Metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract

BackgroundWe investigated the metabolic profiles of aqueous humor (AH) among patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract (HMnC), age-related nuclear cataract (NC), cortical cataract (CC), and high myopia (HM); we sought to identify possible metabolic mediators for these conditions.Methods...

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Main Authors: Qiuyi Huo, Yitong Xu, Yaqi Wang, Shenrong Zhang, Zhexuan Liu, Jin Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1454840/full
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author Qiuyi Huo
Qiuyi Huo
Yitong Xu
Yaqi Wang
Shenrong Zhang
Zhexuan Liu
Jin Li
author_facet Qiuyi Huo
Qiuyi Huo
Yitong Xu
Yaqi Wang
Shenrong Zhang
Zhexuan Liu
Jin Li
author_sort Qiuyi Huo
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundWe investigated the metabolic profiles of aqueous humor (AH) among patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract (HMnC), age-related nuclear cataract (NC), cortical cataract (CC), and high myopia (HM); we sought to identify possible metabolic mediators for these conditions.MethodsThe metabolic data of AH from 29 patients (nine with HMnC, nine with CC, seven with NC, and four with high myopia) were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis, sample correlation analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis modeling were conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify differential metabolites with potential biological significance.ResultsFor HMnC patients, the level of glutathione was decreased, whereas arginine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were more abundant in AH. Dihomomethionine and 8-methylthiooctanaldoxime located in the methionine metabolic pathways were downregulated in NC samples compared with HMnC samples. Additionally, the levels of D-alanyl-D-alanine, 1-methylpyrrolinium, L-phenylalanine, ecgonine methyl ester, ecgonine, tropinone, and azacyclohexane, NNK-N-oxide, 3-succinoylpyridine, and N-nitrosodimethylamine were all upregulated in HM samples compared with HMnC samples.ConclusionThis work identified valuable metabolic biomarkers and pathways that may improve understanding HMnC pathogenesis. Here, we found that a decrease in glutathione might promote the occurrence of HMnC. Arginine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were more abundant in AH from HMnC patients and tended to prevent HMnC progression. These findings have translational value in terms of developing new therapeutic measures for HMnC-related complications.
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spelling doaj-art-3d0874a6f2f544fd81aa968b6a6de2e92025-08-20T02:32:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-05-011210.3389/fmed.2025.14548401454840Metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataractQiuyi Huo0Qiuyi Huo1Yitong Xu2Yaqi Wang3Shenrong Zhang4Zhexuan Liu5Jin Li6Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Cataract, Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Cataract, Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Cataract, Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Cataract, Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Cataract, Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Cataract, Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaBackgroundWe investigated the metabolic profiles of aqueous humor (AH) among patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract (HMnC), age-related nuclear cataract (NC), cortical cataract (CC), and high myopia (HM); we sought to identify possible metabolic mediators for these conditions.MethodsThe metabolic data of AH from 29 patients (nine with HMnC, nine with CC, seven with NC, and four with high myopia) were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis, sample correlation analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis modeling were conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify differential metabolites with potential biological significance.ResultsFor HMnC patients, the level of glutathione was decreased, whereas arginine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were more abundant in AH. Dihomomethionine and 8-methylthiooctanaldoxime located in the methionine metabolic pathways were downregulated in NC samples compared with HMnC samples. Additionally, the levels of D-alanyl-D-alanine, 1-methylpyrrolinium, L-phenylalanine, ecgonine methyl ester, ecgonine, tropinone, and azacyclohexane, NNK-N-oxide, 3-succinoylpyridine, and N-nitrosodimethylamine were all upregulated in HM samples compared with HMnC samples.ConclusionThis work identified valuable metabolic biomarkers and pathways that may improve understanding HMnC pathogenesis. Here, we found that a decrease in glutathione might promote the occurrence of HMnC. Arginine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were more abundant in AH from HMnC patients and tended to prevent HMnC progression. These findings have translational value in terms of developing new therapeutic measures for HMnC-related complications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1454840/fullhigh-myopia complicated nuclear cataractaqueous humorHPLC-MSmetabolitesenrichment analysis
spellingShingle Qiuyi Huo
Qiuyi Huo
Yitong Xu
Yaqi Wang
Shenrong Zhang
Zhexuan Liu
Jin Li
Metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract
Frontiers in Medicine
high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract
aqueous humor
HPLC-MS
metabolites
enrichment analysis
title Metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract
title_full Metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract
title_fullStr Metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract
title_full_unstemmed Metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract
title_short Metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract
title_sort metabolomics analysis of aqueous humor from patients with high myopia complicated nuclear cataract
topic high-myopia complicated nuclear cataract
aqueous humor
HPLC-MS
metabolites
enrichment analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1454840/full
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