Metabolomics as a valid analytical technique in environmental exposure research: application and progress

Shuang Wei; Yuanyun Wei; Yaqi Gong; Yonglin Chen; Jian Cui; Linwei Li; Hongxia Yan; Yueqiu Yu; Xiang Lin; Guoqing Li; Lan Yi

doi:10.1007/s11306-022-01895-7

Metabolomics as a valid analytical technique in environmental exposure research: application and progress

Metabolomics. 2022 May 31;18(6):35. doi: 10.1007/s11306-022-01895-7.

Authors

Shuang Wei¹, Yuanyun Wei¹, Yaqi Gong¹, Yonglin Chen¹, Jian Cui², Linwei Li³, Hongxia Yan³, Yueqiu Yu¹, Xiang Lin¹, Guoqing Li¹, Lan Yi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Critical Human Diseases Prevention of Hunan Province, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Education, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
² Hengyang Medical School, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
³ Hengyang Medical School, The Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Critical Human Diseases Prevention of Hunan Province, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Education, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China. yilanoky@126.com.

PMID: 35639180
DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01895-7

Abstract

Background: In recent years, studies have shown that exposure to environmental pollutants (e.g., radiation, heavy metal substances, air pollutants, organic pollutants) is a leading cause of human non-communicable diseases. The key to disease prevention is to clarify the harmful mechanisms and toxic effects of environmental pollutants on the body. Metabolomics is a high-sensitivity, high-throughput omics technology that can obtain detailed metabolite information of an organism. It is a crucial tool for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the pathway network regulation mechanism of the organism. Its application is widespread in many research fields such as environmental exposure assessment, medicine, systems biology, and biomarker discovery.

Aim of review: Recent findings show that metabolomics can be used to obtain molecular snapshots of organisms after environmental exposure, to help understand the interaction between environmental exposure and organisms, and to identify potential biomarkers and biological mechanisms.

Key scientific concepts of review: This review focuses on the application of metabolomics to understand the biological effects of radiation, heavy metals, air pollution, and persistent organic pollutants exposure, and examines some potential biomarkers and toxicity mechanisms.

Keywords: Environmental exposure; Environmental pollutant exposure; Metabolomics; Radiation exposure.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomarkers
Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
Environmental Pollutants* / toxicity
Humans
Metabolomics*

Substances

Biomarkers
Environmental Pollutants