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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
LC-MS Analysis of Human Platelets as a Platform for Studying Mitochondrial Metabolism
Published on: April 4, 2016
Metabolic tracing analysis reveals substrate-specific metabolic deficits in platelet storage lesion
Carrie Sims1, Noelle Salliant1, Andrew J Worth2
1Division of Traumatology, Surgical Critical Care and Emergency Surgery.
Background:
Storage of platelets (PLTs) results in a progressive defect termed PLT storage lesion (PSL). The PSL is characterized by poor PLT quality on a variety of assays. Metabolic defects are thought to underlie the PSL; thus this study was designed to quantitatively probe specific metabolic pathways over PLT storage.
Study Design And Methods:
Relative incorporation of stable isotope-labeled substrates was quantified by isotopologue analysis of key acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) thioester products for fresh, viable (after collection, Days 2-5), and expired PLTs (after Day 5). We examined the incorporation of acetate, glucose, and palmitate into acetyl- and succinyl-CoA via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Results:
Storage-related defects in the incorporation of acetyl-CoA derived from acetate and palmitate were observed. Carbon derived from palmitate and acetate in succinyl-CoA was reduced over storage time. Glucose incorporation into succinyl-CoA increased in viable PLTs and then decreased in expired PLTs. Carbon derived from octanoate and pyruvate remained partially able to incorporate into acetyl- and succinyl-CoA in expired PLTs, with high variability in pyruvate incorporation.
Conclusion:
Isotopologue analysis is useful in probing substrate specific defects in the PSL.
