We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Comprehensive evaluation of dual-mode LC-MS conditions for enhanced metabolomic profiling: Application to microplastic exposure studies
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers optimized dual-mode LC-MS conditions for comprehensive metabolomic profiling and applied the method to analyze metabolic changes in organisms exposed to polystyrene microplastics, identifying significant disruptions in lipid metabolism and amino acid pathways.
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are emerging contaminants of concern due to their potential health impacts and widespread presence in the environment. Metabolomics offers a powerful approach to investigate biological responses to such exposures. However, current LC-MS methods are often limited by the suitability of chromatographic conditions for metabolites with diverse physicochemical properties, leading to suboptimal coverage and analytical redundancy. This study addresses these limitations by establishing a robust, broadly applicable dual-mode LC-MS strategy to improve coverage and analytical efficiency in microplastic exposure studies. This study evaluated 18 chromatographic conditions using six commercial columns including amide, silica, Obelisc N, C18, pentafluoophenyl (F5), and cyanopropyl (CN), to optimize metabolite separation in both positive and negative electrospray ionization (ESI) modes. Mouse large intestine extracts exposed to PS-MPs showed broad metabolome coverage under optimized conditions. In positive mode, the amide column with ammonium acetate/acetic acid (AmAc/AcA) effectively captured diverse polar metabolites. In negative mode, the F5 column with ammonium formate/formic acid (AmF/FA) excelled in phospholipid detection and lipid separation. Combining these conditions enabled complementary profiling with minimal overlap. Additionally, 42 differential metabolites affected by PS-MPs were associated with key metabolic pathways, including amino acid, taurine, hypotaurine, and glutathione metabolism. This optimized, high-coverage LC-MS strategy provides a novel analytical framework that maximizes metabolome profiling efficiency and minimizes sample input. It improves detection of diverse metabolite classes and supports robust biological interpretation, offering broad applicability for future studies on environmental exposures and complex biological challenges.
More Papers Like This
A Review of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Strategies for the Analyses of Metabolomics Induced by Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarized liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry strategies for analyzing metabolomic changes induced by microplastic exposure, covering analytical approaches for understanding how microplastics disrupt metabolic pathways in living organisms.
Toxicity mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics in marine mussels revealed by high-coverage quantitative metabolomics using chemical isotope labeling liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists used an advanced metabolomics technique to study how polystyrene microplastics affect marine mussels at the molecular level, identifying nearly 3,600 metabolic compounds. The study found that microplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations disrupted amino acid metabolism, leading to oxidative stress and immune system effects. Encouragingly, after a week-long recovery period, the mussels largely returned to normal, suggesting these toxic effects may be reversible.
Effects of polystyrene microplastics acute exposure in the liver of swordtail fish (Xiphophorus helleri) revealed by LC-MS metabolomics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used metabolomics to investigate the effects of acute polystyrene microplastic exposure on swordtail fish livers. The study found that microplastic exposure caused significant alterations in metabolic pathways related to amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy production, indicating broad metabolic disruption even after short-term exposure.
Time-dependent metabolic disorders induced by short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
AI summary Read the abstract
NMR-based metabolomics of Mediterranean mussels exposed to polystyrene microplastics over 72 hours revealed time-dependent metabolic reprogramming — including changes in energy metabolism, osmolyte levels, and antioxidant responses — providing mechanistic insights into early MP toxicity.
Microplastics to Metabolomics: Understanding the environmental and health implications of plastic pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
This review explores how metabolomics, a technique for analyzing small molecules in biological systems, is being used to understand how microplastic exposure affects living organisms at the biochemical level. The authors examine both targeted and untargeted metabolomics approaches that can reveal changes in metabolic pathways caused by microplastic pollution. The study suggests that metabolomics could become a powerful tool for identifying early biomarkers of microplastic-related health effects.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.