[The HPLC analysis of vanillil-almond, 5-hydroxiindolacetic, homovanillic and homogentisic acids in biologic fluids in clinical laboratory].

The simple and fast HPLC technique of analysis of vanillil-almond, 5-hydroxiindolacetic, homovanillic and homogentisic acids in urine with solid-phase extraction using ultra cross-linked polystyrene (Purosep-200) is proposed. The separation on column Chromolith Performance RP-18e "Merck" 100x4.6 mm with monolithic phase-reversed silica gel in isocratic or gradient mode with ultraviolet detection under 285 nm. The isocratic mode is applied in case of ordinary analysis of vanillil-almond or homogentisic acids. The composition of eluent is isopropanol - water - TFA (1:99:0.025, v/v/v), flow speed is 1400 mkl/min; pressure is 37 bar, full separation less than in 4 min. The gradient low pressure mode is applied to analyze vanillil-almond, hydroxiindolacetic and homovanillic acids. Under this approach the switching to second eluent occurred from second minute. The composition of eluent is isopropanol-water-TFA (6:94:0.025, v/v/v), flow speed is 1400 mkl/min, pressure is 43 bar, full separation is less than in 7 min. The output (extraction share) consisted 78-113%. The simplicity reproducibility and sufficient sensitivity of technique in combination with the possibility of its application on standard chromatographic equipment (isocratic pump and ultraviolet detector) made it useful for routine clinical application.

[Monoamines, monoamine metabolites, neuron specific enolase and myelin basic protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of resuscitated patients].

Changes of monoamines, monoamine metabolites, neuron specific enolase (NSE) and myelin basic protein (MBP) levels in cerebrospinal fluid were measured in 8 patients for up to 7 days after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The outcomes were assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale. One showed good recovery 3 developed a persistent vegetate state (PVS) and 4 became brain dead (BD). The concentration of NSE increased to a peak about 3 days after resuscitation, then gradually decreased. MBP also showed an increase with time up to 7 days. The time course suggests that neuronal and/or axonal damage progresses for several days after hypoxic or anoxic brain insult. NSE and MBP in the BD group were higher than those in the PVS group, thus CSF levels may be prognostic with regard to hypoxic brain injury. Tyrosine, dopamine, 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), 3-dihydroxy-4-phenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), vanillylmanderic acid (VMA), normetanephrine (NMN), metanephrine (MN), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), vanillic acid (VA), tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations were analyzed by HPLC with an electrochemical detector. Concentrations changed within 2 or 3 days after resuscitation, so concentrations at that period may indicate neuronal damage. However, there are some cases with abnormal NSE and MBP levels without abnormal monoamine levels, suggesting that differences in concentrations are not the consequence of the amount of affected neurons, but of the sites of regions.

On the occurence of vanillic acid in human brain and cerebrospinal fluid.

3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylbenzoic (vanillic) acid was previously shown to be one of the endogenous metabolites of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Using thin-layer chromatographic methods for identification and quantification of phenolic acids and phenolic alcohols, the authors identified vanillic acid in different regions of the human brain. The concentration of vanillic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid was also determined and compared to the concentration of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol. The identification of VA in the human brain suggests that the vanillic acid of the cerebrospinal fluid originates, at least in part, from the catecholamines in the brain. The authors discuss other possible origins of vanillic acid besides the noradrenaline catabolism of dopamine. As the concentration of vanillic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid was found to be greater than the concentration of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol, it might be important for clinical biological studies to measure vanillic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid as well as the other alcoholic and acid catabolites of the catecholamines.