Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling reveals dysregulation of purine metabolism during the acute phase of spinal cord injury in rats

This study uses transcriptomics and metabolomics to understand metabolic changes after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. SCI disrupts the spinal cord's microenvironment, affecting nerve repair. By analyzing gene expression (transcriptomics) and metabolites (metabolomics), researchers aim to identify pathways that could be targeted to promote nerve regeneration. The study found that SCI significantly alters metabolites and gene expression in the acute phase. Specifically, purine metabolism was significantly dysregulated at both gene and metabolite levels. This dysregulation could impact energy metabolism and increase oxidative stress, hindering nerve repair. These findings suggest that targeting purine metabolism could be a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI. Understanding these complex molecular mechanisms may lead to better treatments for nerve repair and regeneration after SCI.

• 1
  Histological analysis showed significant alterations in the microenvironment of the spinal cord after acute SCI, including poorly demarcated gray and white matter, cavities, and necrotic tissues. Locomotor function was also significantly reduced in rats with SCI.
• 2
  Metabolomics analysis revealed that 360 metabolites were highly altered during the acute phase of SCI, with 310 being up-regulated and 50 being down-regulated. These differential metabolites were mainly enriched in arginine and proline metabolism, D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, purine metabolism, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids.
• 3
  Integrative analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed significant dysregulation of purine metabolism at both the gene and metabolite levels during the acute phase of SCI, involving 48 differential genes and 16 differential metabolites.