Analyzing and mapping sweat metabolomics by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Human sweat composition analysis is crucial for understanding physiological states.
• Previous studies have limitations in sweat sampling techniques and metabolite identification.
• Identifying sweat metabolites can offer insights into metabolic processes and health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the major organic components in human sweat using high-resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
• To develop novel and simple tools for effective sweat sampling from various body regions.
• To establish the primary constituents of the sweat metabolic profile across different anatomical locations.

Main Methods:

• High-resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed for detailed sweat content analysis.
• Original and user-friendly tools were designed and utilized for sweat sample collection from diverse human body surfaces.
• Metabolic profiling was performed on sweat samples obtained from various skin areas, including the sole of the foot.

Main Results:

• The study identified lactate, glycerol, pyruvate, and serine as the predominant organic components in the sweat of conditionally healthy individuals.
• A consistent sweat metabolic profile was observed across most examined body surface areas.
• An exception was noted on the sole of the foot (planta pedis), where only trace amounts of glycerol were detected.

Conclusions:

• Lactate, glycerol, pyruvate, and serine are key metabolites defining the human sweat profile.
• The developed sampling tools enable efficient sweat collection for metabolic analysis.
• Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the specific origins and physiological roles of these identified sweat metabolites.