Novel strategies for clinical investigation and biomarker discovery: a guide to applied metabolomics

Abstract

Abstract Metabolomics is an emerging technology that is increasing both in basic science and in human applications, providing a physiological snapshot. It has been highlighted as one of the most wide ranging and reliable tools for the investigation of physiological status, the discovery of new biomarkers and the analysis of metabolic pathways. Metabolomics uses innovative mass spectrometry (MS) allied to chromatography or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The recent advances in bioinformatics, databases and statistics, have provided a unique perception of metabolites interaction and the dynamics of metabolic pathways at a system level. In this context, several studies have applied metabolomics in physiology- and disease-related works. The application of metabolomics includes, physiological and metabolic evaluation/monitoring, individual response to different exercise, nutritional interventions, pathological processes, responses to pharmacological interventions, biomarker discovery and monitoring for distinct aspects, such as: physiological capacity, fatigue/recovery and aging among other applications. For metabolomic analyses, despite huge improvements in the field, several complex methodological steps must be taken into consideration. In this regard, the present article aims to summarize the novel aspects of metabolomics and provide a guide for metabolomics for professionals related to physiologist and medical applications.