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Sphingoid bases as possible diagnostic parameters.
Slavica Ribar1, Marko Mesaric, Mirela Sedic
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.
Croatian Medical Journal
|April 17, 2003
Summary
Serum sphingoid bases show stable concentrations in healthy individuals, offering potential for diagnosing sphingolipid metabolism disorders. Urine levels vary, but hormonal changes impact them, particularly during menopause and pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Sphingolipids, including sphinganine and sphingosine, are crucial in cellular processes.
- Impaired sphingolipid metabolism is linked to various diseases.
- Establishing normal sphingoid base levels is essential for diagnostic purposes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify sphingoid bases (sphinganine and sphingosine) in human serum and urine.
- To establish normal value ranges for these bases.
- To investigate sex-based differences and the impact of hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause) on their concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Serum and urine samples were collected from healthy men and women.
- Sphingolipids were extracted and hydrolyzed.
- Sphinganine and sphingosine concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Main Results:
- Serum concentrations of total sphingosine and sphinganine showed no significant sex-based differences.
- Urine concentrations exhibited greater variability.
- Menopause and pregnancy were associated with decreased urinary total sphinganine and altered sphinganine/sphingosine ratios.
Conclusions:
- Serum sphingoid base levels are stable and can serve as sensitive diagnostic indicators for sphingolipid metabolism disorders.
- Urine concentrations are more variable and less reliable for diagnosis.
- Hormonal fluctuations influence urinary sphingoid base levels.