Isotope dilution analysis of methylcitric acid in amniotic fluid for the prenatal diagnosis of propionic and methylmalonic acidemia

Gordon Naylor, Lawrence Sweetman, William L. Nyhan, Cecil Hornbeck, John Griffiths, Lars Mörch, Svante Brandänge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

A stable isotope dilution assay for methylcitric acid in amniotic fluid was developed to provide rapid prenatal diagnosis of the inherited disorders propionic acidemia and methylmalonic acidemia. The method utilizes two 2H3-labeled diastereoisomers of methylcitric acid as internal standards, isolation by liquid partition chromatography and quantitation of the trimethyl esters by chemical ionization selected ion monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Methylcitric acid at a concentration of 0.38 ± 0.10 μmol/1 was detected in normal amniotic fluid. Highly elevated levels of 7.87 and 9.16 μmol were found in the fluids surrounding fetuses affected with propionic acidemia and levels of 1.79, 2.72 and 12.27 μmol were found for fetuses with methylmalonic acidemia. Methylcitric acid was not elevated in the amniotic fluid of a fetus heterozygous for propionic acidemia. In the five pregnancies at risk for propionic acidemia, and three pregnancies at risk for methylmalonic acidemia, the levels of methylcitric acid in amniotic fluid gave the diagnosis in all cases. Measurement of methylcitric acid in amniotic fluid therefore provides a rapid and reliable method for the prenatal diagnosis of these genetic disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)175-183
Number of pages9
JournalClinica Chimica Acta
Volume107
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1980
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

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