Biochemistry Department, University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M23 9LT, UK.
Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Oct;27(5):663-74. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2013.05.015. Epub 2013 Jul 10.
Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is increasingly becoming the method of choice for steroid hormone measurements due to small sample volumes, fast analysis times and improved specificity compared to immunoassays. Achievement of demanding analytical targets for steroid analysis is now becoming possible because of improvements in sample preparation technology, liquid chromatography column technology and mass spectrometer design. The most popular sample treatment strategies comprise protein precipitation (PP), solid-phase extraction (SLE) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Modern liquid chromatography columns can ensure the adequate separation of isobaric compounds e.g. 21 Deoxycortisol, 11 Deoxycortisol and Corticosterone. The most appropriate method may be chosen to improve assay sensitivity by reducing matrix effects (LLE, SPE) or simplicity and speed (PP). Specific examples of some clinically important steroids including oestradiol, aldosterone, renin, serum cortisol, salivary cortisol and salivary testosterone will be described.
液相色谱-串联质谱法（LC-MS/MS）由于所需样本量小、分析时间短，与免疫测定相比特异性更高，因此越来越成为类固醇激素测量的首选方法。由于样品制备技术、液相色谱柱技术和质谱仪设计的改进，现在已经可以实现对类固醇分析的苛刻分析目标。最受欢迎的样品处理策略包括蛋白质沉淀（PP）、固相萃取（SLE）和液液萃取（LLE）。现代液相色谱柱可以确保对同量异位化合物（如 21-脱氧皮质醇、11-脱氧皮质醇和皮质酮）进行充分分离。可以选择最合适的方法来通过降低基质效应（LLE、SPE）或提高检测的简便性和速度（PP）来提高检测灵敏度。将描述一些临床上重要的类固醇，包括雌二醇、醛固酮、肾素、血清皮质醇、唾液皮质醇和唾液睾酮。
