Metabolon Logo
Metabolon Logo
C4 Single Analyte Assay

Metabolon Target

C4 Single Analyte Assay

R Absolute Quantitation

R Rigorous Quality Control

R End-to-end Service

About 7-α-Hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4)

7-α-Hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of bile acids from cholesterol. The precursor to C4 is 7α-hydroxycholesterol, which is produced from cholesterol via the hepatic enzyme, 7α-hydroxylase. 7-α-hydroxylase catalyzes the rate-limiting step in bile acid synthesis and its activity is tightly regulated via the FXR receptor. Measurement of the stable metabolite C4, a product of the next oxidative enzymatic reaction after 7-α-hydroxylase, is reflective of hepatic de novo bile acid synthesis and FXR receptor activation. Bile acid malabsorption is associated with a variety of gastrointestinal pathologies (eg, irritable bowel syndrome, ileal disease) and is characterized by elevated serum C4 levels.

Metabolomics reveals biological insights otherwise unseen. For a successful metabolomics study, both small molecule discovery and the ability to dig deeper into specific biomarkers of interest are needed to uncover actionable insights that propel new therapeutic developments. A specific combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology and biochemical expertise is required to identify this biomarker of interest and develop an assay that is sensitive enough to explore it fully.

At Metabolon, we understand the crucial role C4 plays in a number of diseases, and we’ve established best-in-class expertise for its detection. This C4 assay can be used to track biomarkers and enhance biological understanding across preclinical and clinical research.

C4 Single Analyte Assay Details

Swipe left/right to view the full table.

LLOQ*
Plasma/Serum
240 pg/mL
*Lower Limit of Quantitation (LLOQ) varies for each sample type.
Sample Type and Required Amounts
Sample Type Sample Requirements
Plasma/Serum 150 to 200 µL
Others on request

Disclaimer: This method is for Research Use Only and is not to be used for diagnostic purposes.

Delivering Absolute Quantification for Research and Biomarker Analysis

Our readily available or custom developed quantitative assays help you achieve your research and biomarker validation objectives with precise and fully validated methods. Our targeted assays and panels cover >1,000 metabolites and lipids across a wide range of biochemical classes, metabolic pathways, and physiological processes, and they can be customized to best fit any application.

C4 Single Analyte Assay Applications

Liver

The liver is the single most important regulator of metabolic homeostasis at the organismal level. That makes metabolomics an indispensable tool for capturing an integrative profile of an individual’s liver function. As the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) continues to rise, researchers and health-care providers can look to Metabolon to provide much-needed non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic indicators as well as a fundamental understanding of pathological processes. The metabolome integrates an individual’s genetic makeup and gene expression profile with nongenetic factors such as diet, environmental exposures, and the microbiome. Therefore layering metabolomic analysis onto genomic and transcriptomic data provides the best opportunity to understand disease.
liver
gut health

Gut Health

Much about digestive diseases remains a mystery. Digestive disease includes a broad range of gastrointestinal-related health issues, ranging from chronic constipation to gastrointestinal infections to viral hepatitis. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is estimated to impact between 25 and 45 million Americans and about 10 to 15 percent of the population worldwide. Although the exact cause of IBS is unknown, diet and microbiome are recurring influences. The unique ability for metabolomics to illuminate function, including those of microorganisms inhabiting the digestive tract, makes the technology a valuable tool for understanding IBS and other digestive conditions.

Diabetes

Diabetes, a serious metabolic condition that results from the inability to regulate blood sugar levels, is a worldwide epidemic. According to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, more than 30 million Americans and 422 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with diabetes. Yet much remains unknown about how diabetes develops, why certain individuals are at increased risk, and whether the metabolic dysregulation can be corrected rather than merely managed.

Metabolomics enables simultaneous assessment of hundreds of compounds present in living systems, making it a critical tool that advances our understanding of disease mechanisms and opens doors to identify novel targets and treatments for conditions like diabetes.

Diabetes
Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases

Heart failure is a leading cause of death worldwide, and there are numerous factors that lead to this and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Metabolomics can illuminate cardiovascular disease at multiple levels. In preclinical studies, such as with cardiomyocytes or heart tissue from model organisms, understanding mitochondrial function, energetics, and redox status can drive critical insights into disease mechanism. In human studies, metabolomics offers the opportunity to account for well-established CVD risk factors such as cholesterol and complex lipids, while simultaneously profiling thousands of other biochemicals in an unbiased fashion to enable the discovery of novel disease mechanisms and biomarkers.

Big Insights with Metabolon

Cited in over 3,000 publications, we help scientists and manufacturers gain greater insight into their studies through metabolomics. See how our approach can become a successful part of your workflow.

Contact Us

Talk with an expert

Request a quote for our services, get more information on sample types and handling procedures, request a letter of support, or submit a question about how metabolomics can advance your research.

Corporate Headquarters

617 Davis Drive, Suite 100
Morrisville, NC 27560

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 110407
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

+1 (919) 572-1721