Metabolomics analysis of placenta associated with preterm birth and the function of candidate metabolites on decidual senescence

Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes, increasing the risk of both short- and long-term complications in infants. While the exact mechanisms of PTB has not been determined, infection and/or inflammatory responses are closely connected with it. LC/MS was utilized to evaluate the metabolites of placental tissue in control (Ctrl) and LPS injection mice to investigate alterations in placental metabolic components under inflammatory circumstances. Based on the findings of this study, 355 differentially expressed metabolites (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) were found, including 161 up-regulated and 194 down-regulated metabolites in LPS group. The discovered differential metabolites were classified into 11 categories. And these distinct metabolites were primarily enriched in biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and others. It was discovered that betaine and creatine could postpone decidual cellular senescence to varied degrees through functional verification of metabolites under amino acid subclasses. Based on these data, we speculate that metabolomic changes play a role in placental dysfunction under inflammatory response conditions, suggesting a novel target for PTB treatment.