Free and total putrescine in cerebrospinal fluid quantified by reversed-phase liquid chromatography.

This is a simple, rapid, sensitive method for routine quantification of the polyamine putrescine (1,4-diaminobutane) in cerebrospinal fluid. Sample preparation involves protein precipitation, acid hydrolysis for 18 h (if total putrescine is to be measured), pre-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde, and extraction into acetonitrile. The derivative is separated and quantified by "high-performance" liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase C18 radial-compression column. A single chromatographic run takes less than 18 min. Putrescine concentrations as low as 50 nmol/L in cerebrospinal fluid can be detected.