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Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease, frequently associated with hypertension and renal inflammation. ω-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in fish oil (FO) improve kidney function in animal models, but have inconsistent metabolic effects in humans. Oxylipin profiles in serum from IgAN patients supplemented with either FO or corn oil (CO) placebo were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. EPA cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites, and EPA and DHA epoxides and diols were increased in response to FO supplementation, as were total epoxides and epoxide/diol ratios. Several of these metabolites were drivers of separation as assessed by multivariate analysis of FO patients pre- vs. post-supplementation, including 17,18-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, prostaglandin D3, prostagalandin E3, Resolvin E1, 12-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid, and 10(11)-epoxydocosapentaenoic acid. In patients whose proteinuria improved, plasma total oxylipins as well as several hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and leukotriene B4 metabolites were among the metabolites that were significantly lower than in patients whose proteinuria either did not improve or worsened. These data support the involvement of oxylipins in the inflammatory component of IgAN as well as the potential use of oxylipin profiles as biomarkers and for assessing responsiveness to ω-3 fatty acid supplementation in IgAN patients.

IntroductionConflicting findings in both interventional and observational studies have resulted in a lack of consensus on the benefits of ω3 fatty acids in reducing disease risk. This may be due to individual variability in response. We used a multi-platform lipidomic approach to investigate both the consistent and inconsistent responses of individuals comprehensively to a defined ω3 intervention.MethodsThe lipidomic profile including fatty acids, lipid classes, lipoprotein distribution, and oxylipins was examined multi- and uni-variately in 12 healthy subjects pre vs. post six weeks of ω3 fatty acids (1.9 g/d eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 1.5 g/d docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]).ResultsTotal lipidomic and oxylipin profiles were significantly different pre vs. post treatment across all subjects (p=0.00007 and p=0.00002 respectively). There was a strong correlation between oxylipin profiles and EPA and DHA incorporated into different lipid classes (r2=0.93). However, strikingly divergent responses among individuals were also observed. Both ω3 and ω6 fatty acid metabolites displayed a large degree of variation among the subjects. For example, in half of the subjects, two arachidonic acid cyclooxygenase products, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and a lipoxygenase product, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) significantly decreased post intervention, whereas in the other half they either did not change or increased. The EPA lipoxygenase metabolite 12-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (12-HEPE) varied among subjects from an 82% decrease to a 5,000% increase.ConclusionsOur results show that certain defined responses to ω3 fatty acid intervention were consistent across all subjects. However, there was also a high degree of inter-individual variability in certain aspects of lipid metabolism. This lipidomic based phenotyping approach demonstrated that individual responsiveness to ω3 fatty acids is highly variable and measurable, and could be used as a means to assess the effectiveness of ω3 interventions in modifying disease risk and determining metabolic phenotype.

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Bioactive lipids, including oxylipins, endocannabinoids, and related compounds may function as specific biochemical markers of certain aspects of inflammation. However, the postprandial responsiveness of these compounds is largely unknown; therefore, changes in the circulating oxylipin and endocannabinoid metabolome in response to a challenge meal were investigated at six occasions in a subject who freely modified her usual diet. The dietary change, and especially the challenge meal itself, represented a modification of precursor fatty acid status, with expectedly subtle effects on bioactive lipid levels. To detect even the slightest alteration, highly sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) methods for bioactive lipid profiling was employed. A previously validated UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for profiling the endocannabinoid metabolome was used, while validation of an UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for oxylipin analysis was performed with acceptable outcomes for a majority of the parameters according to the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for linearity (0.9938 < R2 < 0.9996), limit of detection (0.0005–2.1 pg on column), limit of quantification (0.0005–4.2 pg on column), inter- and intraday accuracy (85–115%) and precision (< 5%), recovery (40–109%) and stability (40–105%). Forty-seven of fifty-two bioactive lipids were detected in plasma samples at fasting and in the postprandial state (0.5, 1, and 3 hours after the meal). Multivariate analysis showed a significant shift of bioactive lipid profiles in the postprandial state due to inclusion of dairy products in the diet, which was in line with univariate analysis revealing seven compounds (NAGly, 9-HODE, 13-oxo-ODE, 9(10)-EpOME, 12(13)-EpOME, 20-HETE, and 11,12-DHET) that were significantly different between background diets in the postprandial state (but not at fasting). The only change in baseline levels at fasting was displayed by TXB2. Furthermore, postprandial responsiveness was detected for seven compounds (POEA, SEA, 9(10)-DiHOME, 12(13)-DiHOME, 13-oxo-ODE, 9-HODE, and 13-HODE). Hence, the data confirm that the UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method performance was sufficient to detect i) a shift, in the current case most notably in the postprandial bioactive lipid metabolome, caused by changes in diet and ii) responsiveness to a challenge meal for a subset of the oxylipin and endocannabinoid metabolome. To summarize, we have shown proof-of-concept of our UPLC-ESI-MS/MS bioactive lipid protocols for the purpose of monitoring subtle shifts, and thereby useful to address lipid-mediated postprandial inflammation.

BackgroundAsthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM) and oxidants are important factors in causing exacerbations in asthmatics, and the source and composition of pollutants greatly affects pathological implications.ObjectivesThis randomized crossover study investigated responses of the respiratory system to Stockholm subway air in asthmatics and healthy individuals. Eicosanoids and other oxylipins were quantified in the distal lung to provide a measure of shifts in lipid mediators in association with exposure to subway air relative to ambient air.MethodsSixty-four oxylipins representing the cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolic pathways were screened using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-fluid. Validations through immunocytochemistry staining of BAL-cells were performed for 15-LOX-1, COX-1, COX-2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Multivariate statistics were employed to interrogate acquired oxylipin and immunocytochemistry data in combination with patient clinical information.ResultsAsthmatics and healthy individuals exhibited divergent oxylipin profiles following exposure to ambient and subway air. Significant changes were observed in 8 metabolites of linoleic- and α-linolenic acid synthesized via the 15-LOX pathway, and of the COX product prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Oxylipin levels were increased in healthy individuals following exposure to subway air, whereas asthmatics evidenced decreases or no change.ConclusionsSeveral of the altered oxylipins have known or suspected bronchoprotective or anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting a possible reduced anti-inflammatory response in asthmatics following exposure to subway air. These observations may have ramifications for sensitive subpopulations in urban areas.

Environmental Chemistry covers a range of topics within the discipline of chemistry, from toxicology to legislation, which warrants interdisciplinary study. Consequently, problem-based learning (PBL), a style of student-centered learning which facilitates the integration of multiple subjects, was investigated to determine if it would be a more appropriate instructional method for teaching Environmental Chemistry than the traditional teachercentered education model. This article describes the practical aspects of course development and implementation of PBL in a master's level course in Environmental Chemistry. Overall, the results, which were collected from the initial two years of the course, indicated that the students were pleased and found PBL to be an efficient methodology for not only learning, but also acquiring an in-depth understanding of Environmental Chemistry. This is intended as a casestudy with the target audience consisting primarily of high school and undergraduate chemistry teachers, but may also be useful for teachers in other subject areas with an interest in studentcentered education.

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has gained an increasing interest over the past decades since the discovery of anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). These, and structurally related compounds, are associated with a wide variety of physiological processes. For instance, eCB levels in milk have been associated with infants' feeding and sleeping behavior. A method based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of 15 eCBs and related compounds, including both fatty acid amides and glycerols. Linearity (0.9845 < R(2) < 1), limit of detection and quantification (0.52-293 pg on column), inter- and intraday accuracy (>70%) and precision (CV < 15%), stability, and recovery (in milk and plasma) were established in accordance to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The method was successfully applied to bovine and elk milk revealing species-specific eCB profiles, with significant different levels of 2-AG, 2-linoleoyl glycerol, docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide, palmitoyl ethanolamide, and oleoyl ethanolamide. Furthermore, stearoyl ethanolamide and docosatetraenoyl ethanolamide were only detected in elk milk. In summary, our UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method may be used for quantification of eCBs and related compounds in different biofluids and applied to investigations of the role of these emerging compounds in various physiological processes.