ABSTRACT
Analysis of biofluids can provide a window into the biochemical status of a living organism. The composition of a given biofluid is changed according to the level of function of the cells that are intimately concerned with its manufacture and secretion. For this reason, as described elsewhere in this volume, the composition of a particular fluid carries biochemical information on many of the modes and severity of organ dysfunction whether due to beneficial or adverse drug effects or disease processes. Dietary and diurnal variations may also influence biofluid compositions. One of the most successful
approaches to biofluid analysis has been the application of NMR spectroscopy (1,2) with the technique described in detail in Chapter 3. In addition to analytical applications, it is possible to obtain a detailed understanding of the interactions of the various components in the whole biological matrix, such as enzymatic biotransformations, metal complexation reactions, binding of small molecules to macromolecules, and cellular and micellar compartmentation which occur in different biofluids to varying degrees.
