Neal SP, Wilson KM, Velosa DC, Chouinard CD. “Targeted Glucocorticoid Analysis using Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry (IM-MS)”.
J Mass Spectrom Adv Clin Lab 2022;
24:50-56. [PMID:
35469203 PMCID:
PMC9034309 DOI:
10.1016/j.jmsacl.2022.03.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid chromatography-ion mobility-mass spectrometry (LC-IM-MS) for glucocorticoids.
Determination of collision cross sections (CCS) for isomers.
Different cation adducts shifted mobility and improved IM separation.
Changing drift gas (He, Ar, CO2) shifted mobility and improved resolution.
Introduction
Ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) is an emerging technique in the -omics fields that has broad potential applicability to the clinical lab. As a rapid, gas-phase structure-based separation technique, IM-MS offers promise in isomer separations and can be easily combined with existing LC-MS methods (i.e., LC-IM-MS). Several experimental conditions, including analyte cation adducts and drift composition further provide a means to tune separations for global and/or targeted applications.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate the utility of IM-MS under a range of experimental conditions for detection of glucocorticoids, and specifically for the separation of several isomeric pairs.
Methods
LC-IM-MS was used to characterize 16 glucocorticoids including three isomer pairs: cortisone/prednisolone, betamethasone/dexamethasone, and flunisolide/triamcinolone acetonide. Collision cross section (CCS) values were measured for all common adducts (e.g., protonated and sodiated) using both step-field and single-field methods. Alternative alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metals were introduced, such that their adducts could also be measured. Finally, four different drift gases (helium, nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide) were compared for their relative separation capability.
Results
LC-IM-MS offered a robust, multidimensional separation technique that allowed for the 16 glucocorticoids to be analyzed and separated in three-dimensions (retention time, CCS, and m/z). Despite the relatively modest resolution of isomer pairs under standard conditions (i.e., nitrogen drift gas, sodiated ions, etc.), improvements were observed for alkaline earth and transition metals (notable barium adducts) and in carbon dioxide drift gas.
Conclusion
In summary, LC-IM-MS offers potential as a clinical method due to its ease of coupling with traditional LC-MS methods and its promise for tuning separations to better resolve targeted and/or global isomers in complex biological samples.
Collapse