Determination of diclofenac and its metabolites in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection for the quantitation of diclofenac and metabolites in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid has been developed. Pirprofen is employed as internal standard. Samples are extracted with C18 solid-phase extraction columns and eluted with methanol. Oxidation potentials for detection were established by constructing voltammograms for each compound. In the concentration range found in human studies, the intra-day coefficients of variation were always less than 6%. The procedure allows the simultaneous determination of diclofenac and its four major metabolites with very low detection limits (less than 1 ng/ml), which were sufficient even for kinetic studies in cerebrospinal fluid.     

Rapid determination of propyphenazone in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the determination of propyphenazone in plasma is described. Phenylbutazone was used as the internal standard. Plasma proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile before injection onto a 3-microns Supelcosil LC-18 column. The mobile phase, ethanol containing 0.2% (v/v) heptylamine-0.005 M potassium dihydrogenphosphate (30:70, v/v), was used at a flow-rate of 1.3 ml/min. The quantitation was performed by ultraviolet detection at a wavelength of 270 nm. The chromatographic time was 7 min. The within- and between-day coefficients of variation were less than 6% and the recoveries close to 100% for concentrations between 0.4 and 22 mumol/l. The limit of quantitation was 0.4 mumol/l (ca. 100 ng/ml).     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of lansoprazole and its metabolites in human serum and urine.

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection is described for the simultaneous determination of lansoprazole and its metabolites in human serum and urine. The analytes in serum or urine were extracted with diethyl ether-dichloromethane (7:3, v/v) followed by evaporation, dissolution and injection into a reversed-phase column. The recoveries of authentic analytes added to serum at 0.05-2 micrograms/ml or to urine at 1-20 micrograms/ml were greater than 88%, with the coefficients of variation less than 7.1%. The minimum determinable concentrations of all analytes were 5 ng/ml in serum and 50 ng/ml in urine. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of lansoprazole in human.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of cefonicid in human plasma and urine

A high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for determination of cefonicid concentrations in human plasma and urine samples has been developed using cefazolin as an internal standard. For the analysis of plasma samples two calibration curves were utilized covering the cefonicid concentration ranges of 0.05-1.0 microgram/ml and 1.0-50.0 micrograms/ml, respectively. Coefficients of variation of 7.4% or less were obtained for cefonicid concentrations of 0.05-50.0 micrograms/ml. Mean bias was +6.0% at 0.05 micrograms/ml cefonicid and between -2.1% and +1.6% for 1.0-50.0 micrograms/ml cefonicid. Plasma samples containing 30 ng/ml cefonicid could be well distinguished from blank plasma samples. Urine samples were analysed by using a calibration curve for cefonicid concentrations between 1.0 and 50.0 micrograms/ml. ranged from 8.6% at a cefonicid concentration of 1.0 microgram/ml to 0.5% at 50.0 micrograms/ml with a mean bias between -3.0% and +0.3%.     

High-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of three new fluoroquinolones, fleroxacin, temafloxacin and A-64730, in biological fluids

High-performance liquid chromatographic procedures have been developed for the measurement of three new fluoroquinolones, fleroxacin, temafloxacin and A-64730, in serum, urine and bile. The sample treatment consists of a two-step chemical extraction. The three molecules are chromatographed on a C18 reversed-phase analytical column with spectrofluorimetric detection. At a signal-to-noise ratio of 4, the detection limits in serum are 2.5, 10 and 20 ng/ml, for fleroxacin, temafloxacin and A-64730, respectively. The calibration curves are rectilinear between these detection limits and 20 micrograms/ml. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation are in the ranges 0.8-5.4 and 2.2-7.6%, respectively. These simple and reliable assay procedures will be of great interest for further pharmacokinetic studies and drug monitoring in hospital use.     

Plasma level monitoring of D,L-verapamil and three of its metabolites by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for determination of verapamil, norverapamil (M1) and its N-dealkylated metabolites (M2 and M3) in plasma. Plasma samples were vortex-mixed, deproteinized and centrifuged. The analysis was performed on a C18 reversed-phase column with fluorimetric detection. Since the polarity of verapamil and norverapamil differs considerably from that of M2 and M3, two different eluents were used for rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic separation. The eluent for the separation of verapamil and norverapamil was acetonitrile-0.07% orthophosphoric acid (33:67, v/v), and for M2 and M3 acetonitrile-0.07% orthophosphoric acid (25:75, v/v). The high-performance liquid chromatographic assay allowed rapid, sensitive and reliable quantitation of verapamil and three of its metabolites in plasma without an extraction procedure. The limit of detection was less than 5 ng/ml (plasma) for all compounds. No interferences with other commonly co-administered drugs was observed. Plasma concentrations of verapamil and its metabolites were determined in 21 patients receiving a continuous infusion of verapamil for tachyarrhythmia of acute onset. The steady-state plasma concentration data of verapamil and its three main metabolites in these patients gave evidence that the plasma concentration of verapamil and its active metabolite norverapamil was primarily determined by the extent of the formation of M2.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitation of bupivacaine, 2,6-pipecoloxylidide and 4'-hydroxybupivacaine in plasma and urine.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection at 210 nm for quantitation of bupivacaine and two of its metabolites from plasma and urine is described. The compounds are extracted into n-hexane-isopropanol (5:1), evaporated and the reconstituted residue injected onto a reversed phase C18 column. Standard curves for all compounds were linear (r2 greater than 0.999) in the range 20-2000 ng/ml, with a limit of detection of 10 ng/ml. The inter-day coefficients of variation ranged between 2.7 and 12.2%. The method was applied to analyse bupivacaine and metabolite concentrations in patients on long-term epidural bupivacaine-fentanyl infusions.     

Quantification of amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and 10-hydroxy metabolite isomers in plasma by capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen-sensitive detection

A selective, sensitive method for the determination of amitriptyline and its metabolites is described. This method involves liquid-liquid extraction and capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen-sensitive detection. The detection limits of amitriptyline, nortriptyline, 10-hydroxy(E)amitriptyline, 10-hydroxy(E)nortriptyline, and 10-hydroxy(Z)nortriptyline were slightly less than 0.5 ng/ml in 1.0-ml plasma samples. The coefficients of variation for within-run and between-run analyses of samples containing 100 ng/ml were less than 12% and 9%, respectively. The method offers rapid analysis of individual isomers, increased sensitivity over high-performance liquid chromatographic methodology and the conveniences of the gas chromatographic technique.     

Determination of the new fluoroquinolone fleroxacin and its N-demethyl and N-oxide metabolites in plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of the new fluoroquinolone fleroxacin and its metabolites in plasma and urine. Plasma samples are deproteinized with acetonitrile, and, after evaporation and reconstitution of the supernatant, samples are analysed on a reversed-phase column. The limit of quantification is 10-20 ng/ml for the parent drug and 10 ng/ml for the metabolites, using a 0.2-ml sample. Urine samples are diluted with the mobile phase. An aliquot is then injected directly onto the column. The limits of quantification are 1 micrograms/ml for the parent drug and 0.5 micrograms/ml for the metabolites, using a 0.1-ml sample. The method has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of human volunteers and patients.     

Determination of nalbuphine by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection: application to clinical samples from postoperative patients

A rapid, selective and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with electrochemical detection was developed for the determination of nalbuphine in human plasma. The method involves extraction with chloroform-isopropanol at pH 9.4, back-extraction into dilute phosphoric acid and reversed-phase chromatography on a microBondapak phenyl column. The recovery of nalbuphine and naltrexone (internal standard) was greater than 90%. Calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 3-36 ng/ml with coefficients of variation, within-day or between-day, not exceeding 8% at any level. Although the limit of detection was 0.3 ng/ml based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, the reliable limit of quantitation was 1 ng/ml (coefficient of variation 12%) using 1 ml of plasma. The dual-electrode detector was operated in the screening mode of oxidation (electrode 1, 0.3 V and electrode 2, 0.6 V), providing a greater specificity and reducing background noise. This procedure was applied to a large number of clinical samples in an intravenous dose-range pharmacokinetic study in patients.     

Simultaneous determination of vinburnine and 6-hydroxyvinburnine in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed to allow the simple and rapid determination of both vinburnine (I) and its main metabolite, 6-hydroxyvinburnine (II), in heparinized human plasma (0.5 ml). Compounds I and II and p-chlorodisopyramide (internal standard) were first extracted with alkalinized ethyl acetate and then with sulphuric acid. Separation was achieved on a reversed-phase muBondapak C18 column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water-0.1 M heptanesulphonate in acetic acid and with detection at 254 nm. Each run required 20 min. The within-day coefficients of variation for identical samples (20 ng/ml) were 7 and 6% and between-day coefficients of variation 8 and 26% for I and II, respectively. The detection limit was 5 ng/ml (normal therapeutic concentration, 10-300 ng/ml). The application of the method to drug monitoring was compared to that of a thin-layer chromatographic procedure.     

Quantitation of flupirtine and its active acetylated metabolite by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using fluorometric detection

A simple, selective and sensitive procedure is described for the quantitation of flupirtine maleate (FLU) and its active acetylated metabolite (Met. 1) in plasma and urine. Using a 0.5-ml sample, a sensitivity of 10 ng/ml is easily achieved with a reversed-phase octadecylsilane (C18) column, and a high-performance liquid chromatographic system with fluorescence detection. Quantitation from plasma involves addition of an internal standard, protein precipitation with acetonitrile and a sample concentrating step, while for urinalysis the samples are taken through a single extraction with methylene chloride. Analytical recoveries of FLU and Met. 1 from plasma averaged greater than or equal to 95%, while from urine only 60 and 50%, respectively, could be recovered. The overall, inter- and intra-day variability for both FLU and Met. 1 averaged 6, 5 and 3%, in plasma, respectively. Standard calibration plots in plasma were linear (r greater than or equal to 0.99) for FLU (range: 0.01-10.0 micrograms/ml) and Met. 1 (range: 0.5-25 micrograms/ml) over the extended range. A slightly modified elution system was employed for quantitation of FLU and Met. 1 in urine.     

Sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of famotidine in plasma. Application to pharmacokinetic study.

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the quantitation of famotidine in human plasma is described. Clopamide was used as the internal standard. Plasma samples were extracted with diethyl ether to eliminate endogenous interferences. Plasma samples were then extracted at alkaline pH with ethyl acetate. Famotidine and the internal standard were readily extracted into the organic solvent. After evaporation of ethyl acetate, the residue was analysed by HPLC. The chromatographic separation was accomplished with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water (12:88, v/v) containing 20 mM disodium hydrogenphosphate and 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate, adjusted to pH 3. The HPLC microbore column was packed with 5 microns ODS Hypersil. Using ultraviolet detection at 267 nm, the detection limit for plasma famotidine was 5 ng/ml. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 5-500 ng/ml. The inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were found to be less than 10%. Applicability of the method was demonstrated by a bioavailability/pharmacokinetic study in normal volunteers who received 80 mg famotidine orally.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic procedure for the determination of tiagabine concentrations in human plasma using electrochemical detection.

A sensitive and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure has been developed for the measurement of tiagabine concentrations in human plasma. Isolation of tiagabine and the internal standard was achieved using solid-phase extraction on disposable C8 columns. Separation was performed on a C18 analytical column using a mobile phase containing sodium octanesulfonate. The effluent was monitored with coulometric electrochemical detection at ca. + 0.76 V. The workup procedure recovered more than 95% of tiagabine from plasma. Standard curves were linear over the concentration range 0-500 ng/ml. The precision of the method was good: coefficients of variation were typically less than 5% for concentrations as low as 8 ng/ml and although they were higher at concentrations less than 8 ng/ml, they remained within acceptable limits (less than 17%) for concentrations as low as the limit of quantitation (2 ng/ml using a l-ml plasma sample). The stability of tiagabine in plasma was excellent, with no evidence of degradation after 23 h at room temperature or 2 months at -20 degrees C.     

Rapid and sensitive gas chromatographic determination of diacetylmorphine and its metabolite monoacetylmorphine in blood using a nitrogen detector.

A quantitative gas chromatographic method for the determination of plasma concentrations of diacetylmorphine and its metabolite monacetylmorphine using an alkali flane detector (nitrogen detector) is described. Plasma samples (pH 9.0) containing ethylmorphine acetate as internal standard are extracted with benzene. The dried benzene extracts are analysed as their corresponding acetylated derivatives following treatment with trifluoroacetic anhydride-benzent (1:5). The nitrogen detector permits quantitation of narcotic levels down to 100ng/ml with detection as low as 20 ng/ml. The higher sensitivity and selectivity of the nitrogen detector are compared to those obtained in flame ionization detection. Species differences in the rate of conversion of diacetylmorphine to monacetylmorphine in vitro in blood are also presented.     

Determination of the neuroprotective agent 6-nitro-7-sulphamoylbenzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione in plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography.

A rapid, sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the neuroprotectant 6-nitro-7-sulphamoylbenzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione in rat plasma has been established and validated. Samples of 0.5 ml of plasma are extracted by elution from a Bond-Elut column with methanol and analysed on a reversed-phase column. The wavelength of UV detection is 254 nm. The method is linear at least up to 30 micrograms/ml, with a lowest reliable determination level of 4 mg/ml. The assays has a coefficient of variation of 13% at 10 ng/ml and 4% at 1000 ng/ml. Small variations in the extraction procedure and the liquid chromatographic conditions have minimal or no influence on the assay.     

Simultaneous determination of a new gastrointestinal prokinetic agent (HSR-803) and its metabolites in human serum and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography using automated column-switching.

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography using column-switching is described for the simultaneous determination of HSR-803 and its metabolites in human serum and urine. The system uses a six-port valve with a Nucleosil CN pre-column for on-line sample clean-up, and direct injection of samples. The limits of quantitation in serum and urine were 5 and 20 ng/ml for HSR-803 and 50 and 200 ng/ml for the metabolites, respectively. The coefficients of variation for the intra- and inter-day accuracies were between 0.8 and 7.1% for each compound. This method was applied to the pharmacokinetic studies in humans after oral administration of HSR-803.     

Chromatographic analysis of methylmercaptopurine riboside in human plasma and urine.

An isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of methylmercaptopurine riboside (MMPR) in human plasma and urine is reported. Plasma samples were prepared for analysis by addition of internal standard (6-dimethylaminopurine 9-riboside) followed by extraction using disposable C18 cartridges. Urine samples were filtered through a 0.22-micron membrane prior to HPLC separation. The column effluent was monitored at 289 nm and quantitation performed using peak heights. The linear range for MMPR determination was from 10 to 500 ng/ml in plasma and from 0.25 to 50 micrograms/ml in urine. The reported method is convenient, sensitive, and reproducible, illustrating its usefulness for application in pharmacokinetic studies.     

Estimation of the analgesic muscle relaxants chlorzoxazone and diazepam in human plasma by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

A rapid and sensitive method of extraction of human plasma containing acetaminophen, chlorzoxazone, oxyphenbutazone and diazepam along with their active metabolites was developed. The plasma samples were extracted by a solid-phase extraction procedure with theophylline as an internal standard for accurate quantitation. The reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method provided a linear ultraviolet detector response in the range 100.0-700.0 ng/ml. Recoveries greater than 95% were achieved from human plasma samples. Limits of detection of 100, 200, 150 and 250 ng/ml for acetaminophen, chlorzoxazone, oxyphenbutazone and diazepam, respectively, were obtained.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitation of quinidine and selected quinidine metabolites

A specific and sensitive assay for the separation and quantitation of quinidine, 3-hydroxyquinidine, quinidine-N-oxide, O-desmethylquinidine and dihydroquinidine is presented. The assay is shown to be sensitive to concentrations of 0.1 microgram/ml for all the above compounds when using a serum sample of 0.1 ml. The standard curve demonstrates linearity at concentrations from 0.1 to 5 micrograms/ml. The extraction procedure consists of adjusting the serum to an alkaline pH and extracting once with a mixture of methanol-dichloromethane (15:85). The organic extract is dried and the residue is solubilized in mobile phase. The chromatographic conditions are an isocratic delivery of the mobile phase 0.01 M K2HPO4-acetonitrile (96:4) through a C18 column at ambient temperature. Detection of the compounds of interest is by ultraviolet absorption at a wavelength of 210 nm. For each compound the inter-assay variation is less than 10% and the intra-assay variation is less than 15%. No interfering compounds were detected when a commercially prepared serum spiked with 28 commonly used therapeutic compounds was assayed by this method. The analytical method presented here for the isolation and quantitation of quinidine, several active metabolites, and dihydroquinidine has adequate sensitivity and specificity for monitoring the concentration of quinidine and quinidine metabolites in patient samples.