Table 2.

Summary of the significant differential plasma metabolites in the early stress stage. CON and 3d CUMS groups (n = 10 animals per group) are represented by the relative abundances (AU). Relative abundances of metabolites are presented by the mean ± SEM. Plasma metabolites are sorted by p-value. The summary of the analysis is shown and includes the relative abundances of metabolites, p-value, q-value, VIP value, RF, FC, the effect of the 3d CUMS versus the CON group and the related metabolic pathway.

Metabolite	CON	3d CUMS	p-Value	q-Value	VIP	RF	FC	Effect	Metabolic Pathway
Malic acid	0.36 ± 0.03	0.74 ± 0.07	<0.01	0.03	2.4	0.03	2.1	↑	TCA cycle
Threonic acid	2.55 ± 0.21	0.8 ± 0.17	<0.01	0.03	2.6	0.03	0.3	↓	Ascorbate and aldarate metabolism
Alpha-ketoglutarate	1.21 ± 0.08	1.94 ± 0.13	<0.01	0.03	2.3	0.03	1.6	↑	TCA cycle
Succinic acid	0.61 ± 0.04	0.86 ± 0.04	<0.01	0.03	2.3	0.03	1.4	↑	TCA cycle
Pyruvic acid	14.68 ± 0.85	25.39 ± 3.14	<0.01	0.03	2.1	0.03	1.7	↑	Glycolysis
Cholesterol	0.33 ± 0.02	0.6 ± 0.05	<0.01	0.05	2.4	0.05	1.8	↑	Steroid biosynthesis