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Plasma Metabolite Profiles in Ethiopian Women following Zinc Supplementation
Author(s) -
BartonWechsler Silena,
Atwell Lauren L,
Bogale Alemtsehay,
Choi Jaewoo,
NkrumahElie Yasmeen,
Stoecker Barbara,
Ho Emily
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.919.7
Subject(s) - metabolomics , metabolite , zinc , biomarker , metabolome , biomarker discovery , pharmacology , biology , physiology , medicine , chemistry , bioinformatics , biochemistry , proteomics , organic chemistry , gene
Zinc is an essential mineral involved in many aspects of human health. Yet, information on the health impacts of marginal zinc deficiency is limited due to a lack of a sensitive, reliable biomarker for measuring zinc status. Previous studies have shown that serum zinc, the most commonly utilized human biomarker, does not adequately reflect zinc intake. The use of metabolomics is an emerging tool that has shown promise in biomarker discovery. A recent metabolomics analysis in Drosophila found several citric acid cycle intermediates were upregulated following zinc supplementation, but similar studies in humans are limited. The objective of this study is to identify endogenous metabolites associated with changes in zinc nutriture in humans using a novel, global (untargeted) metabolomics analysis. In a randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, Ethiopian women ( n =24) consuming low levels of zinc were supplemented with 20 mg zinc sulfate for 23 days. Plasma samples were obtained before and after supplementation (day 0 and day 23) for metabolomics analysis, metabolite quantification, and pathway validation. Preliminary analyses revealed significant differences in plasma metabolite profiles before and after zinc supplementation. Next steps involve identification and validation of endogenous metabolites as well as identification of associated biochemical pathways. Additional experiments will be conducted in vitro to investigate alterations in these biochemical pathways, including the citric acid cycle. These studies will provide information for novel functions of zinc and aid in characterizing a sensitive, reliable biomarker or biomarker panel for assessing zinc status in humans. Support or Funding Information USDA AES multistate W3002