Use of a single compartment LCEC cell in the determinations of biogenic amine content and turnover

Content and specific radioactivity of the biogenic monoamines and content of their precursors and metabolites were simultaneously determined in CNS tissue extracts with a high pressure liquid chromatography system (HPLC). The content of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin. 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethyleneglycol and the turnover rate of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin were measured in discrete rat brain regions using a one compartment electrochemical detector cell coupled to a C18-reverse phase HPLC column. The small fluid volume dead space of the cell allows the direct and precise collection of individual peaks for determining specific radioactivites. This method is especially suitable for central nervous system tissue samples from 8–20 mg wet weight and the sensitivity of the system in its routine configuration is approximately 2 pmol. This method for determinations of turnover is appropriate for investigations of animals in sensitive behavioral paradigms.