Analytical Sciences

A Simple and Highly Sensitive Quantitation of Eicosanoids in Biological Samples Using Nano-flow Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Ayumi ANDO and Yoshinori SATOMI

Integrated Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan

A simple sample preparation method for eicosanoid was developed by the combination of deproteinization and nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS. Eicosanoids are a group of bioactive lipid mediators, present in trace amounts in the body. Therefore, an analytical method for eicosanoids requires superior sensitivity. The method described in this report, which takes advantage of the highly sensitive power of nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS, enabled a simplification of the sample-preparation process. Eicosanoid extraction was performed just by homogenization in methanol with subsequent phospholipid removal, and then the liquid phase was directly subjected to nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis without a condensation process. The quantitation range achieved 0.01 – 100 ng/mL for thromboxane B₂, and 0.05 – 100 ng/mL for prostaglandin E₂, prostaglandin D₂, prostaglandin F₂, leukotriene B₄, 6-keto prostaglandin F_1α and 11-dehydro thromboxane B₂. Rat brain sample analyses demonstrated the feasibility of the quantification of those seven eicosanoids from biological samples.

J-STAGE: View this article in J-STAGE