GC-MS-based screening of novel biomarkers in the plasma of Aflatoxin B1-treated mouse model

The current work investigates the novel biomarkers in the plasma of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-treated mouse model. Plasma samples isolated from AFB1-treated mice (0.3 mg/kg body weight orally three times a week for four weeks) were derivatized with BSTFA with 1% TMCS for silylation. The samples were examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and metabolites were identified by comparing the peaks in the NIST14, NIST14s, PMW_TOX2, and WILEY8 library databases available in GCMS Lab Solution software. A total of 121 peaks (33 hydrocarbons, 26 fatty acyls, 17 prenol lipids and glycerophospholipids, 8 organooxygen and oxoanionic, 9 benzene derivatives, and 28 mixed compounds) were identified in the plasma. A total of 17 compounds (13 upregulated and 4 downregulated) belonging to hydrocarbons and fatty acyls showed significant metabolic perturbations. The PCA and PLS-DA models also suggest a perfect discrimination between the metabolites in the plasma of AFB1-treated mice. The PLS-DA-VIP plot identifies the nine compounds in plasma with the highest VIP score (decane, hexatriacontane, octane, tridecane, 3-methyl heptane, octadecanoic acid, nonane, hexane, and ctricontane). AFB1 administration modulates linoleic acid metabolism, sulfur metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, xenobiotic metabolism by cytochrome P450, and fatty acid biosynthesis pathways in the plasma. Undecane, octadecane, linoleic acid, and hexatriacontane have the highest AUC values that can be used for diagnostic purposes.