title: Micro extraction to quantitate spermidine and spermine in human urine and blood by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
abstract: Spermidine and its derivative, spermine, are basic compounds with unique roles in physiological function. This study used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) to monitor these analytes in human urine and blood. The MALDI-TOF MS is also suitable when a high-throughput analytical method is required. Unlike liquid chromatography (LC)-MS, MALDI-TOF MS does not require a mobile phase in sample separation and generates very little organic waste. Micro liquid-liquid extraction was also performed to minimize the use of organic solvents in this study. After alkalization step, biosamples were prepared by adding a small volume (20μL) of organic solvent to concentrate, and purify the spermidine and spermine contained in the urine and blood samples. A suitable extraction protocol was developed after optimizing various conditions associated with extraction efficiency. The proposed method was then successfully used to monitor these compounds in human urine (mean value<1μg/mL) and blood (mean value>1μg/mL).
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan. Electronic address: cylu@kmu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Chi-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Huai-Hsin
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Fragrance and Cosmetic Science, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yen-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, College of Science, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Lung
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D059627:Liquid Phase Microextraction; D012997:Solvents; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods; D013095:Spermidine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*; D013096:Spermine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012997:Solvents; D013096:Spermine; D013095:Spermidine
keywords: Blood; Micro extraction; Spermidine; Spermine; Urine