title: Determination of catecholamines in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography: comparison between a new method with fluorescence detection and an established method with electrochemical detection.
abstract: We report a sensitive fluorimetric method, in which catecholamines are concentrated from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction and derivatized with the selective fluorescent agent 1,2-diphenylethyl-enediamine prior to chromatography. Optimal conditions for extraction, derivatization and chromatography were investigated. With alpha-methylnorepinephrine as internal standard, the chromatographic separations are complete within 6 min. Limits of detection are 0.3 pg for norepinephrine and epinephrine and 0.5 pg for dopamine. Coefficients of variation are low (3-7%). Comparison of plasma catecholamine values determined with this method and with an established method with electrochemical detection (n = 135) shows good correlation (r = 0.94-1.00), and regression lines are close to lines of identity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Dijkzigt, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: van der Hoorn
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boomsma
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Man in 't Veld
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schalekamp
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004298:Dopamine / Q000097:blood*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine