Metabolomic and lipidomic analysis of serum from mice exposed to an internal emitter, cesium-137, using a shotgun LC-MS(E) approach.

In this study ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry in the MSE mode was used for rapid and comprehensive analysis of metabolites in the serum of mice exposed to internal exposure by Cesium-137 (137Cs). The effects of exposure to 137Cs were studied at several time points after injection of 137CsCl in mice. Over 1800 spectral features were detected in the serum of mice in positive and negative electrospray ionization modes combined. Detailed statistical analysis revealed that several metabolites associated with amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and the TCA cycle were significantly perturbed in the serum of 137Cs-exposed mice compared with that of control mice. While metabolites associated with the TCA cycle and glycolysis increased in their serum abundances, fatty acids such as linoleic acid and palmitic acid were detected at lower levels in serum after 137Cs exposure. Furthermore, phosphatidylcholines (PCs) were among the most perturbed ions ...