Leukotriene-E4 in human urine: Comparison of on-line purification and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to affinity purification followed by enzyme immunoassay

A new analytical method suitable for high throughput measurements of LTE4 in human urine is described. The methodology utilizes on-line enrichment and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The novel LC/MS/MS method is rapid, linear from 5 to 500 pg/ml in spiked urine samples of both healthy and asthmatic subjects and more accurate and precise than enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and previous LC/MS/MS methods. Results from sample integrity experiments and preliminary values of urinary LTE4 from healthy adults and children are reported.