Measurement of ascorbic acid in single human neutrophils by capillary zone electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.

A method has been developed for the determination of ascorbic acid (AA) in individual human neutrophils by capillary zone electrophoresis with electrochemical detection at a carbon fiber microdisk bundle electrode. The natively easily oxidized substances such as glutathione, dopa, dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine do not interfere with the determination of ascorbic acid. A procedure of treating capillaries, which can overcome the influence of the adsorption of the substances in cells on the inner surface wall of the capillary on the migration time and the number of theoretical plates of interests, has been described. The average amount of AA in an individual neutrophil is 0.557 fmol, which is consistent with the literature value.