A novel derivatization approach for simultaneous determination of glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and 3-deoxyglucosone in plasma by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A two-step derivatization approach has been developed to enable the simultaneous analysis of glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and 3-deoxyglucosone by the most efficient and widely applied GC–MS methodology. These three analytes are reactive carbonyl compounds associated with the formation of advanced glycation and lipoxidation end products, a process thought to contribute to uremic toxicity and referred to as “carbonyl stress”. Effective analysis of these compounds would facilitate understanding these compounds’ role in diabetes-related complications. Plasma samples were deproteinized by acetonitrile, followed by a two-step derivatization approach. Pooled plasma samples from healthy individuals were used as the “blank” for preparing calibration standards. The concentrations of the analytes in the “blank” were first determined by standard addition method. Calibration parameters were accordingly established and used to analyze these compounds in plasma samples collected from healthy individuals and diabetic patients. Analytical findings are comparable with those reported in the literature. Quantitation data can be further improved by making available and using isotopically labeled analogs of these analytes as the internal standards.