Application of ¹H NMR metabonomics in predicting renal function recoverability after the relief of obstructive uropathy in adult patients

Objective: To evaluate a method for predicting renal function recoverability after the relief of obstructive uropathy using (1)H NMR-based metabonomics.

Design and methods: This study included 16 bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) patients and 9 unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) patients. The obstructions in all of the patients were successfully relieved after treatment. Urine samples at different time points before and after treatment were obtained, and their (1)H NMR spectra were recorded and analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques combined with quantitative statistical analyses.

Results: A distinctive pattern in the metabolite profile of urine samples from preoperation and early and late stages after treatment was observed, which was in good agreement with the clinical chemistry analyses. Some important systemic perturbations in endogenous metabolites were correlated with different recoverability stages of renal function after obstruction relief. In addition, the OPLS-DA model of BUO patients could help predict the recovery of renal function of UUO patients.

Conclusion: The results suggest that (1)H NMR-based metabonomics can be used to evaluate the recoverability of renal function after obstruction relief. Our results suggest that (1)H NMR-based metabonomics may help stratify patients according to disease stages, provide prognostic information, and be useful for postoperative surveillance.