Determination of corticosterone in rat and mouse plasma by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry.
A simple, highly sensitive and specific method based on gas-chromatography-selected ion monitoring (SIM) mass spectrometry has been developed for the quantitation of corticosterone in rat and mouse plasma. After extraction of the plasma with ethyl acetate, the residue was trimethy-silylated with pentafluorobenzyl hydroxylamine-trimethylsilyl (PFBO-TMS). Detection of the derivatives was accomplished by a quadruple mass spectrometer in the selected ion monitoring mode (m/z of 316, 648, 663 and 678). The detection limit of the assay was 0.1 pg on column. The results show that in the plasma of non-stressed animals, only minor amounts of corticosterone were found; whereas in the plasma of stressed animals, it was dramatically increased. The method developed here can be used to examine corticosterone levels as a marker of stress in rats and mice and may also be used for estimation of the effect of stress-release medications.
Shu
Pin Yen
PY
Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, 88 Sec. 4, Tingchow Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chou
Shiu Huey
SH
Lin
Cheng Huang
CH
D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003345:Corticosterone