Erythrocyte folate extraction and quantitative determination by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: comparison of results with microbiologic assay.
BACKGROUND
Erythrocyte folate analysis is an important diagnostic tool to establish folate status or screen for folate deficiency.


METHODS
We evaluated conditions that influence the complete hemolysis and deconjugation of folate polyglutamates to folate monoglutamates (FMGs) from whole blood (WB). WB samples were hemolyzed in 10 g/L ascorbic acid at various temperatures (room temperature, 30 degrees C, and 37 degrees C; n = 15) or hemolysate pH values (pH 4.0, 4.7, 5.2; n = 11) and incubated up to 6 h. FMGs and folate diglutamates (FDGs) were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and total folate (TF) by microbiologic assay. We investigated delaying hemolysis by freezing WB for 10 days (n = 20).


RESULTS
Hemolysates frozen immediately after preparation contained 22%-27% FDGs, depending on hemolysate pH. The proportion of FDGs decreased to <3% after incubation at pH 4.7/37 degrees C for 3 h and did not significantly change on extended incubation up to 5 h. Short-term delayed hemolysis of WB produced results indistinguishable from those of immediate hemolysis. TF results obtained by the microbiologic assay were not different across incubation conditions and agreed with the sum of FMGs and FDGs by LC/MS/MS. The difference between the 2 methods was an insignificant 3% for pH 4.7/37 degrees C for 3 h.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemolysate incubation up to 2 h at 37 degrees C is not adequate for full polyglutamate deconjugation. We obtained the highest yield of FMGs with lowest FDG concentrations at pH 4.7/37 degrees C for 3 h. Delaying hemolysis of WB for several days had no negative effect on measurable folate for presumed MTHFR C/C genotype samples.
Fazili
Zia
Z
Inorganic Toxicology and Nutrition Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Pfeiffer
Christine M
CM
Zhang
Ming
M
Jain
Ram
R
D002138:Calibration; D002457:Cell Extracts; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007780:Lacticaseibacillus casei / Q000502:physiology*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D002457:Cell Extracts; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid