Maushagen, J. ; Nattenmüller, J.* ; von Krüchten, R.* ; Thorand, B. ; Peters, A. ; Rathmann, W.* ; Adamski, J. ; Schlett, C.L.* ; Bamberg, F.* ; Wang-Sattler, R. ; Rospleszcz, S.
     
 
    
        
Serum metabolites characterize hepatic phenotypes and reveal shared pathways: results from population-based imaging.
    
    
        
    
    
        
        Mol. Med. 31:260 (2025)
    
    
    
		
		
			
				BACKGROUND: Steatotic liver disease is a major public health issue, with hepatic iron overload exacerbating fibrotic conditions. This study aimed to identify metabolites associated with hepatic fat and/or iron overload using targeted metabolomics in a population-based cohort. METHODS: We used the cross-sectional KORA-MRI study (N = 376 individuals). Hepatic fat and iron content were derived by magnetic resonance imaging, and serum metabolite concentrations were quantified through targeted metabolomics. Associations between 146 metabolites and 40 indicators with hepatic phenotypes were analyzed, adjusted for confounders, and corrected for multiple testing. Formal pathway analyses and mediation analyses including genetic data were conducted. Performance of metabolomics to diagnose steatosis or hepatic iron overload was evaluated using ROC curves, and compared to the fatty liver index (FLI). RESULTS: Overall, 50.8% of participants (mean age 56.4 years) had hepatic steatosis, and 43.6% iron overload. Twelve unique metabolites/indicators (amino acids, lysophosphatidylcholine, acyl-alkyl-phosphatidylcholine), and sums of branched chain and aromatic amino acids, and five lipids, and ratio of acyl-alkyl-phosphatidylcholines to diacyl-phosphatidylcholines were associated with hepatic fat content. 27 metabolites/indicators, including 25 lipids, were associated with hepatic iron content. Addition of these metabolites to the FLI improved diagnosis of steatosis and iron overload nominally. Glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism were shared pathway between steatosis and iron overload. Alanine, isoleucine, glutamine and pimeloylcarnitine (C7-DC) mediated effects between genetic variants and hepatic phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Metabolites were associated with hepatic fat and iron content, shared common pathways, and improved diagnosis of steatosis and iron overload, highlighting the role of iron in hepatic disorders.
			
			
				
			
		 
		
			
				
					
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        Publikationstyp
        Artikel: Journalartikel
    
 
    
        Dokumenttyp
        Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    
 
    
        Typ der Hochschulschrift
        
    
 
    
        Herausgeber
        
    
    
        Schlagwörter
        Liver Fat ; Liver Iron ; Metabolomics ; Nafld ; Steatotic Liver Disease; Chain Amino-acids; Targeted Metabolomics; Oxidative Stress; Fatty; Prevalence; Steatosis; Disease; Obese
    
 
    
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        Sprache
        englisch
    
 
    
        Veröffentlichungsjahr
        2025
    
 
    
        Prepublished im Jahr 
        0
    
 
    
        HGF-Berichtsjahr
        2025
    
 
    
    
        ISSN (print) / ISBN
        1076-1551
    
 
    
        e-ISSN
        1435-8123
    
 
    
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	    Band: 31,  
	    Heft: 1,  
	    Seiten: ,  
	    Artikelnummer: 260 
	    Supplement: ,  
	
    
 
  
        
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            Verlag
            Feinstein Inst. for Medical Research
        
 
        
            Verlagsort
            One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, Ny, United States
        
 
	
        
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            0000-00-00
        
 
        
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        Begutachtungsstatus
        Peer reviewed
    
 
     
    
        POF Topic(s)
        30202 - Environmental Health
30201 - Metabolic Health
30205 - Bioengineering and Digital Health
    
 
    
        Forschungsfeld(er)
        Genetics and Epidemiology
    
 
    
        PSP-Element(e)
        G-504000-010
G-504000-002
G-500600-001
G-506700-001
    
 
    
        Förderungen
        Universittsklinikum Freiburg (8975)
    
 
    
        Copyright
        
    
 	
    
    
    
    
    
        Erfassungsdatum
        2025-07-23