Cerebrospinal Fluid Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis Service

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is secreted within the central nervous system (CNS) and fills in the ventricles, the subarachnoid space of the brain, and the spinal column. CSF's role is to protect the brain from physical impacts. Furthermore, CSF plays a crucial role in the circulation of nutrients and chemicals in the blood and in waste management by actively transporting or facilitating bulk flow (from the extracellular fluid of the brain to the subarachnoid space, and ultimately into the venous and lymphatic systems) as well as by removing organic acids. It is known that human CSF is rich in small molecule biomarkers for neurodegenerative and neurological diseases. Although CSF is not easily obtained, its relatively simple metabolism and potential significance for CNS diseases make it particularly important in biomedical research and clinical chemistry.

 

The composition of CSF is almost unchanging and CSF is continuously secreted with maintaining a stable environment within the brain. Therefore, analyzing the CSF metabolome can provide biochemical clues for CNS diseases such as brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. High-throughput metabolomic technologies available for CSF analysis include ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, GC-MS, DFI-MS/MS, ICP-MS. CSF is rich in trace metals, which play a crucial role in enzyme function and many neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other related disorders). As the optimal technology for characterizing metal elements in biological samples, ICP-MS can be used for quantitative analysis of trace metals in CSF. ICP-MS can effectively identify and quantify a large number of trace metals. The DFI-MS/MS method provides a quantitative platform for 67 compounds that cannot be identified through GC-MS, LC-MS, and NMR techniques.

 

As of 2008, the human CSF metabolome comprised at least 308 fully identified and quantified metabolites, 23% (70 compounds) of which were identified through the combination of NMR, GC-MS, and LC-MS. By 2011, at least 476 metabolites in human CSF were fully identified and quantified.

 



Wikoff, WR. et al. J Clin Invest. 2008.

Figure 1. CSF Untargeted Metabolomics

 

Typically, the volume of each CSF sample used for metabolite analysis ranges from 0.5 to 1.0 mL. CSF samples should be stored in a freezer at -80°C. Due to the instability of CSF metabolites, repeated freeze-thaw cycles and higher storage temperatures (such as 4°C) should be avoided.

 

MtoZ Biolabs features a complete system for the separation, characterization, identification, and quantification of metabolomics analysis of CSF, offering excellent stability and reproducibility, high sensitivity, and ultra-sensitivity in CSF untargeted metabolomics. The MtoZ Biolabs metabolomics analysis platform provides reliable, rapid, and cost-effective untargeted metabolomics services for CSF. Free consultation is available!