Measurement of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and hydroxy fatty acids by stable isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A method for measurement of PGF2 alpha, PGE1, PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, TXB2, 2,3-dinor-TXB2 as well as 5-, 8-, 9-, 11-, 12-, 15-HETE and HHT, utilizing negative ion chemical ionization GC/MS is presented. A highly efficient separation and purification procedure prior to the derivatization sequence allows quantification of the arachidonic acid metabolites described in two GC/MS runs. The detection limit was in the femtomole range. Application of the method to the quantitative profiling of arachidonic acid metabolites in various tissues and incubation media is demonstrated.