Biochemical Mapping of Metabolic Alterations in Lungs of Rat Embryos

摘要

GC-TOF or LC-MS unbiased surveys of biological samples yield hundreds of resolved peaks per chromatogram. Statistical significant differences between semi-quantitative peak intensities can be routinely assigned to the classes of study designs. Metabolite peaks are then often called 'putative biomarkers' which must be validated in subsequent studies and confirmed to be specific for a diagnostic case. Consequently, the biomarker peaks must be unambiguously re-detectable over months in subsequent studies. This can best be performed by establishing standardized mass spectrometric metabolome databases. Secondly, valid biomarkers require a clear route to annotation of novel compounds to be implemented in routine clinical screens. Thirdly, interpretation of differential regulation of the identified metabolites should be guided by biochemical mapping to be of biomedical relevance.