Determination of ionic metabolites from ethylene glycol in human blood by isotachophoresis.

Conditions for isotachophoretic determination of anionic metabolites in blood from ethylene glycol in poisoned humans were established. Leading electrolytes with 5 mM chloride and and 2.5 gave good separation. Optimal separation was found with leading electrolytes at pH 2.5, and 10 mM acetic acid as terminating electrolyte. Separation and quantification of four out of six metabolites were possible. The four were glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, oxalic acid and formic acid. Besides these compounds, citric acid, lactic acid, and alpha- and beta-hydroxybutyric acid were separated and quantified. The formation of mixed zones did not give any serious problems, although in samples with high amounts of glycolic acid we had to reduce the maximum injected amount from 3 to 1 microliter. This method might be valuable in further studies of the mechanism of ethylene glycol toxicity and as an important supplement in the diagnosis of late stages of ethylene glycol poisoning in which the glycol has been metabolized to glycolic acid.