Highly sensitive measurement of whole blood chromium by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Wendy Cieslak1, Kathleen Pap, Dustin R Bunch

  • 1Department of Clinical Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Clinical Biochemistry
|November 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study developed a highly sensitive method for measuring chromium (Cr) in blood using ICP-MS. The new method establishes a reference interval of 3.92 to 7.48 nmol/L for total chromium in healthy adults.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Trace Element Analysis
  • Mass Spectrometry

Background:

  • Chromium (Cr) is a vital trace element linked to diabetes and cardiovascular health.
  • Accurate blood chromium measurement is crucial for assessing nutritional status but is challenging due to matrix interferences and contamination.
  • A hypochromic state correlates with poor blood glucose control and lipid metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a highly sensitive method for quantifying total chromium in whole blood using ICP-MS.
  • To validate a reference interval for blood chromium in a healthy local population.

Main Methods:

  • Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with a collision/reaction cell was employed.
  • Interference was minimized using kinetic energy discrimination and helium as a selective collision gas.
  • Reference interval was determined in 51 healthy adults (19-64 years) using whole blood samples.

Main Results:

  • The developed assay demonstrated excellent linearity (3.42–1446.59 nmol/L) and accuracy (87.7–99.8%).
  • High sensitivity was achieved by effectively minimizing interference.
  • The validated reference interval for total chromium in whole blood was determined to be 3.92–7.48 nmol/L.

Conclusions:

  • The validated ICP-MS methodology offers high sensitivity and selectivity for total chromium measurement in whole blood.
  • This method provides a reliable tool for assessing chromium status.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview01:19

Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview

In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then passed on to...
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Types of Detectors01:15

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Types of Detectors

The role of the detectors in High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is to analyze the solutes as they exit from the chromatographic column. The detector recognizes the solute's property and generates corresponding electrical signals, which are converted into a readable graph of the detector's response versus elution time called a chromatogram at the computer. There are several types of HPLC detectors, each with its own advantages and limitations, depending on the analyte properties and...
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences01:20

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences

Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for accurate elemental analysis. Though the analysis of ICP–MS mass spectra is comparatively straightforward, it is affected by spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. Spectroscopic interferences arise when the plasma contains ionic species with an m/z value the same as the analyte ion. Spectroscopic interference can be categorized as isobaric, polyatomic ions, and refractory oxide ion...
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle01:19

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the most widely used plasma source in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The ICP source, or torch, consists of three concentric quartz tubes with argon gas flowing through them. A spark from a Tesla coil initiates the ionization of argon, generating a high-temperature plasma.
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-I01:21

Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-I

There are different types of detectors used in gas chromatography, each with its own specific properties that make it suitable for detecting certain types of analytes. The most commonly used detectors in GC are thermal conductivity detector (TCD), flame ionization detector (FID), and electron capture detector (ECD).
TCD is the earliest and most widely used detector that operates by measuring the changes in the thermal conductivity of the carrier gas. When a sample compound enters the detector,...
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation01:26

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the common plasma source used in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), a technique that detects and analyzes various elements in a sample. This method is often called inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy  (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.