Multi-component analyses of human body fluids and tissue in health and disease using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis.

Glass capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis have been used in combination to achieve multi-component analyses of human serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and various tumours. The analytical system covers both low- and high-molecular-weight constituents, that is, metabolites and proteins. Over 1000 compounds can be separated in a single sample of a few milligrams. The techniques have been used to study changes in the biochemical composition of body fluids and tissues in different human diseases: metabolic disorder, neurological disorders and certain types of cancer. The new multi-component analytical approach, now in its early stages, may have considerable potential in biomedical research and diagnosis.