Determination of endogenous substance change in PM2.5-induced rat plasma and lung samples by UPLC-MS/MS method to identify potential markers for lung impairment

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could induce lung impairment aggravation. Moreover, endogenous substances are known to play a significant role in lung impairment. Therefore, the research objectives was to investigate the influence of PM2.5-induced lung impairment on the levels of the eight endogenous substances, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine (ACh), glutamate (Glu), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA), and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). A sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of these endogenous substances in rat plasma and lung tissues was developed. The validated method was successfully applied for comparing profiles of analytes in rat plasma and lung tissues. The results indicated that five endogenous substances, namely, GABA, Ach, Glu, DA, and DOPAC, had a significant change in the rats with PM2.5-induced lung impairment.