title: An ultrasensitive nano UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the quantification of three neuromedin-like peptides in microdialysates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An ultrasensitive nano UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method is developed to simultaneously monitor three low-concentration neuromedin-like peptides in microdialysates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peptide preconcentration and sample desalting is performed online on a trap column. A shallow gradient slope at 300 nl/min on the analytical column maintained at 35°C, followed by two saw-tooth column wash cycles, results in the highest sensitivity and the lowest carryover. The validated method allows the accurate and precise quantification of 0.5 pM neurotensin and neuromedin N (2.5 amol on column), and of 3.0 pM neuromedin B (15.0 amol on column) in in vivo microdialysates without the use of internal standards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The assay is an important tool for elucidating the role of these neuromedin-like peptides in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Drug Analysis, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Béchade
authors.forename: Jolien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Schoors
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Van Wanseele
authors.forename: Joeri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Liefferinge
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Michotte
authors.forename: Stephanie N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Harden
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Claereboudt
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Smolders
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Eeckhaut
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D017551:Microdialysis / Q000379:methods*; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; C042090:neuromedin N; D009496:Neurotensin