Detection of neurotensin in tissues by capillary zone electrophoresis

An electrophoretic method for detecting neurotensin in tissues was developed. Homogenates of rat duodenum and adrenal glands were first extracted by solid-phase extraction and purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The neurotensin-rich fraction was further analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using a commercial instrument with UV detection. A minor peak was detected as neurotensin and its identity was further confirmed by performing several CZE analyses at different pH values. Such an approach could be used to analyze with good molecular specificity the neuropeptides in some human tissues.