[Determination of serotonin in whole blood and platelet rich plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with...

An improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorometric detection (Ex 285nm, Em 345nm) for the assay of serotonin in whole blood and platelet rich plasma was developed for the routine clinical examination. Clinical sample was successfully deproteinized with perchloric acid in the presence of a reducing agent (ascorbic acid). Precision (CV < 5.0%), accuracy (recovery > 95%), lower assay limit (20ng/ml) and assay time (15min/sample) were allowable for the routine clinical examination. The level of serotonin (ng/ml, mean +/- SD) in whole blood and platelet rich plasma from normal volunteers (n = 53) was 143 +/- 47 and 180 +/- 60, respectively.