Metabolomics profiling in predicting of post-herpetic neuralgia induced by varicella zoster

Abstract

To explore potential metabolomics biomarkers in predicting post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) induced by herpes zoster (HZ). A total of 90 eligible patients were prospectively enrolled and assigned into an acute pain (ACP) group and a PHN group. Serum samples were collected before clinical intervention to perform metabolomics profiling analyses using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Key metabolites were identified using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). A binary logistic regression was used to build a combined biomarker model to predict PHN from ACP. The discriminating efficiency of the combined biomarker model was investigated and validated by internal validation. Six metabolites were identified as the key metabolites related to PHN. All these metabolites (N-Acetyl-5-hydroxytryptaMine, glucose, dehydroascorbic acid, isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside, 1,5-anhydro-d-sorbitol, and glutamic acid) were found elevated in the PHN group. Pathway analyses showed that glucose-alanine cycle, tryptophan metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, lactose degradation, malate-aspartate shuttle were top five metabolic pathways evolved in PHN. The AUC was 0.85 (95% CI 0.76–0.93) for the combined biomarker model, and was 0.91 (95% CI 0.84–1.00) for the internal validation data set to predict PHN. Metabolomics analyses of key metabolites could be used to predict PHN induced by HZ.

Genetic insights into the gut microbiota, herpes zoster, and postherpetic neuralgia: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study

“…Complications are frequently encountered, and research indicates that postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) remains a prominent clinical issue in China ( Wen et al, 2023 ), with a prevalence of up to 29.8% among patients experiencing ongoing neuropathic pain following acute HZ reactivation ( Sim et al, 2021 ). PHN is considered a common, serious, and painful complication of HZ ( Jiang X. et al, 2023 ), which substantially lowers the patient’s quality of life and often requires medical intervention ( Lu et al, 2023 ). Although extensive research shows that many risk factors such as aging, hypoimmunity, initial infection severity, and medical conditions are modifiable, the management of patients with HZ and PHN remains challenging.…”