New methods for analysis of oxysterols and related compounds by LC–MS. Issue 162 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griffiths, William J.; Abdel-Khalik, Jonas; Crick, Peter J.; Yutuc, Eylan; Wang, Yuqin
• Is Part Of: Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology. Issue 162(2016)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Sterol -- Cholesterol -- Hydroxycholesterol -- Epoxycholesterol -- Liquid chromatography -- Mass spectrometry -- Derivatisation; Steroid hormones -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Hormones -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Hormones stéroïdes -- Périodiques; Steroid hormones; Periodicals; 572.579
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.11.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-0760

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Oxysterol formation is discussed. LC–MS analysis of oxysterols is reviewed. Key steps of sample preparation are included. Pros and cons of derivatisation are highlighted. Benefits of isotope labelled derivatisation reagents are noted. Abstract: Oxysterols are oxygenated forms of cholesterol or its precursors. They are formed enzymatically and via reactive oxygen species. Oxysterols are intermediates in bile acid and steroid hormone biosynthetic pathways and are also bioactive molecules in their own right, being ligands to nuclear receptors and also regulators of the processing of steroid regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) to their active forms as transcription factors regulating cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. Oxysterols are implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple disease states ranging from atherosclerosis and cancer to multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Analysis of oxysterols is challenging on account of their low abundance in biological systems in comparison to cholesterol, and due to the propensity of cholesterol to undergo oxidation in air to generate oxysterols with the same structures as those present endogenously. In this article we review the mass spectrometry-based methods for oxysterol analysis paying particular attention to analysis by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS).