Rapid UPLC-MS/MS method for routine analysis of plasma pristanic, phytanic, and very long chain fatty acid markers of peroxisomal disorders

Quantification of pristanic acid, phytanic acid, and very long chain fatty acids (i.e., hexacosanoic, tetracosanoic, and docosanoic acids) in plasma is the primary method for investigateing a multitude of peroxisomal disorders (PDs). Typically based on GC-MS, existing methods are time-consuming and laborious. In this paper, we present a rapid and specific liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method based on derivatization with 4-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethylaminosulfonyl]-7-(2-aminoethylamino)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DAABD-AE). Derivatization was undertaken to improve the poor mass spectrometric properties of these fatty acids. Analytes in plasma (20 μl) were hydrolyzed, extracted, and derivatized with DAABD-AE in ∼2 h. Derivatives were separated on a reverse-phase column and detected by positive-ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with a 5 min injection-to-injection time. Calibration plots were linear over ranges that cover physiological and pathological concentrations. Intraday (n = 12) and interday (n = 10) variations at low and high concentrations were less than 9.2%. Reference intervals in normal plasma (n = 250) were established for each compound and were in agreement with the literature. Using specimens from patients with established diagnosis (n = 20), various PDs were reliably detected. In conclusion, this method allows for the detection of at least nine PDs in a 5 min analytical run. Furthermore, this derivatization approach is potentially applicable to other disease markers carrying the carboxylic group.