How should we measure n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their metabolites in humans?
Growing interest in nutritional intervention with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids demands reliable analyses of these fatty acids and their corresponding eicosanoids in vivo or ex vivo. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are preferably assayed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography after extraction of the lipid classes, their separation by chromatographic methods and conversion of the fatty acids to methylesters. n-3 eicosanoids have to be separated from their arachidonic acid analogues by HPLC or by gas-liquid chromatography and are then quantified by UV-spectroscopy or mass-spectrometry. Structure elucidation has to be performed by chemical reactions and by mass spectrometry. Antibodies for radioimmunoassays against n-3 eicosanoids are not yet available.
Fischer
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Medizinische Klinik Innenstadt der Universität, München, F.R.G.
D001826:Body Fluids / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D004537:Eicosanoic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*
D004537:Eicosanoic Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008055:Lipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid