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Introduction: Previously, we used plasma metabolomics profiling to identify metabolites underlying cardiovascular health (CVH) in participants of the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular (MECA) Center for Health Equity study, a cohort of Black adults living in the Atlanta area. To determine whether a health intervention could alter expression of metabolites associated with CVH, metabolomics profiles were assessed pre- and post-intervention in participants with poor CVH. Hypothesis: Metabolites previously shown to be associated with CVH in MECA participants would be altered after the health intervention. Goal: To identify metabolites that could be markers for improved CVH and therapeutic targets. Methods: Seventy-one Black adults without known cardiovascular disease and with poor CVH (AHA Life’s Simple 7 LS7 score <8), used a technology-enabled behavioral intervention platform for 6 months with or without a health coach. Metabolomics profiles were assessed pre- and post-intervention by high-resolution metabolomics profiling. A metabolome wide association study (MWAS) identified differentially expressed metabolites and enriched metabolic pathways. Metabolites were annotated by matching to an in-house library of confirmed metabolites. Changes in clinical metrics after intervention were also explored. Results: Mean age was 55 (standard deviation SD 9.0) years, 69% female. Total LS7 scores improved from 6.2 (SD 1.49) to 6.5 (SD 1.74) after the intervention. While total and subcomponent LS7 scores and clinical metrics (BMI, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels) trended toward improvement, the changes were not statistically significant. MWAS identified 18 confirmed metabolites that were significantly changed after intervention, including glutamine and glutamate. Pathway analysis identified 29 enriched metabolic pathways, including those for glutamate, aspartate, asparagine, arginine and proline metabolism. Conclusion: A six-month lifestyle intervention significantly altered activity of select plasma metabolites while only modestly altering clinical metrics. These metabolites appear to be sensitive indicators of a healthier lifestyle, potentially supporting their use as markers of CVH and therapeutic targets.
Searles et al. (Wed,) studied this question.