Determination of total cysteamine in urine and plasma samples by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection

A sensitive and selective method for the determination of total cysteamine in urine and plasma samples by gas chromatography (GC) has been developed. After reduction of the sample with sodium borohydride, the liberated cysteamine was converted into its N,S-diisobutoxycarbonyl derivative and measured by GC with flame photometric detection using a DB-210 capillary column. The calibration curve was linear in the range 0.2-5.0 nmol, and the detection limit, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, was ca. 0.5 pmol injected. Using this method, total cysteamine in urine and plasma samples could be accurately and precisely determined without any interference from coexisting substances. Analytical results for the determination of total cysteamine in urine and plasma samples from normal subjects are presented.