Serum metabolomics of preterm and full-term infants based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract:

Objective To study the features of serum metabolites in preterm infants based on gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS), and to find differentially expressed metabolites in the serum of preterm infants. Methods Serum samples were collected from 19 preterm infants and 20 full-term infants before feeding. GC-MS was used to measure metabolic profles, and the metabolic features of 397 serum metabolites in preterm infants were analyzed. Results There was a signifcant difference in serum metabolic features between the preterm and full-term infants before feeding. There were significant differences between the full-term and preterm infants in the levels of metabolites such as O-phosphonothreonine, digicitrin, tannic acid, and fructose-1,6-diphosphate (P < 0.01), suggesting that the above differentially expressed metabolites were highly differentiated between the preterm and full-term infants. Most differentially expressed metabolites were involved in the metabolic pathways such as ABC transporters, β-alanine and pyrimidines and were correlated with some clinical parameters (albumin and total bilirubin) (P < 0.05). Conclusions There is a significant difference in serum metabolites between preterm and full-term infants before feeding. Metabolomics plays an important role in improving metabolic disorders and exploring metabolism-related diseases in preterm infants.