High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Assay of D-Glucose in Erythrocytes

Abstract

A procedure is presented after several attempts with different modes of chromatography for measuring high concentrations of d-glucose in erythrocytes. The procedure utilizes rapid deproteinization of hemolysate by mixing with acetonitrile. The supernatant is analyzed by strong cation exchange chromatography, using an Organic Analysis Column. Separation conditions are: eluent = 0.01 N H₂SO₄, flow rate = 0.6 ml/min, detection = 195nm at 0.05 AUFS, sample size = 20 μl and temperature = ambient. The coefficients of variation for 5 mg/ml samples were (within-run) 6.7%, and (day-to-day) 7.1%. This study shows the presence of a high concentration (1900 mg/dl) of d-glucose within the erythrocytes as a result of a high external d-glucose concentration (2000 mg/dl) in plasma, and suggests that d-glucose is rapidly transported into the cell.