Targeted quantitative analysis of fatty acids in atherosclerotic plaques by high sensitivity liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.
The quantitative analysis of fatty acid composition in atherosclerotic plaques provides a way to monitor the underlying etiology of atherosclerosis. Previously, the method of choice for analyzing fatty acids in biological samples was gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS); however, recent developments in electrospray ionization (ESI)/liquid chromatography (LC)/tandem mass spectrometry have made it a superior alternative. Previous research has largely focused on global analyses of intact lipids rather than more targeted analysis of the fatty acids themselves. We have now developed a targeted, stable isotope dilution LC-electrospray ionization/multiple reaction monitoring/MS method for the quantitative analysis of 10 fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids) using their trimethylaminoethyl ester (TMAE) derivatives to improve sensitivity. The method was validated, had a detection limit in the fmol range, and was used in the analysis of fatty acids in atherosclerotic plaques from carotid arteries.
Pettinella
Caterina
C
Center for Cancer Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 854 BRB II/III, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA.
Lee
Seon Hwa
SH
Cipollone
Francesco
F
Blair
Ian A
IA
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
D005227:Fatty Acids