title: A rapid and simple method for determining catecholamines in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.
abstract: A procedure for assaying free norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is described. The method involves adsorption of the catechols onto alumina, desorption, and injection into a reverse-phase ion-pairing liquid chromatography system equipped with a coulometric detector. Optimization of chromatographic conditions with regard to detector performance and keeping to procedures and precautions described make the method applicable both to neurochemical research and routine clinical analysis. A single chromatographic run, providing adequate resolution of each component, could be completed in about 8 min. The limit of quantitative detection of the method was found to be approximately 0.003 micrograms/l for individual catecholamines.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; C022133:3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine