Identification of aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer in human plasma

Aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer (AECK-DD) is a natural sul fur-containing tricyclic compound detected, until now, in human urine and b ovine cerebellum. Recently, the antioxidant properties of this compound, an d particularly its protective effect on the in vitro oxidation of low-densi ty lipoproteinsi have been demonstrated. In this paper, the identification of AECK-DD in human plasma by means of gas chromatography. high-performance liquid chromatography and ps chromatography-mass spectrometry, performed a fter a simple and fast purification procedure, is reported. (C) 1999 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.