Metabolomic and lipidomic pathways in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) results in a complex systemic response that is critical to the pathophysiology of late complications and has important effects on outcomes. Omics techniques have expanded our investigational scope and depth into this phenomenon. In particular, metabolomics-the study of small molecules, such as blood products, carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids-can provide a snapshot of dynamic subcellular processes and thus broaden our understanding of molecular-level pathologic changes that lead to the systemic response after aSAH. Lipids are especially important due to their abundance in the circulating blood and numerous physiological roles. They are comprised of a wide variety of subspecies and are critical for cellular energy metabolism, the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, the formation of cell membranes, and intercellular signaling including neuroinflammation and ferroptosis. In this review, metabolomic and lipidomic pathways associated with aSAH are summarized, centering on key metabolites from each metabolomic domain.

Keywords: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage; Lipidome; Metabolome.

Fig. 1

Major lipid metabolites involved in the secondary injury from subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Fig. 2

Plasma-free fatty acid levels (FFA) after various forms of acute brain injury. Plasma samples were collected from subjects within 24 ​h of either traumatic brain injury (TBI), aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Control subjects were recruited from an outpatient clinic during a visit for routine health maintenance. Total FFA levels were detected using a fluorometric assay kit (Cayman Chemical). ∗p ​< ​0.01.