title: The identification of salicylates as normal constituents of serum: a link between diet and health?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine sera for the presence of salicylic acid and 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids (2,3- and 2,5-DHBA), in individuals not taking salicylate drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extracts of acidified serum samples were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography with electro-chemical detection. The chromatographic conditions were altered, and the retention times of the unknown compounds compared against authentic salicylic acid, 2,3-DHBA, and 2,5-DHBA. Serum samples (some spiked with salicylic acid) were incubated with salicylate hydroxylase and analyses undertaken. An extract of acidified serum was derivatised using N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide and the salicylic acid derivative identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Salicylic acid, 2,3-DHBA, and 2,5-DHBA were identified as being normal constituents of serum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salicylic acid, 2,3-DHBA, and 2,5-DHBA possess anti-inflammatory properties. The finding that these compounds are present as normal constituents of serum, possibly arising from diet, raises important questions as to their role in the promotion of health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blacklock
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wiles
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lawrence
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004032:Diet; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005841:Gentisates; D006801:Humans; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates / Q000097:blood; D012459:Salicylates / Q000097:blood*; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005841:Gentisates; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates; D012459:Salicylates; C009135:2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid; D020156:Salicylic Acid; C010925:2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid