SPECIFIC AND RAPID QUANTIFICATION OF 8-ISO-PROSTAGLANDIN F2-ALPHA IN URINE OF HEALTHY HUMANS AND PATIENTS WITH ZELLWEGER-SYNDROME BY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY TANDEM MASS-SPECTROMETRY

8-iso-Prostaglandin F-2 alpha (8-iso-PGF(2 alpha)) is currently discus sed as a potential index parameter of oxidative stress in vivo. We des cribe in this article a fully validated gas chromatographic-tandem mas s spectrometric method for the quantitative determination of 8-iso-PGF (2 alpha) in human urine. The method is highly specific and requires a single thin-layer chromatographic step for sample purification. Inter - and intraday imprecision were below 8%. Mean inaccuracy was 5.3% for added levels of 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha) up to 2000 pg/ml of urine. We meas ured highly elevated excretion of 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha) in the urine of c hildren with peroxisomal beta-oxidation deficiency, i.e. Zellweger syn drome, (63.3+/-16.6 ng/mg creatinine) compared to that of healthy chil dren (0.51+/-0.16 ng/mg creatinine) (mean+/-S.D., both n=5). The metho d could be useful for diagnosing Zellweger syndrome and for investigat ing the utility of 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha) as a novel marker for oxidative stress in vivo in man. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.