title: Azelaic and pimelic acids: metabolic intermediates or artefacts?
abstract: Azelaic and pimelic acids are excreted in elevated amounts in urine in disorders of mitochondrial beta-oxidation and disorders of peroxisomal beta-oxidation, for which they are of significant diagnostic value. We have detected the presence of azelaic, pimelic and even-chain-length dicarboxylic acids (adipic, suberic and sebacic acids) arising artefactually as a result of storage of small sample volumes in plastic containers. Storage of samples for organic acid analysis in glass containers is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ragni
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hood
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Hale
mesh_terms: D000272:Adipates / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine; D002210:Caprylates; D003652:Decanoic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010867:Pimelic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D010969:Plastics; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation; D013398:Sudden Infant Death; D013997:Time Factors; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000272:Adipates; D002210:Caprylates; D003652:Decanoic Acids; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids; D010867:Pimelic Acids; D010969:Plastics; C005738:suberic acid; C029900:adipic acid; C011107:sebacic acid; C010038:azelaic acid