Metabolomics analysis of human pancreatic cancer tissue and paired adjacent tissue samples

Background/aims: This study aimed to apply 1H spectrum Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) to detect the metabolites in pancreatic cancer tissue and paired adjacent tissue samples. Methods: 48 samples were taken from cancer tissues of 24 pancreatic cancer patients and paired adjacent tissues. The samples were subjected to 1H-NMR and principle component analysis to compare endogenous small-molecule metabolites. Results: Leucine and isoleucine levels were significantly higher in pancreatic cancer tissues than in control tissues. Lactate, betaine, choline, α-glucose and α-hydroxybutyrate levels were significantly lower in pancreatitic cancer tissues than in control tissues. Conclusions: 1H-NMR-based metabolomics is an effective method to identify small-molecule metabolites in pancreatic cancer tissues. These metabolites can be used as the metabolic markers of pancreatic cancer for early diagnosis.