A micro-immuno supported liquid membrane assay (mu-ISLMA)

A chemiluminescent (CL) based micro-immuno supported liquid membrane assay (mu-ISLMA) has been developed that enables clean up, enrichment and detection of simazine in a single miniaturised cartridge system. The mu-ISLM cartridge contains a supported liquid membrane (SLM) sandwiched between a donor and an acceptor plate (channel volumes 1.65 microL), the latter being covered by a thin layer of gold on to which anti-simazine antibodies were covalently immobilised via a self assembled monolayer (SAM) of either dithiobis(11-aminoundecane, hydrochloride) (DTAU) or beta-mercaptoethylamine (beta-MEA). The mu-ISLMA based on DTAU was characterised by both a high apparent extraction efficiency (E(app) = 136%) and high apparent enrichment factor (E(e)(app) = 544), which resulted in a very high sensitivity for simazine (LOD = 0.1 ng L(-1)). The paper discusses the influence of the different SAMs and three different anti-simazine-antibody preparations (polyclonal, affinity purified polyclonal and monoclonal) on the extraction parameters and assay sensitivity. The influence of the sample matrix (e.g. mineral water, orange juice and milk) on the simazine mu-ISLMA was also investigated.     

Multi-analyte assay for triazines using cross-reactive antibodies and neural networks

A biosensor system based on total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) was used to discriminate a mixture of the triazines atrazine and simazine. Only cross-reactive antibodies were available for these two analytes. The biosensor is fully automated and can be regenerated allowing several hundreds of measurements without any user input. Even a remote control for online monitoring in the field is possible. The multivariate calibration of the sensor signal was performed using artificial neural networks, as the relationship between the sensor signals and the concentration of the analytes is highly non-linear. For the development of a multi-analyte immunoassay consisting of two polyclonal antibodies with cross-reactivity to atrazine and simazine and different derivatives immobilised on the transducer surface, the binding characteristics between these substances like binding capacity and cross-reactivity were characterised. The examination of three different measurement procedures showed that a two-step measurement using only one antibody per step allows a quantification of both analytes in a mixture with limits of detection of 0.2 microg/l for atrazine and 0.3 microg/l for simazine. The biosensor is suitable for online monitoring in the field and remote control is possible.     

The impact of two pesticides on olfactory-mediated endocrine function in mature male Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr

Short-term exposure of the olfactory epithelium of mature male Atlantic salmon parr to either the pesticide simazine (concentrations 1.0 and 2.0 microg l(-1)) or the pesticide atrazine (concentration 1.0 microg l(-1)) significantly reduced the olfactory response to the female priming pheromone, prostaglandin F(2alpha). In addition, the reproductive priming effect of the pheromone on the levels of expressible milt was also reduced after exposure to the individual pesticides (simazine 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 microg l(-1) and atrazine 0.5 and 2.0 microg l(-1)). When the olfactory epithelium was exposed to a mixture of simazine and atrazine, (concentrations of 0.5:0.5 and 1.0:1.0 microg l(-1)), there was no significant reduction in the olfactory response when compared to the single pesticides at equivalent concentrations. In addition, exposure to a mixture of simazine and atrazine had no synergistic effect on the priming response, and plasma levels of testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and 17,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one were similar in the groups of male parr exposed to the individual pesticides. Although the levels of expressible milt were reduced in all groups, there were no significant differences between the different pesticide treatments. The results of the study suggest that the two s-triazine pesticides have an additive and not a synergistic impact on olfactory-mediated endocrine function in mature male salmon parr.     

Removing formaldehyde from embalmed cadavers by percolating the body cavities with dilute ethanol

Formaldehyde was removed from embalmed animal cadavers by pumping ethanol (20%) through the pleural and peritoneal cavities of 4 goats, 4 cows and 4 horses. The goats were percolated intermittently for 7 days and the large animals continuously for 72 h. Just after opening the body cavities, samples of air close to the organs were collected and analyzed for formaldehyde using a spectrofluorimetric method. The concentration of formaldehyde in the air samples was in goats 0.45 +/- 0.44 microgram/l (mean +/- SD), cows 0.42 +/- 0.29 microgram/l and horses 0.43 +/- 0.25 microgram/l.     

A highly sensitive flow-through amperometric immunosensor based on the Peroxidase chip and enzyme-channeling principle

A concept based on the Peroxidase-chip (P-chip), antibody co-immobilization, competitive and enzyme-channeling principle was exploited to develop an integrated flow-through amperometric biosensor for detection of environmental pollutants such as s-triazine herbicides. In this concept, recombinant peroxidase is immobilized on the gold electrode (P-chip) in such a way that direct electron transfer is achieved. The recognition and quantitation the target analyte is realized through the competition between the simazine-glucose oxidase (GOD) conjugate and free simazine for the binding sites of the monoclonal antibody co-immobilized with peroxidase on the gold electrode. The arrangement allows to generate a specific signal in the presence of glucose through the channeling of H2O2 produced by GOD conjugate bound to the antibody. The immunosensor exhibited 50% signal decrease (IC50 value) at approximately 0.02 microg l(-1). A concentration of 0.1 ng l(-1) gave a signal clearly distinguishable from the blank whereas the ELISA using the same antibody had a typical detection limit of about 1 microg l(-1), which is four orders of magnitude higher compared to the presented biosensor system. The results demonstrated that gene engineering biomolecules, in this case recombinant peroxidase, might be attractive reagents for the development of electrochemical immunosensors.     

Movement of simazine in runoff water and weed control from citrus orchard as affected by reduced rate of herbicide application

Simazine (6-chloro-N,N'-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and diuron (N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea) are applied as pre-emergence herbicides to control weeds in over 45,000 hectare of citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Growers usually apply 2.0 kg active ingredient (ai) ha(-1) simazine and 2.0 kg ai ha(-1) diuron together in the fall and winter seasons. Surface water and groundwater contamination, ecological, and health damage have led to increased regulatory attention and a search for changes in current weed management practices. Reduced application rate of simazine on runoff losses generated by simulated rainfall was studied in experiment 1. Treatments included a control without herbicide application and application of herbicides at 0.5, 1.0, 1.25 and 2.0 kg ai ha(-1). Three generated runoff events were produced using simulated rainfall with 540 l water. For each simulated rainfall event, the simazine concentration in runoff water was greatest at the first volumetric sampling interval, decreasing gradually in subsequent samples. Simazine concentration in runoff water for the three runoff events was undetectable for the control treatment. For the first simulated rainfall event, simazine concentrations in runoff water averaged 0.55, 1.07, 1.27, and 2.12 mg l(-1) for treatments receiving 0.5, 1.0, 1.25 and 2.0 kg ai ha(-1) herbicide application, respectively; simazine concentration in runoff water from the second event one week later averaged 0.16, 0.27, 0.36, and 0.58 kg ai ha(-1) and two weeks later the concentration was reduced to 0.05, 0.10, 0.14 and 0.22 mg l(-1), respectively. Total simazine mass recovered in runoff water from the three simulated rainfall events was estimated approximately 13.8, 26.3, 32.3 and 53.8 g ha(-1) for the treatments receiving herbicide application at 0.5, 1.0, 1.25 and 2.0 kg ai ha(-1), respectively. Field evaluation of weed density showed that pre-emergence herbicides applied at reduced rates (1.0 and 1.25 kg ai ha(-1)) were as effective as the standard rate (2.0 kg ai ha(-1)) for weed control in experiment 2.     

Normal values for some whole blood and serum components of grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops).

Normal values for a number of blood components of grivet monkeys are reported. Haematological data and values for glucose, cholesterol and urea are similar to those of rhesus monkeys. Activities of alkaline phosphatase (1526 U/l), glutamine oxaloacetate transaminase (30.9 U/l), glutamine pyruvate transaminase (13.7 U/l), lactate dehydrogenase (629 U/l), alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (175 U/l), creatine phosphokinase (227 U/l), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (38.7 U/l) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (14.2 U/l), and levels of lysozyme (178 mg/dl), zinc (162 microgram/dl), copper (81.3 microgram/dl) and iron (296.5 microgram/dl) have not previously been reported for this animal. Values for serum amino acids, proteins, electrolytes, triglycerides and creatinine are compared with those of other primates.     

On-line clean-up by multidimensional liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for high throughput quantification of primary and secondary phthalate metabolites in human urine

We developed a new and fast multidimensional on-line HPLC-method for the quantitative determination of the secondary, chain oxidized monoester metabolites of diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), 5-hydroxy-mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (5OH-MEHP) and 5-oxo-mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (5oxo-MEHP) in urine samples from the general population. Also included in the method were the simple monoester metabolites of DEHP, dioctylphthalate (DOP), dibutylphthalate (DBP), butylbenzylphthalate (BBzP) and diethylphthalate (DEP). Except for enzymatic hydrolysis for deconjugation of the metabolites no further sample pre-treatment step is necessary. The phthalate metabolites are stripped from urinary matrix by on-line extraction on a restricted access material (LiChrospher((R)) ADS-8) precolumn, transferred in backflush-mode and chromatographically resolved by reversed-phase HPLC. Eluting metabolites are detected by ESI-tandem mass spectrometry in negative ionization mode and quantified by isotope dilution. Within a total run time of 25 min we can selectively and sensitively quantify seven urinary metabolites of six commonly occurring phthalate diesters including the controversial di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). The detection limits for all analytes are in the low ppb range (0.5-2.0 microgram/l urine). First results on a small non-exposed group (n=8) ranged for 5OH-MEHP from 0.59 to 124 microgram/l, for 5oxo-MEHP from 相似文献   

Assessment of iron stores in inflammation by assay of serum ferritin concentrations.

A serum ferritin concentration of below 15 microgram/l is accepted as indicating diminished iron reserves in an otherwise normal person. In patients with inflammatory disease this lower limit of normality may be inappropriate as inflammation may directly stimulate the production of ferritin protein. Results obtained in a survey of 150 patients with early inflammatory joint disease suggest that a ferritin concentration of 55 microgram/l is a more appropriate lower limit of normality.     

The role of folic acid and Vitamin B12 in genomic stability of human cells

Folic acid plays a critical role in the prevention of chromosome breakage and hypomethylation of DNA. This activity is compromised when Vitamin B12 (B12) concentration is low because methionine synthase activity is reduced, lowering the concentration of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) which in turn may diminish DNA methylation and cause folate to become unavailable for the conversion of dUMP to dTMP. The most plausible explanation for the chromosome-breaking effect of low folate is excessive uracil misincorporation into DNA, a mutagenic lesion that leads to strand breaks in DNA during repair. Both in vitro and in vivo studies with human cells clearly show that folate deficiency causes expression of chromosomal fragile sites, chromosome breaks, excessive uracil in DNA, micronucleus formation and DNA hypomethylation. In vivo studies show that Vitamin B12 deficiency and elevated plasma homocysteine are significantly correlated with increased micronucleus formation. In vitro experiments indicate that genomic instability in human cells is minimised when folic acid concentration in culture medium is >227nmol/l. Intervention studies in humans show: (a) that DNA hypomethylation, chromosome breaks, uracil misincorporation and micronucleus formation are minimised when red cell folate concentration is >700nmol/l folate; and (b) micronucleus formation is minimised when plasma concentration of Vitamin B12 is >300pmol/l and plasma homocysteine is <7.5micromol/l. These concentrations are achievable at intake levels in excess of current RDIs i.e. more than 200-400microgram folic acid per day and more than 2microgram Vitamin B12 per day. A placebo-controlled study with a dose-response suggests that based on the micronucleus index in lymphocytes, an RDI level of 700microgram/day for folic acid and 7microgram/day for Vitamin B12 would be appropriate for genomic stability in young adults. Dietary intakes above the current RDI may be particularly important in those with extreme defects in the absorption and metabolism of these Vitamins, for which ageing is a contributing factor.     

Rapid screening of triazines and quantitative determination in drinking water

A sensitive, rapid and inexpensive analysis method has been developed for the triazines most frequently used in Palestine; the method includes fluorodensitometric screening and densitometric determination of the individual substances. Terbutryn as a model substance was derivatized with dansyl chloride in sodium hydrogen-carbonate or phosphate buffer solution to yield a green-blue fluorescent compound. Derivatization occurred at 120 degrees C within maximum of 10-min reaction time. The fluorescent compound formed was separated from excess reagent and other by-products on silica gel TLC plates and was then determined fluorodensitometrically. A linearity range between 20 and 1200 pg/spot was achieved. The method was also applied to other triazine herbicides such as ametryn, atrazine, propazine, terbuthylazine and simazine. Drinking water samples spiked with triazines were extracted using RP-C18 polar plus cartridges, and the extract could be then dansylated as a total. Recoveries were between 88% and 95%; the detection limit was 10 pg/spot and could be further improved to 2 pg/spot by a dipping solution. For quantification, each of the six triazines can be separated on one of three different stationary phases after solid phase extraction and measured densitometrically. The LOD for each individual triazine was 100 ng/l.     

Contrasting effects of simazine on the photosynthetic physiology and leaf morphology of two Populus clones

Differential effects of simazine (2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)- s -triazine) on the physiology of two Populus clones were investigated in a greenhouse study. Additions of 5 mg/pot simazine to young plants had no deleterious morphological or physiological effects on clone NC 5328 ( P. x euramericana cv. I 45/51; Section Aigeiros), but reduced the rate of CO₂ fixation, increased CO₂ compensation concentrations and lowered the specific leaf weight of clone NE 388 ( P. maximowiczü x P. trichocarpa cv. Kingston; section Tacamahaca). Abaxial leaf conductance to water vapor was not affected in NE 388. Deleterious effects of simazine on NE 388 were detected ca 48 h after exposure of plants to simazine and generally became more pronounced thereafter. Visual symptoms of injury were evident at ca 2 weeks after simazine application.
Toxic responses to simazine in clone NE 388 varied in different portions of the crown. Inhibition of photosynthesis and increased CO₂ compensation concentrations were more pronounced in the region of recently matured leaves, but were somewhat less in the region of expanding leaves. Older mature leaves in the lower crown region showed no visual symptoms of injury and the rate of photosynthesis and CO₂ compensation concentrations were largely unaffected.     

Site of action of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system in vitro.

5-hydroxytryptamine at a concentration of 0.04 microgram/ml was able to block the ACTH release caused by hypothalamic tissue (CRF) while it was ineffective when a hypothalamic extract containing CRF was used. 5-hydroxytryptophan added to rat adrenal tissue caused a dose-dependent increase in corticosterone production. In a dose of 0.04 microgram/ml, 0.4 microgram/ml and 4.0 microgram/ml, 5-hydroxytryptophan was able to inhibit the ACTH release caused by hypothalamic tissue in vitro. However 0.04 microgram/ml was ineffective on the increase in ACTH secretion elicited by hypothalamic extract CRF. The data suggest that the inhibitory action of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine is exerted at the hypothalamic level by inhibiting the release and/or synthesis of the corticotrophic releasing factor.     

Effect of nitrogen,Rhizobium inoculation and simazine on yield and quality of Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.)

Summary A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Rhizobium inoculation, nitrogen and simazine application, individually and in combination, on yield and quality of Bengal gram. Application of nitrogen and simazine, and seed inoculation with Rhizobium increased the grain yield significantly. The combined treatment of Rhizobium, simazine and nitrogen increased the grain yield to the extent of 70 per cent over control. Application of simazine increased the methionine content. re]19760609     

Solid phase immunoradiometric assay for porcine serum ferritin

1. A solid phase immunoradiometric assay using anti-serum coated polystyrene tubes, is described for the assay of porcine serum ferritin. 2. The mean concentration of ferritin in the serum of both male and female pigs (Sus scrofa) was 12.1 micrograms/l +/- 8.7 micrograms (range less than 1-35 micrograms/l) and no sex differences were observed in 40 pigs from 1 day to 4 years old. 3. Serum ferritin increased with increasing body iron stores in iron loaded pigs as assessed by hepatic iron concentration. 4. The assay is sensitive (detecting less than 1 microgram/l), reproducible, specific and it does not cross-react with human or rat ferritin.     

Chemostat selection of a bacterial community able to degrade s-triazinic compounds: continuous simazine biodegradation in a multi-stage packed bed biofilm reactor

Using a successive transfer method on mineral salt medium containing simazine, a microbial community enriched with microorganisms able to grow on simazine was obtained. Afterwards, using a continuous enrichment culture procedure, a bacterial community able to degrade simazine from an herbicide formulation was isolated from a chemostat. The continuous selector, fed with a mineral salt medium containing simazine and adjuvants present in the commercial herbicide formulation, was maintained in operation for 42 days. Following the lapse of this time, the cell count increased from 5 x 10(5) to 3 x 10(8) CFU mL(-1), and the simazine removal efficiency reached 96%. The chemostat's bacterial diversity was periodically evaluated by extracting the culture's bacterial DNA, amplifying their 16S rDNA fragments and analyzing them by thermal gradient gel electrophoresis. Finally, a stable bacterial consortium able to degrade simazine was selected. By PCR amplification, sequencing of bacterial 16S rDNA amplicons, and comparison with known sequences of 16S rDNA from the NCBI GenBank, eight bacterial strains were identified. The genera, Ochrobactrum, Mycobacterium, Cellulomonas, Arthrobacter, Microbacterium, Rhizobium and Pseudomonas have been reported as common degraders of triazinic herbicides. On the contrary, we were unable to find reports about the ability of the genus Pseudonocardia to degrade triazinic compounds. The selected bacterial community was attached to a porous support in a concurrently aerated four-stage packed-bed reactor fed with the herbicide. Highest overall simazine removal efficiencies eta (SZ) were obtained at overall dilution rates D below 0.284 h(-1). However, the multistage packed bed reactor could be operated at dilution rates as high as D = 3.58 h(-1) with overall simazine removal volumetric rates R (v,SZ) = 19.6 mg L(-1) h(-1), and overall simazine removal specific rates R (X,SZ) = 13.48 mg (mg cell protein)(-1) h(-1). Finally, the consortium's ability to degrade 2-chloro-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine (CAAT), cyanuric acid and the herbicide atrazine, pure or mixed with simazine, was evaluated in fed batch processes.     

Isolation and characterization of a novel simazine-degrading bacterium from agricultural soil of central Chile, Pseudomonas sp. MHP41

s -Triazine herbicides are used extensively in South America in agriculture and forestry. In this study, a bacterium designated as strain MHP41, capable of degrading simazine and atrazine, was isolated from agricultural soil in the Quillota valley, central Chile. Strain MHP41 is able to grow in minimal medium, using simazine as the sole nitrogen source. In this medium, the bacterium exhibited a growth rate of μ=0.10 h⁻¹, yielding a high biomass of 4.2 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹. Resting cells of strain MHP41 degrade more than 80% of simazine within 60 min. The atzA, atzB, atzC, atzD, atzE and atzF genes encoding the enzymes of the simazine upper and lower pathways were detected in strain MHP41. The motile Gram-negative bacterium was identified as a Pseudomonas sp., based on the Biolog microplate system and comparative sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA gene. Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis allowed the differentiation of strain MHP41 from Pseudomonas sp. ADP. The comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses suggested that strain MHP41 is closely related to Pseudomonas nitroreducens and Pseudomonas multiresinovorans . This is the first s -triazine-degrading bacterium isolated in South America. Strain MHP41 is a potential biocatalyst for the remediation of s -triazine-contaminated environments.     

Effects of cholera toxin on cyclic AMP accumulation and bone resorption in cultured mouse calvaria

We have utilized the adenylate cyclase stimulator, cholera toxin, as a tool to test the role of cyclic AMP as a mediator of the effects on bone resorption by the calcium-regulating hormones, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin. The effects on bone resorption were studied in an organ culture system using calvarial bones from newborn mice. Cyclic AMP response was assayed in calvarial bone explants and isolated osteoblasts from neonatal mouse calvaria. Cholera toxin caused a dose-dependent cAMP response in calvarial bones, seen at and above approx. 1-3 ng/ml and calculated half-maximal stimulation (EC50) at 18 ng/ml. The stimulatory effect of cholera toxin could be potentiated by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX, 0.2 mmol/l). Cyclic AMP accumulation in the bones was maximal after 4-6 h, and thereafter declined. However, activation of the adenylate cyclase was irreversible and the total amount (bone + medium) of cAMP produced, in the presence of IBMX (0.2 mmol/l), increased with time, for at least 48 h. In osteoblast-like cells cholera toxin (1 microgram/ml) stimulated the cellular levels of cAMP with a peak after 60-120 min, which could be potentiated with IBMX. The total cAMP accumulation indicated an irreversible response. In short-term bone organ cultures (at most, 24 h) cholera toxin, at and above 3 ng/ml, inhibited the stimulatory effect of PTH (10 nmol/l) on 45Ca release from prelabelled calvarial bones. The inhibitory effect of cholera toxin (0.1 microgram/ml) on 45Ca release was significant after 6 h and the calculated IC50 value at 24 h was 11.2 ng/ml. Cholera toxin (0.1 microgram/ml) also inhibited PTH-stimulated (10 nmol/l) release of Ca2+, inorganic phosphate (Pi), beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and degradation of organic matrix (release of 3H from [3H]proline-labelled bones) in 24 h cultures. 45Ca release from bones stimulated by prostaglandin E2 (1 mumol/l) and 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (0.1 mumol/l) was also inhibited by cholera toxin (0.3 microgram/ml) in 24-h cultures. The inhibitory effect of cholera toxin on bone resorption was transient, and in long-term cultures (120 h) cholera toxin caused a dose-dependent, delayed stimulation of mineral mobilization (Ca2+, 45Ca, Pi), degradation of matrix and release of the lysosomal enzymes beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Oral thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test in acromegaly

The effects of 40 mg oral and 200 microgram intravenous TRH were studied in patients with active acromegaly. Administration of oral TRH to each of 14 acromegalics resulted in more pronounced TSH response in all patients and more pronounced response of triiodothyronine in most of them (delta max TSh after oral TRh 36.4 +/- 10.0 (SEM) mU/l vs. delta max TSH after i.v. TRH 7.7 +/- 1.5 mU/l, P less than 0.05; delta max T3 after oral TRH 0.88 +/- 0.24 nmol/vs. delta max T3 after i.v. TRH 0.23 +/- 0.06 nmol/l, P less than 0.05). Oral TRH elicited unimpaired TSH response even in those acromegalics where the TSH response to i.v. TRH was absent or blunted. In contrast to TSH stimulation, oral TRH did not elicit positive paradoxical growth hormone response in any of 8 patients with absent stimulation after i.v. TRH. In 7 growth hormone responders to TRH stimulation the oral TRH-induced growth hormone response was insignificantly lower than that after i.v. TRH (delta max GH after oral TRH 65.4 +/- 28.1 microgram/l vs. delta max GH after i.v. TRH 87.7 +/- 25.6 microgram/l, P greater than 0.05). In 7 acromegalics 200 microgram i.v. TRH represented a stronger stimulus for prolactin release than 40 mg oral TRH (delta max PRL after i.v. TRH 19.6 +/- 3.22 microgram/, delta max PRL after oral TRH 11.1 +/- 2.02 microgram/, P less than 0.05). Conclusion: In acromegalics 40 mg oral TRH stimulation is useful in the evaluation of the function of pituitary thyrotrophs because it shows more pronounced effect than 200 microgram TRH intravenously. No advantage of oral TRH stimulation was seen in the assessment of prolactin stimulation and paradoxical growth hormone responses.     

Synthesis of [(18)O(2)]valproic acid and its use as an internal standard for the quantitative measurement by gas chromatography-electron ionization mass spectrometry

A specific method for the quantitative determination of valproic acid in human plasma is presented. Valproate was extracted from acidified plasma by hexane extraction and converted to its trimethylsilyl derivative without sample concentration. The derivatives were analyzed without any further purification. Using gas chromatography-electron ionization mass spectrometry, diagnostic useful fragment ions at m/z 201 and 205 were obtained for valproic acid and [(18)O(2)]valproic acid internal standard, respectively. [(18)O(2)]Valproic acid was synthesized from unlabeled valproate by acid-catalyzed exchange reaction in H(2)(18)O. The method was validated in the expected concentration range of a pharmacokinetic study. Thus, calibration graphs were linear within a range of 0.47-120 microgram/ml plasma. Intra-day precision was 2.29% (0.47 microgram/ml), 2.93% (4 microgram/ml), 3.22% (20 microgram/ml) and 4.40% (80 microgram/ml), inter-day variability was found to be 1.49% (0.47 microgram/ml), 3.79% (20 microgram/ml), 2.74% (40 microgram/ml) and 3.03% (80 microgram/ml). Inter-day accuracy showed deviations of 1.94% (0.47 microgram/ml), 0.53% (4 microgram/ml), -0.32% (20 microgram/ml) and 0.06% (80 microgram/ml). The method is rugged and robust and has been applied to the batch analysis of valproate during pharmacokinetic profiling of the drug.