Simple and rapid quantitative assay of 13C-labelled urea in human serum using liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A simple and rapid quantitative method for 13C-labelled urea ([13C]urea) in human serum was developed by using high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS). This method is used to establish and normalize the [13C]urea breath test, which is considered as an effective diagnostic method for Helicobacter pylori infection. HPLC-APCI-MS, involving a simple pretreatment process such as diluting serum with water, was shown to be able to discriminate the extrinsic [13C]urea from intrinsic urea present at high concentration in serum. In addition, a 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic quantitative method for [13C]urea in human urine is also described. The precision and accuracy of measured concentrations in these two methods were found to be within the acceptable limit. An application of these methods to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of orally administered [13C]urea in human serum and urine is also presented.