代谢组学技术在环境毒理学研究中的应用

代谢组学作为系统生物学的一部分,通过考察机体受刺激后体液或组织中内源性代谢物的动态变化规律,并结合生物信息统计方法,可系统全面地揭示内因和外因作用于机体的毒性效应和机制。代谢组学技术具有快速、灵敏度高、选择性强的特点,逐渐在低剂量环境污染物长期暴露的毒性效应评估方面发挥出优势。本文综述了代谢组学技术的主要研究手段,在毒理学研究中的发展历程和优点,以及在环境毒理学研究中的应用及前景展望。重点讨论了代谢组学技术在重金属和持久性有机污染物(POPs)毒性评估以及环境胁迫耐受性评价中的应用。

A Review on the Application of Metabonomic Approaches in Environmental Toxicology

Metabolomics is an important aspect of systems biology. It concerns with the dynamic changes of endogenous metabolites in body fluids or tissues of organism affected by internal and external factors. Bioinformatic tools are then employed to bring insights into the pathophysiological processes and toxicological mechanisms. Metabolomics is a fast and high-throughput method with the characteristics of high sensitivity and selectivity, and so it plays an increasing advantage in the toxicity assessment of low-dose environment pollutants. In this review, the analytical methods, development history and advantage of metabolomics on toxicology research, as well as its application and perspective in environmental toxicology were introduced. This review mainly focused on the application of metabolomics approach in the risk assessment of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and the metabolomic responses of orgnisms to environmental stress.