Untargeted metabolomics reveal the metabolic profile of normal pulmonary circulation.

Background: As an important place of material exchange, the homeostasis of the pulmonary circulation environment and function lays an essential foundation for the normal execution of various physiological functions of the body. Small metabolic molecules in the circulation can reflect the corresponding state of the pulmonary circulation.

Methods: We enrolled patients with Patent Foramen Ovale and obtained blood from the pulmonary arteries and veins through heart catheterization. UPLC-MS based untargeted metabolomics was used to compare the changes and metabolic differences of plasma between pulmonary vein and pulmonary artery.

Results: The plasma metabolomics revealed that pulmonary artery had a different metabolomic profile compared to venous. 1060 metabolites were identified, and 61 metabolites were differential metabolites. Purine, Amino acids, Nicotinamide, Tetradecanedioic acid and Bile acid were the most markedly.

Conclusion: The differential metabolites are mostly related to immune inflammation and damage repaired. It is suggested that the pulmonary circulation is always in a steady state of injury and repair while pathological changes may be triggered when the homeostasis is broken. These changes play an important role in revealing the development process and etiology of lung homeostasis and related diseases. Relevant metabolites can be used as potential targets for further study of pulmonary circulation homeostasis.