Title : Benchtop Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-based metabolomics for the diagnosis of lung diseases
Abstract:
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)-based metabolomic analysis of biofluids provides a potential tool for understanding biochemical processes associated with respiratory diseases. However the translation of NMR-based metabolomics to a clinic environment has several limitation. While high-resolution NMR spectrometers are used daily in several research fields, their use as a routine tool in clinic is limited due to both the expensive acquisition and maintenance cost. To bridge this gap between basic science and clinic translation, we propose the use of benchtop NMR spectrometers. Until recently, the magnetic field homogeneity for benchtop low-field NMR spectrometers did not reach the subparts per million needed to record spectra with sufficient resolution. However, manufacturers now propose benchtop cryogen-free magnets working at either 42.5, 60, or 80 MHz for 1H for educational or industrial applications that overcome this issue. The main advantages of such equipment deal with (i) affordable purchase price, (ii) the cheap maintenance cost due to the absence of cryogenic fluids, (iii) the small size of the instruments, and (iv) the easy operation and troubleshooting of the spectrometers. In this context, we have tested the potential of benchtop NMR-based metabolic fingerprinting for the diagnosis of respiratory infections. We have proved the potential of our benchtop NMR-based metabolomic approach in three independent studies: Tuberculosis in adults, Tuberculosis in children and bovine tuberculosis. Serum and urine samples were analyzed using a Magritek 60MHz Spinsolve spectrometer. Performance of classificatory model was compared with a classical HF NMR-based metabolomic approach obtaining similar identification rate.
