Differential serum metabolites in patients with pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism analyzed using GC-MS/LC-MS untargeted metabolomics

Abstract

Untargeted metabolomics can be used for the comprehensive analysis of metabolite profiles in biological samples without preset targets, making them particularly suitable for exploring metabolic characteristics and potential mechanisms in complex diseases. Therefore, in this study, we employed gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques to analyze the serum metabolic characteristics of patients with pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism (PA-VTE). In this study, 11 pregnant women with VTE and 11 healthy pregnant women were included in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Using GC-MS, we identified 325 metabolites, with the highest proportion being organic oxygen compounds. Using LC-MS, we identified 3104 metabolites, with the highest proportion being acylcarnitine. The results revealed significant differences in the levels of lipids, organic compounds, and other metabolites between patients compared to healthy pregnant women. Pathways such as pyrimidine metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and mineral absorption differed between patients with PA-VTE and controls. Furthermore, we identified biomarkers associated with metabolic processes, such as fatty acids and amino acids (2-hydroxyhexanedioic acid, hexadecenal, palmitoylethanolamide, glycerol-1-phosphate, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine). These findings revealed the metabolic characteristics of PA-VTE and provided important clues for further research on its pathophysiological mechanisms. Our findings may contribute to the development of new diagnostic markers and support early diagnosis and treatment of PA-VTE.