CHEST Guidelines-Asthma-Metabolomics-and-the-Potential-for-Integrat

Asthma-Metabolomics-and-the-Potential-for-Integrat

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The document is a detailed review of metabolomics in asthma research, discussing the potential of using metabolic profiles for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Asthma is a complex condition influenced by environmental and genetic factors, yet its molecular underpinnings are not fully understood. Metabolomics, which involves the analysis of small molecules like carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids, offers promise for developing novel biomarkers and understanding asthma's pathophysiology.<br /><br />The review summarizes 21 metabolomic studies that used samples from exhaled breath condensate, urine, plasma, and serum. These studies consistently identified specific metabolites and metabolic pathways, such as acetate, adenosine, and threonine, which could discern individuals with asthma from those without. However, the studies' heterogeneity and varied methodologies suggest the need for standardization in metabolomic research.<br /><br />The authors emphasize the promise of metabolomic profiles in identifying asthma subtypes and suggest integrating multiple omics such as genomics and proteomics to enrich understanding and improve diagnostic accuracy. Few studies have cross-validated their findings, and none have externally validated them in independent cohorts, highlighting a gap in current research.<br /><br />The review suggests a bright future for metabolomics and integrative omics in asthma research, with potential applications both as biomarkers and in therapeutic contexts. However, it also notes that significant progress is required in standardizing methodologies and in integrating multiple data types to fully exploit these technologies in clinical settings. The authors conclude that while much has been learned, the real-world application of these findings remains a long-term goal.

Keywords

metabolomics

asthma

diagnostic

therapeutic

biomarkers

metabolic profiles

omics integration

standardization

metabolites

asthma subtypes