An improved ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of alloisoleucine and branched chain amino acids in dried blood samples

Abstract

Branched chain amino acid (BCAA) analysis is needed for the diagnosis and management of patients with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). We report an improved ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of BCAAs and Allo-Ile in dried blood spot (DBS) samples. BCAAs were extracted from a 3 mm blood spot into methanol/water containing stable isotope internal standards. Eluents were dried and reconstituted in the mobile phase. Gradient elution was performed on an Acquity™ BEH C(18) (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column. BCAAs were detected and quantified in the multiple reaction monitoring mode in a five-minute analysis. The assay was calibrated to give best possible alignment with plasma results. Retrospective analysis of newborn DBSs from six classic MSUD patients showed elevated alloisoleucine (Allo-Ile) in all cases. Two of four patients with mild disease had normal values; the other two had significant elevations in Allo-Ile. Analysis of BCAA in DBS by UPLC-MS/MS is a useful second tier newborn screening test to identify classical MSUD and for monitoring of remote patients.