Evaluation of IgG glycation levels by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry has been employed for the evaluation of the glycation level of IgG from healthy subjects and also from well-and badly-controlled diabetic patients. The measurements have been performed on untreated plasma protein fractions, The data obtained have shown that a clear mass increase, originating from non-enzymatic glycation precesses, is observed in the case of diabetic patients: for well-controlled ones it is in the range 512-1565 Da, while it becomes 827-4270 Da for badly-controlled diabetic patients, This approach indicates that MALDI mass spectrometry is a highly specific tool that can be employed in the metabolic control of diabetic patients and in studies relating the IgG glycation level to possible immunological impairment. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.