Rapid and Simple Technique for the Quantitation of Polyamines in Biological Samples

Abstract

A rapid and simple technique has been developed to quantify putrescine, spermidine, and spermine in biological tissue. The method, based upon several published procedures, involves protein precipitation with perchloric acid followed by dansylation with 5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonyl chloride (dansyl chloride). After extraction on a Waters C₁₈ Sep-Pak cartridge, the samples are analyzed by high pressure liquid chromotography using a step solvent change and a 3μ C₁₈ reverse phase column. The chromotographic conditions allowed complete analysis of the three polyamines within 10 min with a total run time of 13 min (sample injection and re-equilibrium of column). Standard curves were linear up to 1 μg polyamine and the coefficient of variation for the assay ranged from 4% at l μg polyamine per sample to 11% at 50 ng polyamine per sample. The assay is therefore both rapid and simple. Moreover, unlike other available methods, the present technique does not require duel pumps, ion pairing agents, solvent extraction or a gradient control system. The concentrations of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in rat lung, liver and kidney are reported.