Separation of Urinary Coproporphyrin Isormers I and III by Thin-Layer Chromatography Studies in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

A thin-layer chromato-graphic method, which is a direct adaptation of Eriksen''s paper chromato-graphic method was applied to the quantitative study of coproporphyrin isomers I and III in human urine. The thin-layer method gives slightly higher isomer III contents than the paper method. The thin-layer method is suitable for serial determinations and gives an excellent separation of the isomers. The mean urinary isomer III output in 18 healthy subjects was 77 per cent of the total. Isomer distribution was studied in 17 patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction. Both isomer I and III output was significantly increased during the first week of illness. The isomer distribution did not deviate from the normal.