RESUMO
Lipid peroxidation is closely related to neurodegenerative diseases since brain shows high lipid composition and oxygen consumption. The determination of lipid peroxidation compounds in non-invasive biological samples would help to monitor the patients' oxidative stress status. A new analytical method based on ultrasound-assisted liquid-liquid semi-microextraction (UA-LLsME) followed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to tandem Mass Spectrometry was developed to determine 18 lipid peroxidation biomarkers in saliva samples. The variables affecting the UA-LLsME efficiency were systematically studied. Under the optimum conditions, the methodology was validated and showed high-throughput, high sensitivity (limits of detection 0.02-2 nmol L-1), and satisfactory precision (coefficients of variation 2-11% (intra-day) and 5-12% (inter-day)). The reliability of the described method was assessed analysing spiked saliva samples, and the recoveries were between 80% and 120% for most of the analytes. Then, the method suitability was demonstrated by analysing saliva samples (n = 30) from elderly people with neurodegenerative diseases. To conclude, the new developed analytical method is a useful tool to determine salivary lipid peroxidation compounds as potential biomarkers in further clinical studies in which oxidative stress plays an important role.