Fast HPLC estimation of gamma-aminobutyric acid in microdialysis perfusates: effect of nipecotic and 3-mercaptopropionic acids.

A method for rapid, automated (less than 5 min), and sensitive (detection limit 50 fmol/10 microliter) determination of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is described. The method is based on precolumn derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde/t-butylthiol reagent and separation by reverse-phase HPLC with electrochemical detection under isocratic conditions. A 100 X 4 mm Nucleosil 3 C18 column was used; the mobile phase consisted of 0.15 M sodium acetate, 1 mM EDTA (pH 5.4), and 50% acetonitrile; the flow rate was 0.8 ml/min. The potential of the glassy carbon working electrode was +0.75 V. The method allows for the monitoring of GABA levels in the extracellular fluid sampled by microdialysis as documented in the present study when 0.5 mM nipecotic acid is infused via the probe, or 3-mercaptopropionic acid is injected at a dose of 100 mg/kg i.p. There was a 15-fold increase of extracellular GABA after nipecotic acid, whereas in the second case the inhibition of GABA synthesis was followed by a 74% decrease of GABA as compared to basal levels.