Determination of AEA and 2-AG in plasma samples by Bio-SPME-Nano-ESI

• Grant number: 16/16180-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: January 15, 2017
• End date: September 14, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Maria Eugênia Queiroz Nassur
• Grantee: Vinicius Ricardo Acquaro Junior
• Supervisor: Janusz Pawliszyn
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Waterloo, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 14/22140-1 - Two-dimensional Ultra-Efficiency Liquid Chromatography with Detection by Tandem Mass Spectrometry (2D-UPLC-MS/MS) for determination of drugs in plasma samples from schizophrenic patients, BP.DR

Abstract

Endocannabinoids (ECs) act on cannabinoid receptors; i.e., CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptor system then interacts with many neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the central and peripheral nervous systems in different ways. The multiple roles attributed to ECs make them an emerging target of pharmacotherapy for several disparate diseases. Anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) are the two most important ECs. Determining AEA and 2-AG in biological matrixes is a challenging task: these compounds normally exist at low concentration and possess low chemical stability, and only small volumes of biological sample are usually available. The key feature of ambient mass spectrometry (AMS) is that it requires no or minimum sample preparation prior to analysis. However, analysis of complex matrixes by AMS alone has predictable limitations like ionization suppression, poor sensitivity at trace levels, and narrow linear dynamic range. Developing methods that efficiently integrate the sample preparation step and sample ionization is therefore desirable. The use of biocompatible SPME fiber prevents biological macromolecules from adsorbing to the stationary phase and allows extraction of small molecules from complex matrixes by direct immersion (DI). Given that directly coupling biocompatible SPME fibers to mass spectrometry via nanoelectrospray ionization is advantageous, this project proposes the use of Bio-SPME-Nano-ESI to determine AEA and 2-AG in plasma samples obtained from patients with neurological diseases. The design of experiment (DOE) will be used to optimize the analyte extraction/enrichment and ionization. The Bio-SPME-Nano-ESI analytical method will be validated according to the criteria established by the FDA.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ZHANG, LI; GIONFRIDDO, EMANUELA; ACQUARO, JR., VINICIUS; PAWLISZYN, JANUSZ. Direct immersion solid-phase microextraction analysis of multi-class contaminants in edible seaweeds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta, v. 1031, p. 83-97, NOV 15 2018. (16/16180-6)

ACQUARO JUNIOR, VINICIUS R.; GOMEZ-RIOS, GERMAN AUGUSTO; TASCON, MARCOS; COSTA QUEIROZ, MARIA EUGENIA; PAWLISZYN, JANUSZ. Analysis of endocannabinoids in plasma samples by biocompatible solid-phase microextraction devices coupled to mass spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta, v. 1091, p. 135-145, DEC 24 2019. (17/02147-0, 16/16180-6)

LOOBY, NIKITA T.; TASCON, MARCOS; ACQUARO, JR., VINICIUS R.; REYES-GARCES, NATHALY; VASILJEVIC, TIJANA; GOMEZ-RIOS, GERMAN AUGUSTO; WASOWICZ, MARCIN; PAWLISZYN, JANUSZ. Solid phase microextraction coupled to mass spectrometry via a microfluidic open interface for rapid therapeutic drug monitoring. ANALYST, v. 144, n. 12, p. 3721-3728, JUN 21 2019. (16/16180-6)