Highly sensitive and specific assay of plasma melatonin using high-performance liquid chromatography with...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Marine Biology

Background:

• Melatonin, a key hormone produced by the pineal and retinal tissues, plays crucial roles in physiological processes.
• Accurate quantification of endogenous melatonin is essential for understanding its functions in various species.
• Existing methods for melatonin determination may lack the required sensitivity or speed for certain applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a highly sensitive and rapid assay for determining low levels of endogenous melatonin.
• To establish a reliable method for melatonin analysis in fish plasma samples.
• To provide a potentially superior alternative to current melatonin determination procedures.

Main Methods:

• Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was employed for sample cleanup and concentration.
• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized for efficient separation of melatonin.
• Fluorescence detection (FLD) was implemented to enhance sensitivity and accuracy.

Main Results:

• The combined SPE-HPLC-FLD method demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting low levels of melatonin.
• The assay provided rapid and reliable determination of melatonin in fish plasma.
• Significant improvements in separation and sensitivity were achieved compared to previous methods.

Conclusions:

• The developed SPE-HPLC-FLD method is a highly sensitive and rapid technique for endogenous melatonin determination.
• This assay is a promising alternative for analyzing melatonin in fish plasma and potentially other biological samples.
• The method's applicability may extend to human and other animal tissues with minor adaptations.