Original Paper

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy-Based Metabolomics of the Fatty Pancreas: Implicating Fat in Pancreatic Pathology
Nicholas J. Zyromski^a, Abhishek Mathur^a, G.A. Nagana Gowda^b, Carl Murphy^b, Deborah A. Swartz-Basile^a, Terence E. Wade^a, Henry A. Pitt^a, Daniel Raftery<sup>b

a</sup>Department of Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Ind., and
^bDepartment of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Pancreatology 2009;9:410-419 (DOI: 10.1159/000199436)

  Key Words

• Obesity
• Inflammation
• Metabolomics
• Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cancer

  Abstract

Background: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and a significant risk factor for pancreatic diseases including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer; the mechanisms underlying this association are unknown. Metabolomics is a powerful new analytical approach for describing the metabolome (compliment of small molecules) of cells, tissue or biofluids at any given time. Our aim was to analyze pancreatic fat content in lean and congenitally obese mice using both metabolomic analysis and conventional chromatography. Methods: The pancreatic fat content of 12 lean (C57BL/6J), 12 obese leptin-deficient (Lep^ob) and 12 obese hyperleptinemic (Lep^db) mice was evaluated by metabolomic analysis, thin-layer and gas chromatography. Results: Pancreata of congenitally obese mice had significantly more total pancreatic fat, triglycerides and free fatty acids, but significantly less phospholipids and cholesterol than those of lean mice. Metabolomic analysis showed excellent correlation with thin-layer and gas chromatography in measuring total fat, triglycerides and phospholipids. Conclusions: Differences in pancreatic fat content and character may have important implications when considering the local pancreatic proinflammatory milieu in obesity. Metabolomic analysis is a valid, powerful tool with which to further define the mechanisms by which fat impacts pancreatic disease.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel and IAP

  Author Contacts

Nicholas J. Zyromski, MD
Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine
535 Barnhill Drive, RT 130
Indianapolis, IN 46202 (USA)
Tel. +1 317 274 5012, Fax +1 317 274 4554, E-Mail nzyromsk@iupui.edu

  Article Information

N.J.Z. and A.M. contributed equally to the preparation of the manuscript. Presented at the American Pancreatic Association, Chicago, November 1-3, 2007.

Received: September 15, 2008
Accepted after revision: January 23, 2009
Published online: May 19, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 43