Metabolomics, a novel tool for studies of nutrition, metabolism and lipid dysfunction

Abstract 

Aims

In this review metabolomics is introduced in historic perspective, with key platforms and bioinformatics methodologies described. An overview is provided covering recent applications of metabolomics and lipidomics in the context of human physiology, lipid metabolism and nutrition.

Data synthesis

Global coverage of human metabolome requires application of multiple analytical platforms. The choice of a particular targeted or non-targeted analytical strategy depends on the hypothesis tested, state-of-the-art in the field, as well as on sample availability. Human metabolome has been shown to be sensitive to age, gut microbial composition, and lifestyle. Several studies have shown that, given the appropriate experimental design, subtle effects of interventions such as change of diet or weight loss can be detected by metabolomics and studied in the context of human physiology and health status.

Conclusion

Metabolome provides a sensitive intermediate phenotype linking the genotype, gut microbial composition and personal health status. Innovative experimental designs combined with novel computational tools for handling metabolomics data offer new opportunities for early disease detection as well as for characterization of dietary and therapeutic interventions in the context of human physiology.

Keywords: Lipid metabolism, Lipidomics, Nutrition, Mass spectrometry, Metabolomics, Systems biology

Abbreviations: CE, capillary electrophoresis, ESI, electrospray ionization, FT-ICR-MS, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, GC, gas chromatography, GC×GC-TOF/MS, two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry, HDL, high density lipoprotein, IDL, intermediate density lipoprotein, KEGG, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, LC, liquid chromatography, LDL, low density lipoprotein, MS, mass spectrometry, NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance, OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test, TG, triglyceride, UHPLC, ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography, VLDL, very low density lipoprotein