Up-to-date knowledge about analytical methods for homocysteine thiolactone determination in biological samples

Over twenty-years clinical studies have established that homocysteine thiolactone (HTL) is involved in a number of health disorders, including civilization diseases. Nevertheless, the role of HTL in health and disease is not fully understood. So far, HTL presence have been documented in humans and a number of variety animals' plasma, urine and saliva. Despite this fact, its quantification in biological samples still remains challenging. This overview summarizes all documented analytical methods that can be used for quantification of HTL in biological samples. In particular, work focuses on pre-analytical treatment strategies and assays based on separation techniques that were applied to samples of clinical importance. Some experimental details of all analytical procedures are reviewed. Moreover, advantages, pitfalls and limitations of all mentioned methods are discussed. It also outlines the origin of HTL and its main me-tabolites, and an association between civilization diseases and sulfur-containing compounds' metabolism disorders as these subjects have been already covered in great details in numerous excellent papers. Hopefully, the review which is addressed to early stage and experienced scientist, will stimulate further interest in the field.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.