IMPROVED HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF 3-METHYLHISTIDINE IN SERUM AND URINE

We optimized an high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of 3-methylhistidine (3-MeHis) in biological fluids. After pre-column derivatization with OPA, analytical separation was achieved on a reversed-phase C18 column by a simple gradient between sodium propionate buffer and acetonitrile. The method is accurate, reproducible and sensitive, and allows the determination of urinary 3-MeHis levels in about 55 min. Other additional 16 amino acids may be easily quantified while the 3-MeHis peak is well resolved from an unknown urinary compound potentially interfering.