LC–MS/MS quantification of asymmetric dimethyl arginine and symmetric dimethyl arginine in plasma using surrogate matrix and derivatization with fluorescamine

A novel LC–MS/MS method using a surrogate matrix and derivatization with fluorescamine was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of asymmetric dimethyl arginine and symmetric dimethyl arginine. Asymmetric dimethyl arginine, symmetric dimethyl arginine and corresponding internal standards were extracted using protein precipitation and derivatization with fluorescamine followed by SPE. Derivatives were analyzed by turbo ion spray LC–MS/MS in the positive ion mode. Methodology was successfully transferred across multiple preclinical species and utilized in the support of several investigative studies. A new LC–MS/MS analytical methodology that utilizes a surrogate matrix and derivatization with fluorescamine was successfully developed and validated.