Understanding liver metabolic activity is a cornerstone of advancing research into conditions like obesity, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and other metabolic disorders. The liver’s role in synthesizing fatty acids through de novo lipogenesis (DNL) offers critical insights into metabolic health, disease progression, and therapeutic intervention.
However, traditional methods such as biopsies or blood tests often fail to provide the depth of data needed to track these processes dynamically or non-invasively.
Metabolic Solutions’ De Novo Lipogenesis (DNL) assay bridges this gap by leveraging cutting-edge stable isotope labeling and advanced mass spectrometry. This innovative approach provides researchers with precise kinetic data, capturing the dynamic metabolic changes within hepatocytes with unmatched sensitivity. The DNL assay is not only non-invasive but also adaptable to the needs of preclinical and clinical studies, making it an indispensable tool for assessing the impact of therapeutic interventions.
With a strong foundation in GLP/GCP-compliant methodologies and over 30 years of expertise in stable isotope research, Metabolic Solutions empowers pharmaceutical and academic researchers to generate regulatory-ready, high-impact data that drives scientific discovery and innovation.
Let’s take a quick look at the DNL plays in metabolic research.
De novo lipogenesis (DNL) is a fundamental metabolic process that plays a pivotal role in liver function and systemic metabolic health. While primarily regulated by the liver, DNL is intricately linked to broader metabolic pathways, making it an essential biomarker for understanding both health and disease.
DNL is a biochemical pathway where the liver converts excess carbohydrates and other precursors into fatty acids, which are then stored as triglycerides or utilized in cellular processes. This pathway reflects the body’s ability to manage energy surplus and maintain metabolic equilibrium. Key precursors, including glucose and fructose, feed into this process, with fructose being particularly significant due to its role in modern diets and its high conversion efficiency into lipids.
Importantly, DNL is tightly regulated by hormonal signals and metabolic needs. Dysregulation of this process is often a signal of metabolic imbalance, making it a critical focus for researchers investigating metabolic disorders.
DNL serves as a vital biomarker for assessing liver and metabolic health, offering insights into several critical areas:
The ability to measure and analyze DNL activity has far-reaching implications in both preclinical and clinical settings. Researchers and trial designers leverage DNL as a pharmacodynamic biomarker to better understand metabolic processes and monitor and assess drug efficacy during trials.
Advancements in technology and applications, such as the pairing of stable isotope labeling and high-resolution mass spectrometry, have transformed the way researchers measure DNL.
Let’s look at how our DNL assay benefits preclinical and clinical studies, and then how it enables precise tracking of fatty acid synthesis with kinetic data.
The ability to measure de novo lipogenesis (DNL) with precision and accuracy provides researchers with transformative data to drive insights into liver and metabolic health. MetSol’s advanced DNL assay is uniquely positioned to meet the demands of both preclinical and clinical studies, offering robust data that supports drug development and regulatory compliance.
In the preclinical phase, the DNL assay enables researchers to explore the foundational effects of new therapies on hepatic metabolism. This early-stage understanding is critical for refining drug candidates and predicting clinical outcomes.
Our DNL assay can be used to measure how investigational compounds influence fatty acid synthesis in the liver. It can provide a clear picture of metabolic changes, helping researchers identify potential therapeutic benefits or side effects at an early stage.
By quantifying in time the incorporation of stable isotopes into newly synthesized fatty acids, our assay reveals detailed kinetic data that helps researchers understand the mechanisms of action for novel compounds and guides optimization of dosing strategies.
As therapies progress into clinical trials, the DNL assay becomes an invaluable tool for monitoring metabolic activity in a safe, non-invasive, and highly compliant manner.
1. Track Dynamic Liver Activity in Metabolic Disease Trials
Our assay provides dynamic insights into how therapies affect hepatic metabolism, offering key endpoints for conditions like obesity, NASH, and metabolic syndrome. Data collection across multiple time points captures subtle metabolic shifts, delivering more comprehensive trial data.
2. Enhance Subject Compliance with Non-Invasive Methods
Traditional approaches, such as liver biopsies, can pose significant challenges for compliance and subject retention in trials. Our DNL assay relies on stable isotope labeling and periodic blood, saliva, or urine sampling, making it a low-burden alternative for participants.
3. Ensure GLP/GCP Compliance for Regulatory Readiness
Conducted in Metabolic Solutions’ GLP/GCP-compliant laboratories, our assay ensures data integrity and consistency for FDA, EMA, and other regulatory submissions. Researchers can confidently include DNL measurements in their clinical trials, knowing the data meets rigorous regulatory standards.
In addition to the above benefits, Metabolic Solutions goes beyond assay execution, offering end-to-end support for study design, data analysis, and assay validation. This comprehensive approach helps researchers integrate the DNL assay seamlessly into their workflows, from early-stage discovery to late-stage trials.
Metabolic Solutions’ DNL assay represents the cutting edge of metabolic research, providing unparalleled precision and adaptability for preclinical and clinical studies. By combining innovative methodologies with advanced mass spectrometry, the assay delivers dynamic insights into liver metabolism and its role in systemic health.
MetSol employs two highly specialized stable isotope protocols to quantify DNL activity with exceptional accuracy:
These complementary methodologies ensure flexibility for researchers while maintaining the highest standards of precision and data quality.
Our assay is designed to meet the demands of modern metabolic research with the following advantages:
Metabolic Solutions is your trusted partner in advancing metabolic research, with a proven track record of delivering precise, reliable, and regulatory-ready data.
With over 30 years of expertise in stable isotope research and support from GLP/GCP-compliant facilities, our advanced De Novo Lipogenesis (DNL) assay offers unmatched sensitivity and non-invasive testing. Metabolic Solutions provides comprehensive support—from study design and assay validation to regulatory submissions—ensuring robust, high-quality data across both preclinical and clinical studies.
Partnering with Metabolic Solutions means gaining access to cutting-edge technology and deep scientific expertise, backed by a team dedicated to navigating the complexities of metabolic research and driving your success at every stage of your project.
Ready to unlock new insights into liver metabolism and elevate your research? Contact Metabolic Solutions today to learn how our DNL assay and specialized solutions can support your preclinical and clinical studies. Let us help you take the next step in advancing metabolic research with precision, compliance, and confidence.