Quantitative determination of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the picogram range by flame ionization gas-liquid...

A gas-liquid chromatographic method has been developed using the hydrogen flame detector to determine epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) in blood plasma, red blood cells, serum, and urine. The chromatographic method presents several advantages over other existing techniques. The derivatives enable separation of E and NE and are stable at room temperature with no signs of decomposition. The detection limit for the catecholamines with the hydrogen detector was approximately 0.1 pg. The catecholamines can be determined simultaneously from the same gas-liquid chromatogram. Purification of the catecholamines using the conventional procedure of chromatographing on alumina has been eliminated. With this gas chromatographic method, no by-products are formed that interfere with E and NE determinations. Dopamine, which constitutes the major source of interference in the commonly used fluorometric methods, does not interfere with the E and NE determinations. Norepinephrine and epinephrine values for several physiological fluids are given with the analysis expanded to include red blood cells, the contents of which have not been previously reported.