Determination of folate derivatives in rat tissues during folate deficiency.

A method for the sensitive and specific determination of folate derivatives was developed. The method involves hydrolysis by gamma-glutamyl hydrolase and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The method was applied to measure the change in the level of folate derivatives in the liver, kidney, spleen and brain of rats during folate deficiency. 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydrofolic acid was the major folate derivative in the liver, kidney, spleen and brain. Total concentration of folate derivatives decreased from the second week of folate deficiency in the liver, kidney, spleen and brain followed by anemia, which appeared at the fifth week. The level of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid in the brain did not change during folate deficiency, but it significantly decreased in the liver, kidney and spleen.