Rapid Determination of Taurine in Human Plasma by LC

• Published in: Chromatographia 2009-06, Vol.69 (11-12), p.1427-1430
• Main Authors: Ghandforoush-Sattari, Mohammadreza, Mashayekhi, Siminozar, Nemati, Mahboub, Routledge, Philipp A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chromatography; Full Short Communication; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Laboratory Medicine; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Pharmacy; Proteomics
• ISSN: 0009-5893; 1612-1112
• DOI: 10.1365/s10337-009-1055-6

Taurine is an amino acid which is not incorporated into proteins but found in the cytosol of many mammalian cells, in high concentrations (2-30 mM). Increase in plasma taurine concentration has already been reported after surgical trauma, X-radiation, muscle necrosis, carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage, and paracetamol overdose. Plasma taurine concentration was measured using LC with fluorescence detection following derivatization by o-phtalaldehyde plus 3-mercapto-propionic acid and α-aminobutyric acid as internal standard. Under these conditions the retention time of taurine was 10 min. This method was sensitive enough, to quantify 150 pg mL⁻¹ and detect 50 pg mL⁻¹ of taurine ranging normally between 65 and 179 mmol L⁻¹ (8-22 μg mL⁻¹). The validated method allowed simple determination of human plasma taurine in pharmacokinetic and biomarker studies.