Exploring the potential relationship between serum biomarkers in obese individuals and cancer using FTIR, metabolomics, and lipidomics

  • Metabolomics. 2025 Nov 3;21(6):158. doi: 10.1007/s11306-025-02351-y.
Maria Eduarda Marques  #  1  2 ,  Natália Ferreira Silva  #  2  3 ,  Fernanda Naves Araújo do Prado Mascarenhas  1  2 ,  Tatiana Carla Tomiosso  2  3 ,  Robson José de Oliveira Júnior  1 ,  Ricardo Rodrigues  4 ,  Hebreia Oliveira Almeida-Souza  1 ,  Mário Machado Martins  1 ,  Luciana Machado Bastos  1 ,  Arlene Bispo Dos Santos Nossol  1 ,  Tiara da Costa Silva  1 ,  Camila Moreira de Andrade  1 ,  Marco Fidel Guevara-Vega  1 ,  Robinson Sabino-Silva  1  2 ,  Carlos Ueira-Vieira  1 ,  Renata Graciele Zanon  5  6
Affiliations
  • 1. Institute of Biotecnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
  • 2. Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlandia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
  • 3. Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Unicamp, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
  • 4. Medicine Faculty, Federal University of Uberlandia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
  • 5. Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlandia, UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. [email protected].
  • 6. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, CP 592, Uberlândia, MG, 38400-902, Brazil. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 41184494 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-025-02351-y
Abstract

Introduction: Robust evidence endorsed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer demonstrates that excess body fat represents a risk for the development of at least 13 types of Cancer.

Objective: We investigated the serum of individuals with obesity who had no history of Cancer (either personal or familial) to identify biomarkers.

Methods: 45 individuals were included in this study; they did not show significant differences regarding age, sex, or physical activity. A quality-of-life questionnaire was administered to all participants, revealing that the obese group self-reported difficulties in functional capacity and a greater association with comorbidities, notably hypertension. FTIR, metabolomic, and lipidomic analyses were performed to identify spectral peaks, metabolic, and lipids differentiating between the NO (non-obese) and OB (obese) groups.

Results: The identified peaks are predominantly associated with profiles of lipids, carbohydrates, and nitrogenous compounds. A total of six metabolites and lipids were identified at different levels in the serum of the OB group that have a direct relationship with the development or metabolism of Cancer cells (three metabolites and three lipids). Among these, some suggest a reduced likelihood of Cancer development, while Others indicate an increased potential for Cancer development. In this context, we can highlight two substances: the metabolite 4-Hydroxyphenylglyoxylate, which is reduced in the serum of individuals with obesity, and the lipid Glycidyl palmitate, which is elevated in individuals with obesity.

Conclusion: 4-Hydroxyphenylglyoxylate and Glycidyl palmitate can be used as biomarkers for Cancer and obesity correlation. New experiments manipulating these substances may contribute to a better understanding of their interactions with Cancer cells.

Keywords
Cancer; Metabolomics; Neoplasia; Obesity; Overweight.
Products