Metabolomics in Premature Labor: A Novel Approach to Identify Patients at Risk for Preterm Delivery

摘要

ObjectiveBiomarkers for preterm labor and delivery can be discovered through the analysis of the transcriptome (transcriptomics) and protein composition (proteomics). Characterization of the global changes in low molecular weight compounds which constitute the “metabolic network” of cells (metabolome) is now possible by using a “metabolomics” approach. Metabolomic profiling has special advantages over transcriptomics and proteomics since the metabolic network is downstream from gene expression and protein synthesis, and thus more closely reflects cell activity at a functional level. This study was conducted to determine if metabolomic profiling of the amniotic fluid can identify women with spontaneous preterm labor (PTL) at risk for preterm delivery, regardless of the presence or absence of intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI).