Distinct metabolic features in the plasma of patients with silicosis and dust-exposed workers in China: a case–control study

Abstract Background Silicosis is a progressive pneumoconiosis characterized by interstitial fibrosis following exposure to silica dust. The role of metabolic dysregulation in the pathogenesis silicosis has not been investigated detail. This study aimed identify different features plasma patients with and dust-exposed workers without metabolomics studies. Methods Patients silicosis, (DEWs) age-matched healthy controls were recruited case–control study. analyses ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry conducted. Distinct (DMFs) identified pilot validated validation enriched signalling pathways these DMFs determined. ability discriminate among groups was analysed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. correlations between clinical also explored. Results Twenty-nine 9 detected had same trend DEW groups, respectively. Sphingolipid metabolism major pathway DEWs, arginine proline associated silicosis. Twenty DEWs 3 showed discriminatory ROC curve analysis. abundance kynurenine higher Stage III than I or II l -arginine both negatively correlated percentage forced vital capacity predicted Conclusions found be different. as severity