Sterol Lipid Panel & Targeted Analysis—From Precursors to Oxysterols

Why Analyze Sterol Lipids?

Sterol lipids include sterols and related sterol-derived molecules that regulate membrane properties and serve as key metabolic and signaling components. In many studies, measuring "total cholesterol" alone is not sufficient to explain why a phenotype changes. Sterol profiling and quantification can help you:

• Track cholesterol pathway shifts and homeostatic regulation
• Interrogate oxidative stress–related sterol changes relevant to inflammation and neurobiology
• Evaluate storage/transport biology via sterol ester patterns
• Assess organism- or diet-associated sterols, such as fungal sterols and phytosterols

Sterol Lipid Analysis Panels and Selection Guide

Creative Proteomics provides a modular analytical platform for sterol lipid analysis using LC-MS/MS and/or GC-MS/MS, selected to match your analytes, matrix, and study objectives. We support quantitative analysis of 30+ sterol species with pmol-level sensitivity, supported by strict QC metrics including R² > 0.99 and 80–120% analytical accuracy.

Modular Sterol Lipid Analysis Panels

Related add-on analyses include steroid hormones (available as a targeted module upon request).

Which Sterol Lipid Panel Should I Choose?

Comparison Guide: Total Cholesterol Vs Sterol Lipids Panels

Many projects start with "total cholesterol," but mechanistic questions often need richer sterol lipids context.

Comprehensive Targeted Sterol Lipidomics Analyte List

Our platform provides quantification of 50+ sterol-related species categorized by their metabolic roles. All analyses are performed via high-sensitivity UHPLC-MS/MS (MRM) to ensure isomer resolution and accurate flux mapping. Metabolites may overlap across categories based on biological role.

Why Choose Our Sterol Lipid Analysis Service

• Isomer-Aware Separation (Rs ≥ 1.5): resolves critical isomers (e.g., 7α-OHC vs 7β-OHC, Desmosterol vs 7-DHC) to minimize cross-interference.
• Ultra-Trace Sensitivity (10–100 pg/mL LLOQ): detects low-abundance signaling oxysterols that standard assays often miss.
• Quantitative Confidence: stable isotope-labeled internal standards with R² ≥ 0.995 and 85–115% recovery across complex matrices.
• Reproducibility For Cohorts: automated workflows supporting CV < 10% (intra-batch, typical).
• Low Sample Input: up to 50+ sterol targets from 50 µL plasma/serum or 20 mg tissue (matrix-dependent).
• Pathway-Centric Reporting: concentrations mapped to Bloch and Kandutsch–Russell pathways for faster mechanistic interpretation.

Project Workflow: From Consultation to Discovery

Analytical Platforms: Targeted LC–MS/MS & GC–MS/MS

We leverage a Dual-Platform Strategy to address the unique physicochemical properties of the sterol lipidome, ensuring that thermally labile oxysterols and volatile precursors are analyzed on their optimal platforms.

• HRAM Selectivity: Parallel Reaction Monitoring (PRM) on the Orbitrap platform filters out chemical interferences that compromise standard assays.
• Artifact Prevention: We use cold-cycle extraction for heat-sensitive oxysterols while reserving GC-MS/MS for robust, volatile species.

Thermo Fisher Q Exactive (Figure from Thermo)

TSQ™ 9000 Triple Quadrupole (Figure from Thermo)

Quality Control And Data Reliability For Sterol Lipids

Sterol lipids measurement quality can be influenced by matrix effects, isomeric overlap, and (for oxidation-relevant targets) handling-dependent artifacts. Our workflow is QC-forward so you can interpret results with confidence.

QC elements may include (panel-dependent):

• Run controls (system suitability checks; blanks where applicable)
• Batch monitoring using QC samples (e.g., pooled QC when appropriate)
• Peak review rules and reporting flags for low-confidence features
• Documentation of reporting units and normalization/quant rules used
• Clear notes on limitations observed (matrix constraints, stability concerns, etc.)

If you have internal acceptance criteria (e.g., CV targets, recovery thresholds), we can align outputs to your requirements.

Deliverables: What You Receive From Cholesterol Pathway Analysis

Standard Deliverables

• Executive Summary: Overview of study design and primary analytical conclusions.
• Absolute Quantification: Final concentration tables for all targeted sterols (reported in nmol/g, µg/mL, or pmol/10⁶ cells).
• Comprehensive Quality Control (QC) Report: A detailed validation package including:
  • Calibration Linearity: Standard curves with calculated R2 values (typically >0.995) and defined dynamic ranges.
  • Precision & Accuracy Metrics: Intra-batch and inter-batch Coefficient of Variation (CV%) and spike-recovery percentages.
  • Internal Standard (IS) Monitoring: Assessment of matrix effects and extraction recovery using stable-isotope-labeled standards.
• Methodology SOP: Technical summary of LC-MS/MS or GC-MS/MS parameters and extraction protocols.

EIC overlays show baseline separation of key sterol isomers for interference-free quantitation.

Calibration curves and residuals demonstrate linear response and robust quantitative performance.

QC metrics show low CV and stable run-order performance across batches and injections.

Concentrations mapped to Bloch and Kandutsch–Russell pathways for mechanistic interpretation.

Applications of Sterol Lipid Profiling

Cholesterol Pathway & Homeostasis

Quantify core sterols and biosynthesis intermediates to interpret synthesis, turnover, and regulation.

Oxysterols: Oxidative Stress & Inflammatory Signaling

Measure signaling oxysterols to support redox- and immunity-driven mechanistic hypotheses.

Cardiometabolic, Lipoproteins & Sterol Esters

Profile sterols and cholesteryl esters to assess transport, storage, and lipid remodeling.

Neuroscience & Neurodegeneration

Track brain-relevant sterols/oxysterols (e.g., 24S-hydroxycholesterol) for sterol turnover insights.

Drug Mechanism & Safety Pharmacology

Monitor sterol-pathway shifts to evaluate target engagement, pathway liabilities, and on/off-target effects.

Microbial, Fungal & Nutrition Exposure Studies

Quantify organism- and diet-associated sterols (ergosterol/phytosterols) to separate source and biology.

Sample Requirements and Submission Guide

Final requirements depend on matrix and panel scope. We will confirm details during project setup. Use the table below as a planning guide.

Comparison Guide: Untargeted Lipidomics Vs Targeted Sterol Lipidomics

If your goal is discovery, untargeted can help. If your goal is decision-making and validation in sterol biology, targeted sterol lipids is often the better fit.

FAQs for Targeted Sterol Lipidomics