1. Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia 2. Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, Saint Petersburg, Russia 3. Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia; North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a condition characterized by acute brain dysfunction developed in the absence of a primary infection in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to perform a pilot, untargeted metabolomic profiling of the blood plasma of SAE patients to identify metabolic changes potentially associated with the pathological condition and to generate hypotheses for further studies of its pathogenesis, as well as to the search for promising biomarkers, and the assessment of the severity of the patient's condition. Metabolomic profiling was performed using HPLC-HR-MS, followed by statistical analysis of the obtained data. This blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial revealed significant differences in the metabolic profiles of the study and control groups. Functional analysis showed the metabolic pathways most affected by pathological processes in SAE patients. These included the metabolism of acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines, and taurine, folate biosynthesis, and the drug metabolism involving the cytochrome P450 pathway. In SAE patients with impaired consciousness, including delirium and coma, decreased levels of long-chain acylcarnitines and lysophosphatidylcholines were observed. The metabolomic profiles of SAE patients differed significantly between the groups of deceased and surviving patients: concentrations of sulfur-containing amino acids were significantly lower in the group of deceased than in the group of survivors. Our study identified 64 candidate biomarkers that could potentially be used to predict sepsis outcomes. However, further study is needed using an expanded and independent cohort of patients.
Kessenikh E.D. et al. Metabolomic profiling of patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy // Biomeditsinskaya Khimiya. - 2025. - V. 71. -N 6. - P. .
Kessenikh E.D. et al., "Metabolomic profiling of patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy." Biomeditsinskaya Khimiya 71.6 (2025): .
Kessenikh, E. D., Bykova, K. M., Murashko, E. A., Dubrovskii, Ya. A., Dorofeykov, V. V., Savvina, I. A. (2025). Metabolomic profiling of patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy. Biomeditsinskaya Khimiya, 71(6), .
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