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Updated: May 6, 2026
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
[Lipid analysis in children with bronchial asthma based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: a prospective
Te Feng1, Li-Na Xie1, Yu-Hui Zhang1
1Second Ward of Respiratory Department, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450018, China.
Insights
Children with asthma show altered lipid metabolism, particularly in glycerophospholipids. Specific lipids like phosphatidylserine and ceramide may serve as biomarkers for childhood asthma diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Metabolomics
Context:
- Childhood asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory disease.
- Lipid metabolism plays a role in inflammatory conditions.
- Identifying specific biomarkers can improve diagnosis and management.
Purpose:
- To investigate the serum lipidomic profiles in children with asthma.
- To identify potential lipid biomarkers for asthma diagnosis in children.
Summary:
- This study analyzed serum lipid metabolites in 26 asthmatic children and 20 healthy controls using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
- Significant differences in lipid profiles were found, with phosphatidylserine (PS)(18:0/20:4) and ceramide (Cer)(c16:0) showing high diagnostic value for asthma.
- Elevated PS levels correlated with total IgE in atopic asthmatic children, suggesting a role in immune regulation.
Impact:
- Reveals significant lipid metabolic disturbances in pediatric asthma.
- Identifies PS(18:0/20:4) and Cer(c16:0) as potential diagnostic biomarkers for childhood asthma.
- Suggests a link between specific lipids, IgE, and immune regulation in asthma.
Objectives:
To explore the lipidomic characteristics of children with bronchial asthma (hereafter referred to as asthma) and identify potential biomarkers for asthma.
Methods:
A total of 26 asthmatic children were prospectively enrolled as the asthma group, and 20 healthy children served as the healthy control group. The asthma group was further divided into atopic (n=13) and non-atopic (n=13) subgroups based on IgE levels. Serum lipid metabolites were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, followed by statistical analysis and data visualization.
Results:
A total of 1 435 lipids were detected in the 46 children, primarily glycerophospholipids (625/1 435, 43.55%). Significant differences were observed in serum lipid profiles between the asthma and control groups. Twelve significantly differential lipids were identified, with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showing that phosphatidylserine (PS)(18:0/20:4) and ceramide (Cer)(c16:0) exhibited the highest diagnostic value for asthma. The relative abundances of PS(18:0/20:4) and PS(18:0/22:6) were higher in the atopic subgroup than in the non-atopic subgroup (P<0.05) and positively correlated with total IgE levels in asthmatic children (r=0.675 and 0.740, respectively; P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Asthmatic children exhibit significant lipid metabolic disturbances, primarily characterized by abnormal glycerophospholipid metabolism. Among these, PS(18:0/20:4) and Cer(c16:0) demonstrate specific alterations and may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for asthma. Furthermore, the positive correlation between PS(18:0/20:4) and PS(18:0/22:6) levels and serum total IgE suggests their possible involvement in immune regulation in asthma.
