Plasma metabolites

Plasma metabolites represent the comprehensive collection of small-molecule intermediates and end-products of metabolism found in the blood's liquid component [Wishart et al., 2022, Nucleic Acids Res]. This heterogeneous group includes carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and organic acids, which collectively provide a biochemical snapshot of an individual's health and physiological status [National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), 2023]. While individual metabolites like glucose, cholesterol, or creatinine are vital diagnostic markers for conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and renal failure, 'plasma metabolites' as a whole is a descriptive category rather than a specific drug target [Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2021]. Pharmaceutical development typically focuses on specific enzymes, receptors, or transporters that regulate the concentration and flux of these metabolites rather than the metabolites themselves [PubChem, 2023]. Therefore, this term describes a metabolomic profile used for patient stratification and monitoring rather than a singular site for drug action.

Other names

Blood metabolitesSerum metabolitesCirculating metabolitesPlasma metabolome

Not applicable; this is a broad category of endogenous substances rather than a specific therapeutic target.