Comparison of sample preparation methods for the quantitative analysis of eicosanoids and other oxylipins in plasma by means of LC-MS/MS

Oxylipins are potent lipid mediators. For the evaluation of their biological roles, several LC-MS based methods have been developed. While these methods are similar, the described sample preparation procedures for the extraction of oxylipins differ considerably. In order to deduce the most appropriate method for the analysis of non-esterified oxylipins in human plasma, we evaluated the performance of seven established sample preparation procedures. Six commonly used solid phase extraction (SPE) and one liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) protocol were compared based on the recovery of 13 added internal standards, extraction efficacy of oxylipins from plasma and reduction of ion-suppressing matrix. Dramatic differences in the performance in all three parameters were found. LLE with ethyl acetate was overall not a sufficient sample preparation strategy. The protocols using Oasis-and StrataX-material insufficiently removed interfering matrix compounds. Extraction efficacy of oxylipins on anion-exchanging BondElut cartridges was low, while removal of matrix was nearly perfect. None of the protocols led to a high extraction efficacy of analytes while removing all interfering matrix components. However, SPE on a C18-material with removal of matrix by water and n-hexane prior elution with methyl formate showed the best performance for the analysis of a broad spectrum of oxylipins in plasma.