What does this research mean for the field?

Patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis exhibit 144 significantly altered serum metabolites, with specific metabolites such as 12R-HETrE and oleoylcarnitine being directly associated with radiomic markers of plaque vulnerability. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to characterize the serum metabolic profile of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and identify biomarkers related to plaque vulnerability.

March 12, 2026

Serum metabolomics coupled with HR-VWI radiomics reveals metabolic alterations in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Key Result

A total of 144 significantly altered metabolites were identified in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis patients, with specific metabolites linked to plaque vulnerability.

Key Points

The study aims to characterize the serum metabolic profile of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and identify biomarkers related to plaque vulnerability.
Conducted untargeted metabolomic profiling using LC-MS/MS on serum samples from 72 participants.
Performed multivariate and univariate statistical analyses to identify differential metabolites.
Assessed plaque vulnerability using high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI).
Integrated metabolomics data with radiomic features to evaluate associations.
Identified 144 significantly altered metabolites between asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis patients and healthy controls.
Noted that differential metabolites primarily involved lipid, purine, amino acid, nucleotide, and energy metabolism.
Found significant associations between specific metabolites and radiomic markers of plaque vulnerability.

Structured PICO

Does untargeted metabolomic profiling identify biomarkers associated with plaque vulnerability in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis?

Population

72 participants, including 36 asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (aCAS) patients and 36 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC).

Intervention

Untargeted metabolomic profiling using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI).

Comparator

Age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC).

Outcome

Serum metabolic profile and identification of potential biomarkers associated with plaque vulnerability.surrogate

Integrating serum metabolomics with HR-VWI radiomics identifies specific metabolic alterations that correlate with plaque vulnerability in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (aCAS) increases the risk of ischemic stroke despite lacking clinical symptoms. This study sought to characterize the serum metabolic profile of aCAS and to identify potential biomarkers associated with plaque vulnerability by integrating metabolomics with radiomics. Untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on 72 participants, including 36 aCAS patients and 36 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses were conducted to screen differential metabolites. Candidate biomarkers were prioritized based on variable importance in projection (VIP) scores and random forest (RF) modeling. Plaque vulnerability features were quantified by high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI), and multi-omics analysis assessed associations between metabolites and plaque characteristics. A total of 144 significantly altered metabolites were identified between the aCAS and HC groups. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these differential metabolites were predominantly involved in lipid, purine, amino acid, nucleotide, and energy metabolism. Notably, 12R-HETrE, 9S-HOTrE, oleoylcarnitine, crichetocholic acid and 1β,3α,7α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid-were significantly associated with radiomic markers of plaque vulnerability. This study delineates metabolic alterations in aCAS patients and identifies potential serum metabolic biomarkers associated with plaque vulnerability. Further validation is required.

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