Analysis of purine nucleotides in muscle tissue by HPLC

Optimal conditions for simultaneous analysis of the purine nucleotides adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), inosine monophosphate (IMP), inosine, adenosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid in muscle samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were evaluated. A neutralized perchloric acid extract of freeze-dried human or rat skeletal muscle tissue was injected on to a reversed-phase silica column and eluted by a gradient composed of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate buffer and methanol. Good resolution for all the nucleotides was achieved within a retention time of about 20 min. Linearity for each of the nucleotides within the concentration intervals obtained in the samples was demonstrated. Purity of each peak was verified by use of the photodiode array technique. Reproducibility for biological samples with variation coefficients below 3.6% for ATP, ADP, AMP, inosine and hypoxanthine and 6.7% for IMP was obtained. The stability of the compounds after extraction was specifically addressed. Storing of frozen extracts at -20 degrees C for 24 h gave acceptable values, while storage for 7 days cannot be recommended. Storage of unfrozen extracts at 4 degrees C was acceptable for (up to) 7 h. This technique provides a sensitive, convenient and reliable method for simultaneous analysis of a large number of purine nucleotides in small skeletal muscle biopsies, provided that certain precautions are taken with respect to the instability of these metabolites.