Metabolomics identifies disturbances in arginine, phenylalanine, and glycine metabolism as differentiating features of exacerbating atopic asthma in children

BackgroundAsthma exacerbations are highly prevalent in children, but only a few studies have examined the biologic mechanisms underlying this population.ObjectiveHigh-resolution metabolomics analyses were performed to understand differences metabolites children with exacerbating asthma who hospitalized pediatric intensive care unit for status asthmaticus. We hypothesized that compared similar population of stable outpatients asthma, would differing metabolite abundance patterns distinct clustering profiles.MethodsA total 98 aged 6 through 17 years (n = 69) and 29) underwent clinical characterization procedures submitted plasma samples metabolomic analyses. High-confidence retained utilized pathway enrichment identify most relevant metabolic pathways discriminated between groups.ResultsIn all, 118 131 high-confidence identified positive negative ionization mode, respectively. A 103 unique differed significantly asthma. In 8 enriched largely associated alterations arginine, phenylalanine, glycine metabolism identified. However, other interest also identified.ConclusionMetabolomic multiple perturbed These results highlight complex biology inflammation argue additional determinants because many may be amenable targeted interventions. Asthma population. High-resolution profiles. groups. Metabolomic