Determination of N-(3-acetamidopropyl)pyrrolidin-2-one, a metabolite of spermidine, in urine by isotope dilution mass fragmentography.

A capillary gas chromatographic method with mass spectrometric detection for the determination of N-(3-acetamidopropyl)pyrrolidin-2-one, the monoacetyl conjugate of isoputreanine-gamma-lactam, in urine has been developed. Using a quantification based on stable isotope dilution mass fragmentography, age-dependent normal values for the urinary excretion of N-(3-acetamidopropyl)pyrrolidin-2-one by 44 apparently healthy control subjects were determined. Quality control data and normal values for 27 adults are given. The method was applied to the monitoring of the chemotherapeutic treatment of two patients with high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma.