Targeted profiling of atherogenic phospholipids in human plasma and lipoproteins of hyperlipidemic patients using MALDI-QIT-TOF-MS/MS⋆

ObjectivesPhospholipids (PLs) are increasingly recognized as key molecules with potential diagnostic value in acute inflammation, CVD and atherosclerosis. We introduce a pioneer mass spectrometry (MS)-based approach aiming to investigate the relationship of specific plasma PL-subsets with atherogenic blood parameters in young patients with familial hyperlipidemia representing high-CVD-risk groups.MethodsPlasma of carefully phenotyped FH and FCH patients as well as normolipidemic subjects (age 13 ± 5 years, n = 20) was used. Clinical parameters were assessed using standard laboratory techniques and lipids were subjected to a direct targeted monitoring using LC-ESI-SRM- and MALDI-QIT-TOF-MS/MS, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate correlations between PL data and the clinical parameters.ResultsMost characteristically significant differences of SM/PC and PC/LPC ratios and positive correlations between SM vs. LDL-C (r = 0.946; p = 0.004) and LPC vs. VLDL-C (r = 0.669; p = 0.218) were observed in FH in contrast to the other study groups. OxPC levels were found in the range of ∼2-20 μmol/L with predominance of short-chain aldehydic species (e.g. SOVPC). A positive correlation of OxPCs with IMT (r = 0.952; p = 0.052) and HDL-C (r = 0.893; p = 0.016) but negative correlation with OxLDL (r = −0.910; p = 0.096) was observed.ConclusionsOur study was a first attempt to use a MALDI-QIT-TOF-MS/MS based clinical lipidomics approach to investigate atherogenic dyslipidemia in young patients with familial hyperlipidemia. This technique represents a promising platform for clinical screening of lipid biomarkers in the future.

▸ An innovative LC-ESI- and MALDI-MS/MS based clinical lipidomics approach is introduced. ▸ The relation of specific plasma PL-subsets in young patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia (FH and FCH) was studied. ▸ Positive correlations of SM vs. LDL-C (p = 0.004), OxPCs vs. HDL-C (p = 0.016) and OxPCs vs. IMT (p = 0.052) were observed. ▸ MALDI-QIT-TOF-MS/MS represents a promising platform for routine clinical lipid biomarker screening in the future.