Petros Pousinis

Background/Objectives: Lipid dysmetabolism seems to contribute to the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our aim was to compare serum lipidomic profile between patients with NAFLD having received monotherapy with vitamin E (400 IU/d) and those having received combination therapy with vitamin E (400 IU/d) and low-dose spironolactone (25 mg/d) for 52 weeks. Methods: This was a post hoc study of a randomized controlled trial (NCT01147523). Serum lipidomic analysis was performed in vitamin E monotherapy group (n = 15) and spironolactone plus vitamin E combination therapy group (n = 12). We employed an untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry lipid profiling approach in positive and negative ionization mode. Results: Univariate analysis revealed 36 lipid molecules statistically different between groups in positive mode and seven molecules in negative mode. Multivariate analysis in negative mode identified six lipid molecules that remained robustly different between groups. After adjustment for potential confounders, including gender, omega-3 supplementation, leptin concentration and homeostasis model assessment—insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), four lipid molecules remained significant between groups: FA 20:5, SM 34:2;O2, SM 42:3;O2 and CE 22:6, all being higher in the combination treatment group. Conclusions: The combination of spironolactone with vitamin E led to higher circulating levels of four lipid molecules than vitamin E monotherapy, after adjustment for potential confounders. Owing to very limited relevant data, we could not support that these changes in lipid molecules may be beneficial or not for the progression of NAFLD. Thus, mechanistic studies are warranted to clarify the potential clinical significance of these findings.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) of sows (characterized by ascending infections of the urinary bladder (cyst), ureters, and renal pelvis), are major health issues with a significant economic impact to the swine industry. The current detection of UTI incidents lacks sensitivity; thus, UTIs remain largely under-diagnosed. The value of metabolomics in unraveling the mechanisms of sow UTI has not yet been established. This study aims to investigate the urine metabolome of sows for UTI biomarkers. Urine samples were collected from 58 culled sows from a farrow-to-finish herd in Greece. Urine metabolomic profiles in 31 healthy controls and in 27 inflammatory ones were evaluated. UHPLC-qTOF MS/MS was applied for the analysis with a combination of multivariate and univariate statistical analysis. Eighteen potential markers were found. The changes in several urine metabolites classes (nucleosides, indoles, isoflavones, and dipeptides), as well as amino-acids allowed for an adequate discrimination between the study groups. Identified metabolites were involved in purine metabolism; phenylalanine; tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis; and phenylalanine metabolism. Through ROC analysis it was shown that the 18 identified metabolite biomarkers exhibited good predictive accuracy. In summary, our study provided new information on the potential targets for predicting early and accurate diagnosis of UTI. Further, this information also sheds light on how it could be applied in live animals.