Integration of bile proteomics and metabolomics analyses reveals novel insights into different types of gallstones in a high-altitude area

To explore the pathogenesis of different subtypes of gallstones in high-altitude populations from a molecular perspective.

We collected bile samples from 20 cholesterol gallstone disease (CGD) patients and 20 pigment gallstone disease (PGD) patients. Proteomics analysis was performed by LC/MS DIA, while metabolomics analysis was performed by UPLC- Q-TOF/MS.

We identified 154 up-regulated and 196 down-regulated differentially expressed proteins, which were significantly enriched in neurodegenerative diseases, energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism etc. In metabolomics analysis, 20 up-regulated and 63 down-regulated differentially expressed metabolites were identified, and they were significantly enriched in vitamin B6 metabolism. Three pathways of integrated proteomics and metabolomics were significantly enriched: porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, riboflavin metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. Remarkably, 7 differentially expressed proteins and metabolites showed excellent predictive performance and were selected as potential biomarkers.

The findings of our metabolomics and proteomics analyses help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of gallstone formation in high-altitude populations.