An improved method for routine analysis of polyamines in biological fluids with a conventional amino acid analyzer

An accurate and precise mechanized ion-exchange chromatographic method for the estimation of polyamines in biological fluids is described. The method includes the recent improvements developed for ion-exchange analysis of polyamines: the use of sulfonated polystyrene cation-exchange resin with a bead diameter of less than 10 micrometers and a continuous fluorescent detection with o-phthalaldehyde. Four different procedures for the removal of protein before analysis of polyamines in plasma have been compared. Linearity of the fluorescence detection, reproducibility (intra, inter assay) and precision of the retention times are reported. Furthermore, the method is characterised by the simplicity of the sample preparation, a clear and rapid elution programme and especially by its routine applicability, as shown during the last six months in the Centre Antoine-Lacassagne.