Quantitative determination of phospholipids in amniotic fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary A new quantitative analytical method for the determination of phospholipids in amniotic fluid by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described. In addition to the main compounds, phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) and sphingomyelin, the so-called minor phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine can also be determined. Separation is achieved using a guard-column of Lichrosorb Si 60 and an analytical column of Lichrosorb DIOL. Acetonitrile/water is used as mobile phase at an elevated temperature. By determining the recovery rates, the within-run and the between-run precision, it was shown that sufficient accuracy and precision could be achieved for all the parameters examined. The method is highly sensitive, the detection limit for sphingomyelin is 0.2 μg and 0.1 μg for all the other components. A single determination of 5 phospholipids in an amniotic fluid sample takes about two hours. By performing simultaneous extractions it is possible to analyse 5 samples per day.     

High pressure liquid chromatography of standard and amniotic fluid phospholipids

A method for the HPLC separation of phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and sphingomyelin (SPH) was achieved using five in-series columns packed with LiChrosorb, Partisil, and μ-Porasil adsorbents, a solvent mixture of chloroform/methanol/ammonium hydroxide (50 : 36 : 6.7, by volume), and a Pye LCM2 Moving Wire (FID) detector. The same phospholipid mixture was also separated using four μ-Porasil columns with the same eluent and detector. The latter conditions were found to be suitable for the analysis of phospholipids obtained after centrifuging, extraction, and precipitation of surface-active lipid components of patient amniotic fluid collected at amniocentesis section. The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios, determined by the HPLC method, correlated well with those determined by the TLC technique in four normal pregnancies, whereas results of shake tests did not correlate too well with L/S ratios determined by the above two chromatographic methods. Besides the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio, the present method was able to supply additional information: the concentrations of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol, for prediction of fetal lung maturity, and the palmitic acid content of amniotic fluid phosphatidylcholine.     

Estimation of amniotic fluid phospholipids by high-performance liquid chromatography

We have developed a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the analyses of surface-active amniotic fluid phospholipids, lecithin (L), sphingomyelin (S), phosphatidyl glycerol (PG), phosphatidyl inositol (PI), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidyl serine (PS), which are important in the prediction of fetal lung maturity. The method incorporates an internal standard in the amniotic fluid extract, and utilizes a 10-microliter aliquot of a 2:1 chloroform-methanol extract of amniotic fluid injected onto a 5-micron DIOL or CN HPLC column, and a variable-wavelength detector set at 203 nm. Amniotic fluid phospholipid estimations were determined on 40 amniotic fluid samples by the HPLC method and by the routine thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method. Good agreement was observed between the two methods for the L/S ratio, PG, and PI (rPG 0.94, rPI 0.95, rL/S 0.97). The advantages of the HPLC procedure include: Selective separation for PG, PI, PS, and PE, as well as L and S at the same time. The internal standard allows individual concentration of phospholipids to be estimated. The procedure is rapid: 16 min for a single assay compared with 50 min for the standard TLC procedure.     

An evaluation of acid digestion methods for amniotic fluid phospholipids

Five methods of acid digestion of amniotic fluid phospholipids for inorganic phosphate release were evaluated at a temperature of 225 °C and a heating time of 30 min. The methods used the following digestants: (A (perchloric acid), B (perchloric acid containing molybdate), C (sulfuric acid, 30% hydrogen peroxide, 5% urea), D (sulfuric-perchloric acids), and E (sulfuric-perchloric acids with vanadium pentoxide). After digestion and dilution with water, a hydrogen ion concentration of about 2.5 mol/ liter was obtained that permitted the use of stannous chloride-hydrazine sulfate as the reducing agent for phosphate color development. Recoveries of the different amniotic fluid phospholipids and aqueous phosphate standards were quantitative for all methods. A comparative study with amniotic fluids showed similar results for all methods. Since all methods were found to be equivalent under the specified conditions described, the choice was dependent upon the user's preference.     

A semi-automated and manual method for serum phospholipids

Five methods of acid digestion of amniotic fluid phospholipids for inorganic phosphate release were evaluated at a temperature of 225 °C and a heating time of 30 min. The methods used the following digestants: (A (perchloric acid), B (perchloric acid containing molybdate), C (sulfuric acid, 30% hydrogen peroxide, 5% urea), D (sulfuric-perchloric acids), and E (sulfuric-perchloric acids with vanadium pentoxide). After digestion and dilution with water, a hydrogen ion concentration of about 2.5 mol/ liter was obtained that permitted the use of stannous chloride-hydrazine sulfate as the reducing agent for phosphate color development. Recoveries of the different amniotic fluid phospholipids and aqueous phosphate standards were quantitative for all methods. A comparative study with amniotic fluids showed similar results for all methods. Since all methods were found to be equivalent under the specified conditions described, the choice was dependent upon the user's preference.     

Hptlc Separation And Determination Of Amniotic Fluid Phospholipids

Abstract

High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) under controlled relative humidity conditions was employed in order to separate phospholipids of amniotic fluid. Quantitative determination was accomplished after visualization by copper acetate/phosphoric acid (CA) and by phospho-molybdic acid (PMA). In both cases reflectance was found to follow the Kubelka-Munk theory in the Treiber and Pollak approximation. PMA gives fairly better results as it concerns reproducibility. A method of analysis is proposed that allows to use 500 μl or less of amniotic fluid. A complete phospholipid analysis can be performed in 40 min. Proposed method was tested on simulated and real samples and results compared with conventional spectrophotometry analysis.     

Capillary electrophoretic determination of oxalate in amniotic fluid

A capillary electrophoretic (CE) assay for oxalate has been applied to the quantitative determination of free oxalate in amniotic fluid. Indirect absorbance detection of oxalate is accomplished with a chromate-based background electrolyte modified with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Detection interference due to the presence of high levels (≈4 mg/ml) of inorganic chloride is eliminated through a direct sample clean-up procedure based on cation (Ag⁺-form) resins. Separation interference from amniotic fluid proteins is prevented through the use of a simple aqueous-based dilution procedure. This method for the determination of oxalate in amniotic fluid provides precision of ≈5% relative standard deviation (RSD). Within-day precisions for the oxalate response and migration time are better than 3% RSD and 1% RSD, respectively. Between-day precisions for the oxalate response and migration time are better than 6% RSD and 3% RSD, respectively. The analytical recovery of oxalate (1000 ng/ml) spiked into amniotic fluid was better than 96%. The limit of detection (LOD) for the method is ≈100 ng/ml oxalate. This method also shows promising results for the determination of oxalate in human blood plasma samples.     

Direct and Rapid Electrochemical Determination of Total Surfactants in Amniotic Fluid for Assessment of Foetal Lung Maturity

Abstract

The characteristic response in the polarographic current-time curves, observed by the inhibition of the oxygen reduction process by adsorption of phospholipids at the mercury-solution interface, is used for the direct and rapid analysis of surfactants content in amniotic fluid samples. Good correlations were obtained between the described method and two well established routine methods used for estimation of foetal lung maturity in prenatal diagnosis of the respiratory distress syndrome.     

Analysis of phospholipids in human semen by high-performance liquid chromatography

A sensitive method for the separation of phospholipids by a high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure is described. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a 25-cm column packed with Bio-Sil HP-10 coupled with a pre-column packed with Si-100 Polyol. Phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, cardiolipin, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylcholine were completely separated and quantitated. The eluted phospholipids were monitored at 203 nm. The method was shown to be applicable to the analysis of phospholipids from human semen.     

Prenatal diagnosis of methylmalonic aciduria by measuring methylmalonic acid in dried amniotic fluid on filter paper using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Methylmalonic aciduria is a common inherited metabolic disorder. Methylmalonic acid (MMA), a key indicator of methylmalonic aciduria, increases in the amniotic fluid of affected fetuses. For prenatal diagnosis, the MMA in amniotic fluid can be measured by stable-isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Here, we quantified the MMA in cell-free amniotic fluid samples that had been dried on filter paper and transported at ambient temperatures, and compared the results with data obtained from the original amniotic fluid. Our results indicated that the filter paper method was reproducible and accurate enough to be applied to clinical analysis. We also used the filter paper method to screen at-risk fetuses and obtained a clear diagnosis in each case. We conclude that our method enables the prenatal diagnosis of methylmalonic aciduria using practical procedures and a simplified method for transporting the samples.     

Densitometric quantification of individual phospholipids. Improvement and evaluation of a method using molybdenum blue reagent for detection

A densitometric method for simultaneous quantification of individual phospholipids based on visualization with molybdenum blue reagent is presented. Previously reported problems concerning colour instability have been solved. The method is specific for phosphorus-containing compounds and independent of the degree of fatty acid unsaturation. The molar absorptivities of most analysed phospholipids do not differ more than 10% from that for phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk. For cases of greater deviation (sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine), analysis is accomplished by use of appropriate standard mixtures. The between-series coefficient of variation is ca. 9%. The method is compared to a preparative thin-layer chromatographic assay and another commonly used densitometric method.     

Isclation of Lecithin and Sphingomyelin from Lipid Mixtures for Quantitation by Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

A new procedure for the determination of lecithin and sphingomyelin in amniotic fluid is described. rapid column chromatography in the sample preparation steps with computer-assisted infrared spectroscopy in the final determination. Lipids are extracted from amniotic fluid with a chloroform/methanol solvent. The organic layer is separated and evaporated to dryness. The residue is The new method couples the use of simple, redissolved i n chloroforn and Fassed through a hydroxyapatite column to remove interfering constituents. The complete isolation cflecithin and sphingomyelin fror other li Fidsis confimec by both infrared spectroscopy and thin layer chronatcgrayhy.     

Determination of phospholipids in dairy products by SPE/HPLC/ELSD

The aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of different methods for both milk lipid extraction and phospholipids separation. As far as the lipid extraction procedure is concerned, the Folch method showed a higher phospholipid recovery with respect to the Rose-Gottlieb method. Different SPE cartridges and solvent phases were tested to carry out the separation of phospholipids from fat. The yield of extraction was evaluated by isolating phospholipids from both milk fat and synthetic fat; Standard Addition Method was applied as well. The isolation of the phospholipids by SPE silica column and subsequent analysis by HPLC/ELSD was shown to be an accurate and reproducible analytical method for the determination of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin in milk fat extracted by Folch method.     

Simultaneous Quantitative Analysis for Phospholipids in Human HDL and LDL Using Two Internal Standards by Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method using two internal standards was developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in human high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL). We evaluated this method by examining precision, accuracy, and recovery of phospholipid concentrations in several matrixes. We obtained the time course of phospholipid content in human HDL and LDL treated with sPLA₂‐X and quantitatively observed the decrease of PC, PI, PE, and the increase of LPC. This method should be useful for examination of simultaneous change of endogenous phospholipids in various enzymatic assays.     

Synthesis of phospholipids containing perfluorooctyl group and their interfacial properties

Highly fluorinated single-chained and/or double-chained phospholipids containing the perfluorooctyl group as the terminal segment of hydrophobic chains and a phosphocholine moiety as the hydrophilic headgroup were synthesized in order to investigate the effect of fluorinated segments on the stability of phospholipid monolayers formed at the air-water interface. Judging from the equilibrium spreading pressures (π_es) of their monolayers at the air-water interface, all of the fluorinated phospholipids formed more stable monolayers than the corresponding non-fluorinated counterparts. In addition, the fluorinated double-chained phosphatidylcholine containing C-C triple bond (monoyne group) formed stable and fluid vesicle membranes in water, although the single-chained phospholipids did not form vesicle membranes but micellar solutions under the present conditions.     

Amniotic fluid uric acid levels determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric and electrochemical detection

A rapid and precise, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for amniotic fluid uric acid is described. Detection of uric acid and other naturally occurring constitutents is based on UV absorption at a wavelength of 280 nm and direct electrochemical oxidation at a potential of +0.800 V. The total analysis time is short (20 min) and the assay requires only filtration of the samples. Uric acid levels were determined in 14 samples of amniotic fluid obtained during the 15th to 24th week of gestation. Results ranged from 0.897 to 4.39 mg per 100 ml of amniotic fluid.     

Intrinsic fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid: evaluation of human fetal lung maturity

This article reports a novel approach for the evaluation of fetal lung maturity based on fluorescence polarization (FP). The technique determines the intrinsic fluorescence polarization ratio (IFPR) of the amniotic fluid (AF). In vitro measurements of the IFPR indicate a clear dichotomy: high values for young pregnancies and low values for mature pregnancies. The new method has the potential to be a noninvasive procedure because the excitation of the AF and the collection of its fluorescence emission can be performed through the intact cervical amniotic membranes.     

Determination of phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid for prediction of foetal lung maturity by microbore-column liquid chromatography

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) has been determined in amniotic fluid from 55 patients by using a microbore-column liquid chromatographic system. The present analysis time is 1 h 40 min for pretreatment of amniotic fluid and 20 min for a chromatographic run. From 2 ml of amniotic fluid, the PG content has been determined between 1.0 and 0.05 mg/dl. The detection limit of PG is 10 ng. As the injection volume (0.5 microliter) is small, repeated analyses are possible if necessary. It is concluded that, in the case of PG values over 0.10 mg/dl, a mother can deliver an infant without respiratory distress syndrome. This method is useful not only for the prenatal evaluation of lung maturity, but also for the assessment of any therapeutic effect.     

Quantification of plasmalogen, alkylacyl and diacyl glycerophospholipids by micro-thin-layer chromatography

A method for the determination of plasmalogen, alkylacyl and diacyl glycerophospholipids based on mild alkaline deacylation and acid hydrolysis of plasmalogens on plates with subsequent micro-thin-layer chromatography on silica gel is presented. It is effective in quantifying alkyl and alkenyl analogues of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine at concentrations up to 0.1% (of the total of the forms in individual classes of phospholipids.     

High-resolution analysis by nano-electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry for the identification of molecular species of phospholipids and their oxidized metabolites

Nano-electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS) was applied to identify the molecular species of phosphatidylethanolamine of Caenorhabditis elegans, which has a high concentration of phospholipids with a fatty acyl chain having an odd number of carbon atoms. The molecular species of diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine with one fatty acyl chain having an odd number of carbon atoms and one fatty acyl chain having an even number of carbon atoms was identified separately from alkyl-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine with an alkyl chain having an even number of carbon atoms and a fatty acyl chain having an even number of carbon atoms. Furthermore, nano-ESI-FTICRMS was applied to the direct identification of oxidized phosphatidylcholine from soybean. The mass peaks of individual molecular species of oxidative phosphatidylcholine, such as 34:3 diacyl phosphatidylcholine with peroxide (+2O) (m/z 788.544) or 34:2 diacyl phosphatidylcholine with peroxide (+2O) (m/z 790.560), can be separated from the peaks of the molecular species of the non-oxidative phospholipids. This suggests that the mass peaks with a difference of less than 0.1 mass units in their molecular weight can be separated and that their individual exact molecular compositions can be obtained by the FTICRMS analysis. The high resolution and high accuracy of FTICRMS are very effective in the analysis of molecular species of phospholipids and their derivatives.