Metabolomic comparison followed by cross-validation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to reveal potential biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy in Chinese with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

This is the first study to compare the results of targeted and untargeted metabolomics <i>via</i> liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to find the serum biomarkers which could reflect the metabolic variations among different stages of DR in Chinese. The progression of DR in Chinese at different critical stages was related to the serum levels of specific differential metabolites, of which there is a significant correlation between DR progression and increased IAA and decreased Cit, hexanoylcarnitine, CDCA, and EPA. However, larger studies are needed to confirm our results. Based on this study, it could be inferred that the accuracy of targeted metabolomics for metabolite expression in serum is to some extent higher than that of untargeted metabolomics.