AUTHOR=Zhang Zheyu , Zhang Sifang , Huang Jianhua , Cao Xiaoyun , Hou Chao , Luo Zhihong , Wang Xiaoyan , Liu Xuejun , Li Qiang , Zhang Xi , Guo Yujun , Xiao Huiqiong , Xie Ting , Zhou Xuhui 

TITLE=Association between abnormal plasma metabolism and brain atrophy in alcohol-dependent patients

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2022.999938

DOI=10.3389/fnmol.2022.999938

ISSN=1662-5099

ABSTRACT=Objective: In this study, we aimed to characterize the plasma metabolic profiles of brain atrophy and alcohol dependence patients (BA-ADPs) and to identify the underlying pathogenesis of brain atrophy related to alcohol dependence. Methods: We acquired the plasma samples of alcohol-dependent patients and performed non-targeted metabolomic profiling analysis to identify alterations of key metabolites in the plasma of BA-ADPs. Machine learning algorithms and bioinformatic analysis were also used to identify predictive biomarkers and investigate their possible roles in brain atrophy related to alcohol dependence. Results: A total of 26 plasma metabolites were significantly altered in the BA-ADPs group when compared with a group featuring alcohol-dependent patients without brain atrophy (NBA-ADPs). Nine of these differential metabolites were further identified as potential biomarkers for BA-ADPs. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that these potential biomarkers exhibited good sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing BA-ADPs from NBA-ADPs. Moreover, metabolic pathway analysis suggested that glycerophospholipid metabolism may be highly involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol‐induced brain atrophy. Conclusion: This plasma metabolomic study provides a valuable resource for enhancing our understanding of alcohol‐induced brain atrophy and offers potential targets for therapeutic intervention.