Plasma and urinary metabolomic profiles of Down syndrome correlate with alteration of mitochondrial metabolism

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 14;8(1):2977. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20834-y.

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is caused by the presence of a supernumerary copy of the human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) and is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability (ID). Key traits of DS are the distinctive facies and cognitive impairment. We conducted for the first time an analysis of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-detectable part of the metabolome in plasma and urine samples, studying 67 subjects with DS and 29 normal subjects as controls selected among DS siblings. Multivariate analysis of the NMR metabolomic profiles showed a clear discrimination (up to of 80% accuracy) between the DS and the control groups. The univariate analysis of plasma and urine revealed a significant alteration for some interesting metabolites. Remarkably, most of the altered concentrations were consistent with the 3:2 gene dosage model, suggesting effects caused by the presence of three copies of Hsa21 rather than two: DS/normal ratio in plasma was 1.23 (pyruvate), 1.47 (succinate), 1.39 (fumarate), 1.33 (lactate), 1.4 (formate). Several significantly altered metabolites are produced at the beginning or during the Krebs cycle. Accounting for sex, age and fasting state did not significantly affect the main result of both multivariate and univariate analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / genetics*
  • Citric Acid Cycle
  • Cohort Studies
  • Down Syndrome / genetics
  • Down Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage / genetics
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Metabolome*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Siblings
  • Urine / chemistry*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Proteins