Progress of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in measurement of vitamin D metabolites and analogues

ObjectiveClinical testing for vitamin D nutritional status has experienced tremendous growth in the past several years, driven by research results linking various diseases with low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels. Meanwhile, interest in the pathophysiological mechanism elucidation and pharmaceutical applications requires measurement of vitamin D metabolites and analogues. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been increasingly utilized in these applications. In this work, our objective was to critically review the progress of LC-MS application in measuring vitamin D metabolites and analogues in biological fluids.MethodsThe LC-MS methods included were selected from those searchable in PubMed up to January 2010.Results and ConclusionLC-MS has unique advantages in measuring various vitamin D metabolites and analogues due to its flexibility, sensitivity, and specificity. Despite some controversies over serum 25(OH)D tests, LC-MS will be used for standardizing serum 25(OH)D assays using reference materials available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.