AU2015258285B2 - Predicting coronary artery disease and risk of cardiovascular events - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods of assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject by detecting the level of at least one metabolite in a sample from the subject are disclosed herein. The level of the metabolite is indicative of the risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject. The metabolites may be acylcarnitines, amino acids, ketones, free fatty acids or hydroxybutyrate. The cardiovascular disease may be risk of a cardiovascular event, presence of coronary artery disease or risk of development of coronary artery disease. 7142005 1 (GHMatters) P88180.AU.1

Description

PREDICTING CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No. 2010224175 which, in turn, claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/159,077 filed 10 March 2009. The specification for each of AU2010224175 and US61/159,077 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries, and in concert with the epidemic of obesity and diabetes, is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death in developing countries. The genetic predilection of CAD is well-established; family history has been shown to be an independent risk factor for CAD, especially in early onset forms. Despite this, the genetic architecture of CAD remains largely unknown.

Many accepted risk factors for CAD are metabolic. However, there remains an incomplete mechanistic understanding of CAD risk, and equally important, a need to refine our ability to identify individuals at highest risk of cardiovascular events. Given the complex nature of CAD, evaluation with more comprehensive tools may improve risk stratification and enhance our understanding of the disease process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, methods for assessing risk of inherited cardiovascular disease in a subject are provided. The risk assessment may include predicting the likelihood a subsequent cardiovascular event such as a myocardial infarction, predicting development of CAD, or discriminating the presence of CAD in a subject. The methods include detecting each metabolite in a sample from the subject. The metabolite may be an acylcarnitine, an amino acid, a ketone, a free fatty acid or β-hydroxybutyrate. The levels of metabolites are then compared to a standard or to control subjects and can be used to determine the level of risk of a cardiovascular event, the risk of development of CAD or the presence of CAD in the subject.

In some embodiments, there is provided a method for assessing risk of inherited cardiovascular disease in a subject comprising: (a) detecting in a sample from the subject the level of each metabolite in a group of metabolites consisting of C5-DC, C6-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, and C8:1-DC; (b) comparing the level of each metabolite in the sample to a non-cardiovascular disease standard; and (c) determining that the subject has an increased risk of inherited cardiovascular disease when the level of the at least one metabolite is different from the standard.

In some embodiments, there is provided a method for assessing risk of inherited cardiovascular disease in a subject comprising: (a) detecting in a sample from the subject the level of each metabolite in a group of metabolites consisting of C5-DC, C6-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, and C8:1-DC; (b) calculating a weighted level of each metabolite by multiplying the detected level by a loading factor specific for each metabolite; (c) adding the weighted level of each metabolite in the group together to yield a factor score; (d) comparing the factor score of the sample to a non-cardiovascular disease standard; and (e) determining that the subject has an increased risk of inherited cardiovascular disease when the factor score in the subject is different from the standard

In another aspect, methods of developing a treatment plan for a subject with or at risk of developing CAD or a subject at risk for a cardiovascular event are also provided. The methods include using the level of detected metabolite in the subject to develop a treatment plan based on the risk of inherited cardiovascular disease in the subject. The plan may include diet, exercise and pharmaceutical treatment options.

In some embodiments, there is provided a method of developing a treatment plan for a subject comprising: (a) detecting in a sample from the subject the level of each metabolite in a group of metabolites consisting of C5-DC, C6-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, and C8:1-DC; (b) comparing the level of each metabolite in the sample to a non-cardiovascular disease standard; and (c) determining that the subject has an increased risk of inherited cardiovascular disease when the level of the at least one metabolite is different from the standard; and (d) developing a treatment plan when an increased risk of inherited cardiovascular disease is determined in step (c).

In still another aspect, methods for assessing the risk of inherited cardiovascular disease in a subject are provided in which a sample is obtained from the subject. The sample is provided to a laboratory for detection of metabolite levels in the sample. The metabolites detected may be acylcamitines, amino acids, ketones, fatty acids or hydroxybutyrate. The laboratory returns a report indicating metabolite levels in the sample, which are indicative of the risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject.

In some embodiments, there is provided a method for assessing the risk of inherited cardiovascular disease in a subject, comprising: obtaining a sample from the subject; providing the sample to a laboratory for detection of each metabolite in a group of metabolites consisting of C5-DC, C6-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, and C8:1-DC; receiving from the laboratory a report indicating metabolite levels in the sample; and determining that the subject has an increased risk of inherited cardiovascular disease when the level of each metabolite is different from a non-cardiovascular disease standard. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a set of graphs showing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for metabolite factors and CAD. ROC curves and measures of model fit (c-statistic) are presented for three models: a clinical model inclusive of traditional CAD risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, BMI, family history; and for the replication group, age, race and sex are also included) (black line); a model inclusive of all traditional risk factors plus metabolite factors 4 and 9 (gray line); and a model inclusive of all traditional risk factors plus all metabolite factors (dashed black line). The top graph shows the initial group and the bottom graph shows the replication group.

Figure 2 is a set of graphs showing the cox proportional hazards model for predictive capability of metabolite Factor 8 for cardiovascular events. Unadjusted (left panel) and adjusted (right panel) survival curves (adjusted for BMI, severity of CAD, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, family history, ejection fraction, serum creatinine, subsequent CABG, age, race and sex) are presented for metabolite factor 8.

Figure 3 is a pedigree of the eight multiplex GENECARD families. Black filled in symbols signify affected with premature CAD; smaller gray circles signify blood profiling performed for this study. Note that the majority of the family members profiled are as-of-yet unaffected offspring of the original affected-sibling pairs.

Figure 4 is a graph showing the heritabilities of conventional metabolites. The Y-axis is the negative loglO of the p-value for the heritability estimate (X-axis). Error bars around heritability point estimates are in light grey.

Figure 5 is a graph showing the heritabilities of amino acids and free fatty acids. Displayed are heritabilities of amino acids and free fatty acids. The Y-axis is the negative loglO of the p-value for the heritability estimate (X-axis). Error bars around heritability point estimates are in light grey.

Figure 6 is a graph showing the heritabilities of acylcarnitines. The Y-axis is the negative loglO of the p-value for the heritability estimate (X-axis). Error bars around heritability point estimates are in light grey.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Metabolomics, the study of small-molecule metabolites, may be useful for diagnosis of human disease. Studies have demonstrated heritability of metabolites in plants and mice. As described in the Examples, metabolite profiles are heritable in human families with early-onset CAD, suggesting that the known heritability of CAD may be mediated at least in part through metabolic components measurable in blood. The Examples describe quantitative profiling of 69 metabolites, including acylcamitine species (byproducts of mitochondrial fatty acid, carbohydrate and amino acid oxidation), amino acids and conventional metabolites such as free fatty acids, ketones and β-hydroxybutyrate, in participants enrolled in the Duke CATHGEN biorepository and in families selected from the Duke GENECARD study. The capability of metabolite profiles to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject is provided herein. The Examples demonstrate that the levels of particular metabolites, alone or in combination, discriminate the likelihood of developing CAD, the presence of CAD and the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events.

Methods of assessing or predicting risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject are provided. The methods include detecting the level of at least one metabolite in a sample from the subject. The amount or relative level of the metabolite may be detected. The metabolites detected may be acyl carnitines, amino acids, ketones, free fatty acids (FFA), or hydroxybutyrate. The level of the metabolite in the sample from the subject is then compared to a standard to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease. The standard may be an empirically derived number for each metabolite indicating a normal range and/or a range indicative of cardiovascular disease or may be direct comparison to the levels of metabolite in individuals with known cardiovascular disease status.

Methods for assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject by obtaining a sample from the subject and providing the sample to a laboratory for detection of metabolite levels in the sample are also provided. As above, the metabolite detected by the laboratory may include acylcamitines, amino acids, ketones, fatty acids and hydroxybutyrate. A report indicating metabolite levels in the sample is then received from the laboratory. The report indicates the level of the metabolite in the subject and the level can be used to compare to standard values to indicate the risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject.

The risk of cardiovascular disease includes assessing the risk of a subject without CAD developing CAD over time due to heritable factors, assessing the presence or absence of CAD in a subject and assessing the risk of having a cardiovascular event. Cardiovascular events include myocardial infarction, stroke and death.

Subjects may be any mammal, suitably the subject is human. Subjects identified as having or at risk of developing CAD may be further assessed to determine their risk of a cardiovascular event using the methods provided herein. The methods may be used to help diagnose the presence of CAD in a non-invasive fashion and/or to develop a treatment plan for subjects identified as at risk for CAD, having CAD or at risk for a cardiovascular event. The treatment plan may include provision of dietary, exercise, and pharmaceutical therapies to the subject. A cardiovascular event includes, but is not limited to, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and death.

The metabolite may be detected using a variety of samples, several of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the Examples, peripheral blood was obtained from the subject and processed in order to detect the level of metabolites in the subject. Other tissues or fluids from the subject may also be used, including but not limited to blood, plasma, urine, serum, saliva, and tissue biopsies.

Any method may be used to detect the metabolite. Suitably the method is quantitative such that the level or amount of the metabolite in the subject or a sample from the subject may be determined. In the Examples, the level of the metabolites was detected by mass spectrometry. Other methods of measurement may be used, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The metabolites may also be detected using colorimetric or fluorometric assays based on detection of the metabolite by an assay such as a binding or enzymatic assay.

Any suitable assay method for the metabolites may be used. Such methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The level of the metabolite in the subject may be reported as ng/ml of metabolite in blood or tissue, by the mM or μΜ concentration of the metabolite in the blood or tissue or by using arbitrary units to show relative levels amongst subjects. In the Examples, the mM or pM of metabolite in the blood are reported.

In some embodiments, detection of a single metabolite is sufficient to assess risk of cardiovascular disease. In other embodiments, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 or 65 metabolites may be detected and used in the methods to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease. The metabolites detected may be related in a factor by principal component analysis of a population of subjects. The factors, or groups of metabolites, useful for assessing heritability of CAD and for the presence of CAD or risk of having a cardiovascular event are presented in the Examples below.

The level of metabolite in the subject is used to determine whether the subject has CAD, risk of the subject developing CAD and/or the risk of the subject experiencing a cardiovascular event in the future. The level of risk determination may be based on a standard level of the metabolite present in the blood. Such a standard is used for the relationship between HDL and LDL cholesterol measurements in which risk for CAD is predicted when cholesterol levels reach certain level in the blood after fasting and the ratio of HDL to LDL is beyond standard limits. Such standards are generally developed based on a large population study. Alternatively, the determination of risk may be based on direct comparison to one or more control subjects. For example, a set of control subjects lacking CAD and with no cardiovascular events in the two years following sample procurement and a set of control subjects with CAD and with or without a cardiovascular event in the two years following sample procurement could be used as a comparison.

The risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject may be expressed in relative terms. For instance a normal level of a metabolite may be referred to as 1.0 in subjects at low to average risk for cardiovascular disease such as CAD or a cardiovascular event. Any numbers below 1.0 could indicate the subject has a lower risk than the general population risk. A number greater than 1.0 would indicate that the subject has a greater than average risk level and the actual number could relate to the level of risk. For example, a subject whose metabolite level is 2.0 may be two times as likely to experience a cardiovascular event in the next two years as compared to an average individual.

The assessment of risk of cardiovascular disease, including CAD or a future cardiovascular event, includes but is not limited to, developing a risk profile. The assessment or prediction may indicate that the subject is 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, 750% or 1000% more likely to have or develop a cardiovascular disease, such as CAD or have cardiovascular event, than a control subject. A control subject is an individual that does not have CAD and possesses levels of the metabolite that do not correlate with an increased risk of CAD or a cardiovascular event.

The metabolites predictive of risk of developing cardiovascular disease CAD include metabolites involved in many of the major pathways of lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Thus, the acylcamitines include acetyl carnitine (C2), a by-product of glucose, fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, Propionyl carnitine (C3) and Isoveleryl carnitine (C5), which provide information on amino acid catabolism, the dicarboxylated acylcamitine, which report on peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism, and the medium-long chain acylcamitines, which are intermediates in long-chain fatty acid beta-oxidation. The amino acids serve as important intermediates in protein turnover and catabolism and the ketones are an index of fatty acid beta-oxidation. Table 1 below shows the short and full-names of the metabolites tested in the Examples. Table 2 shows the biological functions, if available, of each of the tested metabolites.

Table 1. Nomenclature and Intra-Individual Variability of Metabolites. Metabolite short names, full names, and measures of intra-individual variability are presented.

Table 2. Biological functions of the metabolites measured. By measuring conventional metabolites such as fatty acids, ketones and beta-hydroxybutyrate, a large panel of acylcamitines and fifteen of the biologically relevant amino acids, the panel of metabolites surveyed report on the major pathways of lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. This table displays biological functions (when available) of each of the individual metabolites measured.

Methods of predicting the risk of a cardiovascular event (death or myocardial infarction) in a subject by detecting at least one metabolite in the subject are also provided. The metabolites predictive of risk of a cardiovascular event are presumed products of peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism, in particular the short-chain dicarboxyl acylcamitines, and citrulline. The specific metabolites are listed in Table 9 of the Examples and are identified as factor 8. Table 10 shows the individual metabolites within Factor 8 and provides the Factor load data for each metabolite. The data in the Examples demonstrate that citrulline and the short-chain dicarboxyl acylcamitines are predictive of the risk of a cardiovascular event.

Individual metabolites may also be predictive of the risk of a cardiovascular event. These metabolites include Gly, Ala, Ser, Pro, Met, His, Phe, Tyr, Asx, Glx, Ornithine, Citrulline, arg, C2, C3, C4:C14; C5:l, C5, C4:OH, C14-DC:C4DC, C5-DC, C6-DC, C10:3, CIO, C10-OH:C8DC, 02:1, 02, C12-OH:C10DC, C14:1-0H, C14-OH:C12-DC, 06, C16-OH/C14-DC, 08:2, C18-OH/C16-DC, C20, C20:1-OH/C18:1-DC, C20-OH/C18-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, C8:1-DC, 06:1, C16:l-OH/C14:l-DC, C20:4, FFA, HBUT, and Ket.

In particular, the levels of citrulline, C5-DC, C6-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, and C8:1-DC are predictive of cardiovascular events. In addition, the levels of ornithine, citrulline, C5, 04-DC:C4DC, C5-DC, C6-DC, C10-OH:C8DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, C8:1-DC, C20:4 and FFA are also useful for assessing the risk of a cardiovascular event.

Methods of assessing the presence and/or extent of CAD in a subject by detecting the level of at least one metabolite in a sample from the subject are also provided. The metabolites useful for assessing the presence of CAD are medium-chain acylcamitine, a branched chain amino acid or associated metabolite, or a metabolite associated with the urea cycle.

The specific metabolites are listed in Table 6, 7 and 8 of the Examples and are identified as factors 1, 4, and 9 in Table 9. Table 10 shows the individual metabolites within Factors 1, 4 and 9 and provides the Factor load data for each metabolite. Only those metabolites with factor loads greater than or equal to 0.04 are included in the factor.

Individual metabolites may also be predictive of the risk of a cardiovascular event. These metabolites include Pro, Leu/Ile, Met, Val, Glx, Citrulline, C2, C3, C4:Ci4; C5, C8, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, 00:1, 04:2, C14:1-0H, 06:2, 06:1, 06:2, 06:1, 06:1-0H/C14:1-DC, C18-OH/C16-DC, HBUT, and Ket. In particular, the levels of Leu/Ile, Glx, C2, 04:1-OH and C16:l-OH/C14:l-DC are indicative of the presence of CAD in a subject. Increased levels of Leu/Ile or Glx as compared to normal controls or a normal standard are indicative of CAD in the subject. Decreases levels of C2, C14:1-0H and C16:l-OH/C14:l-DC are indicative of the presence of CAD in a subject. A level of Leu/Ile greater than 165mM, 170mM or 175mM is indicative of coronary artery disease. A level of Glx greater than 127mM, 128mM, 129mM, 130mM, 132mM, 135mM or 140mMis indicative of coronary artery disease. A level of C14:1-0H less than 0.014μΜ, 0.013μΜ or 0.012μΜ is indicative of coronary artery disease. A level of C16:1-0H/C14:1-DC less than 0.009μΜ, 0.0089μΜ, or 0.0088μΜ is indicative of coronary artery disease.

Methods of assessing the likelihood of developing CAD in a subject by detecting the level of at least one metabolite in a sample from the subject are also provided. The metabolites useful for assessing the likely development of CAD are the short- and medium-chain acylcarnitine metabolites, branched chain amino acids and urea cycle related metabolites.

The specific metabolites are listed in Table 14 of the Examples. Table 15 shows the individual metabolites within the identified Factors. Only those metabolites with factor loads greater than or equal to 0.04 are included in the factor. Individual metabolites may also be predictive of the risk of a cardiovascular event. These metabolites include ketones, arg, ornithine, citrulline, glx, ala, val, leu/ile, pro, C2, 04:1, 08:1, C5:l, C4-i4, 08, 00:1 and FFA.

The Examples below are meant to be illustrative and not to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Association of Metabolites with CAD and Risk of Cardiovascular Events

Methods

Study Sample

The CATHGEN biorepository consists of subjects recruited sequentially through the cardiac catheterization laboratories at Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC). After informed consent, blood was obtained from the femoral artery at time of arterial access for catheterization, immediately processed to separate plasma, and frozen at -80°C. All subjects were fasting for a minimum of six hours prior to collection. Clinical data were provided by the DDCD, a database of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at Duke University since 1969. Medication data were collected for medications used chronically, i.e. medications at admission (inpatients) or from a clinic note within one month prior (outpatients). Follow-up data, including occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) and death were collected at six months after catheterization, then annually thereafter. Vital status was confirmed through the National Death Index. The indication for catheterization for all subjects was clinical concern for ischemic heart disease. Patients with severe pulmonary hypertension or organ transplant were excluded.

To evaluate the discriminative capability of metabolites for CAD, two independent case-control groups were constructed: ‘initial’ (174 CAD cases and 174 CAD-free controls); and ‘replication’ (140 CAD cases and 140 CAD-free controls). For the initial group, sequential cases meeting inclusion criteria were selected: CADindex >32 (at least one coronary artery with >95% stenosis) and age-of-onset <55 years. CADindex is a numerical summary of angiographic data. (Smith et al., Circulation 1991;84[5 Suppl], 111:245-253.) Age-of-onset was defined as age at first MI, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), or age at first catheterization meeting CADindex threshold. Sex- and race-matched controls meeting the following criteria were selected: CADindex <23; no coronary artery with >50% stenosis; age-at-catheterization >61 years; and no history of MI, PCI, CABG, or transplant. Given the differences in age based on these criteria, results could be confounded by age. Therefore, for the replication group, sequential cases and controls meeting the same inclusion criteria were selected, but the criterion of age-of-onset (cases) or age-at-catheterization (controls) was removed and cases/controls were not matched. This allowed generalizability of findings to a representative population of patients referred for catheterization. Analyses were also performed by constraining CAD cases to those with a previous history of MI (A=86 cases in initial, A=61 cases in replication).

To evaluate the capability of metabolites to predict risk of subsequent cardiovascular events, an ‘event’ group was constructed, combining CAD cases from the initial and replication groups (‘event’ group, A-3 14); of these, 74 individuals suffered death or MI during follow-up. To validate findings for the association of metabolites with risk of cardiovascular events, profiling was performed in an independent cardiovascular event case-control group (‘event-replication’) composed of unique individuals from CATHGEN meeting the following criteria: ejection fraction >40%; no history of PCI or CABG; and no subsequent CABG. Among these, event cases (A=63) suffered death or MI, or had PCI with acute coronary syndrome within two years after catheterization; controls (N= 66) were event-free, with at least two years of follow-up, and were matched to cases on age, race, sex and CADindex.

The Duke Institutional Review Board approved the protocols for CATHGEN and the current study. Informed consent was obtained from each subject.

Metabolite Measurements

Fasting plasma samples were used for quantitative determination of targeted levels for 45 acylcarnitines, 15 amino acids, five conventional analytes (total, low-density[LDL] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose), ketones, β-hydroxybutyrate, total free fatty acids and C-reactive protein [CRP] (Table 1). Methodology and coefficients of variation for each assay have been reported. (Shah et al., Mol Syst Biol 2009;5:258 and Newgard et al., Cell Metab 2009;9(4):311-26.) The laboratory (Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism metabolomics/biomarker core laboratory) was blinded to case-control status and cases/controls were randomly distributed.

Standard clinical chemistry methods were used for conventional metabolites with reagents from Roche Diagnostics (Indianapolis, IN), and for free fatty acids (total) and ketones (total and β-hydroxybutyrate) with reagents from Wako. All assays were performed on a Hitachi 911 clinical chemistry analyzer.

For mass spectroscopy (MS)-profiled metabolites (acylcarnitines, amino acids) the following protocol was used. (An et al., Nat Med 2004; 10(3):268-74 and Chace et al., Clin

Chem 1995;41(l):62-8.) Proteins were first removed by precipitation with methanol. Aliquoted supernatants were dried, and then esterified with hot, acidic methanol (acylcarnitines) or «-butanol (amino acids). Analysis was done using tandem MS with a Quattro Micro instrument (Waters Corporation, Milford, MA). Quantification of the “targeted” intermediary metabolites was facilitated by addition of mixtures of known quantities of stable-isotope internal standards (Table 3). Leucine/isoleucine (LEU/ILE) are reported as a single analyte because they are not resolved by our MS/MS method, and include contributions from a//o-isoleucine and hydroxyproline. Under normal circumstances these isobaric amino acids contribute little to the signal attributed to LEU/ILE. In addition, the acidic conditions used to form butyl esters results in partial hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamic acid and of asparagine to aspartate. Accordingly, values that are reported as GLU/GLN (GLX) or ASP/ASN (ASX) are not meant to signify the molar sum of glutamate and glutamine, or of aspartate and asparagine, but rather measure the amount of glutamate or aspartate plus the contribution of the partial hydrolysis reactions of glutamine and asparagine, respectively. Biological annotation is included in Table 2 above.

Table 3. Internal spiked standards for acylcarnitine and amino acid measurements.

Statistical Analysis

Metabolite levels reported as “0” (i.e., below the lower limits of quantification (LOQ)) were given a value of LOQ/2. Metabolites with >25% of values as “0” were not analyzed (five acylcamitines). All metabolites were natural log-transformed to approximate a normal distribution. For analysis of CAD status, generalized linear regression models were used to assess differences in metabolite levels between CAD cases and controls, both unadjusted and adjusted for traditional CAD risk factors not constrained by matching: diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, body-mass-index (BMI), family history of CAD, and smoking. Analyses of the replication group were further adjusted for race, sex and age. With log transformation, all significant metabolites showed a normal distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test P >0.01), except valine, ketones, and C8, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, 00:1, 04:2, 06:1, C16:l-OH/C14:l-DC, and C18-OH/C16-DC acylcamitines. Visual inspection of the distributions suggested a grossly normal distribution. Regardless, we performed sensitivity analyses using non-parametric Wilcoxon tests, showing similar results as the semi-parametric linear models, except for valine and 04:2 acylcarnitine, both of which were not significant in linear regressions (p=0.10 and p=0.06, respectively), but were significant with these nonparametric tests (p=0.05 and p=0.008). Analyses were also stratified by diabetes and smoking.

In exploratory analyses, multivariable models were further adjusted for medication classes (beta-blockers, statins, diabetes medications, aspirin, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, nitrates, clopidogrel and diuretics), use of pre-procedural sedation, and continuous intravenous heparin use at time of catheterization. The CATHGEN protocol requires sample collection prior to supplemental heparin administration during catheterization. Therefore, adjustment for continuous intravenous heparin use at time of catheterization addresses differences related to heparin. Only 66% of individuals had medication data, hence medications were coded as a discrete variable: not on medication, missing, and on medication.

Given that metabolites reside in overlapping pathways, correlation of metabolites is expected. We used principal components analysis (PCA) to reduce the large number of correlated variables into uncorrelated factors. Factors with higher “eigenvalues” account for larger amounts of variability within the dataset. Factors with an eigenvalue >1.0 were identified and varimax rotation performed to produce interpretable factors. Metabolites with a factor load >|0.4| were reported as composing a factor. See Table 10. Scoring coefficients were constructed from the initial group and used to calculate factor scores for each individual (weighted sum of the standardized metabolites within that factor, weighted on the factor loading for each metabolite), and were also applied to the replication group. Generalized linear regression models were used to assess the difference in factor scores between cases and controls. All factors were normally distributed (Kolmogorov-Smimov test P>0.01), except for factors 7- 9; visual inspection showed a grossly normal distribution. Non-parametric Wilcoxon tests for these factors showed the same results as linear models.

To further assess the independent capability of metabolite profiles to discriminate CAD cases from controls, multivariable logistic regression models were constructed; in these models, CAD risk factors (BMI, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, family history, smoking) were forced into the model, then metabolite factors were added. Receiver operating curves (ROC) were constructed and measures of model fit calculated. Nonparametric analysis for comparison of the areas under these curves was performed using previous methods. (DeLong et al., Biometrics 1988;44(3):837-45.)

For analysis of subsequent cardiovascular events, cases from initial and replication groups were pooled (‘event’ group). The relationship between metabolite factors and time-to-occurrence of death/MI was assessed using Cox proportional hazards (unadjusted and adjusted for BMI, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, family history, smoking, age, race, sex, creatinine, ejection fraction and CADindex). The assumption of proportional hazards was met. For replication in the ‘event-replication’ group, scoring coefficients from PCA-derived factors constructed in the initial CAD group were used to calculate factor scores in the event-replication group; logistic regression was used to assess the association between factors and case/control status (unadjusted and adjusted for BMI, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, family history, smoking, creatinine, and ejection fraction).

As all analyses were exploratory in nature and given co-linearity of the metabolites, two-sided p-values unadjusted for multiple comparisons are presented; however, results interpreted in the context of Bonferroni correction are reported. Nominal statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. Bonferroni corrected p-values were P<0.0007 (individual metabolites) and P<0.004 (factors). Statistical analyses were performed by D.R.C. and S.H.S. using SAS version 9.1 (Cary NC).

Results

Patient populations

Population characteristics for the initial (174 early-onset CAD cases, 174 matched controls) and replication groups (140 CAD cases, 140 controls) are displayed in Table 4, and for the event-replication group in Table 5.

Table 4. Baseline Clinical Characteristics of Initial and Replication Groups.

Table 5: Baseline Clinical Characteristics of the Event Replication Group.

for ditfsrence between subjects with events anti eveni-free crottfrofe.

Association of Individual Metabolites with CAD

Levels of several amino acids were different between cases and controls in the initial group (Table 6), including the branched-chain amino acids leucine/isoleucine (P<0.0001) and valine (P=0.007), glutamate/glutamine (P<0.0001), proline (P=0.04) and methionine (P=0.05). Levels of several acylcamitines were also different between cases and controls in the initial group, including the C16 acylcamitines (C16:l, P=0.006; C16:l-OH/C14:l-DC, P=0.004; C16:2, P=0.05; and C18-OH/C16-DC, P=0.003), and C4:Ci4 (P=0.009), C8 (P=0.009), C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC (P=0.003), and C10:l (P=0.002) acylcamitine (Table 6). For most metabolites, these differences persisted after adjustment for CAD risk factors.

Table 6. Association of Individual Metabolites with CAD. Means and standard deviations for metabolites significantly different between cases and controls in the initial group are presented. Results for these analytes in the replication group are also presented. All values are in millimolar for amino acids and micromolar for acylcamitines. Analytes in bold show consistent association across both datasets (with consistent direction of effect)._

*adjusted for diabetes, hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, family history of CAD, BMI. •[adjusted for age, race, sex, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, family history of CAD, BMI

Several of these metabolites were also significant in the replication group in adjusted analyses (with similar direction of effect), including the amino acids leucine/isoleucine and glutamate/glutamine, and the long-chain acyl carnitines C14:l-OH and C16:l-OH/C14:l-DC (Table 6). In unadjusted analyses, these metabolites, amino acids methionine and proline, and C16:2 and C16:1 acylcamitine were significant in both groups.

Further adjustment for lipids (total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) resulted in similar results, although with attenuation of association for LEU/ILE in the initial group (Tables 7 and 8). Analyses stratified by diabetes suggested some heterogeneity of association by diabetes. For example, LEU/ILE and C16:1-OU/C14:1-DC showed stronger association in non-diabetics. Analyses stratified by smoking suggested no difference in smokers and non-smokers.

Table 7. Association of Individual Metabolites with CAD in the Initial Group. Means and standard deviations for all individual metabolites for the overall initial group, as well as stratified by CAD, are presented. All values are in millimolar for amino acids and micromolar for acylcarnitines. P-values are for the association between metabolites and CAD in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Analytes in bold show consistent association across both datasets in adjusted analyses (with consistent direction of effect).

"s^i/sted for diabetes, ttyparisminn, sfimxing, afw^&amp;tensa, family tmtaty of CAD, 3ML fadjusted for diabetes, hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, family history of CAD, BMI, and total, LDL, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Table 8. Association of Individual Metabolites with CAD in the Replication Group.

Means and standard deviations for all individual metabolites for the overall replication group, as well as stratified by CAD, are presented. All values are in millimolar for amino acids and micromolar for acylcarnitines. P-values are for the association between metabolites and CAD in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Analytes in bold show consistent association across both datasets in adjusted analyses (with consistent direction of effect).

*edjtfstB<} for age, race, sex, tfiateies, hypotension, smoking, dysUpkiemia, family hssiary a! CAD, S&amp;Jf fadjusted for age, race, sex, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, family history of CAD, BMI, and total, LDL, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Unbiased Principal Components Analysis PCA identified 12 factors comprised of collinear metabolites (Table 9), grouping in biologically plausible factors. Three factors were significantly different between cases and controls in the initial group in adjusted analyses: factor 1 (medium-chain acylcarnitines), factor 4 (branched-chain amino acids and related metabolites), and factor 9 (arginine, histidine, citrulline, Ci4-DC:C4DC). Of these factors, two factors (4 and 9) remained significant in the replication group. Factor 1 was only weakly significant in the replication group (unadjusted P=0.15, adjusted P=0.03). The factor load for each metabolite is presented in Table 10.

Table 9. Principal Components Analysis. Results of unbiased principal components analysis (PCA) are presented. Factors were constructed using the initial group; scoring coefficients from this PCA were used to calculate factor scores for the initial and replication groups. P-values for the difference in the mean value of the factors between cases and controls for the initial and replication groups are presented.

*Analytes with a factor load >|0.4| for that factor are listed, in order of magnitude of load for that factor; analytes with a negative factor load for that factor are annotated with a (-). **Proportion of variance explained by that factor, f adjusted for diabetes, hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, family history of CAD, BMI; replication group results are additionally adjusted for age, race and sex.

Table 10. Factor Loads of Individual Metabolites on Factors Identified from PCA on the Initial Group.

Further adjustment for lipids showed continued association with CAD, although Factor 4 was not significant in the initial group (initial group: factor 1, P=0.0002; factor 4, P=0.59; factor 9, P=0.02; replication group: factor 1, P=0.01; factor 4, P=0.02; factor 9, P=0.004). Although we adjusted for diabetes, given studies showing relationships between metabolites with insulin resistance, we further adjusted the base multivariable model for fasting glucose. These analyses revealed a continued significant association with CAD (initial group: factor 1, P=0.02; factor 4, P=0.02; factor 9, P=0.003; replication group: factorl, P=0.03; factor 4, P=0.05; factor 9, P=0.02).

Stratified analyses suggested stronger association between factors 4 and 9 with CAD in non-diabetics as compared with diabetics (Table 11), with minimal or no discernable signal in diabetics, but no consistent differences in association with CAD by smoking (Table 12).

Table 11. Association of PCA Derived Metabolomic Factors with CAD, Stratified by Diabetes. P-values for the association of PCA-derived metabolomic factors with CAD, stratified by a medical history of diabetes, are presented. Unadjusted p-values and p-values adjusted for hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, family history and BMI (and also for age, race and sex in the Replication Group) are presented.

Table 12. Association of PCA Derived Metabolomic Factors with CAD, Stratified by Smoking. P-values for the association of PCA-derived metabolomic factors with CAD, stratified by smoking (currently smoking or not), are presented. Unadjusted p-values and p-values adjusted for diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, family history and BMI (and also for age, race and sex for the Replication Group) are presented.

Additional adjustment for ten classes of medications had minimal influence on the relationship between factors and CAD in the initial group (factor 1, adjusted P=0.009; factor 4, P=0.03; factor 9, P=0.003), but were no longer significant in the replication group (factor 1, P=0.02; factor 4, P=0.19; factor 9, P=0.14). We also performed similar analyses restricted to those individuals with available medication data, in the combined datasets to optimize power (N=416). These results showed continued association between factors 4 and 9 with CAD, although attenuated (factor 4: unadjusted model, p=0.0009; model adjusted for CAD risk factors, P=0.03; model adjusted for CAD risk factors and medications, P=0.05; factor 9: unadjusted model, P=0.0003; model adjusted for CAD risk factors, P=0.002; model adjusted for CAD risk factors and medications, P=0.007).

Results presented are unadjusted for multiple comparisons. We used PCA to account for co-linearity of metabolites. Of the individual metabolites, only glutamate/glutamine would survive Bonferroni correction. Factors 4 and 9 would survive Bonferroni correction at the level of factors (P<0.004).

Association of Metabolite Profiles with Prevalent Myocardial Infarction

To examine association of these metabolites with a more severe phenotype, we evaluated the relationship of the PCA-derived factors in cases with a prior history of MI compared with controls free of CAD (initial group N= 86 MI cases, replication group A-61 MI case). The two factors (4 and 9) that were associated with CAD were also associated with prior MI in both groups (Table 9).

Assessment of Model Fit and ROC Curves for CAD

To further quantify the independent association of metabolite factors with CAD, logistic regression models were constructed: (1) clinical model; (2) clinical model plus factors 4 and 9; and (3) clinical model plus all metabolite factors. Factors 4 and 9 were independently associated with CAD in both the initial group (factor 4: odds ratio [OR] 1.42; 95% Cl, 1.09 to 1.84, P=0.01; factor 9: OR 0.69, 95% Cl, 0.53 to 0.90, P=0.006) and the replication group (factor 4: OR 1.42; 95% Cl 1.06 to 1.89, P=0.02; factor 9: OR 0.67; 95% Cl 0.48 to 0.92, P=0.01). Measure of model fit and ROC curves (Figure 1) in the initial group showed modestly greater discriminative capability for models containing factors 4 and 9 (c-statistic 0.778), with some improvement with addition of all factors (c-statistic 0.804), above the model containing only clinical variables (c-statistic 0.756; P=0.06 for comparison of clinical model to clinical model plus factors 4 and 9; P=0.003 for comparison of clinical model to clinical model plus all factors). In the replication group, there was a slightly higher c-statistic with the addition of factors 4 and 9 to the clinical model (c-statistic 0.773) than for the clinical model alone (c-statistic 0.743), but more dramatic improvement with addition of all factors (c-statistic 0.874; P=0.04 for comparison of clinical model to clinical model plus factors 4 and 9; and P<0.0001 for comparison of clinical model to clinical model plus all factors).

Given it is standard of care to measure lipids in patients in whom a diagnosis of CAD is being considered, and that CRP is a recognized biomarker of cardiovascular disease, we reconstructed these models including lipids and CRP. These analyses revealed a higher clinical model fit in both initial and replication groups (c-statistic 0.842 and 0.778, respectively). The addition of factors 4 and 9 to the clinical model inclusive of lipids and CRP resulted in no improvement in the discriminative ability of the model in the initial group (c-statistic 0.848, P=0.31 for comparison with clinical model), with some improvement with addition of all factors (c-statistic 0.865, P=0.01 for comparison with clinical model). However, the magnitude of improvement in the clinical model with addition of metabolite factors remained similar and large in the replication group (c-statistics: clinical model inclusive of lipids and CRP, 0.778; clinical model + factors 4 and 9, 0.799, P=0.08; clinical model + all metabolite factors, 0.900, P=0.0001 for comparison with clinical model). Metabolite Factors and Risk of Subsequent Cardiovascular Events

During a median of 2.72 years of follow-up, 74 of 314 CAD cases had an incident cardiovascular event. In unadjusted comparisons, factor 8 (short-chain dicarboxylacylcarnitines) was highly associated with occurrence of death or MI (Figure 2; highest versus lowest tertile hazard ratio [HR] 2.50; 95% Cl, 1.47 to 4.17; P=0.0008; highest versus middle tertile HR 2.33; 95% Cl, 1.39 to 3.85; P=0.002). The strength of this association was somewhat attenuated after adjustment for CAD risk factors, CADindex, age, race, sex, ejection fraction, creatinine and treatment with CABG after catheterization (highest versus lowest tertile: HR 1.67; 95% Cl, 0.88 to 3.13; P=0.11; highest versus middle tertile: HR 1.89; 95% Cl 1.09 to 3.33; P=0.03). Factor 1 was also associated with the occurrence of death/MI in unadjusted comparisons (highest versus lowest tertile HR 1.85; 95% Cl, 1.06 to 3.23; P=0.03; highest versus middle tertile HR 1.79; 95% Cl, 1.02 to 3.03; P=0.04), but was no longer significant after adjustment (P=0.14 and 0.05, respectively).

To validate these findings, we performed metabolomic profiling in an independent case-control dataset (‘event-replication’ group). In this group, factor 8 was associated with cardiovascular events (unadjusted OR 1.52; 95% Cl, 1.08 to 2.14; P=0.01; adjusted OR 1.82; 95% Cl, 1.08 to 3.50; P=0.03), with higher scores in cases who suffered subsequent cardiovascular events versus event-free controls. Individual metabolites within the factor were also significantly different (P<0.05) between cases and controls, with a similar direction of effect as observed in the original ‘event’ dataset.

This example demonstrates that peripheral blood metabolite profiles are independently associated with the presence of CAD, and add to the discriminative capability for CAD compared with models containing only clinical variables. Further, we report a specific metabolite cluster that independently predicts subsequent cardiovascular events in individuals with CAD.

Example 2: Heritability of CAD MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Population. The GENECARD study enrolled 920 families to perform affected-sibling-pair linkage for identification of genes for early-onset CAD (before age 51 for men, age 56 for women) (Hauser et al., 2003, Am Heart J, 145, 602-613). Families with at least two siblings each of whom met the criteria for early-onset CAD (before age 51 for men, age 56 for women) were recruited. Unaffected family members were defined as no clinical evidence of CAD and age greater than 55 years for men (greater than 60 years for women). From this cohort, we selected eight representative families we believed would be particularly informative, based on availability of a relatively large number of family members and a heavy burden of CAD in the proband and surrounding generations (Figure 3). These families were recontacted; the affected-sibling-pair and family members not previously enrolled were ascertained regardless of CAD, focused on offspring of the affected-sibling-pair. This ascertainment strategy was based on the hypothesis that if abnormalities in metabolic profiles preceded development of CAD in these families, that significant concordance of metabolite levels within families would be evident even in the absence of overt CAD in the offspring. Sample collections within a given family were done at several different times and at different locations, by a single experienced phlebotomist. Blood samples were promptly processed after collection via peripheral venous phlebotomy (within minutes), frozen as soon as possible thereafter (at most within 12 hours with the majority of samples being frozen within 1-2 hours of collection), and stored as plasma samples in EDTA-treated tubes at -80°C. Samples were collected as often as possible in a fasting state; however, the consistency of this could not be determined. Institutional Review Boards approved study protocols; informed consent was obtained from each subject.

Biochemical measurements. Frozen plasma samples were used to quantitatively measure targeted metabolites, including 37 acylcarnitine species, 15 amino acids, nine free fatty acids and conventional analytes, ketones and C-reactive protein (CRP). Sample preparation and coefficients of variation have been reported (Haqq el a/., 2005 Contemp Clin Trials, 26, 616-625). The laboratory was blinded to family identifiers and case-control status. Assay ranges are 0.05- 40 micromolar (μΜ) (acylcarnitines); 5-1000 μΜ (amino acids); and 1-1000 mmol/L (fatty acids). For simplicity, the clinical shorthand of metabolites is used (Table 1). Intra-individual variability was assessed in samples from five individuals for which repeat profiling was performed on the same sample on five separate days. Coefficients-of-variation and correlation confirmed minimal inter-assay variability (Table 1).

Conventional metabolite analysis. Standard clinical chemistry methods were used for conventional metabolites, including glucose, total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)- and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides with reagents from Roche Diagnostics (Indianapolis, IN); and free fatty acids (total) and ketones (total and 3-hydroxybutyrate) with reagents from Wako (Richmond, VA). All measurements were performed using a Hitachi 911 clinical chemistry analyzer.

Acylcarnitines and amino acids. Proteins were first removed by precipitation with methanol. Aliquoted supernatants were dried, and then esterified with hot, acidic methanol (acylcarnitines) or «-butanol (amino acids). Acylcarnitines and amino acids were analyzed by tandem MS with a Quattro Micro instrument (Waters Corporation, Milford, MA). Thirty-seven acyl carnitine species and 15 amino acids in plasma were assayed by our previously described methods (Millington etal., 1990, JInheritMetab Dis, 13, 321-324;An et al., 2004, Nat Med, 10, 268-274;Wu etal., 2004, J Clin Invest, 113,434-440). Leucine/isoleucine (LEU/ILE) are reported as a single analyte because they are not resolved by our MS/MS method, and include contributions from a//o-isoleucine and hydroxyproline. Under normal circumstances these isobaric amino acids contribute little to the signal attributed to LEU/ILE. In addition, the acidic conditions used to form butyl esters results in partial hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamic acid and of asparagine to aspartate. Accordingly, values that are reported as GLU/GLN or ASP/ASN are not meant to signify the molar sum of glutamate and glutamine, or of aspartate and asparagine, but rather measure the amount of glutamate or aspartate plus the contribution of the partial hydrolysis reactions of glutamine and asparagine, respectively.

Free fatty acids. Free fatty acids were gently methylated using iodomethane and purified by solid-phase extraction (Patterson et al., 1999, J Lipid Res, 40, 2118-2124). Derivatized fatty acids were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using a Trace DSQ instrument (Thermo Electron Corporation, Austin, TX). Due to sample volume considerations, only 80 of the 117 individuals (five out of eight families) had free fatty acid measurements performed.

All mass-spectrometric analyses employed stable-isotope-dilution. Quantification of the foregoing “targeted” intermediary metabolites was facilitated by addition of mixtures of known quantities of stable-isotope internal standards to samples, from Isotec (St. Louis, MO), Cambridge Isotope Laboratories (Andover, MA) and CDN Isotopes (Pointe-Claire, Quebec, CN) (Table 3).

Heritability analysis. Heritabilities were calculated using the Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines (SOLAR) software version 4.0.7 (Almasy and Blangero, 1998, Am JHum Genet, 62, 1198-1211), which uses maximum-likelihood methods to estimate variance components, allowing incorporation of fixed effects for known covariates and variance components for genetic effects. This approach appropriately accounts for correlation between all family members and allows incorporation of extended pedigrees such as is present in the current study. The total variation is partitioned into components for additive genetic variance and environmental variance, as well as a residual (unexplained) variability. The program uses the pedigree covariance matrix

\ where Ω is the covariance matrix, Φ is the matrix of kinship values, iifk is the additive ·>. genetic variance, / represents the identity matrix, and ^is the random environmental variance (Almasy et al., 1998, supra). This model allows for complex pedigree data (i.e. beyond parent-offspring pairs) and hence, the resulting heritability estimates are more accurate than those obtained using only nuclear family members. For the current study, all sampled individuals from the pedigree were entered into the variance components models, including unaffected offspring, cousins, and married-in family members. Incorporation of married-in family members (i.e. genetically unrelated but with shared environment) allows for better estimation of the environmental component of intrafamilial clustering of traits.

Values considered outliers were excluded from heritability analyses, defined as values falling outside of the mean ±4SD (one-two outliers for each of 24 of the metabolites). Metabolite measurements below the lower limits of quantification (LOQ) were given a value of LOQ/2. Four metabolites having >25% of samples below LOQ were not further analyzed (C6, C5-OH:C3-DC, C4DC, and C10:2 acyl carnitines). All measurements were natural log-transformed prior to analysis, resulting in most metabolites approximating a normal distribution, an important consideration for variance components analysis. Eighteen metabolites did not meet this criterion, and therefore, linear regression models adjusted for body-mass index (BMI), age, sex, CAD, diabetes mellitus (DM (yes/no), hypertension (yes/no), and dyslipidemia (yes/no) were constructed for each of these metabolites, and the residuals were used for heritability estimates. Given occasional low trait standard deviations for metabolites (<0.5), all log transformed metabolites were multiplied by a factor of 4.7 prior to analysis.

Polygenic heritability models were then constructed. For the normally distributed metabolites (the majority of metabolites), polygenic heritability models were calculated using the log-transformed values, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, DM, dyslipidemia, hypertension and CAD. The proband and family members were not selected based on any metabolite values; however, the potential for ascertainment bias exists. Therefore, analyses were corrected based on which of the family members (proband) was the index member for ascertainment of the family for early-onset CAD. To account for factors such as diet (which are shared in households but are presumably not genetic) an additional variance component parameter corresponding to the fraction of variance associated with the effect of a common household (included in the model by a marker for residential address), was added to each model. All residual kurtoses for the final polygenic model were within normal range (i.e. <0.8), except for two amino acids (serine and phenylalanine), eleven acyl carnitines (C5, CIO, 00:1, 00:3, 02:1, 04, C14-OH:C12-DC, C16-OH:C14-DC, C18:1-0H, C18:1-DC, and 08-DC:C20-OH) and three free fatty acids (FAC 14:0, FAC 16:1, FAC 18:1). For these metabolites, removal of 1-4 of the most extreme values was necessary, which then resulted in a normal residual kurtosis. Two acylcarnitines required removal of a larger number of outliers to achieve a normal residual kurtosis (C16-OH:C14-DC and C12-OH:C10-DC), and hence, these results should be interpreted accordingly. For the eighteen non-normally distributed metabolites, standardized residuals from adjusted regression models were used to estimate heritabilities using SOLAR, but since the normalized deviates were already adjusted for relevant covariates heritability models using these residuals were not further adjusted. Estimates of the proportion of variance explained by clinical covariates are reported for these non-normally distributed metabolites as estimated using the adjusted polygenic model constructed from the log-transformed crude values.

For understanding quantitative differences in metabolites between families, multivariable generalized linear models adjusted for sex, age, BMI, CAD, DM, dyslipidemia and hypertension, were used to compare mean metabolite levels between families.

Unsupervised principal components analyses. Given that many metabolites reside in overlapping pathways, correlation of metabolites is expected. To understand the correlation, we used principal components analysis (PCA) to reduce the large number of correlated variables into clusters of fewer uncorrelated factors using raw metabolite values without removal of outliers. The factor with the highest “eigenvalue” accounts for the largest amount of the variability within the dataset. Standardized residuals calculated for each metabolite from linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, DM, and CAD, were used as input for PCA. PCA using residuals is recommended when, as in this case, the units for each variable vary significantly in magnitude (Johnson and Wichem D.W., 1988, Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.). Factors with an eigenvalue >1.0 were identified based on the commonly employed Kaiser criterion (Kaiser, 1960, Educational and Psychological Measurement, 20, 141-151). Varimax rotation was then performed to produce interpretable factors. Metabolites with a factor load >|0.4| are reported as composing a given factor, as is commonly used as an arbitrary threshold (Lawlor et al., 2004, Am JEpidemiol, 159, 1013-1018). Scoring coefficients were then used to compute factor scores for each individual (consisting of a weighted sum of the values of the standardized metabolites within that factor, weighted on the factor loading calculated for each individual metabolite). These factor scores were then used to calculate heritabilities for each factor with SOLAR as detailed above, using a polygenic model not further adjusted for covariables. Removal of 1-4 of the most extreme values for several of the factors was necessary to achieve a normal residual kurtosis.

As all analyses were exploratory in nature and given collinearity of the metabolites, nominal two-sided p-values unadjusted for multiple comparisons are presented, however results interpreted in the context of a conservative Bonferroni correction are reported. Nominal statistical significance was defined as p-value<0.05. Statistical analyses used SAS version 9.1 (SAS Institute, Cary NC), other than for heritability estimates which used SOLAR (Almasy et al., 1998, supra).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Heritability Analysis. Metabolic profiling was performed on 117 individuals within eight multiplex Caucasian families (Figure 3) from the GENECARD study of premature CAD. Of note, the majority of family members sampled for this study were as-yet-unaffected offspring of the original affected-sibling-pair, but who, as members of these families, were at high risk for development of premature CAD. As expected, there was a high burden of CAD risk factors, although the prevalence differed between families (Table 13).

Table 13. Clinical characteristics of GENECARD families. The overall baseline clinical characteristics of the GENECARD cohort are presented, as well as baseline characteristics within each family.

HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; BMI: body-mass-index

We found high heritabilities for conventional risk factors such as lipids and BMI (Figure 4). Total ketones (h2 0.75, p=3.8xl0'8) had the highest heritability among the metabolites analyzed by non-mass spectrometry-based methods, with similarly high heritability of the individual ketone β-hydroxybutyrate (h2 0.51, p=0.004). Among analytes measured by mass spectrometry, several amino acids had high heritability (Figure 5, Table 14). Arginine (ARG) had the highest score (h2 0.80, p=1.9xl0'16), with strong heritabilities also for glutamine/glutamate (GLX; h2 0.73, p=0.00006), alanine (ALA; h2 0.55, p=0.00002), proline (PRO; h2 0.52, p=0.00004), ornithine (ORN, h2 0.48, p=0.000005), phenylalanine (PHE; h2 0.46, p=0.0001), and the branched-chain amino acids leucine/isoleucine (LEU/ILE; h2 0.39, p=0.00005) and valine (VAL; h2 0.44, p=0.00006). Of the free fatty acids (Figure 5), FA-C20:4 (arachidonic acid, a key component in inflammatory pathways) was the most heritable (h2 0.59, p=0.00005), as well as FA-C18:2 (linoleic acid, precursor to arachidonic acid, h2 0.48, p=0.002). Many acylcarnitines also had high heritabilities (Figure 6, Table 14), the highest being the C18 acylcarnitines (C18, C18:l, and 08:2 , h2 0.39-0.82, p=0.0000007 -0.004); 04:1 (h2 0.79, p=0.0000002); C5:l (h2 0.67, p=0.000003); the CIOs (C10-OH:C8-DC, CIO and 00:1, h2 0.35-0.57, p=0.00003-0.02); 06 (h2 0.57, (p=0.0002); C4:Ci4 (h2 0.56, p=0.00003); short chain dicarboxylacylcarnitines (C5-DC, C6-DC, h2 0.45-0.51, p=0.003-0.004); and C2 acylcamitine (h2 0.50, p=0.00008). Interestingly, estimates for the genetic component of the variability of each metabolite often exceeded the proportion of variance explained by clinical covariates (Table 14).

Table 14. Heritabilities, clinical covariates and household effects for individual metabolites. Results for individual metabolites are presented, including: heritability point estimates, standard error for the heritability estimate, clinical covariates found to be significant in the polygenic model, the proportion of variance explained by household effects, the p-value for the household effects, the proportion of variance in the metabolite explained by those clinical covariates, and the p-value for the heritabilities.

*Clinical covariates (age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, CAD status) significant in polygenic model. •(Proportion of variance in metabolite levels accounted for by clinical covariates significant in the model. **P-value for heritability estimate. DM: diabetes mellitus; HTN: hypertension; BMI: body-mass-index; CAD: affected with premature CAD; DYS: dyslipidemia.

Metabolomic Profiles within Families. Given these strong findings, we sought to understand quantitative differences in metabolites between families. Multivariable linear models were used to test for differences in metabolites between families. Of the amino acids, glutamate, ornithine, arginine, proline, histidine, phenylalanine, alanine and methionine (all p<0.0001), leucine/isoleucine (p<0.0001) and valine (p=0.003) best differentiated families.

Of the acyl carnitines, the C18 (C18, 08:1, and 08:2) and the 04 acylcarnitines (04, 04:1) (all p<0.0001), along with C5:l (p<0.0001), and C2 (p<0.0001) acylcarnitines best differentiated families. Many free fatty acids differentiated families, the strongest being arachidonic and palmitic acid (both p<0.0001). Of the conventional metabolites, ketones (p<0.0001) and β-hydroxybutyrate (p=0.0001) best differentiated families.

Principal Components Analysis. Given correlation of metabolites in biological pathways, we performed PCA to understand which clusters of metabolites were correlated and to identify factors that were most heritable. Fifteen factors were identified, demonstrating biologically consistent relationships (Table 15). Factors accounting for the largest amount of variance within the dataset were Factor 1 (short- and medium-chain acylcamitines); Factor 2 (long-chain free fatty acids); Factor 3 (long-chain acylcamitines and amino acids [arginine, glutamate/glutamine, and ornithine] possibly reporting on mitochondrial function); Factor 4 (ketones, β-hydroxybutyrate, C2 and C4-OH [β-hydroxybutryl] acylcamitines; all markers of terminal steps of fatty acid oxidation); and Factor 5 (amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids, and C3 and C5 acylcamitines [by-products of branched-chain amino acid catabolism]). As expected, given results for individual metabolites, many factors were heritable.

Table 15. Principal components analysis in GENECARD. Results of PCA in the dataset are presented, including the key metabolites within each factor (i.e. those with a factor load >|0.4|); an overall biochemical description of the key metabolites within each factor; and the eigenvalue, total and cumulative variance, heritability and p-value for the heritability point estimate for each factor.

*Factor load >|0.4; FFA: free fatty acids; Tot Var: total variance; Cum Var: cumulative variance A comprehensive set of analytical tools was applied to gain a better understanding of the biochemical and physiologic underpinnings of cardiovascular disease, and how metabolomic profiles may relate to the known genetic component of CAD risk. Targeted, quantitative metabolic profiling was performed in multiplex families burdened with premature CAD, the majority representing offspring of the affected generation that had not yet developed CAD, but in whom we hypothesized similar metabolic profiles as their affected family members, if such profiles were heritable. High heritabilities were found for many metabolites, many with higher heritabilities than for conventional risk factors. These high heritabilities suggest a strong correlation between genotype and phenotype, implying a strong genetic component to clustering of these metabolic signatures in families burdened with CAD.

In addition, several individual metabolites distinguished families, the most prominent being, among the amino acids, arginine, ornithine, and glutamate/glutamine; and among the lipid-derived metabolites, the long-chain acyl carnitines C18:0, C18:1, and 08:2. These findings suggest fundamental differences in mitochondrial function in these families, consistent with prior studies showing relationships between impaired mitochondrial function and insulin resistance.

Given our studies were hypothesis-generating, we did not adjust for multiple comparisons. However, with a Bonferroni correction at the level of the factors, nine factors remain significant (p<0.003). We did not account for dietary pattern (known influence on metabolites), renal function, or medications (unknown influence). To help minimize these “non-genetic” effects, we incorporated a household effect and included married-in individuals, partially controlling for shared nutritional and other environmental effects. The measures of household effects suggest minimal influence on heritability estimates with high heritabilities despite adjustment. Therefore, we believe our results reflect both underlying genetic and environmental effects, similar to traditional cholesterol parameters. Accordingly, we found a significant household effect for LDL cholesterol (proportion of variance due to household 0.11, p=0.02), but with a significant heritability despite adjustment for this environmental effect (h2 0.37, p=0.004).

Similarly, results could reflect differences in essential versus non-essential metabolites. However, we found similar heritabilities for the essential (h2=0.40, p=0.0004) and non-essential (h2=0.63, p=0.00002) amino acids when analyzed as groups, and for the essential (h2=0.50, p=0.003) compared with the non-essential (h2=0.33, p=0.03) fatty acids. Although underpowered for such analyses, we also examined the relationship of age with heritabilities related to these groups. Age was a significant covariate on heritability estimates for both essential (valine) and nonessential (proline, ornithine, citrulline) amino acids (Table 14). For the free fatty acids, age was a covariate only for nonessential fatty acids (palmitoleic, oleic and stearic acid). We also examined correlations of metabolites with age and found that both essential (tyrosine, linoleic acid) and non-essential (glutamine, ornithine, citrulline, oleic acid) metabolites were significantly correlated with age (data not shown). Therefore, there does not seem to be a consistent variation of metabolites with age, nor with heritability estimates, based on essential/non-essential groups. This may indicate that fundamental and genetically controlled metabolic processes (e.g. mitochondrial or microsomal catabolic pathways) are influencing the levels of both essential and non-essential metabolites that utilize these common elements of the metabolic machinery.

Other factors that could impact heritability estimates include variability in sample collection or processing. We used a standardized protocol to limit this type of variability, intra-individual variation was low in a set of repeated assays, and family members were collected at different locations and times. A major strength of the study is the use of a very accurate, targeted, quantitative approach to metabolomic profiling, allowing us to dissect biological mechanisms underlying CAD pathophysiology. In addition to furthering the understanding of CAD pathophysiology, these results may have significant implications for risk prediction.

Each of the references cited herein is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A method for assessing risk of inherited cardiovascular disease in a subject comprising: (a) detecting in a sample from the subject the level of each metabolite in a group of metabolites consisting of C5-DC, C6-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, and C8:1-DC; (b) calculating a weighted level of each metabolite by multiplying the detected level by a loading factor specific for each metabolite; (c) adding the weighted level of each metabolite in the group together to yield a factor score; (d) comparing the factor score of the sample to a non-cardiovascular disease standard; and (e) determining that the subject has an increased risk of inherited cardiovascular disease when the factor score in the subject is different from the standard.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cardiovascular disease is a cardiovascular event and the factor score in the subject being different from the standard is indicative of the risk of a cardiovascular event in the subject.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease and the factor score in the subject being different from the standard is indicative of the presence of coronary artery disease in the subject.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease and the factor score in the subject being different from the standard is indicative of the risk of developing coronary artery disease in the subject.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the sample is blood.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the level of each metabolite is detected using mass spectrometry.

7. A method for assessing risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject comprising: (a) detecting in a sample from the subject the level of each metabolite in a group of metabolites consisting of C5-DC, C6-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, and C8:1-DC; (b) comparing the level of the at least one metabolite in the sample to a non-cardiovascular disease standard; and (c) determining that the subject has an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when the level of each metabolite is different from the standard.

8. A method for assessing the risk of inherited cardiovascular disease in a subject, comprising: obtaining a sample from the subject; providing the sample to a laboratory for detection of each metabolite in a group of metabolites consisting of C5-DC, C6-DC, C8:l-OH/C6:l-DC, and C8:1-DC; receiving from the laboratory a report indicating metabolite levels in the sample; and determining that the subject has an increased risk of inherited cardiovascular disease when the level of each metabolite is different from a non-cardiovascular disease standard.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the cardiovascular disease is a cardiovascular event and the different level of each metabolite is indicative of the risk of a cardiovascular event in the subject.

10. The method of any one of claims 7-9, wherein the cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease and the different level of each metabolite is indicative of the presence of coronary artery disease in the subject.

11. The method of any one of claims 7-9, wherein the cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease and the different level of each metabolite is indicative of the risk of developing coronary artery disease in the subject.

12. The method of any one of claims 7-11, wherein the sample is blood.

13. The method of any one of claims 7-12, wherein the level of each metabolite is detected using mass spectrometry.

14. A method of developing a treatment plan for a subject comprising steps (a), (b), and (c) of claim 7, and further comprising (d) developing a treatment plan when an increased risk of inherited cardiovascular disease is determined in step (c).