Preanalytics: what can metabolomics learn from clinical chemistry?

Metabolism encompasses all biochemical reactions in a living organism, facilitating both the breakdown and synthesis of biomolecules. These metabolic processes are categorized into catabolic and anabolic pathways, which operate in a coordinated manner to ensure energy balance and cellular function.Catabolic Pathways and Energy ReleaseCatabolic pathways involve the breakdown of complex macromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins into smaller structures like monosaccharides, fatty...

Overview

Living cells constantly carry out various chemical reactions which are necessary for their proper functioning. These reactions are interlinked to one another via multiple pathways. The collection of these chemical reactions is known as metabolism.
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...

Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...

Pharmacodynamic methods provide insights into a drug's effects on physiological processes over time and play a crucial role in understanding bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. These methods can be broadly classified into acute pharmacological and therapeutic response approaches, each with distinct mechanisms and applications.The acute pharmacological response method directly correlates a drug's physiological effects, such as ECG or pupil diameter changes, to its time course in the body.

Pharmacokinetics is a vital branch of pharmacology that examines how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. Two key methodologies in pharmacokinetics are plasma drug concentration studies and urinary drug excretion analyses, both of which provide critical insights into a drug's therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability.Plasma Drug Concentration-Time StudiesPlasma drug concentration-time studies involve analyzing blood samples at specific intervals to quantify...