Quantitation of total biopterin and tetrahydrobiopterin in plasma.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a reliable method for the determination of tetrahydrobiopterin and total biopterin in plasma.


METHODS
Modifications include blood collection and handling procedures.


RESULTS
Collection of blood in the presence of 0.1% (w/v) dithiothreitol and waiting for 2-3 h before centrifugation are optimal for adequate quantitation of both pterins.


CONCLUSIONS
For a reliable determination of tetrahydrobiopterin and total biopterin in plasma, blood tubes must contain a dimercapto-antioxidant and time between blood collection and centrifugation is critical.
Fekkes
Durk
D
Department of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Room Ee 1438, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. d.fekkes@erasmusmc.nl
Voskuilen-Kooijman
Ans
A
D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011622:Pterins / Q000097:blood*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D011622:Pterins; D001708:Biopterins; C003402:sapropterin