2024 Volume 8 Issue 2 Pages 54-64
Bioactive lipids, including lysophospholipids, sphingolipids, eicosanoids, and their metabolites, hold promise as potential biomarkers for various diseases. Recent advances in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have enabled accurate quantification of these lipids. Our research focuses on applying the LC-MS/MS methods developed by us to urine samples for diagnosing non-invasive diseases. Urine, is easier to collect and is less variable than blood, and provides a suitable matrix for the detection of bioactive lipids. Significant changes have been identified in urinary lipid mediators in various kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy, chronic glomerulonephritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. These findings indicate that urinary lipid profiles can serve as biomarkers for disease progression and severity. Moreover, the use of machine learning models in conjunction with lipidomics has further enhanced the accuracy of differentiating kidney diseases. Despite challenges such as equipment complexity and data management, mass spectrometry in conjunction with artificial intelligence technologies offers promising new diagnostic approaches. Ultimately, profiling lipid mediators in urine specimens could revolutionize disease understanding and clinical laboratory testing.
