Metabolomics in vitreous fluid of retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) is a complex type of retinal detachment. This disease is characterized by high difficulty of operation and poor prognosis. However, the pathogenesis is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes of metabolites and metabolic pathways in vitreous fluid of RRDCD patients. Method Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with the quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method, metabolites in the vitreous fluid of RRDCD and idiopathic epimacular membrane (IEMM) patients were analyzed. A total of 28 samples were analyzed to compare the significance of different metabolites between these groups. Results We identified 135 different metabolites between the RRDCD and IEMM groups (VIP > 1, P value < 0.05). Compared with the IEMM group, the level of sphingomyelin, adenosine, L-palmitoylcarnitine and 4,7,10,13,1 6,19-docosahexaenoic acid up-regulated in RRDCD group. A series of lipid metabolites were up-regulated in RRDCD group. The main metabolic pathways involved were protein digestion and absorption, ABC transporters, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, central carbon metabolism in cancer and sphingolipids metabolism. Conclusions Our results suggest that the up-regulation of sphingomyelin and abnormal sphingolipids metabolism may induce cell migration and death after retinal or choroidal detachment. And then, it may induce intraocular inflammation and damage visual function. The accumulated L-palmitoylcarnitine and fatty acid metabolites may damage the energy pathway of retina, and aggravate the death of photoreceptors after hypoxia. These results provide clues for studying the mechanism, treatment and prognosis of RRDCD.