OBJECTIVESTo determine the difference in molecular weights of albumin in factory workers caused by non-enzymatic glycation of plasma albumin using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/MS), and examine the epidemiological validity of this method.

METHODSForty-eight male workers were tested by random sampling. The difference in molecular weights (ΔM) between the subjects' albumin and human serum albumin was determined by MALDI TOF/MS. Correlations between ΔM vs. fructosamine, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbAlc were investigated.

RESULTSΔM showed a significant correlation with all of the tested glycation indices (ΔM vs. fructosamine: r=0.487, p<0.001) (ΔM vs. FPG: r=0.482, p<0.01) (ΔM vs. HbAlc: r=0.397, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSince a significant correlation between ΔM and the glycation indices was found in this investigation, further study with a larger number of subjects is needed for use in clinical applications.