Improved simultaneous gas-chromatographic analysis for homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid in urine.

We describe an improved gas-chromatographic method for the simultaneous quantitation of the catecholamine metabolites, homovanillic acid (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) and vanillylmandelic acid (3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid). Our improvements in the method of Muskiet et al. (Clin. Chem. 23: 863, 1977) include a shorter program time and a longer silylation interval. Recovery and precision data obtained by this improved technique are similar to those of Muskiet et al. Vanillylmandelic acid results (y) were compared with those by the method of Pisano et al. (Clin. Chim. Acta 7: 285, 1962). The relation is expressed by the equation y = 0.52 + 1.05x (Sy . x = 2.33 mg/24 h and r = 0.997). Results for homovanillic acid (y) were compared with those by the method of Knight and Haymond (Clin. Chem. 23: 2007, 1977); the equation was y = 0.84 + 0.90x (Sy . x = 2.04 and r = 0.97). Retention times are also reported for several phenolic acids and other related compounds found in urine.