Recent progress in the analysis of uremic toxins by mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry (MS) has been successfully applied for the identification and quantification of uremic toxins and uremia-associated modified proteins. This review focuses on recent progress in the analysis of uremic toxins by using MS. Uremic toxins include low-molecular-weight compounds (e.g., indoxyl sulfate, p-cresol sulfate, 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid, asymmetric dimethylarginine), middle-molecular-weight peptides, and proteins modified with advanced glycation and oxidation. These uremic toxins are considered to be involved in a variety of symptoms which may appear in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease. Based on MS analysis of these uremic toxins, the pathogenesis of the uremic symptoms will be elucidated to prevent and manage the symptoms.