Measurement of cations, anions, and acetate in serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and tissue by ion chromatography

Physiol Rep. 2018 Apr;6(7):e13666. doi: 10.14814/phy2.13666.

Abstract

Accurate quantification of cations and anions remains a major diagnostic tool in understanding diseased states. The current technologies used for these analyses are either unable to quantify all ions due to sample size/volume, instrument setup/method, or are only able to measure ion concentrations from one physiological sample (liquid or solid). Herein, we adapted a common analytical chemistry technique, ion chromatography and applied it to measure the concentration of cations; sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium (Na+ , K+ , Ca2+ , and Mg2+ ) and anions; chloride, and acetate (Cl- , - OAc) from physiological samples. Specifically, cations and anions were measured in liquid samples: serum, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, as well as tissue samples: liver, cortex, hypothalamus, and amygdala. Serum concentrations of Na+ , K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , Cl- , and - OAc (mmol/L): 138.8 ± 4.56, 4.05 ± 0.21, 4.07 ± 0.26, 0.98 ± 0.05, 97.7 ± 3.42, and 0.23 ± 0.04, respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of Na+ , K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , Cl- , and - OAc (mmol/L): 145.1 ± 2.81, 2.41 ± 0.26, 2.18 ± 0.38, 1.04 ± 0.11, 120.2 ± 3.75, 0.21 ± 0.05, respectively. Tissue Na+ , K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , Cl- , and - OAc were also measured. Validation of the ion chromatography method was established by comparing chloride concentration between ion chromatography with a known method using an ion selective chloride electrode. These results indicate that ion chromatography is a suitable method for the measurement of cations and anions, including acetate from various physiological samples.

Keywords: Anion; cations; electrolyte; ion chromatography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / analysis*
  • Animals
  • Anions / analysis*
  • Cations / analysis*
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange / methods*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Anions
  • Cations