Metabolomics in Laboratory Medicine Unveiling Disease Pathophysiology: Review

Abstract

Background: Metabolomics, as a key component of the omics revolution, offers insights into biochemical processes by profiling metabolites that reflect an organism's physiological state. This review explores the role of metabolomics in laboratory medicine, particularly its applications in disease pathophysiology.

Methods: This study synthesizes findings from various research articles and reviews on metabolomics, focusing on its methodologies, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), which enable the analysis of metabolites in biological samples. We examined the integration of metabolomics with other omics technologies to enhance our understanding of complex diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer.

Results: Our analysis highlights that metabolomics can identify unique metabolic signatures associated with specific diseases, thereby aiding in diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized therapy. For instance, biomarkers linked to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases have been established, providing valuable insights for clinical applications. Furthermore, the integration of metabolomic data with genomic and proteomic data has revealed novel therapeutic targets and pathways.

Conclusion: Metabolomics has emerged as a powerful tool in laboratory medicine, advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and facilitating the development of targeted therapies. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies and integrating metabolomics with other omics disciplines to fully leverage its potential in clinical settings.