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Qualitative high field 1H-NMR spectroscopy for the characterization of endogenous metabolites in earthworms with biochemical biomarker potential

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This study was designed to provide a database of the endogenous metabolites in earthworm extracts of the species, Eisenia veneta and Lumbricus terrestris by high resolution 1H-NMR spectroscopy in view of identifying biomarkers of toxicity or stress in environmental metabolomics studies. 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques enabled the identification and confirmation of the organic components in the tissue extracts of whole and segmented earthworms, dissected organs, and coelomic fluid. The extracts gave rise to characteristic 1H-NMR spectral fingerprints of the low MW metabolites contained, specific to the species of earthworm, and to the specific regions or dissected organs of the earthworms under investigation. Distinct changes in the normal biochemistry were observed upon starvation and cooling, such as markedly decreased glucose and maltose, but increased lactate, acetate, succinate, formate and acetone. Additionally, slightly decreased threonine, arginine, lysine, leucine, citrate, asparagine and glycine were observed. Furthermore, lactate could be identified as a biomarker of acute toxic stress in expressed coelomic fluid following exposure to a model ecotoxin (3-trifluoromethylaniline). This work supports the application of 1H-NMR spectroscopy for the study of changes in the normal invertebrate biochemistry in order to allow for the reliable assessment of biomarker responses following toxicity testing.

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  1. J. M. Weeks

    Present address: WRc-NSF, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow, SL2 2HD, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DMPK, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, UK

    E. M. Lenz

  2. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 2LS, UK

    J. M. Weeks & D. Osborn

  3. Biological Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences Division, Imperial College, University of London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    J. C. Lindon & J. K. Nicholson

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  1. E. M. Lenz
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Correspondence to E. M. Lenz.

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Lenz, E.M., Weeks, J.M., Lindon, J.C. et al. Qualitative high field 1H-NMR spectroscopy for the characterization of endogenous metabolites in earthworms with biochemical biomarker potential. Metabolomics 1, 123–136 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-005-4435-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-005-4435-4

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