Measurement of prostaglandin F2α in human cerebrospinal fluid by single ion monitoring

Abstract

An improved method is described for measuring low levels of prostaglandin F2α in small volumes of cerebrospinal fluid. Single ion monitoring of the ion at m/e 423. derived from the methyl ester tri‐TMS ether derivatives of prostaglandin F2α and the internal standard, ω‐trinor‐16‐cyclohexyl prostaglandin F2α, is employed. Injection of 2 pg of prostaglandin F2α derivative gave a standard deviation of ±9%. The majority of patients had cerebrospinal fluid levels of up to 2 ng ml⁻¹ of prostaglandin. F2α, whereas in certain neurological conditions with progressive disease, elevated levels were encountered, some of which were higher than 10 ng ml⁻¹.