Analysis of Cholesterol from the Liver Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Methods Mol Biol. 2023:2571:143-148. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2699-3_14.

Abstract

Cholesterol is an essential lipid molecule for several biological functions including the proper functioning of cell membranes, lipoproteins, and lipid rafts, as well as the synthesis of bile acids, vitamin D, and steroid hormones. Cholesterol can be extracted from liver tissue by multiple methods of lipid extraction. Subsequently, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) can be used to obtain the highest level of sensitivity and selectivity in the analysis of cholesterol. This chapter describes two methods of lipid extraction for liver tissue, Bligh and Dyer and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), followed by an analysis with GC-MS.

Keywords: Bligh and Dyer; Cholesterol; GC; GC–MS; Gas chromatography; Lipid extraction; Liver; MS; MTBE; Mass spectrometry.

MeSH terms

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Cholesterol* / analysis
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Hormones
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Methyl Ethers*
  • Vitamin D

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Hormones
  • Methyl Ethers
  • Vitamin D
  • Cholesterol