Quantitation of 5-Methyltetrahydrofolic Acid in Dried Blood Spots and Dried Plasma Spots by Stable Isotope Dilution Assays

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 25;10(11):e0143639. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143639. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Because of minimal data available on folate analysis in dried matrix spots (DMSs), we combined the advantages of stable isotope dilution assays followed by LC-MS/MS analysis with DMS sampling to develop a reliable method for the quantitation of plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in dried blood spots (DBSs) and dried plasma spots (DPSs) as well as for the quantitation of whole blood 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in DBSs. We focused on two diagnostically conclusive parameters exhibited by the plasma and whole blood 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid levels that reflect both temporary and long-term folate status. The method is performed using the [2H4]-labeled isotopologue of the vitamin as the internal standard, and three steps are required for the extraction procedure. Elution of the punched out matrix spots was performed using stabilization buffer including Triton X-100 in a standardized ultrasonication treatment followed by enzymatic digestion (whole blood only) and solid-phase extraction with SAX cartridges. This method is sensitive enough to quantify 27 nmol/L whole blood 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in DBSs and 6.3 and 4.4 nmol/L plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in DBSs and DPSs, respectively. The unprecedented accurate quantification of plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in DBSs was achieved by thermal treatment prior to ultrasonication, inhibiting plasma conjugase activity. Mass screenings are more feasible and easier to facilitate for this method in terms of sample collection and storage compared with conventional clinical sampling for the assessment of folate status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Chemical Analysis / methods*
  • Blood Chemical Analysis / standards
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Folic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Folic Acid / blood
  • Humans
  • Isotopes*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Solid Phase Extraction / methods
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Isotopes
  • 5-methyltetrahydrohomofolic acid
  • Folic Acid

Grants and funding

Funded by TUM, DFG (http://www.ub.tum.de/en/publication-fund), TUM Open Access Publishing Fund, and TUM Graduate School (https://www.gs.tum.de/en/about-tum-gs/) (Support for MK).