Myocardial infarction (MI) is an acute event characterized by myocardial necrosis. Thrombotic MI is caused by spontaneous atherosclerotic plaque disruption that results in a coronary thrombus; non-thrombotic MI occurs secondary to oxygen supply-demand mismatch. We sought to characterize the differential metabolic perturbations associated with these subtypes utilizing a systems approach. Subjects presenting with thrombotic MI, non-thrombotic MI and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were included. Whole blood was collected at two acute time-points and at a time-point representing the quiescent stable disease state. Plasma metabolites were analyzed by untargeted UPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS. A weighted network was constructed, and modules were determined from the resulting topology. To determine perturbed modules, an enrichment analysis for metabolites that demonstrated between-group differences in temporal change across the disease state transition was then conducted.
Biological significance: We report evidence of metabolic perturbations of acute MI and determine perturbations specific to thrombotic MI. Specifically, a module characterized by elevated glucocorticoid steroid metabolites following acute MI showed greatest perturbation following thrombotic MI. Modules characterized by elevated pregnenolone metabolites, monoacylglycerols, and acylcarnitines were perturbed following acute MI. A module characterized by a decrease in plasma amino acids following thrombotic MI was differentially perturbed between MI subtypes.
Keywords: Coronary artery disease; Metabolomics; Myocardial infarction; Network analysis; Systems biology.
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