Enhanced Sensitivity Using MALDI Imaging Coupled with Laser Postionization (MALDI-2) for Pharmaceutical Research.

摘要: Visualizing the distributions of drugs and their metabolites is one key emerging application areas matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) within pharmaceutical research. The success a given MALDI-MSI experiment ultimately determined by ionization efficiency compounds interest, which in many cases are too low to enable detection at relevant concentrations. In this work we have taken steps address challenge via first laser-postionisation coupled with MALDI (so-called MALDI-2) analysis compounds. We demonstrate that MALDI-2 increased signal intensities for 7 out 10 drug analyzed up 2 orders magnitude compared conventional analysis. This gain sensitivity enabled both human cartilage dog liver tissue be visualized using MALDI-2, whereas little-to-no from was obtained MALDI. demonstrates vast potential MALDI-2-MSI research development provides valuable tool broaden MSI. Finally, an effort understand mechanism, provide evidence preferential formation [M + H]+ ions has no obvious correlation gas-phase proton affinity values analyte molecules, suggesting, as MALDI, occurrence complex yet elucidated phenomena.