Development of a LC-MS/MS method for determination of plasma aldosterone and its performance evaluation

Objective We are going to establish a robust liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric(LC-MS/MS) method for plasma aldosterone assay. Methods 324 healthy individuals were enrolled in Zhongshan Hospital from February to April in 2016 for reference interval survey. The signal linearity, lower limits of quantitation, precision and accuracy of LC-MS/MS have been evaluated.Results from LC-MS/MS and RIA methods were compared. Software SPSS17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results The performance characteristics for the method in terms of linearity, lowerlimits of quantitation, precision and accuracy were verified. Linear range of ALD were between 25-2000 pg/ml; the LC-MS/MS assay had a limit of quantitation of 20 pg/ml for ALD; the intra- and inter-assay CV of ALD were <10% and <6%, respectively; the recovery of ALD from serum samples ranged between 97.3 and 105.8% The reference value of ALD in health people ranged between 21-211.6 pg/ml The regression equation by LC–MS/MS (X) and RIA (Y) was: Y=0.271X+ 138.900(r=0.43; n=322). Conclusion LC-MS/MS method is robust and reliable for the analysis of aldosterone in plasma and suitable for clinical application.(Chin J Lab Med, 2017, 40: 247-252) Key words: Hyperaldosteronism; Aldosterone; Chromatography, liquid; Tandem mass spectrometry