Quantification of Microcystin-LR in Human Urine by Immunocapture Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Chem Res Toxicol. 2018 Sep 17;31(9):898-903. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00126. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Abstract

Microcystins are toxins produced by many cyanobacteria species, which are often released into waterways during blue-green algal blooms in freshwater and marine habitats. The consumption of microcystin-contaminated water is a public health concern as these toxins are recognized tumor promoters and are hepatotoxic to humans and animals. A method to confirm human exposures to microcystins is needed; therefore, our laboratory has developed an immunocapture liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method targeting the conserved adda portion of microcystins for the quantitation of a prevalent and highly toxic congener of microcystin, microcystin-LR (MC-LR). An acute exposure method was initially evaluated for accuracy and precision by analyzing calibrators and quality control (QC) samples ranging from 0.500 to 75.0 ng/mL in urine. All calibrators and QC samples characterized were within 15% of theoretical concentrations. An analysis of acutely exposed mouse urine samples using this method identified MC-LR levels from 10.7 to 33.9 ng/mL. Since human exposures are anticipated to result from low-dose or chronic exposures, a high-sensitivity method was validated with 20 calibration curves and QC samples ranging from 0.0100 to 7.50 ng/mL. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) and inaccuracies of these samples were within 15%, meeting United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for analytical methods, and the limit of detection was 0.00455 ng/mL. In conclusion, we have developed a method which can be used to address public health concerns by precisely and accurately measuring MC-LR in urine samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Cyanobacteria / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Male
  • Marine Toxins
  • Mice
  • Microcystins / urine*
  • Quality Control
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods

Substances

  • Marine Toxins
  • Microcystins
  • cyanoginosin LR