Gas chromatography/mass spectrometric determination of folic acid coenzymes

摘要

A method for determination of in vivo concentrations in a body fluid of one or more folate co-enzymes is provided including the steps of (a) combining a known amount of at least one folate internal standard with a body fluid collected in vitro, said body fluid containing at least one co- enzyme; (b) at least partially purifying the endogenous and internal standard folates from other components in the in vitro body fluid; (c) quantitating the endogenous folate coenzymes in the purified in vitro body fluid of step (b) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis; and (d) determining the in vivo concentration of folate coenzymes by correcting the quantitated in vitro endogenous concentrations for endogenous losses as reflected by the losses in the known amounts of the internal standards. Quantitation of total folates or single folate co- enzymes aids in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of clinical conditions involving folate deficiencies including megaloblastic anemia, neurological and psychiatric disorders and vitamin B.sub.12 deficiency.