Quantitative analysis of platelet activating factor using fast atom bombardment/tandem mass spectrometry

A procedure is described for the quantitative determination of platelet activating factor (PAF) using stable isotope dilution and fast atom bombardment/tandem mass spectrometry. Low-energy collisional activation of the [M + H]+ ion of PAF yields a single daughter ion of m/z 184, characteristic of phosphocholine derivatives. For precise and accurate quantification, the internal standard is (2H3)acetyl-hexadecyl PAF, which yields an analogous daughter ion of m/z 185. Quantitative analyses are based on limited mass-range parent ion scanning with transmission of daughters of m/z 184 and 185 during alternate scans; all scans are accumulated into a single data file to facilitate determination of the analyte/internal standard response ratio. Analysis of authentic hexadecyl PAF indicates a low-picogram detection limit. The method has been applied to the determination of PAF in preparations of human neutrophils stimulated by addition of a calcium ionophore. Concentrations of PAF of 7-17 ng/10(6) cells were observed, in keeping with earlier reports. The method has been validated by standard addition and dilution experiments. Comparison of data obtained by the new procedure and those obtained by a method involving gas chromatography/electron capture mass spectrometry of dephosphorylated and derivatized PAF showed excellent agreement.