Analytical Methods for Plasmalogen

Abstract

Plasmalogen is a subclass of phospholipids widely distributed in the biological world, from anaerobic bacteria to mammals. Although the pathophysiologic roles of Plasmalogen are poorly understood, it has long been implicated in a number of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Recently, there have been various reports that changes of plasmalogen in the body are involved in metabolic diseases associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Thus, plasma/serum Plasmalogen is a potential biomarker for these diseases. Here we describe the relationship between plasmalogen and diseases, and the various reports from conventional to new methods of plasmalogen measurement.