The results of the first phase of the Ceramide Ring study have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, an important landmark in the field of lipidomics. This result, which involved researchers from the University of Vienna and scientific teams from Singapore, Jülich and Espoo, represents a breakthrough in establishing reference levels for ceramides and plasma lipids, which are associated with cardiovascular diseases and more. The Ring study was conducted under the umbrella of the International Lipidomics Society (ILS).
Lipidomics – the large-scale study of cellular lipid pathways and networks in biological systems – aims to understand the role of lipids in health and disease by analyzing their structure, function, and interactions within cells. Masu. Understanding the upper and lower limits of lipid concentration is essential for scientific progress and the application of technology in lipidomics. To do this, the Ceramide Ring trial was initiated as a first step towards technical replication across a global network of laboratories.
Long trial…
A ring trial is a method in which multiple laboratories independently analyze the same sample using similar or different methods and compare the results. This helps assess the reliability and consistency of measurements across different laboratories, improving standardization and quality control in scientific testing. After seven years of collaboration, results from 34 participating laboratories in 19 countries were compiled into the Ceramide Ring Trial Study. To maintain a rigorous focus while reducing complexity, the Ceramide Ring trial focused on human plasma/serum and aimed to investigate the concentration levels of four different ceramide lipid species and their variability. Ceramides are involved in multiple diseases and have been implicated as biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Study participants will utilize preferred analytical methods and/or standardized protocols to test NIST1950 (Reference Reference Material for Metabolites in Human Plasma provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST) and three additional Ceramides were quantified in NIST pooled plasma standards. By using Avanti Polar Lipids’ specially formulated mixture of ceramide standards.
…promising results were obtained
“Many valuable lessons can be learned from the results of interlaboratory comparisons,” explains Robert Ahrens from the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Vienna and corresponding author of the study. 1) Standardization is the key to reducing test variability. Follow the steps and reach agreement on the concentration of the analyte of interest. 2) Obtaining the average absolute concentration level of ceramides will set a baseline for future biological and medical studies related to ceramide-related diseases. 3) This study estimates biological differences between healthy people, people with high cholesterol, and different ethnic groups by comparing mixed plasma samples.
This study is the largest and most targeted interlaboratory and cross-platform public ring study of individual ceramides in human plasma and sets a new benchmark for future harmonization in lipidomics research and beyond. Masu. We would like to express our deepest gratitude and congratulations to all participants in this pioneering effort. ”
Robert Ahrends, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Vienna
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Reference magazines:
Torta, F. et al. (2024). Deriving ceramide concentrations in human plasma standards with interlaboratory agreement via authentic standards. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52087-x.
