title: Rapid measurement of the monoamine content in small volumes of rat plasma.
abstract: A method for the simultaneous measurement of serotonin, catecholamines, and their metabolites, 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid, homovanillic acid, and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, by ultrafiltration and microbore high-performance liquid chromatography with dual electrochemical detection in small plasma volumes was established. Unlike the traditional assays which require at least 1-2 ml of plasma for each measurement, the present method uses only a 20-microliters sample volume. Since blood loss is minimal, repeated blood sampling from a single animal as a rat becomes practicable. The present microassay provides low detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) for all analytes (0.2-0.5 pg per 5-microliters injection or 50-120 pg/ml plasma). Isocratic separation of these analytes on a microbore column is achieved within 15 min. This rapid and sensitive method can be used as a routine research tool in various physiological or pharmacokinetic studies especially in small animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research and Geriatric Medical Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000097:blood*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004563:Electrochemistry; D010852:Picrotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010953:Plasma Volume; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D014462:Ultrafiltration
chemical_list: D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D010852:Picrotoxin