Rapid and precise measurement of serum branched-chain and aromatic amino acids by isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

PLoS One. 2013 Dec 5;8(12):e81144. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081144. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Background: Serum branched-chain and aromatic amino acids (BCAAs and AAAs) have emerged as predictors for the future development of diabetes and may aid in diabetes risk assessment. However, the current methods for the analysis of such amino acids in biological samples are time consuming.

Methods: An isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC/MS/MS) method for serum BCAAs and AAAs was developed. The serum was mixed with isotope-labeled BCAA and AAA internal standards and the amino acids were extracted with acetonitrile, followed by analysis using LC/MS/MS. The LC separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column, and the MS/MS detection was performed via the positive electronic spray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode.

Results: Specific analysis of the amino acids was achieved within 2 min. Intra-run and total CVs for the amino acids were less than 2% and 4%, respectively, and the analytical recoveries ranged from 99.6 to 103.6%.

Conclusion: A rapid and precise method for the measurement of serum BCAAs and AAAs was developed and may serve as a quick tool for screening serum BCAAs and AAAs in studies assessing diabetes risk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amino Acids, Aromatic / blood*
  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / blood*
  • Blood Chemical Analysis / methods*
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radioisotope Dilution Technique
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Aromatic
  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain

Grants and funding

This study was supported by research grants from the National Science & Technology Pillar Program under the Twelfth Five-year Plan of China (2012BAI37B01), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30872413, 81171647) and the National Department Public Benefit Research Foundation by Ministry of Health P. R. China (No. 201002011). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.