Applications of Lipidomics to Age-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

The goal of this review is to highlight the need for new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially osteoporosis and sarcopenia. These conditions are characterized by loss of bone and muscle mass, respectively, leading to functional deterioration and the development of disabilities. Advances in high-resolution lipidomics platforms are being used to help identify new lipid biomarkers for these diseases.

It is now well established that bone and muscle have important endocrine functions, including the release of bioactive factors in response to mechanical and biochemical stimuli. Bioactive lipids are a prominent set of these factors and some of these lipids are directly related to the mass and function of bone and muscle. Recent lipidomics studies have shown significant dysregulation of lipids in aged muscle and bone, including alterations in diacylglycerols and ceramides. Studies have shown that alterations in some types of plasma lipids are associated with aging including reduced bone mineral density and the occurrence of osteoporosis. Musculoskeletal disorders are a major burden in our society, especially for older adults. The development and application of new lipidomics methods is making significant advances in identifying new biomarkers for these diseases. These studies will not only lead to improved detection, but new mechanistic insights that could lead to new therapeutic targets and interventions.