Title:Metabolomics in the Diagnosis and Pharmacotherapy of Lung Diseases
Volume: 23
Issue: 14
Author(s): Philippe Devillier, Helene Salvator, Emmanuel Naline, Louis-Jean Couderc and Stanislas Grassin-Delyle*
Affiliation:
- INSERM UMR1173, UFR Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, Université Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Université Paris Saclay, 2, avenue de la source de la Bièvre, F- 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux,France
Keywords:
Metabolomics, volatolomics, lung disease, electronic nose.
Abstract: Metabolomics is of the increasing interests in medical research and the study of respiratory diseases.
This novel type of small molecule analysis can be performed not only on conventional biological samples such as
plasma or urine but also on sputum, bronchoalveolar fluid, exhaled breath condensate or exhaled breath itself
(which is particularly relevant for research on respiratory diseases). On one hand, powerful analytical methodologies
(including mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) are labour-intensive but enable
the exhaustive identification of metabolites. On the other hand, electronic noses can be used for exhaled breath
analysis. Although the latter devices do not contain metabolite-specific sensors, they produce a condition- or
treatment-specific “breathprint” based on pattern recognition. Breath analysis with electronic noses is noninvasive,
and can be performed at the bedside in real time. Here, we review the literature on metabolomics studies
in respiratory medicine, with a focus on the evaluation of responses to pharmacotherapy.
