Chemical structures and descriptions
Methylmalonic acid
What is methylmalonic acid?
Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is a dicarboxylic acid and a byproduct of propionate metabolism that is best known as a functional marker of cobalamin (B12) status (1). Recent evidence has highlighted a role of MMA as an oncometabolite and a link between old age and negative cancer outcomes (2).
Indication(s)
Assessment of cobalamin status.
Method: GC-MS/MS
Specimen, collection and processing
Patient/subject: No special precaution.
Matrix: Serum or plasma.
Volume: Minimum volume is 50 µL, but 200 µL is optimal and allows reanalysis.
Preparation and stability: No special precaution. MMA is stable.
Transportation
Frozen, on dry ice. (for general instruction on transportation, click here.)
Reported values, interpretation
Reported values: < 0.26 µmol/L.
Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.81.
Literature
1. Midttun, Ø., McCann, A., Aarseth, O., Krokeide, M., Kvalheim, G., Meyer, K., and Ueland, P.M. (2016). Combined measurement of 6 fat-soluble vitamins and 26 water-soluble functional vitamin markers and amino acids in 50 μL of serum or plasma by high-throughput mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 88, 10427-436.
2. Gomes, A. P. (2024) Methylmalonic acid’s potential as a prognostic indicator for cancer-related mortality. Am J Clin Nutr 119, 1099–1100.