Protein binding of ceftriaxone: comparison of three techniques of determination and the effect of 2-hydroxybenzoylglycine, a drug-binding inhibitor in uremia

Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin exhibiting a long half-life and a concentration-dependent protein binding. This study compared three techniques of protein binding determination (equilibrium dialysis chamber, ultrafiltration cones (Centriflo), and ultrafiltration (Centrifree micro-partition system) on human plasma and serum at ceftriaxone concentrations achieved clinically. A second objective was to determine the effect of 2-hydroxybenzoylglycine (HBG) on the protein binding of ceftriaxone. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid scintillation counting assays were used. Equilibrium dialysis was rotated for 12 h. The supplier's recommendations were followed for ultrafiltration techniques. The plasma protein binding of ceftriaxone, as determined by equilibrium dialysis and assayed by HPLC, decreased from 98.6 to 73.5% for drug concentrations varying from 25 to 400 micrograms/ml. Somewhat lower values were obtained with Centrifree, the binding fell from 92.1 to 73.5% for the same concentration range. Serum protein binding was similar to results obtained with plasma samples. Centriflo cones yielded more inconsistent results. A significant difference was seen between the three techniques (p less than 0.0001, three-way analysis of variance). The addition of HBG, a compound that inhibits drug binding in uremia, resulted in ceftriaxone binding defects similar to those seen in uremic serum. Although equilibrium dialysis remains a classic method of protein binding determination, Centrifree appears to be a better system.