1. Fatty Acids 

Fatty acids are analyzed by GC-MS and fully quantitated by comparison with authentic standards. Currently, the fatty acid panel consists of 33 fatty acids, ranging in chain length from 12 to 26 carbons, and includes all saturated fatty acids, mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids and their positional isomers 

a) Free (non-esterified) Fatty Acid Panel

b) Total (sum total of esterified and non-esterified) Fatty Acid Panel

2. Eicosanoids

Eicosanoids and N-acylethanolamines are analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS and are fully quantitated by comparison with authentic standards. The Comprehensive Eicosanoid Panel is a global eicosanoid profile, presently consisting of over 150 eicosanoids. The 10-Eicosanoid Panel is a client-defined set of 10 eicosanoids (contact us for a list of eicosanoids to choose from).

a) Comprehensive Eicosanoid Panel

b) 10-Eicosanoid Panel

c) N-acylethanolamines

3. Acylcarnitines

Acylcarnitines play important roles in fatty acid metabolism and function as vehicles to transport acyl groups from the cytosol into the mitochondria for β-oxidation. Acylcarnitines are analyzed by untargeted UPLC-MS/MS approaches and are identified and quantified using authentic standards.

For glycerophospholipids, we offer several approaches depending on the depth of analysis that is required. 

1. Phospholipid Class Panel

The class panel consists of a quantitative phospholipid class scan that includes phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylglycerol and all lyso derivatives of these. We can quantify all of these classes or limit to only the ones that you select.

2. Comprehensive Phospholipid Panel

The comprehensive panel analyzes all individual species contained within each class and employs sophisticated acquisition protocols that will provide the exact fatty acid composition of each lipid molecular species. For routine analysis, we provide relative abundances that are measured as semi-quantitative data and are normalized to internal standards. The semi-quantitative results allow for direct comparison between samples or treatments. On special request, we can also quantitate the isobaric species based on existing standards.

1. Comprehensive Glycerolipid Panel

The glycerolipid panel provides data on all individual triacylglyceride and diacylglyceride molecular species that differ in their fatty acid composition. Due to the limited availability of quantitative standards, we recommend glycerolipids profiling scans at the semi-quantitative level, which allows direct comparison between samples or treatments. On special request, we can also quantitate all molecular species based on existing standards. 

1. Sphingomyelin Profile Panel

2. Ceramide Profile Panel

3. Comprehensive Sphingolipid Panel

4. Sphingoid bases

The individual sphingomyelin and ceramide panels provide data on all individual molecular species. We recommend these profiling scans at the semi-quantitative level, which allows direct comparison between samples or treatments. The Comprehensive Sphingolipid Panel consists of both the Sphingomyelin Profile Panel and the Ceramide Profile Panel. The sphingoid bases include sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate and sphinganine-1-phosphate. These measurements are performed fully quantitatively.

1. Cholesterol Ester Panel

For the analysis of cholesterol esters, we use a MS protocol that yields profiling data on all individual cholesterol ester molecular species based on the associated fatty acids.  We recommend cholesterol ester profiling scans at the semi-quantitative level, which allows direct comparison between samples or treatments. On special request, we can also quantitate the molecular species based on existing standards.  

1. Free (non-esterified) Sterol Panel

2. Total (sum total of esterified and non-esterified) Sterol Panel

Our basic sterol panel presently consists of over 20 sterol and oxysterol metabolites; however, our method is easily adaptable to include additional metabolites of interest. Sterol and oxysterol profiling is performed fully quantitatively.  

1. Complex Lipid Panel

Our Complex Lipid Panel includes the Comprehensive Phospholipid Panel, the Comprehensive Glycerolipid Panel, the Comprehensive Sphingolipid Panel, the Cholesterol Ester Panel and Acylcarnitines. 

1. Extraction

2. Homogenization (of solid tissue)

3. Protein Analysis

Dr. Oswald Quehenberger is available to provide additional consultation for projects, including more detailed lipid metabolism information, sample preparation instructions, experimental design and setup, and data interpretation. Consultation is billed at an hourly rate.