A column switching ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to determine anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in plasma samples

Author(s)

Marchioni, Camila ; Donizeti de Souza, Israel ; Fernandes Grecco, Caroline ; Alexandre Crippa, Jose ; Tumas, Vitor ; Eugenia Costa Queiroz, Maria

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; v. 409, n. 14, p. 3587-3596, MAY 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

This study reports a fast, sensitive, and selective column switching ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method to determine the endocannabinoids (eCBs), anandamide (AEA), and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in plasma samples. This bidimensional system used a restricted access media column (RP-8 ADS, 25 mm x 4 mm x 25 mu M) in the first dimension and a core-shell Kinetex C18 (100 mm x 2, 1.7 mm x 1 mu M) column in the second dimension, followed by detection in a mass spectrometer triple quadrupole (multiple reactions monitoring mode) operating in the positive mode. RP-8 ADS was used for trace enrichment of eCBs (reverse phase partitioning) and macromolecular matrix size exclusion; the core-shell column was used for the chromatographic separation. The column switching UHPLC-MS/MS method presented a linear range spanning from 0.1 ng mL(-1) (LOQ) to 6 ng mL(-1) for AEA and from 0.04 ng mL(-1) (LOQ) to 10 ng mL(-1) for 2-AG. Excluding the LLOQ values, the precision assays provided coefficients of variation lower than 8% and accuracy with relative standard error values lower than 14%. Neither carryover nor matrix effects were detected. This high-throughput column switching method compared to conventional methods is time saving as it involves fewer steps, consumes less solvent, and presents lower LLOQ. The column switching UHPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to determine AEA and 2-AG in plasma samples obtained from Alzheimer's disease patients. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/07619-1 - Column switching liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of endocannabinoids and drugs in biological samples
• Grantee: Maria Eugênia Queiroz Nassur
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/13639-8 - Column-switching liquid chromatography-Tandem mass spectrometry for determination of endocannabinoids and cannabinoids in biological samples from patients with Parkinson's Disease
• Grantee: Camila Marchioni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)