Identifying the lipid mediators that contribute to inflammation

Scientists at Cardiff University, Wales, UK, are investigating the role of lipid metabolites in cardiovascular and inflammatory disease using a Shimadzu HPLC system coupled to a 4000 Q TRAP^® mass spectrometer system from Applied Biosystems.

Signals from lipid signalling pathways, such as lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase, are thought to contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis, hypertension and inflammation. The researchers are analysing lipid extracts from activated vascular cells, including monocytes, platelets and neutrophils, and using HPLC combined with mass spectrometry to separate and identify the signalling molecules involved.

Dr Valerie O’Donnell, Reader in the University’s Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, said: “We particularly wanted an HPLC system with very low carryover, because lipids are very sticky and it is important that the instrument can clean itself properly between samples to avoid contaminating the next sample. The Shimadzu system’s very sophisticated rinsing cycles are ideal for our application.”