Untargeted metabolomic profiling for identifying systemic signatures of Helicobacter pylori infection in children (dataset)

Abstract

Background. Infections caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can result in gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer in humans. Examining quantitative changes in soluble biomarkers linked to H. pylori infection offers a promising approach to monitor the infection's progression, inflammatory response, and systemic effects. Aim. This study aimed to identify specific metabolomic biomarkers in the sera from children infected with H. pylori. Materials and Methods. Sera from 32 H. pylori-infected children – Hp (+) and 32 uninfected children – Hp (-), under the pediatric gastroenterological medical care were used in this study. The H. pylori status in children was confirmed or excluded by gastroscopy, 13C urea breath testing, and the presence of serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies. Metabolomic profiling was performed using UPLC-QTOF/MS methods. Biomarkers significantly associated with H. pylori infection were identified using volcano plots and ROC analysis. Results. The study found 8 unique metabolites well differentiating the serum samples of children infected with H. pylori from children uninfected with these bacteria: carboxyethyl lysine - CEL (HMDB29447), gamma-Glutamylleucine (HMDB0011171), 13-HOTrE(y) hydroxylated and oxidized derivative of the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (HMDB0341541), 13-HODE (HMDB0004667), lauroylcarnitine (HMDB0002250), phosphatidylethanolamine (HMDB0060501), vitamin A (HMDB0000305) and 19_norandrosterone (HMDB0002697). These metabolites are associated with immune regulation, energy metabolism, lipid/fatty acid metabolism, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and cell signaling, and correlate with the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection in humans. Conclusions. Serum metabolomic profiling combined with ROC analysis used in this study successfully differentiated H. pylori-infected from uninfected children. Further study is needed to link these selected metabolic biomarkers to the course of infection in children and to systemic effects of chronic infection.