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Quantitative determination of taurine and related biomarkers in urine by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

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Abstract

Current urinary bladder cancer diagnosis is commonly based on a biopsy obtained during cystoscopy. This invasive method causes discomfort and pain in patients. Recently, taurine and several other compounds such as L-phenylalanine and hippuric acid in urine were found to be indicators of bladder cancer. However, because of a lack of sensitive and accurate analytical techniques, it is impossible to detect these compounds in urine at low levels. In this study, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a noninvasive method was developed to separate and detect these compounds in urine. 15N2-L-glutamine was used as the internal standard, and creatinine acted as an indicator for urine dilution. A phenyl-hexyl column was used for the separation at an isocratic condition of 0.2% formic acid in water and 0.2% formic acid in methanol. Analytes were detected in multiple-reaction monitoring with positive ionization mode. The limit of detection range is 0.18–6 nM and the limit of quantitation ranges from 0.6 to 17.6 nM. The parameters affecting separation and quantification were also investigated and optimized. Proper clinical validation of these biomarkers can be done using this reliable, fast, and simple method. Furthermore, with simple modifications, this method could be applied to other physiological fluids and other types of diseases.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Central Missouri Urology Clinic and volunteers for providing urine samples, and they also thank the Foundation of Chemical Research, the Missouri Research Board, and the Missouri University of Science and Technology for funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Environmental Research Center, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 400 West 11th Street, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA

    Sanjeewa Gamagedara, Honglan Shi & Yinfa Ma

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  1. Sanjeewa Gamagedara
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  2. Honglan Shi
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  3. Yinfa Ma
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Correspondence to Yinfa Ma.

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Gamagedara, S., Shi, H. & Ma, Y. Quantitative determination of taurine and related biomarkers in urine by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 402, 763–770 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-5491-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-5491-4

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