Analytical Methods for Plasmalogen

: Plasmalogen is a subclass of phospholipids widely distributed in the biological world, from anaerobic bacteria to mammals. Although the pathophysiologic roles of Plasmalogen are poorly understood, it has long been implicated in a number of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheim-er's disease. Recently, there have been various reports that changes of plasmalogen in the body are in-volved in metabolic diseases associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Thus, plasma/ serum Plasmalogen is a potential biomarker for these diseases. Here we describe the relationship between plasmalogen and diseases, and the various reports from conventional to new methods of plasmalogen measurement.