THE IDENTIFICATION OF SALICYLATES AS NORMAL CONSTITUENTS OF SERUM - ALINK BETWEEN DIET AND HEALTH

Aim-To examine sera for the presence of salicylic acid and 2,3- and 2, 5-dihydroxybenzoic acids (2,3- and 2,5-DHBA), in individuals not takin g salicylate drugs. Methods-Extracts of acidified serum samples were a nalysed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The chromatographic conditions were altered, and the reten tion times of the unknown compounds compared against authentic salicyl ic acid, 2,3-DHBA, and 2,5-DHBA. Serum samples (some spiked with salic ylic acid) were incubated with salicylate hydroxylase and analyses und ertaken. An extract of acidified serum was derivatised using N-methyl- N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide and the salicylic acid derivative i dentified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results-Salicylic a cid, 2,3-DHBA, and 2,5-DHBA were identified as being normal constituen ts of serum. Conclusions-Salicylic acid, 2,3-DHBA, and 2,5-DHBA posses s anti-inflammatory properties. The finding that these compounds are p resent as normal constituents of serum, possibly arising from diet, ra ises important questions as to their role in the promotion of health.