title: High throughput analysis of tryptophan metabolites in a complex matrix using capillary electrophoresis coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
abstract: A capillary electrophoresis method for separation and detection with time-of-flight mass spectrometry is described for tryptophan metabolites in the kynurenic pathway. Tryptophan metabolites are usually difficult to detect with electrospray mass spectrometry since they have low surface activity and occur in low nanomolar to micromolar range in body fluids. Modification of the silica-wall with 1-(4-iodobutyl)4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2,2,2]octane iodide, also named M7C4I, has successfully been used to deactivate the fused silica wall and generate a stable reversed electroosmotic flow. Utilizing this advantage together with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which generates high resolution and fast acquisition monitoring of species, proved to be successful even for such a complex matrix like human cerebrospinal fluid.
authors.affiliation: Analytical Chemistry, Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arvidsson
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johannesson
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Citterio
authors.forename: Pier Giorgio
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Righetti
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bergquist
mesh_terms: D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D053841:Electroosmosis; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007737:Kynurenine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D007737:Kynurenine; D014364:Tryptophan