A simple and rapid HPLC-MS method for the simultaneous determination of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine: application to the secretion of bovine chromaffin cell cultures.

This method simultaneously determines epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine by HPLC coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry, using bovine chromaffin cells to test xenobiotic neurotoxicity and the secretion alterations of these neurotransmitters as endpoint. Chromatographic separation was developed by injecting the sample without previous treatment into a reversed-phase column. The signal was recorded in selected ion mode. The lowest limit of detection was found for hydroxytryptamine, while the highest limit was for norepinephrine. The feasibility of the proposed method was checked by performing measurements of neurotransmitters during the assessment the effect of mipafox on the basal and potassium-induced secretions of chromaffin cell cultures.