Absolute quantification of eleven A, D, E and K vitamers in human plasma using automated extraction and UHPLC-Orbitrap MS

Fat-Soluble Vitamers [FSV] deficiencies and hypervitaminosis are associated with lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Quantification of FSV and their metabolites in plasma has proved to be one of the most demanding analytical chemistry challenges. Current FSV quantification methods are compromises between breadth of coverage and sensitivity across the physiological range. Here, we developed and validated a sensitive, robust, semi-automated method using liquid-liquid extraction coupled with LC-ESI-MS/MS to quantify 11 FSV across their physiological concentrations in plasma. The addition of Phree (R) phospholipid removal plates as the last step in the extraction process reduced matrix effects, improving precision, recoveries, and the method's final sensitivity. This method can detect and quantify: retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, 25 hydroxyvitamin D-3 [25-OH-D-3], 1-alpha-25-dihydroxy-D3, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, alpha-tocotrienol, phylloquinone [K1], Menatetrenone [MK-4], and menaquinone-7 [MK-7].The Instrument Quantitation Limit [IQL]s for retinol (64.1 ng/mL), 25-OH-D-3 (10.2 ng/mL), and alpha-tocopherol (3000 ng/mL) can detect clinical deficiencies. Our automated method will assist in the understanding of the complex interaction between these compounds and their possible role in health and disease. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The study developed and validated a sensitive, robust, semi-automated method for quantifying 11 fat-soluble vitamins in plasma, which can detect clinical deficiencies and aid in understanding the role of these compounds in health and disease.