Gas-chromatographic method for plasma acetate analysis in acetate-intolerance studies.

We describe a modified gas-chromatographic method for acetate in serum or plasma, intended for use in the investigation of acetate intolerance in hemodialysis patients. The assay may be adapted for use with a single-column gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. The analysis, made isothermally, requires only 0.5 ml of plasma or serum. Only one deproteinizing step is required to prepare the sample for analysis. Additionally, we present preliminary findings of an ongoing acetate-intolerance study.