Correlation between Molecular Weight of Plasma Albumin Determined with Mass Spectrometry and Glycation Indices in Factory Workers

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To determine the difference in molecular weights of albumin in factory workers caused by non-enzymatic glycation of plasma albumin using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/MS), and examine the epidemiological validity of this method. Methods: Forty-eight male workers were tested by random sampling. The difference in molecular weights (&Delta;M) between the subjects’ albumin and human serum albumin was determined by MALDI TOF/MS. Correlations between &Delta;M vs. fructosamine, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c were investigated. Results: &Delta;M showed a significant correlation with all of the tested glycation indices (&Delta;M vs. fructosamine r=0.487, p<0.001) (&Delta;M vs. FPG r=0.482, p<0.01) (&Delta;M vs. HbA1c r=0.397, p<0.01). Conclusions: Since a significant correlation between &Delta;M and the glycation indices was found in this investigation, further study with a larger number of subjects is needed for use in clinical applications.