Identification of metabolic phenotypes in childhood obesity by 1H NMR metabolomics of blood plasma

Abstract

Aim: To identify the plasma metabolic profile associated with childhood obesity and its metabolic phenotypes. Materials & methods: The plasma metabolic profile of 65 obese and 37 normal-weight children was obtained using proton NMR spectroscopy. NMR spectra were rationally divided into 110 integration regions, which reflect relative metabolite concentrations, and were used as statistical variables. Results: Obese children show increased levels of lipids, N-acetyl glycoproteins, and lactate, and decreased levels of several amino acids, α-ketoglutarate, glucose, citrate, and cholinated phospholipids as compared with normal-weight children. Metabolically healthy children show lower levels of lipids and lactate, and higher levels of several amino acids and cholinated phospholipids, as compared with unhealthy children. Conclusion: This study reveals new valuable findings in the field of metabolomics and childhood obesity. Although validation should be performed, the proof of principle looks promising and justifies a deeper investigation of the diagnostic possibilities of proton NMR metabolomics in follow-up studies. Trial registration: NCT03014856. Registered January 9, 2017. Graphical abstract Lay abstract The plasma metabolic profile of childhood obesity and its metabolic phenotypes was identified using untargeted proton NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistics. Obese children show increased plasma levels of lipids, N-acetyl glycoproteins and lactate, next to decreased levels of several amino acids, α-ketoglutarate, glucose, citrate and cholinated phospholipids as compared with normal-weight children. In addition, the metabolic profile of healthy and unhealthy obese children could be discriminated and although further validation should be performed, these findings might pave the way to a detailed diagnostic metabolic signature in children.