The impact of sampling time point on the lipidome composition

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Oncology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Lipidomic profiling aids in brain tumor characterization.
• Preanalytical conditions, including sampling time, are crucial for accurate lipid analysis.
• Lipids are susceptible to degradation, potentially altering profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of sampling time on brain tumor lipidome composition.
• To compare lipid profiles of fresh versus stored brain tumor samples.
• To assess the influence of storage on tumor differentiation based on lipidomics.

Main Methods:

• Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers used for sampling meningiomas and gliomas.
• Samples collected immediately after removal and after 12 months of storage at -30 °C.
• Analysis via HILIC chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

Main Results:

• Stored samples showed elevated levels of analytes with lower m/z values compared to fresh samples.
• Distinct lipidome compositions were observed between fresh and stored brain tumor samples.
• Despite storage-induced changes, meningiomas and gliomas remained distinguishable.

Conclusions:

• Storage duration significantly alters brain tumor lipidome profiles.
• While tumor differentiation is preserved, storage introduces bias in biological interpretation.
• Optimizing preanalytical steps is essential for reliable lipidomic studies in neuro-oncology.