Arginine and methylated arginines in human plasma and urine measured by tandem mass spectrometry without the need for chromatography or sample derivatisation

A method for the simultaneous analysis of asymmetric dimethylarginine, symmetric dimethylarginine, monomethylarginine and arginine in human plasma and urine, with short analysis time and isotopic internal standardisation for each analyte is described. The method requires neither sample derivatisation nor the need for chromatographic separation of analytes. The method described shows good precision and accuracy and is suited for both research purposes and implementation in the busy, routine clinical laboratory. In addition the synthesis and utilisation of isotopically labelled symmetric dimethylarginine and monomethylarginine is described for the first time, avoiding the use of surrogates such as homoarginine for internal standardisation.