VMA, HVA, 5-HIAA in Urine - HPLC
No pH-adjustment necessary
Suitable for automated sample preparation
2 Internal standards available
CE-IVD validated product ready for IVDR within timeframes and transition periods specified by the IVDR-2022 regulation


5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA)
Homovanillic Acid (HVA)
Vanillylmandelic Acid(VMA)
Clinical Relevance
Neuroblastoma is a neoplastic disease that is among the most common malignant cancers occurring during childhood. It is a neuroendocrine tumour resulting in higher excretion of the catecholamine metabolites vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the urine. Therefore verification of these parameters is critical in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma.
In contrast, increased concentrations of hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) detected in the urine are an indication of a carcinoid tumour. The malignant reproduction of enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract leads to increased production of the tissue hormone serotonin, whose primary metabolite is 5-HIAA.
Product advantages
- Simple and reliable sample preparation
- Two internal standards if desired
- Automated sample preparation for Gilson® ASPEC™ is available
This kit enables routine HPLC determination of VMA, HVA and 5-HIAA in urine. Simple and safe operation guarantees reliable and reproducible results. An additional, optional internal standard (HICA) is also available for especially high precision in the determination of 5-HIAA.
Method of Analysis | HPLC |
---|---|
Number of Tests | 100 |
Please note | The freely available information on this website, in particular on the sample preparation, are not sufficient to work with our products. Please read instructions and warning notices on products and/or instruction manuals. |
Lower Limit of Quantification | VMA, HVA, 5-HIAA: 0.5 mg/l |
Upper Limit of Quantification | VMA: up to 78 mg/l |
Recovery | VMA: 70 %; HVA: 82 %; 5-HIAA: 66 % |
Intraassay | CV < 4 % |
Interassay | CV < 5 % |
Run Time | < 18 min |
Specimen | 24 h urine; spontaneous urine (refer the data to urine creatinine) |
Pre-analytic Treatment | Determination of VMA/HVA Collect urine in 10 ml HCl 25 %, pH < 4
Determination of 5-HIAA Collect urine in 10 ml glacial acetic acid, pH 4 - 6 |
Sample Preparation |
|
Sample Stability | VMA, HVA: at +2 to +8 °C at least 5 days. 5-HIAA: at +2 to +8 °C in the dark max. 3 days. Aliquot and freeze below -18 °C for longer storage. |
Injection Volume | 10-20 µl |
Flow Rate | 1 ml/min |
Column Temperature | ambient (~25 °C) |
Additional Info | For the HPLC analysis of VMA, HVA and 5-HIAA in urine any isocratic HPLC system with electrochemical detector is suitable. |
Parameter | 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA) |
Potential | approx. +760 mV |


5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA)
Homovanillic Acid (HVA)
Vanillylmandelic Acid(VMA)
Clinical Relevance
Neuroblastoma is a neoplastic disease that is among the most common malignant cancers occurring during childhood. It is a neuroendocrine tumour resulting in higher excretion of the catecholamine metabolites vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the urine. Therefore verification of these parameters is critical in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma.
In contrast, increased concentrations of hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) detected in the urine are an indication of a carcinoid tumour. The malignant reproduction of enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract leads to increased production of the tissue hormone serotonin, whose primary metabolite is 5-HIAA.
Product advantages
- Simple and reliable sample preparation
- Two internal standards if desired
- Automated sample preparation for Gilson® ASPEC™ is available
This kit enables routine HPLC determination of VMA, HVA and 5-HIAA in urine. Simple and safe operation guarantees reliable and reproducible results. An additional, optional internal standard (HICA) is also available for especially high precision in the determination of 5-HIAA.
Method of Analysis | HPLC |
---|---|
Number of Tests | 100 |
Please note | The freely available information on this website, in particular on the sample preparation, are not sufficient to work with our products. Please read instructions and warning notices on products and/or instruction manuals. |
Lower Limit of Quantification | VMA, HVA, 5-HIAA: 0.5 mg/l |
Upper Limit of Quantification | VMA: up to 78 mg/l |
Recovery | VMA: 70 %; HVA: 82 %; 5-HIAA: 66 % |
Intraassay | CV < 4 % |
Interassay | CV < 5 % |
Run Time | < 18 min |
Specimen | 24 h urine; spontaneous urine (refer the data to urine creatinine) |
Pre-analytic Treatment | Determination of VMA/HVA Collect urine in 10 ml HCl 25 %, pH < 4
Determination of 5-HIAA Collect urine in 10 ml glacial acetic acid, pH 4 - 6 |
Sample Preparation |
|
Sample Stability | VMA, HVA: at +2 to +8 °C at least 5 days. 5-HIAA: at +2 to +8 °C in the dark max. 3 days. Aliquot and freeze below -18 °C for longer storage. |
Injection Volume | 10-20 µl |
Flow Rate | 1 ml/min |
Column Temperature | ambient (~25 °C) |
Additional Info | For the HPLC analysis of VMA, HVA and 5-HIAA in urine any isocratic HPLC system with electrochemical detector is suitable. |
Parameter | 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA) |
Potential | approx. +760 mV |