title: Isotope dilution ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in human serum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with calibration traceable to NIST SRM was developed and validated to measure concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(2) (25OHD(2)), 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25OHD(3)) and the C-3 epimer of 25OHD(3) (epi-25OHD(3)) in human serum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tri- and hexa-deuterated internal standards were added to serum (100 μl) to monitor recovery. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to extract the hexane-soluble materials. Calibration solutions [8-100 nmol/L 25OHD(2,) 12-150 nmol/L 25OHD(3), and 4-50 nmol/L epi-25OHD(3)] prepared in phosphate-buffered saline containing 4% albumin were similarly processed. Using a pentafluorophenyl column (2.1×100 mm) and isocratic methanol/water (72/28, v/v) flowing at 0.4 ml/min, run time was 14 min per sample; 25OHD(3) and epi-25OHD(3) were baseline separated. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in the positive ion mode with selected reaction monitoring captured the following transitions: 25OHD(2), m/z 395.3>377.3 (209.1 qualifier); (epi-)25OHD(3), m/z 383.3>365.3 (105.1 qualifier); d(3)-25OHD(2), m/z 398.3>380.3; and d(6)-25OHD(3), m/z 389.3>371.3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recovery averaged ≥98%. Total imprecision was ≤10% when concentrations were ≥20 nmol/l. Bias averaged <5%. Detection limits were <5 nmol/l. Median (nmol/l) 25OHD(2), 25OHD(3) and epi-25OHD(3) were quantitated in 98 blood donors (<LOD, 56.0, <LOD) and 35 pregnant women (<LOD, 87.6, 3.70).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method is highly accurate, precise and specific.
authors: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, NCEH/DLS/NBB, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States. zwa5@cdc.gov
authors: Rosemary L
authors: RL
authors: Schleicher
authors: Sara E
authors: SE
authors: Encisco
authors: Madhulika
authors: M
authors: Chaudhary-Webb
authors: Ekaterina
authors: E
authors: Paliakov
authors: Leslie F
authors: LF
authors: McCoy
authors: Christine M
authors: CM
authors: Pfeiffer