%0 Journal Article
%T Novel methods in adrenal research: a metabolomics approach.
%A Papathomas TG
%A Sun N
%A Chortis V
%A Taylor AE
%A Arlt W
%A Richter S
%A Eisenhofer G
%A Ruiz-Babot G
%A Guasti L
%A Walch AK
%J Histochem Cell Biol
%V 151
%N 3
%D Mar 2019
%M 30725173
%F 2.531
%R 10.1007/s00418-019-01772-w
%X Metabolic alterations have implications in a spectrum of tissue functions and disease. Aided by novel molecular biological and computational tools, our understanding of physiological and pathological processes underpinning endocrine and endocrine-related disease has significantly expanded over the last decade. Herein, we focus on novel metabolomics-related methodologies in adrenal research: in situ metabolomics by mass spectrometry imaging, steroid metabolomics by gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, energy pathway metabologenomics by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics of Krebs cycle intermediates, and cellular reprogramming to generate functional steroidogenic cells and hence to modulate the steroid metabolome. All four techniques to assess and/or modulate the metabolome in biological systems provide tremendous opportunities to manage neoplastic and non-neoplastic disease of the adrenal glands in the era of precision medicine. In this context, we discuss emerging clinical applications and/or promising metabolic-driven research towards diagnostic, prognostic, predictive and therapeutic biomarkers in tumours arising from the adrenal gland and extra-adrenal paraganglia as well as modern approaches to delineate and reprogram adrenal metabolism.