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Total plasma homocysteine as part of the routine aminogram by ion-exchange chromatography

Amino Acids volume 15, pages 235–239 (1998)Cite this article

Summary

Ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) with ninhydrin post-column derivatisation is the only technique available for the assay of total, (free plus bound), cysteine and homocysteine which also enables the routine measurement of all other commonly occurring amino acids. IEC assay of total cysteine and homocysteine typically involves incubating buffered plasma for 60 minutes at 37°C with dithiothreitol (DTT), but these assay conditions significantly extend total analysis time and compromise other amino acid values, notably glutamine and glutamate. However, it is possible to carry out the DTT reduction in plasma virtually instantaneously and without additional buffering, thus preserving the integrity of other diagnostically important amino acids. Assay precision is adequate for cardiovascular risk assessment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, WC1N 3BG, London, United Kingdom

    A. Briddon (Principal Biochemist)

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  1. A. Briddon
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Briddon, A. Total plasma homocysteine as part of the routine aminogram by ion-exchange chromatography. Amino Acids 15, 235–239 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01318862

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01318862

Keywords

  • Amino acids
  • Homocysteine
  • Ion-exchange chromatography
  • Analysis