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Attached to the outer surface of the corneocyte lipid envelope (CLE), omega-hydroxy ceramides (ω-OH-Cer) link to involucrin and function as lipid components of the stratum corneum (SC). The integrity of the skin barrier is highly dependent on the lipid components of SC, especially on ω-OH-Cer. Synthetic ω-OH-Cer supplementation has been utilized in clinical practice for epidermal barrier injury and related surgeries. However, the mechanism discussion and analyzing methods are not keeping pace with its clinical application. Though mass spectrometry (MS) is the primary choice for biomolecular analysis, method modifications for ω-OH-Cer identification are lacking in progress. Therefore, finding conclusions on ω-OH-Cer biological function, as well as on its identification, means it is vital to remind further researchers of how the following work should be done. This review summarizes the important role of ω-OH-Cer in epidermal barrier functions and the forming mechanism of ω-OH-Cer. Recent identification methods for ω-OH-Cer are also discussed, which could provide new inspirations for study on both ω-OH-Cer and skin care development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modified Tabusen-2 decoction (MTBD) is traditional Chinese Mongolia medicine, mainly used to treat osteoporosis. However, the precise material basis of this prescription is not yet fully elucidated. Herein, we establish an HPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS spectrometer method with four-step characteristic ion filtering (FSCIF) strategy to quickly and effectively identify the structural features of MTBD and determine the representative compounds content. The FSCIF strategy included database establishment, characteristic ions summarization, neutral loss fragments screening, and secondary mass spectrum fragment matching four steps. By using this strategy, a total of 143 compounds were unambiguously or tentatively annotated, including 5 compounds which were first reported in MTBD. Nineteen representative components were simultaneously quantified with the HPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS spectrometer, and it is suitable for eight batches of MTBD. Methodology analysis showed that the assay method had good repeatability, accuracy, and stability. The method established above was successfully applied to assess the quality of MTBD extracts. Collectively, our findings enhance our molecular understanding of the MTBD formulation and will allow us to control its quality in a better way. At the same time, this study can promote the development and utilization of ethnic medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accumulating evidence shows that circulating levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, which is generated from the metabolism of dietary choline, may predict cardiovascular disease among Caucasians. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), one common presentation of cardiovascular disease, is a spectrum of signs and symptoms due to acute decreased blood flow in the coronary arteries. The relationship between the metabolites from choline pathway and ACS remains unclear. We aimed to assess the associations of circulating metabolites from the choline pathway with ACS among a Chinese population, who consume a different dietary pattern than their Western counterparts. Methods: We recruited 501 participants who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital,Shanghai China between March 2017 and June 2018, including 254 ACS cases and 247 controls. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure circulating concentrations of metabolites in the choline pathway, including betaine, choline, trimethylamine, and trimethylamine N-oxide. A composite metabolite score using a weighted sum of these four metabolites, and the betaine/choline ratio were calculated. Multivariable logistic regressions were applied to estimate the association of metabolites with ACS, with adjustment of age, sex, body mass index, smoking index, history of diseases, and kidney function. Results: After adjusting for traditional risk factors, per 1-standard deviation (SD) increment in choline was positively associated with the odds of ACS [odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.77(1.44–2.18)], and the other metabolites were not associated with ACS at a statistical significance level. Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of the metabolite score, those in the highest quartile had higher odds of ACS [OR (95% CI), 3.18(1.85–5.54), p < 0.001 for trend]. Per 1-SD increment in metabolite score was positively associated with higher odds of ACS [OR (95% CI), 1.80 (1.37–2.40)], and per 1-SD increment in the betaine/choline ratio was inversely associated with the odds of ACS [OR (95% CI), 0.49 (0.39–0.60)]. Conclusions: Among our Chinese participants, trimethylamine N-oxide was not associated with ACS, while a composite metabolite score of metabolites from the choline pathway was associated with increased odds of ACS. The choline pathway metabolites may be related to the pathophysiology of ACS among Chinese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]