For UPLC-MS/MS, the UPLC system was coupled to a Q-Exactive HFX orbitrap mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific) equipped with a heated electrospray ionization (HESI) probe. 2 μl protein sample was loaded to a Kinetex® Biphenyl column (2.1 × 150 mm, 2.6 μm, Phenomenex) for the positive mode. Separation was initiated at 80% mobile phase B with a flow rate of 300 μl/min, then the sample was eluted to an orbitrap mass spectrometer with acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid as eluent from 80% to 99% within 6.5 min. Untargeted metabolites screening is performed on Q-Exactive HFX orbitrap mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific) after calibrating following manufacturer’s guidelines. Data with mass ranges of m/z 300–500 at positive ion mode with data-dependent MS/MS acquisition. The full-scan and fragment spectra were collected with resolutions of 60,000 and 15,000, respectively. The source parameters are as follows: spray voltage: 3,200 V; capillary temperature: 320 °C; heater temperature: 300 °C; sheath gas flow rate: 35 Arb; auxiliary gas flow rate: 10 Arb.
Data analysis was performed by the software Xcalibur 4.4 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) Cholesterol assignment was confirmed using chemical standards based on retention time.