An NMR-Based Metabonomic Analysis of Horse Serum using Statistical Total Correlation Spectroscopy

Abstract

Metabonomics aims to study the metabolic profile of a living organism by using a multivariate statistical quantitative approach to better understand the complex interactions that occur between metabolites. In this experiment, I test the hypothesis that one such form of NMR-based metabonomic analysis - Statistical Total Correlation Spectroscopy (STOCSY) - can reveal differences between the NMR spectra horses of different breeds, ages, and health status. Three groups of horses were compared to see if metabolic variance could be detected: 2 yr-old mustangs and 2 yr-old draft-cross horses (group 1), 1 yr-old and 2 yr-old draft cross horses (group 2), and 18-20 month-old Stardardbred yearlings (group 3), half of whom have developed the debilitating joint disease, Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD), which afflicts most all breeds of horses. STOCSY analysis of several peaks in the NMR spectra revealed distinct metabolic differences among the groups of horses. With their use on the rise, NMR-based metabonomic analyses could lead to quicker, earlier treatment procedures for debilitating diseases by developing a deeper understanding of metabolic interactions.