Potential Correlation between Carboxylic Acid Metabolites in Biomphalaria alexandrina Snails after Exposure to Schistosoma mansoni Infection

Carboxylic acids play an important role in both aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways of both the snail and the parasite. Monitoring the effects of infection by schistosome on Biomphalaria alexandrina carboxylic acids metabolic profiles represents a promising additional source of information about the state of metabolic system. We separated and quantified pyruvic, fumaric, malic, oxalic, and acetic acids using ion-suppression reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect correlations between these acids in both hemolymph and digestive gland gonad complex (DGG's) samples in a total of 300 B. alexandrina snails (150 infected and 150 controls) at different stages of infection. The results showed that the majority of metabolite pairs did not show significant correlations. However, some high correlations were found between the studied acids within the control group but not in other groups. More striking was the existence of reversed correlations between the same acids at different stages of infection. Some possible explanations of the underlying mechanisms were discussed. Ultimately, however, further data are required for resolving the responsible regulatory events. These findings highlight the potential of metabolomics as a novel approach for fundamental investigations of host-pathogen interactions as well as disease surveillance and control.

Diagnostic role of resistin in nonalchoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Insulin resistance is believed to be a key factor in the development of fatty liver. Moreover, insulin resistance states characterized by elevated expression and production of several cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD but direct evidence of the role of resistin in NAFLD is lacking. To determine the circulating resistin level in patients affected by NAFLD and to correlate resistin level with insulin sensitivity, liver functions and histological features. This study included 100 subjects divided into: forty patients with NAFLD, forty obese persons with BMI >30 having normal transaminases and normal liver ultrasound and twenty controls with BMI < 20. For all subjects serum resistin was measured. Homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] was calculated and liver profile was assessed. Liver biopsy was done in NAFLD patients. Serum resistin was higher in patients with NAFLD [16.2 +/- 4 ng/ml] compared to obese and control groups [6.8 +/- 4.1 and 3.4 +/- 1.1 [ng/ml]] respectively [p <0.01]. Serum resistin was higher in histologically advanced cases of NAFLD compared to simple steatosis [19.2 +/- 3.6 vs. 13.5 +/- 2.7] respectively [p < 0.01]. Moreover serum resistin correlated positively with 8M I, HOMA, highly sensitive CRP, AST and ALT. Resistin has a role in pathogenesis of NAFLD. Its level is a predictive of histology in NAFLD. So The use or serum resistin assay as a simple diagnostic biomarker for NAFLD is recommended

Carboxylic Acids as Biomarkers of Biomphalaria alexandrina Snails Infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Biomphalaria alexandrina snails play an indispensable role in transmission of schistosomiasis. Infection rates in field populations of snails are routinely determined by cercarial shedding neglecting prepatent snail infections, because of lack of a suitable method for diagnosis. The present study aimed at separation and quantification of oxalic, malic, acetic, pyruvic, and fumaric acids using ion-suppression reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to test the potentiality of these acids to be used as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. The assay was done in both hemolymph and digestive gland-gonad complex (DGG) samples in a total of 300 B. alexandrina snails. All of the studied acids in both the hemolymph and tissue samples except for the fumaric acid in hemolymph appeared to be good diagnostic biomarkers as they provide not only a good discrimination between the infected snails from the control but also between the studied stages of infection from each other. The most sensitive discriminating acid was malic acid in hemolymph samples as it showed the highest F-ratio. Using the Z-score, malic acid was found to be a good potential therapeutic biomarker in the prepatency stage, oxalic acid and acetic acid in the stage of patency, and malic acid and acetic acid at 2 weeks after patency. Quantification of carboxylic acids, using HPLC strategy, was fast, easy, and accurate in prediction of infected and uninfected snails and possibly to detect the stage of infection. It seems also useful for detection of the most suitable acids to be used as drug targets.