Lipidomics and metabolomics investigation into the effect of DAG dietary intervention on hyperuricemia in athletes.

The occurrence of hyperuricemia (HUA; elevated serum uric acid) in athletes are relatively high despite that exercise can potentially reduce the risk of developing this condition. Although recent studies have shown the beneficial properties of DAG in improving overall metabolic profiles, a comprehensive understanding on the effect of DAG in modulating HUA in athletes are still lacking. In this study, we leveraged combinatorial lipidomics and metabolomics to investigate the effect of replacing TAG with DAG in the diet of athletes with HUA. A total of 1074 lipids and metabolites from 94 classes were quantitated in serum from 33 athletes, who were categorized into responders and non-responders based on whether serum uric acid levels returned to healthy levels after the DAG diet intervention. Lipidomics and metabolomics analyses revealed lower levels of xanthine and uric acid in responders, accompanied by elevated plasmalogen phosphatidylcholines and diminished acylcarnitine levels. Our results highlighted the mechanisms behind how DAG diet circumvented the risk and effects associated with high uric acid via lowered triglycerides at baseline influencing the absorption of DAG resulting in decline in ROS and uric acid production, increased phospholipid levels associated with reduced p-Cresol metabolism potentially impacting on intestinal excretion of uric acid as well as improved ammonia recycling contributing to decreased serum uric acid levels in responders. These observed alterations might be suggestive that successful implementation of DAG diet can potentially minimize the likelihood of a potential vicious cycle occurring in a high uric acid, elevated ROS and impaired mitochondrial metabolism environment.

Plasmalogen, a glycerophospholipid crucial for Streptococcus mutans acid tolerance and colonization.

Plasmalogen is a specific glycerophospholipid present in both animal and bacterial organisms. It plays a crucial function in eukaryotic cellular processes and is closely related to several human diseases, including neurological disorders and cancers. Nonetheless, the precise biological role of plasmalogen in bacteria is not well understood. In this study, we identified SMU_438c as the enzyme responsible for plasmalogen production in Streptococcus mutans under anaerobic conditions. The heterologous expression of SMU_438c in a plasmalogen-negative strain, Streptococcus sanguinis, resulted in the production of plasmalogen, indicating that this enzyme is sufficient for plasmalogen production. Additionally, the plasmalogen-deficient S. mutans exhibited significantly lower acid tolerance and diminished its colonization in Drosophila flies compared to the wild-type strain and complemented strain. In summary, our data suggest that plasmalogen plays a vital role in bacterial stress tolerance and in vivo colonization. IMPORTANCE: This study sheds light on the biological role of plasmalogen, a specific glycerophospholipid, in bacteria, particularly in Streptococcus mutans. Plasmalogens are known for their significant roles in eukaryotic cells and have been linked to human diseases like neurological disorders and cancers. The enzyme SMU_438c, identified as essential for plasmalogen production under anaerobic conditions, was crucial for acid tolerance and in vivo colonization in Drosophila by S. mutans, underscoring its importance in bacterial stress response and colonization. These findings bridge the knowledge gap in bacterial physiology, highlighting plasmalogen's role in microbial survival and offering potential insights into microbial pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions.

Deep profiling of plasmalogens by coupling the Paternò-Büchi derivatization with tandem mass spectrometry.

Plasmalogens are a special class of glycerophospholipids characterized by a vinyl ether bond (-C = C-O-) at the sn-1 position of the glycerol backbone. Altered plasmalogen profiles have been observed in neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. Profiling of plasmalogens requires specifying the vinyl ether bond and differentiating them from various types of isobars and isomers. Herein, by coupling C = C derivatization via offline Paternò-Büchi reaction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we have developed a sensitive workflow for analysis of plasmalogens from biological samples. Using bovine heart lipid extract as a model system, we profiled more than 100 distinct structures of plasmenylethanolamines (PE-Ps) and plasmenylcholines (PC-Ps) at the C = C location level, far exceeding previous reports. Analysis of human glioma and normal brain tissue samples revealed elevated n-10 C = C isomers of PE-Ps in the glioma tissue samples. These findings suggest that the developed workflow holds potential in aiding the study of altered metabolism of plasmalogens in clinical samples.

Phosphatidylcholine-Plasmalogen-Oleic Acid Reduces BACE1 Expression in Human SH-SY5Y Cells.

Plasmalogens are a family of glycerophospholipids containing one vinyl-ether bond at the sn-1 position in the glycerol backbone, and play important roles in cellular homeostasis including neural transmission. Therefore, reductions of plasmalogens have been associated with neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). To evaluate the potential protective effects of plasmalogens against the pathology of AD, protein expression levels of key factors in amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolic processes were examined using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Here, phosphatidylcholine-plasmalogen-oleic acid (PC-PLS-18) was shown to reduce protein expression levels of ß-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), clusterin, and Tau, factors involved in the amyloid ß-associated pathogenesis of AD. Thus, PC-PLS-18 may have preventive effects against AD by delaying the onset risk for a certain period.

Sex-Specific Changes to Brain Fatty Acids, Plasmalogen, and Plasma Endocannabinoids in Offspring Exposed to Maternal and Postnatal High-Linoleic-Acid Diets.

Linoleic acid (LA) is required for neuronal development. We have previously demonstrated sex-specific changes in cardiovascular and hepatic function in rat offspring from mothers consuming a high-LA diet, with some effects associated with reduced LA concentration in the postnatal diet. At this time, the impact of a high-maternal-LA diet on offspring brain development and the potential for the postnatal diet to alter any adverse changes are unknown. Rat offspring from mothers fed low- (LLA) or high-LA (HLA) diets during pregnancy and lactation were weaned at postnatal day 25 (PN25) and fed LLA or HLA diets until sacrifice in adulthood (PN180). In the offspring's brains, the postnatal HLA diet increased docosapentaenoate in males. The maternal HLA diet increased LA, arachidonate, docosapentaenoate, C18:0 dimethylacetal (DMA), C16:0 DMA, C16:0 DMA/C16:0, and C18:0 DMA/C18:0, but decreased eoicosenoate, nervoniate, lignocerate, and oleate in males. Maternal and postnatal HLA diets reduced oleate and vaccenate and had an interaction effect on myristate, palmitoleate, and eicosapentaenoate in males. In females, maternal HLA diet increased eicosadienoate. Postnatal HLA diet increased stearate and docosapentaenoate. Maternal and postnatal HLA diets had an interaction effect on oleate, arachidate, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/omega (n)-6 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) in females. Postnatal HLA diet decreased DHA/n-6 DPA in males and females. Postnatal HLA diet increased plasma endocannabinoids (arachidonoyl ethanolamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol), as well as other N-acyl ethanolamides and testosterone. HLA diet alters brain fatty acids, plasma endocannabinoids, and plasmalogen concentrations in a development-specific and sex-specific manner.

Simultaneous Intake of Chlorella and Ascidian Ethanolamine Plasmalogen Accelerates Activation of BDNF-TrkB-CREB Signaling in Rats.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and cognition. BDNF is a neurotrophin that binds to tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), a specific receptor on target cell surfaces; it acts on neuronal formation, development, growth, and repair via transcription factors, such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and it is involved in learning and memory. BDNF expression is decreased in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Exercise and the intake of several different foods or ingredients can increase BDNF expression, as confirmed with lutein, xanthophylls (polar carotenoids), and ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn), which are present at high levels in the brain. This study examined the effects of combining lutein and PlsEtn using lutein-rich Chlorella and ascidian extracts containing high levels of PlsEtn bearing docosahexaenoic acid, which is abundant in the human brain, on the activation of the BDNF-TrkB-CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus of Sprague-Dawley rats. Although activation of the BDNF-TrkB-CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus was not observed in Chlorella or ascidian PlsEtn monotherapy, activation was observed with combination therapy at an equal dose. The results of this study suggest that the combination of Chlorella and ascidian PlsEtn may have a preventive effect against dementia, including AD.

Essential role of a conserved aspartate for the enzymatic activity of plasmanylethanolamine desaturase.

Plasmalogens are an abundant class of glycerophospholipids in the mammalian body, with special occurrence in the brain and in immune cell membranes. Plasmanylethanolamine desaturase (PEDS1) is the final enzyme of plasmalogen biosynthesis, which introduces the characteristic 1-O-alk-1'-enyl double bond. The recent sequence identification of PEDS1 as transmembrane protein 189 showed that its protein sequence is related to a special class of plant desaturases (FAD4), with whom it shares a motif of 8 conserved histidines, which are essential for the enzymatic activity. In the present work, we wanted to gain more insight into the sequence-function relationship of this enzyme and mutated to alanine additional 28 amino acid residues of murine plasmanylethanolamine desaturase including those 20 residues, which are also totally conserved-in addition to the eight-histidine-motif-among the animal PEDS1 and plant FAD4 plant desaturases. We measured the enzymatic activity by transient transfection of tagged murine PEDS1 expression clones to a PEDS1-deficient human HAP1 cell line by monitoring of labeled plasmalogens formed from supplemented 1-O-pyrenedecyl-sn-glycerol in relation to recombinant protein expression. Surprisingly, only a single mutation, namely aspartate 100, led to a total loss of PEDS1 activity. The second strongest impact on enzymatic activity had mutation of phenylalanine 118, leaving only 6% residual activity. A structural model obtained by homology modelling to available structures of stearoyl-CoA reductase predicted that this aspartate 100 residue interacts with histidine 96, and phenylalanine 118 interacts with histidine 187, both being essential histidines assumed to be involved in the coordination of the di-metal center of the enzyme.

Improvement of solubility of phospholipase D from Streptomyces antibioticus in recombinant Escherichia coli and its application for the enzymatic synthesis of a non-natural plasmalogen.

Plasmalogens are a subclass of glycerophospholipids that have a vinyl-ether bond at the sn-1 position and are thought to have several physiological functions. The creation of non-natural plasmalogens with functional groups is desired for the establishment of the prevention of diseases caused by the depletion of plasmalogens. Phospholipase D (PLD) has both hydrolysis and transphosphatidylation activities. In particular, PLD from Streptomyces antibioticus has been investigated extensively due to its high transphosphatidylation activity. However, it has been difficult to stably express recombinant PLD in Escherichia coli and to express it as a soluble protein. In this study, we used the E. coli strain, SoluBL21™, and achieved stable PLD expression from the T7 promoter and increased soluble fraction in the cell. We also improved the purification method of PLD using His-tag at the C terminus. We obtained PLD with ∼730 mU mg-1 protein of specific activity, and the yield was ∼420 mU l-1 culture, corresponding to 76 mU per gram of wet cells. Finally, we synthesized a non-natural plasmalogen with 1,4-cyclohexanediol bound to the phosphate group at the sn-3 position by transphosphatidylation of the purified PLD. This method will contribute to the expansion of the chemical structure library of non-natural plasmalogens.

The TMEM189 gene encodes plasmanylethanolamine desaturase which introduces the characteristic vinyl ether double bond into plasmalogens.

A significant fraction of the glycerophospholipids in the human body is composed of plasmalogens, particularly in the brain, cardiac, and immune cell membranes. A decline in these lipids has been observed in such diseases as Alzheimer's and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Plasmalogens contain a characteristic 1-O-alk-1'-enyl ether (vinyl ether) double bond that confers special biophysical, biochemical, and chemical properties to these lipids. However, the genetics of their biosynthesis is not fully understood, since no gene has been identified that encodes plasmanylethanolamine desaturase (E.C. 1.14.99.19), the enzyme introducing the crucial alk-1'-enyl ether double bond. The present work identifies this gene as transmembrane protein 189 (TMEM189). Inactivation of the TMEM189 gene in human HAP1 cells led to a total loss of plasmanylethanolamine desaturase activity, strongly decreased plasmalogen levels, and accumulation of plasmanylethanolamine substrates and resulted in an inability of these cells to form labeled plasmalogens from labeled alkylglycerols. Transient expression of TMEM189 protein, but not of other selected desaturases, recovered this deficit. TMEM189 proteins contain a conserved protein motif (pfam10520) with eight conserved histidines that is shared by an alternative type of plant desaturase but not by other mammalian proteins. Each of these histidines is essential for plasmanylethanolamine desaturase activity. Mice homozygous for an inactivated Tmem189 gene lacked plasmanylethanolamine desaturase activity and had dramatically lowered plasmalogen levels in their tissues. These results assign the TMEM189 gene to plasmanylethanolamine desaturase and suggest that the previously characterized phenotype of Tmem189-deficient mice may be caused by a lack of plasmalogens.

Supplementing branched-chain volatile fatty acids in dual-flow cultures varying in dietary forage and corn oil concentrations. II: Biohydrogenation and incorporation into bacterial lipids.

To maintain membrane homeostasis, ruminal bacteria synthesize branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) or their derivatives (vinyl ethers) that are recovered during methylation procedures as branched-chain aldehydes (BCALD). Many strains of cellulolytic bacteria require 1 or more branched-chain volatile fatty acid (BCVFA). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate BCVFA incorporation into bacterial lipids under different dietary conditions. The study was an incomplete block design with 8 continuous culture fermenters used in 4 periods with treatments (n = 4) arranged as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial. The factors were high (HF) or low forage (LF, 67 or 33% forage, 33:67 alfalfa:orchardgrass), without or with supplemental corn oil (CO; 3% dry matter, 1.5% linoleic fatty acid), and without or with 2.15 mmol/d (5 mg/d 13C each of isovalerate, isobutyrate, and 2-methylbutyrate). After methylation of bacterial pellets collected from each fermenter's effluent, fatty acids and fatty aldehydes were separated before analysis by gas chromatography and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Supplementation of BCVFA did not influence biohydrogenation extent. Label was only recovered in branched-chain lipids. Lower forage inclusion decreased BCFA in bacterial fatty acid profile from 9.45% with HF to 7.06% with LF and decreased BCALD in bacterial aldehyde profile from 55.4% with HF to 51.4% with LF. Supplemental CO tended to decrease iso even-chain BCFA and decreased iso even-chain BCALD in their bacterial lipid profiles. The main 18:1 isomer was cis-9 18:1, which increased (P < 0.01) by 25% from CO (data not shown). Dose recovery in bacterial lipids was 43.3% lower with LF than HF. Supplemental CO decreased recovery in the HF diet but increased recovery with LF (diet × CO interaction). Recovery from anteiso odd-chain BCFA and BCALD was the greatest; therefore, 2-methylbutyrate was the BCVFA primer most used for branched-chain lipid synthesis. Recovery in iso odd-chain fatty acids (isovalerate as primer) was greater than label recovery in iso even-chain fatty acids (isobutyrate as primer). Fatty aldehydes were less than 6% of total bacterial lipids, but 26.0% of 13C recovered in lipids were recovered in BCALD because greater than 50% of aldehydes were branched-chain. Because BCFA and BCALD are important in the function and growth of bacteria, especially cellulolytics, BCVFA supplementation can support the rumen microbial consortium, increasing fiber degradation and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis.

Plasmalogen Improves Memory Function by Regulating Neurogenesis in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Diseases.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) is associated with hippocampus-dependent cognitive function, and its initiation is attributed to neural stem cells (NSCs). Dysregulated AHN has been identified in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may underlie impaired cognitive function in AD. Modulating the function of NSCs and stimulating AHN are potential ways to manipulate AD. Plasmalogen (PLA) are a class of cell membrane glycerophospholipids which exhibit neuroprotective properties. However, the effect of PLA on altered AHN in AD has not been investigated. In our study, PLA(10µg/mL) -attenuated Aß (1-42) (5µM) induced a decrease in NSC viability and neuronal differentiation of NSCs, partially through regulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Additionally, AD mice were supplemented with PLA (67mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks. PLA treatment improved the impaired AHN in AD mice, including increasing the number of neural stem cells (NSCs) and newly generated neurons. The memory function of AD mice was also enhanced after PLA administration. Therefore, it was summarized that PLA could regulate NSC differentiation by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and ameliorate AD-related memory impairment through up-regulating AHN.

Overlapping and Distinct Features of Cardiac Pathology in Inherited Human and Murine Ether Lipid Deficiency.

Inherited deficiency in ether lipids, a subgroup of glycerophospholipids with unique biochemical and biophysical properties, evokes severe symptoms in humans resulting in a multi-organ syndrome. Mouse models with defects in ether lipid biosynthesis have widely been used to understand the pathophysiology of human disease and to study the roles of ether lipids in various cell types and tissues. However, little is known about the function of these lipids in cardiac tissue. Previous studies included case reports of cardiac defects in ether-lipid-deficient patients, but a systematic analysis of the impact of ether lipid deficiency on the mammalian heart is still missing. Here, we utilize a mouse model of complete ether lipid deficiency (Gnpat KO) to accomplish this task. Similar to a subgroup of human patients with rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), a fraction of Gnpat KO fetuses present with defects in ventricular septation, presumably evoked by a developmental delay. We did not detect any signs of cardiomyopathy but identified increased left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic pressure in middle-aged ether-lipid-deficient mice. By comprehensive electrocardiographic characterization, we consistently found reduced ventricular conduction velocity, as indicated by a prolonged QRS complex, as well as increased QRS and QT dispersion in the Gnpat KO group. Furthermore, a shift of the Wenckebach point to longer cycle lengths indicated depressed atrioventricular nodal function. To complement our findings in mice, we analyzed medical records and performed electrocardiography in ether-lipid-deficient human patients, which, in contrast to the murine phenotype, indicated a trend towards shortened QT intervals. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the cardiac phenotype upon ether lipid deficiency is highly heterogeneous, and although the manifestations in the mouse model only partially match the abnormalities in human patients, the results add to our understanding of the physiological role of ether lipids and emphasize their importance for proper cardiac development and function.

Marine Plasmalogens: A Gift from the Sea with Benefits for Age-Associated Diseases.

Aging increases oxidative and inflammatory stress caused by a reduction in metabolism and clearance, thus leading to the development of age-associated diseases. The quality of our daily diet and exercise is important for the prevention of these diseases. Marine resources contain various valuable nutrients, and unique glycerophospholipid plasmalogens are found abundantly in some marine invertebrates, including ascidians. One of the major classes, the ethanolamine class (PlsEtn), exists in a high ratio to phospholipids in the brain and blood, while decreased levels have been reported in patients with age-associated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Animal studies have shown that the administration of marine PlsEtn prepared from marine invertebrates improved PlsEtn levels in the body and alleviated inflammation. Animal and human studies have reported that marine PlsEtn ameliorates cognitive impairment. In this review, we highlight the biological significance, relationships with age-associated diseases, food functions, and healthcare materials of plasmalogens based on recent knowledge and discuss the contribution of marine plasmalogens to health maintenance in aging.

Synthesis of ether lipids: natural compounds and analogues.

Ether lipids are compounds present in many living organisms including humans that feature an ether bond linkage at the sn-1 position of the glycerol. This class of lipids features singular structural roles and biological functions. Alkyl ether lipids and alkenyl ether lipids (also identified as plasmalogens) correspond to the two sub-classes of naturally occurring ether lipids. In 1979 the discovery of the structure of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) that belongs to the alkyl ether class of lipids increased the interest in these bioactive lipids and further promoted the synthesis of non-natural ether lipids that was initiated in the late 60's with the development of edelfosine (an anticancer drug). More recently, ohmline, a glyco glycero ether lipid that modulates selectively SK3 ion channels and reduces in vivo the occurrence of bone metastases, and other glyco glycero ether also identified as GAEL (glycosylated antitumor ether lipids) that exhibit promising anticancer properties renew the interest in this class of compounds. Indeed, ether lipid represent a new and promising class of compounds featuring the capacity to modulate selectively the activity of some membrane proteins or, for other compounds, feature antiproliferative properties via an original mechanism of action. The increasing interest in studying ether lipids for fundamental and applied researches invited to review the methodologies developed to prepare ether lipids. In this review we focus on the synthetic method used for the preparation of alkyl ether lipids either naturally occurring ether lipids (e.g., PAF) or synthetic derivatives that were developed to study their biological properties. The synthesis of neutral or charged ether lipids are reported with the aim to assemble in this review the most frequently used methodologies to prepare this specific class of compounds.

Selenoprotein I (selenoi) as a critical enzyme in the central nervous system.

Selenoprotein I (selenoi) is a unique selenocysteine (Sec)-containing protein widely expressed throughout the body. Selenoi belongs to two different protein families: the selenoproteins that are characterized by a redox reactive Sec residue and the lipid phosphotransferases that contain the highly conserved cytidine diphosphate (CDP)-alcohol phosphotransferase motif. Selenoi catalyzes the third reaction of the CDP-ethanolamine branch of the Kennedy pathway within the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. This is not a redox reaction and does not directly involve the Sec residue, making selenoi quite distinct among selenoproteins. Selenoi is also unique among lipid phosphotransferases as the only family member containing a Sec residue near its C-terminus that serves an unknown function. The reaction catalyzed by selenoi involves the transfer of the ethanolamine phosphate group from CDP-ethanolamine to one of two lipid donors, 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) or 1-alkyl-2-acylglycerol (AAG), to produce PE or plasmanyl PE, respectively. Plasmanyl PE is subsequently converted to plasmenyl PE by plasmanylethanolamine desaturase. Both PE and plasmenyl PE are critical phospholipids in the central nervous system (CNS), as demonstrated through clinical studies involving SELENOI mutations as well as studies in cell lines and mice. Deletion of SELENOI in mice is embryonic lethal, while loss-of-function mutations in the human SELENOI gene have been found in rare cases leading to a form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). HSP is an upper motor disease characterized by spasticity of the lower limbs, which is often manifested with other symptoms such as impaired vision/hearing, ataxia, cognitive/intellectual impairment, and seizures. This article will summarize the current understanding of selenoi as a metabolic enzyme and discuss its role in the CNS physiology and pathophysiology.

Interplay between cardiolipin and plasmalogens in Barth syndrome.

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare inherited metabolic disease resulting from mutations in the gene of the enzyme tafazzin, which catalyzes the acyl chain remodeling of the mitochondrial-specific lipid cardiolipin (CL). Tissue samples of individuals with BTHS present abnormalities in the level and the molecular species of CL. In addition, in tissues of a tafazzin knockdown mouse as well as in cells derived from BTHS patients it has been shown that plasmalogens, a subclass of glycerophospholipids, also have abnormal levels. Likewise, administration of a plasmalogen precursor to cells derived from BTHS patients led to an increase in plasmalogen and to some extent CL levels. These results indicate an interplay between CL and plasmalogens in BTHS. This interdependence is supported by the concomitant loss in these lipids in different pathological conditions. However, currently the molecular mechanism linking CL and plasmalogens is not fully understood. Here, a review of the evidence showing the linkage between the levels of CL and plasmalogens is presented. In addition, putative mechanisms that might play a role in this interplay are proposed. Finally, the opportunity of therapeutic approaches based on the regulation of plasmalogens as new therapies for the treatment of BTHS is discussed.

Biomarker profiling of postmortem blood for diabetes mellitus and discussion of possible applications of metabolomics for forensic casework.

Acute metabolic disorders of diabetes mellitus (DM), such as diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, and hypoglycemia, are life-threatening and difficult to diagnose postmortem owing to lack of macroscopic and microscopic findings, especially when the medical history of the patient is not available before autopsy. Although various biochemical tests, including ketone bodies and hemoglobin A1c, have been used to diagnose diabetes in the postmortem setting, each marker has some limitations. Consequently, it would be helpful in forensic practice to find new biomarkers reflecting the decedent's history of DM irrespective of whether the DM was being treated. Metabolomics enables the non-targeting analysis of biomarkers, and metabolomics was performed on postmortem blood from decedents with and without a DM history to determine whether a marker reflecting DM could be identified. The statistical analysis, including primary component analysis, presented a potent set of metabolites that could be used for the forensic diagnosis of DM. Qualitative analysis revealed significantly lower sphingomyelin and plasmalogen lipid levels and higher lysophospholipid levels in the DM group. Meanwhile, some discrepancies in the levels of some classes of phospholipids were noted between samples from living and deceased persons. This suggests that further metabolomics using postmortem samples rather than living persons' samples is required to identify markers that can be used for forensic diagnosis.

Phosphatidylcholine-Plasmalogen-Oleic Acid Has Protective Effects against Arachidonic Acid-Induced Cytotoxicity.

Plasmalogens are a group of glycerophospholipids containing a vinyl-ether bond at the sn-1 position in the glycerol backbone. Cellular membrane plasmalogens are considered to have important roles in homeostasis as endogenous antioxidants, differentiation, and intracellular signal transduction pathways including neural transmission. Therefore, reduced levels of plasmalogens have been suggested to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, although arachidonic acid is considered to be involved in learning and memory, it could be liberated and excessively activate neuronal activity to the excitotoxic levels seen in Alzheimer's disease patients. Here, we examined the protective effects of several kinds of plasmalogens against cellular toxicity caused by arachidonic acid in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. As a result, only phosphatidylcholine-plasmalogen-oleic acid (PC-PLS-18) showed protective effects against arachidonic acid-induced cytotoxicity based on the results of lactate dehydrogenase release and ATP depletion assays, as well as cellular morphological changes in SH-SY5Y cells. These results indicate that PC-PLS-18 protects against arachidonic acid-induced cytotoxicity, possibly via improving the stability of the cellular membrane in SH-SY5Y cells.

The levels of plasma plasmalogen in retired female rats decrease by ovariectomy and intake of cholesterol-diet.

Plasmalogens are functional glycerophospholipids that play important biological roles in the human body and are associated with various diseases. In our previous study, plasma choline plasmalogen level was reported to be strongly associated with factors of atherosclerosis and decreases with age. In this study, we created an animal model of low plasma plasmalogen and clarified the effect of aging on plasma plasmalogen metabolism and other plasma lipids in ovariectomized rats. Consequently, in the ovariectomized model using retired rats (Retire + OVX rats), we found a reduction in the ratio of plasmalogen in total phospholipids and an increase in cholesterol in plasma. Furthermore, this was more pronounced with the intake of a high-cholesterol diet in the Retire + OVX rats and is similar to the changes in plasmalogen and cholesterol levels in human atherosclerosis. In summary, this suggests that the ovariectomy model using retired rats is a useful model for low plasma plasmalogen levels.

Lipid signatures of chronic pain in female adolescents with and without obesity.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain in adolescence is associated with diminished outcomes, lower socioeconomic status in later life, and decreased family well-being. Approximately one third of adolescents with chronic pain have obesity compared to the general population. In obesity, lipid signals regulate insulin sensitivity, satiety, and pain sensation. We determined whether there is a distinct lipid signature associated with chronic pain and its co-occurrence with obesity in adolescents. METHODS: We performed global lipidomics in serum samples from female adolescents (N = 67, 13-17 years old) with no pain/healthy weight (Controls), chronic pain/healthy weight (Pain Non-obese), no pain/obesity (Obese), or chronic pain/obesity (Pain Obese). RESULTS: The Pain Non-obese group had lipid profiles similar to the Obese and Pain Obese groups. The major difference in these lipids included decreased lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) in the three clinical groups compared to the Control group. Furthermore, ceramides and sphingomyelin were higher in the groups with obesity when compared to the groups with healthy weight, while plasmalogens were elevated in the Pain Obese group only. CONCLUSIONS: Serum lipid markers are associated with chronic pain and suggest that specific lipid metabolites may be a signaling mechanism for inflammation associated with co-occurring chronic pain and obesity.