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Methylmalonic acid concentration in dried blood spots – validation of a novel method for vitamin B12 status assessment
Author(s) -
Schroder Theresa H.,
Quay Teo A. W.,
Lamers Yvonne
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1077.22
Subject(s) - methylmalonic acid , venipuncture , vitamin b12 , dried blood spot , population , dried blood , biomarker , vitamin b , cyanocobalamin , medicine , spots , whole blood , vitamin , newborn screening , chromatography , chemistry , biochemistry , pediatrics , surgery , pathology , environmental health
Marginal vitamin B 12 (B 12 ) deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and cognitive decline. About 10 % of the US population and 25 % of the Canadian population show inadequate B 12 status. Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is a functional biomarker for B 12 status and a sensitive indicator for marginal B 12 deficiency. To date, MMA concentrations are measured in plasma samples obtained from venipuncture. Dried blood spots (DBS) allow non‐invasive, simple collection of biological samples with no need of immediate processing or special storage. The goal of this study was to establish an analytical method for quantification of MMA in DBS and to validate its application for B 12 status assessment. Using liquid chromatography ‐ tandem mass spectrometry, we developed a simple, low‐cost assay that shows high imprecision (CV < 1.2 %) and good recovery (95 %). In 73 healthy female subjects (19 – 30 y), mean (± SD) concentrations of plasma MMA and DBS MMA were 163 ± 65 nmol/L (74 – 458 nmol/L) and 36.4 ± 11 pmol/DBS, respectively. There was a strong correlation between plasma and DBS MMA concentrations (R = 0.90 P < 0.001). This novel method was shown to be sensitive, reliable, and convenient. MMA analysis in DBS has the potential to be a more practical alternative for B 12 screening and to facilitate B 12 status assessment in large‐scale population‐based surveys and in populations living in less accessible areas. Grant Funding Source : ‘FNH Vitamin Research Fund’ University of British Columbia