levels to integrate the molecular and cell biology of kidney structure and function [25][26][27][28][29]. Lipids play diverse and important roles in biologic systems including membrane bilayer structure, energy storage, signal transduction, and also provide functional support for membrane proteins and their interactions [30].…”

Metabolomics in pediatric nephrology: emerging concepts

“…Metabolomic studies, combined with modern multivariate data analysis methods, allow researchers to perform multifactorial biomarker discovery in a highly efficient manner (26). Careful study design, consistent sample collection methods and the application of an appropriate statistical analysis are important key steps in the design and execution of future metabolomic studies.…”