Lipid Metabolism and Lipidomics: From Biochemical Pathways to Comprehensive Analyses

Abstract

This teaching material presents the key aspects of lipid biology and lipidomics methodology, structured into five interconnected sections. First, the de novo synthesis, oxidation, and hormonal regulation of lipids are described, detailing how lipids are formed from precursors, catabolized via β-oxidation, and modulated by hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine to maintain energy homeostasis. Second, glycerolipids are surveyed, focusing on their structural classes (e.g. mono-, di-, and triacylglycerols), metabolic roles as energy storage molecules, and their dynamic regulation in adipose tissue and other organs. Third, the subject of ketone bodies and hormonal state is explored, including the circumstances under which ketogenesis is initiated, how ketone body production is influenced by hormonal cues, their physiological roles during fasting or carbohydrate restriction, and their impact on systemic energy balance. Fourth, the field of lipidomics: analytical aspects is addressed, covering the technologies used for lipid detection and quantification (e.g. mass spectrometry, chromatography), sample preparation challenges, sensitivity and specificity considerations, and the need for standardization. Finally, lipidomics: levels of determination, data processing and interpretation considers how lipidomics data are acquired at molecular-species level, aggregate class level, or functional subgroup level; the bioinformatic pipelines used to process raw spectra into biologically meaningful profiles; and the interpretation of lipidomic changes in physiological and pathological contexts.

Collectively, these topics provide an overview of lipid metabolism and lipidomics