Lipidomics of aging

Abstract Aging is regarded as a complex, multifactorial process where diverse deleterious changes accumulate in cells and tissues with advancing age that are responsible for the increased risk of disease and death and are driven by both intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. This chapter focuses on the role of lipids in aging, a field of study that is still at relatively incipient stages. We aim to summarize the different lines of research on animal models and humans that have consistently associated alterations of specific lipid classes with aging. Specifically, we focus on aging-related accumulation of ceramide and other lipotoxic species, cardiolipin remodeling, as well as sulfatide and plasmalogen deficiencies. The spread use of lipidomics in concert with genetic and mechanistic studies is likely to reveal major roles for lipids in the regulation of longevity and increase our understanding of the complex relationship between lipids and aging.