Quantitative determination of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha released by rat aorta: comparison of mass fragmentography and high resolution gas chromatography with electron capture detection.

Mass fragmentography (MF) and high resolution gas chromatography with electron capture detection (HRGC-ECD) were used for measuring 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin (PGI2) released by fresh rings of rat aorta, incubated in the absence of the precursors arachidonic acid or prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGH2). The incubation medium was acidified, extracted, chromatographed on silicic acid column and derivatized. Comparable results were obtained analyzing each sample by MF and HRGC-ECD. Both methods proved to be suitable in terms of sensitivity and specificity for the measurement of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha produce by individual rat aortae.