Determination of maprotiline in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of maprotiline, an antidepressant, in plasma. After a single-step extraction from plasma (100 μl) with n-hexaneisoamylalcohol (19:1, v/v), the drug and desipramine (internal standard) are converted into their chemiluminescent derivatives by reaction with 6-isothiocyanatobenzo[g]phthalazine-1,4(2H,3H)-dione, a new chemiluminescence derivatization reagent for amines. The derivatives are separated within 60 min on a reversed-phase column, TSKgel ODS-80, using isocratic elution with acetonitrile-100 mM acetate buffer (pH 3.2), and produced chemiluminescence by reaction with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) in alkaline medium. The detection limit for maprotiline added to plasma is 0.36 pmol (0.1 ng)/ml plasma (1.5 fmol on column), at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.     

Determination of conjugated bile acids in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the conjugated 1β- and 6α-hydroxy bile acids, including common bile acids, in human urine using high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection is described. After extraction of urine with C₁₈ silica cartridges, the bile acids were separated into non-conjugated, glycine, taurine and sulphate fractions by ion-exchange chromatography on a lipophilic gel. Solvolysis of the sulphate was carried out by treatment with trifluoroethanol in acetone containing hydrochloric acid, and the liberated amino acid conjugates were fractionated again. The individual bile acids were separated on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column (Bile Pak II), with detection by an immobilized 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme reactor and chemiluminescence reaction of the generated NADH using 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium methylsulphate—isoluminol—microperoxidase system. The assay method showed the detection limits ranging from 8 to 250 pmol for the bile acids tested. Analysis of urine samples obtained from newborns, non-pregnant women and women in late pregnancy showed a large difference in bile acid composition and conjugation mode, suggesting that bile acid metabolism is different during fetal and neonatal periods.     

Determination of tetracyclines residues in honey using high-performance liquid chromatography with potassium permanganate-sodium sulfite-beta-cyclodextrin chemiluminescence detection

A novel method was developed for the simultaneous determination of tetracycline antibiotic (TCA) residues such as oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), and metacycline (MTC) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with chemiluminescence (CL) detection. The procedure was based on the chemiluminescent enhancement by TCAs of the potassium permanganate-sodium sulfite-beta-cyclodextrin system in a phosphoric acid medium. The separation was carried out with an isocratic elution using a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.001 M phosphoric acid. For the three TCAs, the detection limits at a signal-to-noise of 3 ranged from 0.9 to 5.0 ng/ml. The relative standard deviations for the determination of TCAs ranged from 3.1 to 7.4% within a day (n=11) and ranged from 2.2 to 8.6% in 3 days (n=9), respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of TCA residues in honey samples. The possible mechanism of the CL reaction was also discussed.     

Determination of atorvastatin in human serum by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection

A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method was validated and described for determination of atorvastatin in human serum. Following liquid-liquid extraction of the drug and an internal standard (sodium diclofenac), chromatographic separation was accomplished using C18 analytical column with a mobile phase consisting of sodium phosphate buffer (0.05 M, pH 4.0) and methanol (33:67, v/v). Atorvastatin and the internal standard were detected by ultraviolet absorbance at 247 nm. The average recoveries of the drug and internal standard were 95 and 80%, respectively. The lower limits of detection and quantification were 1 and 4 ng/ml, respectively, and the calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 4-256 ng/ml of atorvastatin in human serum. The analysis performance was studied and the method was applied in a randomized cross-over bioequivalence study of two different atorvastatin preparations in 12 healthy volunteers.     

Determination of tianeptine in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A new, selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with fluorimetric detection was developed for the determination of tianeptine (TIA) in human plasma using solid phase extraction (SPE) procedures. The method is based on the derivatization of TIA with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl) in borate buffer of pH 8.5 to yield a yellow, fluorescent product. The HPLC separation was achieved on a Phenomenex C(18) column (250 mm x 4.6 mm) using a mobile phase of acetonitrile-10mM orthophosphoric acid (pH 2.5) (77:23, v/v) solvent system at 1 mL/min flow rate. Gabapentin (GA) was used as the internal standard. The fluorometric detector was operated at 458 nm (excitation) and 520 nm (emission). The assay was linear over the concentration range of 5-300 ng/mL. The detection limit (LOD) was found to be 2 ng/mL. The mean recovery was determined to be 88.6%. The proposed method was applied for pharmacokinetic study of 12.5mg TIA in a healthy volunteer.     

Determination of norgestimate and its metabolites in human serum using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A rapid and reliable analytical method is described for the simultaneous determination of a synthetic progestin norgestimate (NGM), and its metabolites, 17-deacetylnorgestimate (17-DA-NGM), 3-ketonorgestimate (3-keto-NGM) and norgestrel (NGL) in human serum using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometric (MS-MS) detection. The assay was linear over the concentration ranges of 0.1–5.0 ng/ml for 17-DA-NGM and NGL and 0.5–5.0 ng/ml for NGM and 3-keto-NGM. The inter-assay reproducibility was consistently less than 10%. The overall recovery of the analytes ranged from 72 to 92%. Serum profiles following oral administration of norgestimate to female volunteers are presented.     

Determination of gatifloxacin in human serum and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A simple and sensitive HPLC method for the determination of gatifloxacin concentrations in human serum and urine was developed and validated. Serum proteins were removed by ultrafiltration through a filtering device after adding a displacing agent. Urine samples were diluted with mobile phase prior to injection. Separation was achieved with a C18 reverse-phase column and gatifloxacin concentrations were determined using ultraviolet detection. The quantitation limits of the assay were 100 ng/ml in serum and 1.0 microg/ml in urine. The assay method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of gatifloxacin in healthy volunteers.     

Determination of ofloxacin in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection

A new method for the determination of ofloxacin in human plasma was developed. Plasma proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile, the supernatant concentrated and injected into a reversed-phase C₁₈ column. Enoxacin was used as an internal standard. The fluorimetric detection was performed at 282 nm for excitation and 450 nm for emission. Limit of quantitation was 20 ng/ml and the calibration curve was linear up to 6900 ng/ml.     

Determination of terazosin in human plasma, using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A selective, sensitive, rapid and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of terazosin in plasma is described. The structurally related compound prazosin was used as an internal standard. The method comprises extraction with methylene chloride followed by chromatography on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. The compounds were detected using spectrofluorimetry. The absolute recoveries were more than 90% with a minimal detection of 1 ng/ml and calibration curve was linear between 1 and 80 ng/ml.     

Determination of bestatin in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A simple method for the determination of bestatin and its major metabolite in man, p-hydroxybestatin, in human serum was investigated; the method employs high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Bestatin and p-hydroxybestatin are oxidized to phenylacetaldehyde and p-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde, respectively, with periodate, which are then converted into fluorescent compounds with 4,5-dimethoxy-1,2-diaminobenzene. The compounds are separated by reversed-phase chromatography on LiChrosorb RP-18. The detection limits of bestatin and p-hydroxybestatin are 0.2 and 0.4 μg/ml serum, respectively. This method permits the precise determination of bestatin in serum (20 μl) from patients administered bestatin. p-Hydroxybestatin in serum can not be measured by this method because of its low concentration (less than the detection limit).     

Determination of nadolol in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for a routine assay of nadolol in serum is described. Serum samples spiked with atenolol (internal standard) were extracted with diethyl ether. After centrifugation, the organic layer was evaporated to dryness. The residue was redissolved in the mobile phase and injected onto an octadecyl silica column (150 mm × 4.6 mm I.D.). The mobile phase was 0.05 M ammonium acetate (pH 4.5)—acetonitrile (85:15, v/v). Fluorometric detection (excitation 230 nm, emission 300 nm) was used. The minimum detectable level of nadolol in serum was 1 ng/ml.     

Determination of cisapride and norcisapride in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A simple, rapid and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for cisapride and norcisapride in human plasma is described. Samples of plasma (150 μl) were extracted using a C₁₈ solid-phase cartridge. Regenerated tubes were eluted with 1.0 ml of methanol, dried, redissolved in 150 μl of methanol and injected. Chromatography was performed at room temperature by pumping acetonitrile–methanol–0.015 M phosphate buffer pH 2.2–2.3 (680:194:126, v/v/v) at 0.8 ml/min through a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. Cisapride, norcisapride and internal standard were detected by absorbance at 276 nm and were eluted at 4.3, 5.3 and 8.1 min, respectively. Calibration plots in plasma were linear (r>0.998) from 10 to 150 ng/ml. Intraday precisions for cisapride and norcisapride were 3.3% and 5.4%, respectively. Interday precisions for cisapride and norcisapride were 9.6% and 9.0%, respectively. Drugs used which might be coadministered were tested for interference.     

Determination of voriconazole in human plasma and saliva using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Voriconazole is a widely used triazole antifungal agent with a broad spectrum including Aspergillus species. A simple, sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of voriconazole in human plasma and saliva was developed. Drug and internal standard (UK-115 794) were extracted from alkaline plasma and saliva with n-hexane-ethyl acetate (3:1, v/v) and analyzed on a Luna C 18 column with fluorimetric detection set at excitation and emission wavelengths of 254 and 372 nm, respectively. The calibration curve was linear through the range of 0.1-10 microg/ml using a 0.3 ml sample volume. The intra- and inter-day precisions were all below 6.1% for plasma and below 9.1% for saliva. Accuracies ranged from 94 to 109% for both matrices. Mean recovery was 86+/-4% for voriconazole. The method showed acceptable values for precision, recovery and sensitivity and is well suited for routine analysis work and for pharmacokinetic studies.     

Fluorimetric detection of serum corticosterone using high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple, sensitive, specific and reproducible method for the determination of corticosterone concentrations in rat serum using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorimetric detection is described. Corticosterone is detectable down to 0.1 ng injected onto the HPLC column. Cortisol is used as an internal standard. Ethyl acetate was used for both initial serum corticosteroid extraction and the subsequent fluorophore extraction after sulfuric acid hydrolysis; thus sulfuric acid does not enter the HPLC system. The resultant fluorophores for both corticosterone and cortisol are stable for at least two weeks at ambient temperature not requiring storage at −20°C. The procedure is highly suitable for use with HPLC systems utilising automatic sample injectors. The method is specific for corticosterone; dexamethasone, cortisone and gonadal steroids are not detectable and do not interfere in this assay.     

Assay for etoposide in human serum using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

An HPLC assay for etoposide in human serum was developed. Serum, spiked with podophyllotoxin (internal standard), was treated with sodium dodecyl sulphate prior to solid phase extraction. Analysis was performed on a 300×3.9 mm Bondclone 10 C18 column coupled with a fluorometric detector (λ_ex 230 nm, λ_em 330 nm). The retention times for etoposide and podophyllotoxin were 14 and 28 min respectively. The range of assay was 0.5 to 20 μg/ml with a detection limit of 0.2 μg/ml. This assay is suitable for use in clinical studies with etoposide.     

Determination of hyperforin in human plasma using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

The role of the Mg2+ cation on antihypertensive molecule binding on human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by affinity chromatography. The thermodynamic data corresponding to this binding were determined for a wide range of Mg2+ concentrations (c). For the nifedipine molecule, an increase in the Mg2+ concentration produced a decrease in binding due to a decrease in the electrostatic interactions. For verapamil and diltiazem, which have the highest solvent accessible surface area, the solute binding on HSA was divided into two Mg2+ concentration regions. For a low c value below c(c) (approximately 1.6 mmol/l), the binding dependence with c was similar to that of nifedipine. For c above c(c) the hydrophobic effect created in the bulk solvent associated with a decrease in the van der Waals interactions between the solute molecule and the HSA implied a decrease in its binding. These results showed that for patients with hypertension, an Mg2+ supplementation during treatment with these antihypertensive molecules can increase the active pharmacological molecule concentration.     

Determination of busulfan in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with pre-column derivatization and fluorescence detection

A rapid, sensitive and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for busulfan in human plasma was developed. After extraction of plasma samples with acetonitrile and methylene chloride, busulfan and the internal standard [1,5-bis(methanesulfonyloxy)pentane] were derivatized with 8-mercaptoquinoline to yield fluorescent compounds which were detected with a fluorescence detector equipped with filters of 360 nm (excitation) and 425 nm (emission). Calibration graphs showed a linear correlation (r>0.9990) over the concentration range of 20–2000 ng/ml. The recovery of busulfan from plasma standards was 70±5%. The detection and quantification limits for busulfan in plasma samples were established at 9 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml, respectively. The intra- and inter-assay variations were lower than 8% and 10%, respectively. The applicability of the method was verified by analyzing the plasma concentrations of busulfan in a patient to whom it was administered orally on two different days.     

Determination of thiols and disulfides using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Low-molecular-mass thiols, such as glutathione (GSH), and their associated disulfides are ubiquitous in nature, and based upon the many known functions of these compounds, their identification and accurate measurement is essential. Our objectives were to develop a simple method for the simultaneous measurement of thiols and disulfides in biological samples using HPLC with dual electrochemical detection (HPLC-DED). Particular emphasis was placed on the applicability to a wide variety of important GSH-related thiols and disulfides, including γ-Glu-Cys, Cys-Gly, their disulfides, and the mixed disulfide of glutathione and cysteine (CSSG), validation on different types of biological samples, maintenance of chromatographic resolution and reproducibility with routine and extended use, and enhancement of assay sensitivity. To this end, optimal HPLC conditions including mobile phase, column, and electrode polishing procedures were established and the method was applied to, and validated on a variety of biological samples. This improved methodology should prove to be a useful tool in studies on the metabolism of GSH and other thiols and disulfides and their role in cellular homeostasis and disease processes.     

Determination of gliclazide in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography using an anion-exchange resin

A method for the routine clinical examination of serum gliclazide by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a column packed with a macroporous anion-exchange resin, Diaion CDR-10, was developed. The elution was performed with acetonitrile—methyl alcohol—1.2 M ammonium perchlorate (4:3:7, v/v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.4 ml/min. The retention time of gliclazide was 15 min. It seems that the retention mechanism of gliclazide under the HPLC conditions described is not only ion-exchange mode but reversed-phase mode between the anion-exchange resin and the mobile phase. The detection limit of gliclazide was 0.2 μg/ml in plasma. The coefficient of variation for the within-day assay was 5.0% (0.2 μg/ml, n=8). The decay curve of serum gliclazide in diabetic patients was determined.