Metabolomics
Capture the direct signals of phenotypic change through precise metabolite quantification — a direct readout of physiological status.
Neurotransmitter Metabolomics
Neurotransmitters (NTs) are small-molecule chemicals synthesized and released by neurons, widely distributed in the central nervous system, peripheral neural tissues, and body fluids. By binding to postsynaptic membrane receptors, they regulate core physiological processes such as excitatory signaling, mood, cognitive memory, and motor control. Secretory imbalance or metabolic abnormalities are closely associated with neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease) as well as epilepsy and pain syndromes. Compared with conventional imaging, quantitative neurotransmitter profiling directly reflects neural functional status, providing precise molecular evidence for early diagnosis, mechanistic research, and drug efficacy evaluation. Neurotransmitter analysis has become a core technology in neuroscience, clinical medicine, and pharmacology, widely applied in basic research (e.g., neural circuit regulation), clinical diagnosis (e.g., psychiatric subtyping), and drug development (e.g., screening of neurotransmitter-targeting compounds).
Principle Introduction
Neurotransmitter detection is based on an 'extraction–separation–identification–quantification' workflow combined with physicochemical and signal-recognition mechanisms: 1. Extraction: acid extraction or solid-phase extraction efficiently isolates neurotransmitters from biological samples (preventing degradation) while preserving native structure and activity. 2. Separation: leveraging differences in polarity and hydrophobicity across chromatographic columns, subtypes are separated by HPLC or UPLC. 3. Identification & quantification: fluorescence (FLD) or mass spectrometry (MS) detectors enable precise identification via characteristic absorption (fluorescence) or ion peaks (MS); external or internal standards (e.g., dopamine-d4, serotonin-d4 stable-isotope internal standards) correct matrix interference for accurate quantification. 4. Functional association: changes and imbalances in neurotransmitter subtype levels are linked to signaling functions to decipher the relationship between neural dysfunction and disease.
Literature
Published in Phytomedicine, 'Exploring the Anti-Fatigue Properties of Ginseng Stem and Leaf Saponins: Using UHPLC-MS Metabolomics and Neurotransmitter Analysis' employed neurotransmitter metabolomics to systematically elucidate the anti-fatigue mechanism of ginseng stem-and-leaf saponins (GSLS). Mice were subjected to an acute fatigue model with different GSLS doses; serum and brain tissue were collected and analyzed by UHPLC-MS neurotransmitter metabolomics. Results showed significantly reduced dopamine and serotonin and elevated degradation products in the fatigue model group, together with GABA/glutamate ratio imbalance linked to reduced central excitability; GSLS intervention dose-dependently restored these metabolites and anti-fatigue capacity. The study demonstrates that GSLS exerts anti-fatigue effects by modulating neurotransmitter synthesis and degradation pathways.
Sample Requirements
≥500 μL/sample, EDTA or heparin anticoagulated (plasma), sealed at -80°C, dry-ice shipping; avoid freeze-thaw; note sampling time and intervention conditions (drug dose, exercise intensity).
≥0.5 g/sample, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen then -80°C, dry-ice shipping; specify region (cortex, hippocampus, brainstem) and handling (modeling time, intervention period).
cell pellet ≥1×10⁷, snap-frozen then -80°C, dry-ice shipping; provide cell type (neurons, glial cells) and culture conditions.
≥1 mL/sample, sealed at -80°C, dry-ice shipping; 0.1% sodium azide optional; note sampling time (24 h / morning urine).
≥1 g/sample, snap-frozen then -80°C, dry-ice shipping; note sampling time and storage.
Deliverables
Raw data
UHPLC-MS raw chromatograms, retention times, characteristic ion peaks, peak-area quantification, and library-matching reports.
Data analysis report
qualitative identification of 110+ neurotransmitter metabolites, quantification table (ng/mL or μg/g), differential volcano plots, pathway enrichment, key differential metabolite screening, and statistical tests.
Technical support
sample pretreatment optimization (solvent ratio, antioxidant), UHPLC-MS parameter table (column, mobile phase, ionization), metabolic pathway guide, and experimental design suggestions.
FAQ
① Add SPE or liquid-liquid extraction to remove protein/lipid impurities; ② adjust chromatography (column type, pH, gradient); ③ use targeted MS scanning (SIM, MRM); ④ use high-purity reagents and internal standards.
① inconsistent sampling (time, diet, exercise, dose); ② inconsistent handling (extraction, centrifugation, antioxidant); ③ instrument drift; ④ biological variation. Standardize workflow, calibrate instrument, and include replicates (RSD≤10%) and QC samples.
