Open AccessEstablishing reference intervals for vitamins A and E in Chinese elderly people using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Yin Yicong,
Wang Danchen,
Ma Chaochao,
Yu Songlin,
Xie Shaowei,
Cheng Qian,
Qiu Ling
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/jcla.23726
Subject(s) - micronutrient , vitamin e , vitamin , medicine , uric acid , endocrinology , liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry , bilirubin , chemistry , antioxidant , physiology , chromatography , biochemistry , mass spectrometry , pathology
Abstract Background Vitamins A and E play important roles in sustaining life activities and maintaining a good physical condition. However, most people, particularly the elderly, experience micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to establish reference intervals (RIs) for vitamins A and E in Chinese elderly people using a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method. Methods A total of 356 apparently healthy individuals aged ≥64 years who underwent health checkups were randomly selected for the study. Vitamin A and E levels were measured using LC‐MS/MS. The effect of sex on vitamin A and E levels was evaluated, and RIs were established using a parametric method. Results Females showed significantly higher levels of vitamin E than males ( p < 0.05). However, no significant sex‐specific difference was observed with vitamin A levels. The RI for vitamin A in the elderly was 0.283–0.730 mg/L. For vitamin E, the RIs were 4.39–15.63, 4.51–16.14, and 4.41–14.67 mg/L for the total, female, and male participants, respectively. In multiple linear regression, alanine aminotransferase, glutamyl transpeptidase, urea, glucose, and uric acid levels increased with increasing vitamin A levels ( p < 0.05), and total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased with increasing vitamin E levels ( p < 0.05). Direct bilirubin levels decreased with increasing vitamin E levels ( p < 0.05). Conclusions This study established RIs for vitamins A and E in Chinese elderly individuals using an LC‐MS/MS method. We also found that females had significantly higher vitamin E levels than males. The findings could provide a scientific basis for interpreting vitamin status in the elderly.