Quantification of arginine and its metabolites in human erythrocytes using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Erythrocytes may affect several physiological processes because they are scavengers, vehicles, and (as recently highlighted) a producer of nitric oxide (NO). NO bioavailability is linked to arginine, its metabolic products ornithine and citrulline, and methylarginines. Here we describe a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of analytes involved in the Arg/NO metabolic pathway in erythrocytes. Calibration functions were linear, and the interday coefficients of variation were less than 10%. Limit of quantification values make this method suitable for low concentration samples. The method presented here allows easy sample preparation and provides a valuable tool for the evaluation of the Arg/NO metabolic pathway in erythrocytes.
Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, 20138 Milano, Italy.
Isabella
I
Squellerio
Elena
E
Tremoli
Viviana
V
Cavalca
D001120:Arginine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D002956:Citrulline / Q000032:analysis; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009952:Ornithine / Q000032:analysis; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
D002956:Citrulline; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D009952:Ornithine