Untargeted metabolomics analysis reveals the metabolic disturbances and exacerbation of oxidative stress in recurrent spontaneous abortion

PLoS One. 2023 Dec 21;18(12):e0296122. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296122. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is characterized by the occurrence of two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions, with a rising prevalence among pregnant women and significant implications for their physical and mental well-being. The multifaceted etiology of RSA has posed challenges in unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying that underlie its pathogenesis. Oxidative stress and immune response have been identified as pivotal factors in the development of its condition.

Methods: Eleven serum samples from healthy pregnant women and 17 from RSA were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to excavate system-level characterization of the serum metabolome. The measurement of seven oxidative stress products, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GPx), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), heme oxygenase (HO-1), was carried out using ELISA.

Results: Through the monitoring of metabolic and lipid alternations during RSA events, we have identified 816 biomarkers that were implicated in various metabolic pathways, including glutathione metabolism, phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, lysine degradation and purine metabolism, etc. These pathways have been found to be closely associated with the progression of the disease. Our finding indicated that the levels of MDA and HO-1 were elevated in the RSA group compared to the control group, whereas SOD, CAT and GPx exhibited a contrary pattern. However, no slight difference was observed in GSH and GSSG levels between the RSA group and the control group.

Conclusion: The manifestation of RSA elicited discernible temporal alternations in the serum metabolome and biochemical markers linked to the metabolic pathways of oxidative stress and immune response. Our investigation furnished a more comprehensive analytical framework encompassing metabolites and enzymes associated with oxidative stress. This inquiry furnished a more nuanced comprehension of the pathogenesis of RSA and established the ground work for prognostication and prophylaxis.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual*
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione Disulfide / metabolism
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Oxidative Stress* / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Glutathione Disulfide
  • Antioxidants
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione

Grants and funding

This study was funded by grants from Technology Engineering Million Project of the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University (No.YKD2020KJBW(LH)037), Program for Young Talents of Science and Technology in Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(No. NJYT22006), Inner Mongolia Natural Science foundation (No.2021MS08022), and Doctoral Fund Project of Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University (No. NYFY BS202137). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.