Sensitive quantitative analysis of C-peptide in human plasma by 2-dimensional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry isotope-dilution assay.

BACKGROUND: Isotope-dilution assays (IDAs) are well established for quantification of metabolites or small drug molecules in biological fluids. Because of their increased specificity, IDAs are an alternative to immunoassays for measuring C-peptide. METHODS: We evaluated a 2-dimensional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (2D LC/MS) IDA method. Sample preparation was by off-line solid-phase extraction, and C-peptide separation was performed on an Agilent 1100 2D LC system with a purification method based on high-pressure switching between 2 high-resolution reversed-phase columns. Because of the low fragmentation efficiency of C-peptide, multiple-reaction monitoring analysis was omitted and selective-ion monitoring mode was chosen for quantification. Native and isotope-labeled ([M+18] and [M+30]) C-peptides were monitored in the +3 state at m/z 1007.7, 1013.7, and 1017.7. RESULTS: The assay was linear (r(2) = 0.9995), with a detection limit of 300 amole (1 pg) on column. Inter- and intraday CVs for C-peptide were < or =2%. Comparison with an established polyclonal-based RIA showed high correlation (r = 0.964). Plasma concentrations of total C-peptide measured by RIA were consistently higher than by IDA LC/MS, consistent with the higher specificity of IDAs compared with immunoassays. CONCLUSIONS: The 2D LC/MS IDA approach eliminates matrix effects, enhancing assay performance and reliability, and has a detection limit 100-fold lower than any previously reported LC/MS method. Isotope-labeled C-peptide(s) can be clearly differentiated from endogenous C-peptide by the difference in m/z ratio, so that both peptides can be quantified simultaneously. The method is highly precise, robust, and applicable to pharmacokinetic detection of plasma peptides.

Senescence and epigenetic dysregulation in cancer.

Mammalian cells have a finite proliferative lifespan, at the end of which they are unable to enter S phase in response to mitogenic stimuli. They undergo morphological changes and synthesize an altered repertoire of cell type-specific proteins. This non-proliferative state is termed replicative senescence and is regarded as a major tumor suppressor mechanism. The ability to overcome senescence and obtain a limitless replicative potential is called immortalization, and considered to be one of the prerequisites of cancer formation. While senescence mainly represents a genetically governed process, epigenetic changes in cancer have received increasing attention as an alternative mechanism for mediating gene expression changes in transformed cells. DNA methylation of promoter-containing CpG islands has emerged as an epigenetic mechanism of silencing tumor suppressor genes. New insights are being gained into the mechanisms causing aberrant methylation in cancer and evidence suggests that aging is accompanied by accumulation of cells with aberrant CpG island methylation. Aberrant methylation may contribute to many of the physiological and pathological changes associated with aging including tumor development. Finally, we describe how genes involved in promoting longevity might inhibit pathways promoting tumorigenesis.

Acute elevation of NEFA causes hyperinsulinemia without effect on insulin secretion rate in healthy human subjects.

Increased circulating levels of nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFA) have been observed in such hyperinsulinemic states as obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, and dyslipidemia where they have been causally linked to the development of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. The concentration of NEFA in plasma is believed to have direct modifying effects on insulin secretion and clearance. It remains controversial whether acute increases in NEFA potentiate insulin secretion in human subjects. We studied the effect of an acute elevation of NEFA during lipid-heparin infusion compared to a glycerol-only control on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and clearance during a 120-min hyperglycemic (10 mM) clamp in 7 healthy normoglucose-tolerant volunteers. The metabolic clearance rate of C-peptide (MCR(CP)) was measured in each subject during the study by simultaneous infusion of C-peptide. Insulin secretion rate (ISR) was calculated from deconvolution of C-peptide data after correction for the rate of C-peptide infusion. Clearance rate of insulin (MCR(INS)) was calculated based upon endogenous ISR. Plasma glucose (mg/dL): basal (90-115 min) 90.2 +/- 2.8 vs. 90.2 +/- 2.3; clamp (150-240 min) 180.5 +/- 2.8 vs. 180.9 +/- 1.3. Plasma insulin (pmol/L): prebasal (fasting) 29.6 +/- 10.0 vs. 29.8 +/- 10.6; basal (90-115 min) 30.1 +/- 9.2 vs. 34.5 +/- 12.1; second phase clamp (210-240 min) 127.6 +/- 18.2 vs. 182.5 +/- 17.3*. Plasma NEFA (mM): prebasal 0.47 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.52 +/- 0.09; basal 0.35 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.98 +/- 0.02*; clamp (122-240 min) 0.06 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.77 +/- 0.06*. ISR (pmol/min): prebasal 72.7 +/- 7.5 vs. 72.0 +/- 7.9; second phase clamp (210-240 min) 268.5 +/- 27.2 vs. 200.2 +/- 23.7. MCR(INS) (mL/min): prebasal 3393 +/- 488 vs. 3370 +/- 511; clamp 2284 +/- 505 vs. 1214 +/- 153* (*p < 0.05 glycerol vs. intralipid/heparin). This study demonstrates that acute NEFA elevation causes hyperinsulinemia due to a significant decrease in systemic insulin clearance without increasing rates of insulin secretion.