HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEPARATION AND FLUORESCENCE DETECTION OF POLYAMINES IN PLASMA AND ERYTHROCYTES

Abstract

A high performance liquid chromatography was adapted to the measurement of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in plasma and erythrocytes. Detection was by fluorimetry using o-phthaladehyde which formed fluorophores with the polyamines. Sensitivity of the method was better than 10 pmol of each polyamine, and recovery averaged 93.9%. The precision of the analysis was 2% (R[residual]SD). Good correlation was obtained with a reference chemical ionization gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric procedure. Reference intervals for polyamines in plasma and erythrocytes were estimated on the basis of 25 normal volunteers. [The usefulness of monitoring polyamines in assessing patient response to cancer therapy is discussed.].