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.