A method for the measurement of ultra-low amounts of prostaglandins in inflammatory exudates using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

A GC-MS assay for PGE2 and PGF2alpha has been described. The method is highly specific and sensitive down to the sub-picogram level. The assay has been used to measure the time dependence of PG concentration in carrageenan-induced inflammatory exudates and the results compared with a bioassay. Estimates of the extraction and purification yield of PGs from exudates have also been obtained.