ANALYSIS OF WATER-SOLUBLE ANTIOXIDANTS BY HIGH-PRESSURE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

The measurement of endogenous substances that function as biological a ntioxidants is of importance because the values obtained might be an i ndex of future health. We quantified three water-soluble antioxidants by high-pressure liquid chromategraphy with electrochemical detection (h.p.l.c.-e.c.). Current-voltage relationships made at various setting s of the D2 porous graphite electrode help to identify ascorbic acid, glutathione and uric acid. The antioxidants are determined simultaneou sly and without need for derivatization. The method is seen to be usef ul for comparison of normal rat liver with liver that had undergone ox idative stress through ischaemia. Antioxidant levels in liver, kidney, pancreas and intestinal mucosa are presented and compared with litera ture values. Endogenous contents of oxidized forms of ascorbic acid an d glutathione become apparent following exposure of tissue samples to a strong reluctant such as 2-mercapthoethanol.