A simple, rapid method for the simultaneous determination of morphine and its principal metabolites in plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorometric detection

This article describes a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of morphine (M) and its principal metabolites morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G), morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G), and normorphine (NM) in plasma. All four compounds are extracted from plasma using a C8 solid-phase extraction column, separated by reverse-phase HPLC on a C18 analytical column, and detected by spectrofluorometry at 210 nm excitation wavelength. The method takes advantage of the compounds' native fluorescence, so that derivitization is not required. Samples have been quantified over a concentration range of 25-100 ng/ml M and NM, 50-200 ng/ml M3G, and 100-300 ng/ml M6G, using nalorphine (500 ng/ml) as internal standard. Within-run and between-run errors were less than 10% for morphine and less than 13% for all the metabolites. The lower limit of quantitation for morphine is 10 ng/ml. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by including quality controls fitted to the standard curves of each compound. The assay described in this article represents a simplification of previous versions of the method, which included cumbersome extraction procedures and multiple detectors. For the first time, an internal standard has been employed. The assay is reliable and easy to use and can be performed in any therapeutic drug monitoring laboratory.     

The simultaneous determination of diazepam and its three metabolites in dog plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectroscopy detection

A fast, sensitive and specific LC/MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of diazepam and its three metabolites, oxazepam, temazepam and desmethyldiazepam, in dog plasma is described. The method consists of an automated 96-well solid phase extraction procedure and electrospray LC/MS/MS analysis. D(5)-Diazepam is used as the internal standard for all the compounds. Intra-day and inter-day assay coefficients of variations are less than 12.7%. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) is 1 nM for each analyte, based on 0.1 ml aliquots of dog plasma. The analytical run time was 5 min. Linearity is observed over the range of 1--500 nM. This method has been used to support the discovery of pharmacokinetic studies.     

The determination of torasemide and metabolites in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of torasemide and two active metabolites is described. The assay uses a reversed-phase gradient system and UV-detection. Sample preparation includes deproteinisation and liquid-solid extraction incorporating an internal standard. Data on recovery, detection limits, precision and accuracy are presented. The presence of an unidentified metabolite also is reported.     

Simultaneous determination of albendazole and its principal metabolites in plasma by normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A sensitive, specific and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatography procedure using normal phase is described for the simultaneous determination of albendazole, albendazole sulphoxide and albendazole sulphone in sheep plasma, with mebendazole as an internal standard. Analysis of plasma requires only 100 mul of sample, which is extracted with ethylacetate and injected directly onto a 5-mum normal phase column, using hexane-ethanol (445:55, v/v) as eluent, with detection at 225 nm. The standard curves in plasma were linear for both albendazole and its metabolites at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 mug/ml. The method has been applied to the determination of plasma levels of albendazole and metabolites during preliminary pharmacokinetic studies in sheep.     

Rapid and simultaneous determination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for simultaneous determination of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP) in human plasma. The method entailed injection of the samples after deproteination with perchloric acid and subsequent neutralizing. Primidone was used as internal standard. Chromatography was performed on a C(18) column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) under isocratic elution with 50 mM aqueous sodium dihydrogen phosphate-acetonitrile-triethylamine (100:25:0.5, v/v), pH 5.9. Detection was made at 240 nm and analyses were run at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min at a temperature of 35 degrees C. The recovery was 83.4, 88.5 and 98.2% for TMP, SMX and internal standard, respectively. The precision of the method was 2.6-9.8% over the concentration range of 0.125-2 microg/ml for TMP and 0.39-50 microg/ml for SMX. The limit of quantification (LOQ) in plasma was 0.125 and 0.39 microg/ml for TMP and SMX, respectively. The method was used for a bioequivalence study.     

Simultaneous plasma determination of floctafenin and its major metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography: preliminary observations in children

An isocratic reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography with UV detection at 350 nm for the determination in human plasma of floctafenin (F) and its three main metabolites--floctafenic acid (FA), hydroxyfloctafenin (HOF), and hydroxyfloctafenic acid (HOFA)--is reported. Analytes and internal standard were extracted from acid plasma into ethyl acetate, and this organic phase was evaporated to dryness. This extraction yielded plasma drug recoveries of greater than 72%. Using 1 ml of plasma, the lower quantification limit was 0.05 microgram ml-1 with excellent linearity up to 0.8 microgram ml-1 for HOF and HOFA and up to 4.0 micrograms ml-1 for F and FA. The reproducibility and the selectivity of the method for several drugs thought likely to be administered in conjunction with F, were demonstrated. This method has been successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study with a single 10 mg kg-1 oral dose in ten children.     

Specific determination of bromobenzene metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography

A chromatographic method for the quantitative and simultaneous determination of phenolic and mercapturic acid type metabolites of bromobenzene is presented. Acid hydrolysis (1.5 N HCl, 100 degrees C, 10 min) yielded unconjugated bromophenols. After extraction (ethyl acetate, pH 2), evaporation to dryness and dissolution in methanol, samples were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a c18 reverse-phase column and a phosphate buffer (0.1 M,pH 9 + 5 mM tetrabutylammonium dihydrogen phosphate) - acetonitrile gradient with ultraviolet detection (225 nm). Benzylmercapturic acid and o-chlorophenol were used as internal standards. Using this method, it was possible to determine simultaneously o, m- and p-bromophenols together with o-, m- and p-bromophenylmercapturic acids. Additional validation data were obtained by analysis of urine samples from rats treated with bromobenzene. This new method was compared to existing procedures.     

Quantitative determination of tolbutamide and its metabolites in human plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography and UV detection

An isocratic, high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for simultaneous determination of the oral antidiabetic tolbutamide and two of its metabolites, 4-hydroxytolbutamide and carboxytolbutamide, in human plasma and urine. The method was based on simple one-step liquid-liquid extraction with tertiary-butyl methyl ether as extraction solvent. The chromatographic eluent was 23:77 (v/v) methanol: 0.01 M aqueous sodium acetate buffer pH 3.0, and the UV detection was performed at a wavelength of 230 nm. The limit of detection was 0.1 microM for tolbutamide in plasma and 1.5 microM, 0.5 microM, and 0.75 microM for carboxytolbutamide, 4-hydroxytolbutamide, and tolbutamide, respectively, in urine. The limit of quantitation was 0.5 micro for tolbutamide in plasma and 2 microM, 0.75 microM, and 1.25 microM for carboxytolbutamide, 4-hydroxytolbutamide, and tolbutamide, respectively, in urine. The overall mean recoveries ranged from 91% to 109% for tolbutamide in plasma and from 80% to 98% in urine for all three compounds.     

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic system for simultaneous determination of theophylline and its major metabolites in human urine

A simple and highly selective isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography method is presented for the simultaneous determination of theophylline and its major metabolites in human urine using β-hydroxyethyl theophylline as an internal standard. The method utilizes direct injection of diluted urine samples followed by separation and quantitation by reversed-phase isocratic elution and ultraviolet detection. The assay is accurate and reproducible with a sensitivity of 1 μg ml⁻¹ for theophylline and 0.5 μg ml⁻¹ for its metabolites. The assay was employed for the analysis of theophylline and its major metabolites in urine following the oral administration of theophylline to four healthy volunteers.     

Determination of encainide and its metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography

Encainide (ENC) and its metabolites O-demethylencainide (ODE), 3-methoxy-O-demethylencainide (MODE), N-demethylencainide (NDE) and bis-N,O-demethylencainide (NODE) have been measured by two HPLC procedures. The method of Mayol using a mu Porasil column with ethanol-water-methanesulphonic acid as mobile phase was not able to separately measure NODE and NDE in plasma. A new method is described using a mu Bondapak Phenyl column with acetonitrile-phosphate buffer (0.05 M, pH 7.5) that yields satisfactory separation of ENC and its metabolites. NODE was not identified as a metabolite in 23 patients analysed.     

Micro-method for the determination of piperacillin in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of piperacillin in plasma is described. A C8 reversed-phase column was used with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-water-triethylamine (550:450:4, v/v/v) adjusted to pH = 3 with orthophosphoric acid and UV detection at 270 nm. Cephalothin was used as internal standard. The method involves a plasma protein precipitation with acetonitrile followed by extraction of endogenous compound with chloroform and injection of the upper aqueous phase into the chromatograph. Within-day and between-day assays give relative standard deviations less than or equal to 5.7%. The detection limit is 0.2 microgram ml-1. Stability studies show that piperacillin degradation starts at -4 degrees C. Therefore, samples have to be processed promptly and stored at -20 degrees C. The method described is convenient for clinical monitoring and for pharmacokinetic studies.     

Micromethod for determination of ceftriaxone in plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography

A sensitive and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ceftriaxone in human plasma and urine is described. A C18 reversed phase column is used; the mobile phase comprises water-methanol-triethylamine (750:250:4v/v/v) adjusted to pH 3 with orthophosphoric acid. Quantitation is performed at 270 nm with cefazolin as the internal standard. This method involves precipitation of proteins from fluids with acetonitrile followed by extraction of endogenous compounds with chloroform and injection of the upper aqueous phase on to the chromatograph. Relative standard deviations for between-day and within-day assays are 6.2%. The detection limit is 0.5 mug(-1) in plasma and urine. Studies of drug stability during sample storage, sample pretreatment and chromatography showed no degradation of ceftriaxone or of the internal standard. The method is convenient for clinical monitoring and for pharmacokinetic studies.     

Fluorometric determination of isoniazid and its metabolites in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography using in-line derivatization

A rapid, simple, and accurate method has been developed for the determination of isoniazid and its metabolites (isonicotinic acid, isonicotinylglycine, and acetylisoniazid) in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography. Isoniazid and its metabolites are separated by reversed-phase ion-exchange chromatography with a mobile phase containing hydrogen peroxide as a fluorogenic reagent and butanesulfonate as a hydrophobic ion exchanger, and are detected by fluorometry (excitation at 317 nm and emission at 415 nm) using in-line derivatization at high temperature (160 degrees C). The detection limits are isonicotinic acid, 0.5 mumol/L; isonicotinylglycine, 1 mumol/L; acetylisoniazid, 1 mumol/L; and isoniazid, 1.5 mumol/L. This method can be applied for acetylator phenotyping.     

Simultaneous determination of isoline and its two major metabolites using high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay was developed for a simultaneous determination of isoline, a potent hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid, and its two major metabolites, namely M1 (bisline) and M2 (bisline lactone, a new pyrrolizidine alkaloid). The latter two metabolites were produced during in vitro metabolism of isoline by rat and mouse microsomal enzyme systems. The analysis was conducted by a direct injection of aliquots of supernatant of the microsomal reaction mixture treated with the equal volume of ice-cold methanol onto a conventional reversed-phase analytical column (150 x 4.6 mm). The analytes were separated by a gradient elution with mobile phases A (0.01 M dihydro-potassium phosphate, pH 4.8) and B (acetonitrile). The assay has shown excellent precision and accuracy with less than 10% of overall intra- and interday variations and higher than 94% of overall accuracy. The developed HPLC method was successfully applied for the determination of the intact isoline and its two pH- and thermally labile metabolites produced in rat and mouse liver microsomal incubations.     

The determination of D-penicillamine and its disulphide in plasma by reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography

Reversed-phase ion-pair conditions are used for the determination of D-penicillamine and penicillamine disulphide. Two chromatographic systems were employed, one for penicillamine and the other for penicillamine disulphide. The procedures permit the determination of total penicillamine (protein-bound, free and as disulphides) in whole plasma, and total penicillamine (free and as disulphides) in plasma ultrafiltrate, using an incubation step in the presence of dithiothreitol. Free penicillamine and penicillamine disulphide may be determined independently by direct injection of plasma ultrafiltrate. Both solutes may be measured at an on-column sensitivity of 10 ng, utilizing an electrochemical detector based on a glassy carbon electrode.     

On-line determination and resolution of the enantiomers of ketoprofen in plasma using coupled achiral-chiral high-performance liquid chromatography.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a column-switching technique has been applied to the on-line determination and resolution of the enantiomers of ketoprofen (KPF) as an acidic model compound. The system incorporates a mobile phase conversion stage (LC-2), which has a dilution tube and a trapping column, between the achiral chromatography stage (LC-1) and the chiral chromatography stage (LC-3). KPF in plasma was separated from plasma components and was determined with the aid of an internal standard in LC-1. The eluate containing KPF was selectively transferred to LC-2, where the eluate was adequately diluted with a new mobile phase by using the dilution tube to reduce the influence of the mobile phase from LC-1, and KPF was reconcentrated on the trapping column. Then the KPF enantiomers were resolved in LC-3 after column-switching. This system is accurate and rapid compared with conventional HPLC. Very high sensitivity could be achieved with our system when a microbore ovomucoid column was employed in LC-3. Incorporation of LC-2 allows the most favourable mobile phases for LC-1 and LC-3 to be used independently. This method is greatly superior to usual column-switching HPLC.