Metabolomic profiling and the integration of whole-genome genetic association data has proven to be a powerful tool to comprehensively explore gene regulatory networks and to investigate the effects of genetic variation at the molecular level. Serum metabolite concentrations allow a direct readout of biological processes, and association of specific metabolomic signatures with complex diseases ...

BACKGROUND Humans are exposed to toxins which accumulate in the body, and are detoxified primarily in the liver. Studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables (such as radishes) may be beneficial to health by aiding detoxification of toxins in the liver. METHODS This single-centre, open-label, pilot study investigated the effect of a dietary supplement containing Spanish Black Radish on hepa...

We describe a case of fatal overdosage with primidone and methsuximide. During the early phase of the patient's hospital course we found concentrations of methsuximide, N-desmethylmethsuximide, and primidone in serum that far exceeded the usual therapeutic concentrations, as determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Determination of N-desmethylmethsuximide in peritoneal fluid demonstrated concen...

Blood is a commonly used biofluid for biomarker discovery. Although blood lipid metabolites are considered to be potential biomarker candidates, their fundamental properties are not well characterized. We aimed to (1) investigate the matrix type (serum vs. plasma) that may be preferable for lipid biomarker exploration, (2) elucidate age- and gender-associated differences in lipid metabolite lev...

Quantitative NMR-based metabolite profiling is challenged by the deleterious effects of abundant proteins in the intact blood plasma/serum, which underscores the need for alternative approaches. Protein removal by ultrafiltration using low molecular weight cutoff filters thus represents an important step. However, protein precipitation, an alternative and simple approach for protein removal, la...

OBJECTIVE To identify metabolites showing changes in serum levels among Japanese male with diabetes. METHODS We performed metabolite profiling by coupling capillary electrophoresis with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry using fasting serum samples from Japanese male subjects with diabetes (n=17), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n=5) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n...

Background: spacecrafts rotate around the Earth every 90 minutes, so the 24-hour cycle turns to 90 minutes. Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, plays a role in regulating the circadian rhythm and its deficiency can impair the biological clock function and consequently impair the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity. The goal of the study was to assay the effects of simulated spa...

BACKGROUND To improve the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients, it is important to establish new screening methods for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We performed serum metabolome analysis using gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (GC/MS). First, the accuracy of our GC/MS-based serum metabolomic analytical method was evaluated by calculating the...

This Phase I study of 1 -hydroxyvitamin D2, an p.o. administered vitamin D analogue, in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer was designed to assess the toxicity, pharmacokinetic and biological markers of drug activity, and lastly tumor response data to recommend a dose for Phase II studies. 1 -Hydroxyvitamin D2 was administered daily at doses ranging from 5 to 15 g/day. Pat...

Phototherapy (broadband UVB, narrowband UVB (NBUVB) and heliotherapy – treatment with natural sunlight) is a commonly used treatment modality for widespread psoriasis. A similar wavelength spectrum of UVB (280-315 nm) is responsible for vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is produced from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the basal epidermis when exposed to UVB, and is then h...