Proteomic and Metabolomic Interplay in the Regulation of Energy Metabolism During Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

AIM: Explore the influence of obesity and Metabolic Syndrome disorders on the plasma proteome and metabolome, through an integrated analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated metabolic and proteomic alterations associated with obesity and MetS, through mass spectrometry, using plasma samples from 49 volunteers, categorized according to BMI, and MetS. RESULTS: We identified 231 proteins and 77 metabolites. A subset, including DMBT1, Vanin-1, PTPRJ, β-hydroxybutyrate, α-tocopherol, and 5-oxoproline, emerged as potential key players associated with obesity and MetS. By integrating proteomic and metabolomic data, we were able to construct an interactive network involved in metabolic dysfunction, revealing associations between these molecules and clinical parameters, such as BMI, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested an interplay between anti-inflammatory (DMBT1, 3-hydroxybutyrate, 5-oxoproline) and pro-inflammatory pathways (Vanin-1, α-tocopherol, PTPRJ) during disorders of obesity and MetS, demonstrating the potential of an integrated multi-omics approach for a better understanding of the mechanism behind obesity-associated metabolic diseases.