Recent Advances in Metabolomics and Lipidomics Studies in Human and Animal Models of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to a loss of myelin. There are three main types of MS: relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary and secondary progressive disease (PPMS, SPMS). The differentiation in the pathogenesis of these two latter courses is still unclear. The underlying mechanisms of MS are yet to be elucidated, and the treatment relies on immune-modifying agents. Recently, lipidomics and metabolomics studies using human biofluids, mainly plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have suggested an important role of lipids and metabolites in the pathophysiology of MS. In this review, the results from studies on metabolomics and lipidomics analyses performed on biological samples of MS patients and MS-like animal models are presented and analyzed. Based on the collected findings, the biochemical pathways in human and animal cohorts involved were investigated and biological mechanisms and the potential role they have in MS are discussed. Limitations and challenges of metabolomics and lipidomics approaches are presented while concluding that metabolomics and lipidomics may provide a more holistic approach and provide biomarkers for early diagnosis of MS disease.