Comprehensive Analysis of Risk Factors and Metabolic Profiling in Preclinical Atherosclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Li Liu^1*Fengrong Wang²Lijie Jiang¹Tiehong Liu¹Linlin Dong¹Tianjiao Zhang¹Guoling Hu¹

• ¹Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, China
• ²Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Shenyang, China

Aim: This study aimed to explore the factors influencing preclinical atherosclerosis (PCA) and provide evidence-based recommendations for its prevention. Non-targeted metabolomics technology was utilized to identify potential metabolic biomarkers associated with PCA. Materials and Methods: Data on general conditions, risk factors, and metabolic biochemical test results were collected from both the PCA group patients and the control group people. Blood plasma metabolites were analyzed using LC-MS/MS, which is a powerful technique that couples the separation power of liquid chromatography (LC) with the highly sensitive and specific detection of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), making it indispensable for the comprehensive and accurate metabolic profiling required in preclinical atherosclerosis studies. Metabolites were annotated using the HMDB and LIPIDMaps databases, and differential metabolite pathways were enriched using the KEGG database. Results: Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of BMI, diet habits, smoking, physical activity, hypertension, and diabetes. Multivariate analysis identified smoking, high-salt diet, hypertension, and diabetes as significant risk factors for PCA. Biochemical blood tests revealed significantly elevated levels of TG, LDL-C, GLU, and UA in the PCA group compared to the control group. Metabolomic analysis identified 2 105 differential metabolites in positive ion mode (29 up-regulated and 76 down-regulated) and 105 differential metabolites in negative ion mode (39 up-regulated and 66 down-regulated). The primary metabolic differences between the groups were related to lipid metabolism, inflammation-mediated processes, and amino acid metabolism. Conclusion: The incidence of PCA is influenced by smoking, unhealthy diet habits, hypertension, and diabetes. PCA patients frequently exhibit abnormalities in lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, and purine metabolism. Metabolomic studies indicate that the metabolic differences in PCA primarily involve lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and amino acid metabolism.