Hydroxy acid metabolites of branched-chain amino acids in amniotic fluid

Cornells Jakobs, Lawrence Sweetman, William L. Nyhan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

A method is described in which ammonia chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was utilized in the selected ion monitoring mode to provide an accurate, selective approach to the quantification in amniotic fluid of a number of hydroxylated organic acids derived from the metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids. 2-Hydroxy-n-caproic acid was employed as an internal standard and the hydroxy acids were isolated from amniotic fluid by liquid partition chromatography and the trimethylsilyl derivatives were quantified. Normal values have been obtained for 2-hydroxyisovaleric acid, the sum of 2-hydroxyisocaproic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-methylvaleric acid, 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid and 2-ethyl-3-hydroxypropionic acid. The method also provides data on the concentration of methylmalonic acid. The concentration of 2-hydroxyisovaleric acid was not useful in the prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with maple syrup urine disease. Elevated concentrations of 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid as well as methylmalonic acid were found in the amniotic fluid of two fetuses with methylmalonic acidemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)157-166
Number of pages10
JournalClinica Chimica Acta
Volume140
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 16 1984
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amniotic fluid
  • Branched - chain amino acids
  • Hydroxy acids
  • Maple syrup urine disease
  • Methylmalonic acid
  • Prenatal diagnosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hydroxy acid metabolites of branched-chain amino acids in amniotic fluid'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this