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Urinary and serum oxysterols in children: developmental pattern and potential biomarker for pediatric liver disease

Yugo Takaki1, Tatsuki Mizuochi2, Hajime Takei3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.

Scientific Reports
|April 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Oxysterol levels change during childhood development. Elevated urinary and serum oxysterols, especially 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, indicate potential biomarkers for pediatric liver disease.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Oxysterols, cholesterol oxidation products, are implicated in various physiological processes.
  • Limited data exists on oxysterol levels in healthy children and those with liver disease.
  • Understanding developmental changes in oxysterols is crucial for pediatric health assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate developmental changes in urinary and serum oxysterols throughout childhood.
  • To evaluate the potential of oxysterols as biomarkers for pediatric liver disease.
  • To compare oxysterol profiles in healthy children versus children with liver disease.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of seven specific oxysterols (4β-, 20(S)-, 22(S)-, 22(R)-, 24(S)-, 25-, and 27-hydroxycholesterol) using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS).
  • Analysis of urine and serum samples from healthy neonates, infants, preschoolers, school-age children, and adults.
  • Comparison of oxysterol levels between healthy children and a cohort of children diagnosed with liver disease.

Main Results:

  • Urinary total oxysterols were highest in neonates and decreased significantly with age.
  • Serum total oxysterols were lowest in neonates and increased significantly with age.
  • Children with liver disease exhibited significantly elevated urinary and serum total oxysterols, particularly 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, compared to healthy controls.

Conclusions:

  • Oxysterol levels undergo significant developmental changes from infancy through childhood.
  • Oxysterols, especially 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, show promise as non-invasive biomarkers for detecting pediatric liver disease.
  • This study provides the first report on developmental oxysterol changes and their potential as biomarkers in pediatric liver disease.

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