Untargeted metabolomic analysis of human serum samples associated with different levels of red meat consumption: A possible indicator of type 2 diabetes?

Red meat consumption has been associated with negative health effects. A study to identify biomarkers of meat consumption was undertaken using serum samples collected from combining high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTof-MS) and chemometrics. Using orthogonal partial last-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), multivariate models were created for both modes of acquisition (ESI−/ESI+) and red meat intake classes (YES/NO). In the serum samples, a total 3280 and 3225 ions of interest were detected in positive and negative modes, respectively. Of these, 62 were found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Glycerophospholipids as well as other family lipids, such as lysophospholipids or sphingomyelin, were found significantly (p