Metabolomics Research On Rat Models Of Kidney Qi Deficiency Asthma

Objective The study aims to investigate the changes in small-molecule serum metaboli tes among normal rats,rats with simple asthma and rats treated and not treated with kidney qi deficiency asthma using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)technology and HPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology.Different serum metabolites were screened and identified,and the changes in small-molecule metabolites were analysed to further understand ki dney qi deficiency asthma.Methods A total of 36 rats were randomly assigned to 3 different groups as follows:normal control group,simple asthma group and.kidney qi deficiency asthma group As thma and kidney qi deficiency were induced in corresponding rat models,and rat sera were obtained and analysed through NMR spectroscopy and HPLC-Q-TOF-MS techno logy to screen and identify the differences in metabolites between groups.These differ ences were determined using principal component analysis,partial least squares discrim inant analysis.and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis.Results Based on NMR results,compared with the normal group,the kidney qi defici ency asthma group showed evident increases in R-CH3(lipid),leucine,isoleucine,vali ne,3-HB,NAG,acetoacetate,glutamate,glutamine,choline,UFA(lipid)and phenylala nine.By contrast,lactate,alanine and pyruvate levels were significantly reduced in the mentioned group.Compared with the simple asthma group,the kidney qi deficiency asthma group also displayed considerable increases in isoleucine content and significant reductions in lactate,pyruvate and glycine levels.The differences were statistically si gnificant.Based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS results,compared with the normal group,the ki dney qi deficiency asthma group showed evident increases in AFMK,Glycocholic Aci d,Oxoglutaric acid,Purine,Thiamine.By contrast,Choline,eicosapentaenoic acid,Ket odeoxycholic acid,PC,Sphingosine,Sphingosine-l-pho levels were significantly reduce d in the mentioned group.Compared with the simple asthma group,the kidney qi def iciency asthma group also displayed considerable reduces in Capric acid,Choline,Eico satrienoic acid,Ketodeoxycholic acid,Linolenic Acid,LPA,PC,PE,PG,PS,PA,PGE 2,N-hydroxy arachidonoyl amine,Retinol,Tyrosine content and significant reductions i n lactate,pyruvate and glycine levels.Conclusion The rats with kidney qi deficiency asthma may possess abnormities in gly colysis,as well as in lipid,amino acid,ketone body and choline metabolism.The met abolites found in the study can serve as potential biological markers for kidney qi def iciency asthma.