Determination of serum metabolic profiles of bile acids by microcolumn liquid chromatography/laser-induced fluorescence

A method for the determination of individual free and conjugated bile acids in serum using microcolumn liquid chromatography coupled with a laser-induced fluorescence detector is described. Bile acids are separated into free/glycine-conjugate and taurine-conjugate fractions using a Sep-Pak SIL cartridge. The taurine-conjugated bile acid fraction is subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis. Subsequently, free and conjugated bile acids are labeled using 4-(bromomethyl)-7-methoxycoumarin as a fluorogenic reagent, producing stable derivatives that can be excited by the 325 nm line of a He/Cd laser. Prior to their fluorimetric detection, the individual components of a bile acid serum profile are separated by reversed-phase microcolumn liquid chromatography.     

Method to determine 4-oxo-retinoic acids, retinoic acids and retinol in serum and cell extracts by liquid chromatography/diode-array detection atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation tandem mass spectrometry

Retinoic acid isomers, 4-oxo-retinoic acid isomers and retinol are present in the serum of mammals. In this study a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation, sample preparation and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method was established for quick and easy sample preparation and sensitive determination of retinoids such as all-trans-4-oxo-retinoic acid, 13-cis-4-oxo-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, all-trans-retinoic acid and retinol in serum and cell extracts. Serum samples were simply treated with three times the volume of isopropanol, dried under vacuum, taken up in the HPLC solvent and immediately put into the autosampler for an automated single-run HPLC analysis. With this MS/MS method we were able to detect 7 pg and quantify 20 pg of all-trans-retinoic acid, 4-oxo-all-trans-retinoic acid and retinol directly on-column and were able to determine a concentration as low as 0.2 ng/mL in ethanolic standards and in biological samples. This method allows ultra-sensitive detection, excellent selectivity and a very simple sample preparation to determine retinoic acids, 4-oxo-retinoic acids and retinol in serum and cell extracts for the study of endogenous retinoids.     

Determination of Water- and Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Multivitamin Preparations by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

An optimized method based on high-performance liquid chromatography with multiwavelength UV detection is proposed. The method provides the determination of vitamins B1 and B2, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamins B6, B12, K3, H, D2, and D3, and vitamin A and E acetates in multivitamin preparations using two chromatographic procedures. Relative standard deviations for most of vitamins are 3–10%.     

Thin self-assembled monolayer for voltammetrically monitoring nicotinic acid in food

A novel and sensitive method for the determination of nicotinic acid was proposed and based on voltammetric behavior of nicotinic acid on a self-assembled monolayer of mercaptoacetic acid coated gold electrode. The adsorption-controlled anodic peak current for the oxidation of nicotinic acid on mercaptoacetic acid covered gold electrode was affected by the type and pH value of supporting electrolyte and by accumulation potential as well as by accumulation time, and enhanced linearly with the concentration of nicotinic acid in the range of 0.8 mM–0.45 μM with a detection limit of 0.14 μM. The proposed method was utilized successfully for the monitoring of nicotinic acid in food. The possible interaction of nicotinic acid with mercaptoacetic acid, which is responsible for the enhanced response of nicotinic acid on modified electrode, was also suggested.     

HPLC Determination of Chlorpropamide in Human Serum by Fluorogenic Derivatization Based on the Suzuki Coupling Reaction with Phenylboronic Acid

A fluorogenic derivatization method for the determination of chlorpropamide in human serum was developed by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The Suzuki coupling reaction with a non-fluorescent reagent, phenylboronic acid (PBA), was employed to convert chlorpropamide into highly fluorescent biphenyl derivative. Chlorpropamide was extracted from human serum by liquid–liquid extraction with toluene after addition of hydrochloric acid, and subsequently reacted with PBA. Because the fluorogenic derivatization was highly selective for aryl halide, the proposed method allowed sensitive and selective detection of chlorpropamide with a detection limit (at a signal to noise ratio of 3) of 0.5 ng mL^?1. The sensitivity of our method was from 4 to 100 times better than HPLC–UV, gas chromatography, and LC-mass spectrometry.     

HPLC Determination of Chlorpropamide in Human Serum by Fluorogenic Derivatization Based on the Suzuki Coupling Reaction with Phenylboronic Acid

A fluorogenic derivatization method for the determination of chlorpropamide in human serum was developed by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The Suzuki coupling reaction with a non-fluorescent reagent, phenylboronic acid (PBA), was employed to convert chlorpropamide into highly fluorescent biphenyl derivative. Chlorpropamide was extracted from human serum by liquid–liquid extraction with toluene after addition of hydrochloric acid, and subsequently reacted with PBA. Because the fluorogenic derivatization was highly selective for aryl halide, the proposed method allowed sensitive and selective detection of chlorpropamide with a detection limit (at a signal to noise ratio of 3) of 0.5 ng mL⁻¹. The sensitivity of our method was from 4 to 100 times better than HPLC–UV, gas chromatography, and LC-mass spectrometry.

     

Characterization of a new norfloxacin metabolite monitored during a bioequivalence study by means of mass spectrometry and quantum computation

A bioequivalence study of two formulations containing norfloxacin was used for identification and assay of the metabolite of norfloxacin in human serum samples. The bioequivalence study was based on an analytical method using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The plasmatic profile of metabolite was similar to norfloxacin for both formulations. Three plasma fractions of norfloxacin metabolite from a volunteer were isolated by liquid chromatography and investigated by atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization mass-spectrometry. The structure of norfloxacin metabolite (7-aminoethylenamino-6-fluoro-4-hydroxy quinoline-3-carboxylic acid) was identified taking into account also the mass spectrometry investigations achieved for norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin (used as internal standard for the analytical method). A theoretical procedure based on quantum chemical calculations has been also used to explain the mass fragmentation in molecules of norfloxacin metabolite that differ from the molecule of norfloxacin.     

Simultaneous determination of imidazoleacetic acid and N tau- and N pi-methylimidazoleacetic acids in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of urinary imidazoleacetic acid and N tau- and N pi-methylimidazoleacetic acids which employs high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection is described. The compounds were converted into the corresponding fluorescent esters by reaction with 4-bromomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin. These derivatives are separated by liquid chromatography on a Radial-Pak silica column. The detection limits for imidazoleacetic acid and N tau-and N pi-methylimidazoleacetic acids in urine are 15, 10 and 20 pmol/ml, respectively. The 24-h urinary excretion of imidazoleacetic acid and N tau-and N N pi-methylimidazoleacetic acids by healthy persons was 5.7-39.9, 4.3-24.6 and 1.5-19.3 nmol/mg of creatinine, respectively.     

Measurement of N-acetylneuraminic acid in human serum and urine by high performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection.

A highly sensitive method for the determination of N-acetylneuraminic acid in human serum and urine is investigated. This method employs high performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection. N-Acetylneuraminic acid, released by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of serum and urine, and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (internal standard) are converted into chemiluminescent derivatives with 4,5-diaminophthalhydrazide dihydrochloride, a chemiluminescence derivatization reagent for alpha-keto acids. The derivatives are separated within 35 min on a reversed phase column, TSKgel ODS-120T, with isocratic elution, followed by chemiluminescence detection; the chemiluminescence is produced by the reaction of the derivatives with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) in alkaline solution. The detection limit for N-acetylneuraminic acid is 9 fmol (signal-to-noise ratio = 3). This sensitivity permits precise determination of N-acetylneuraminic acid in 10 nL of serum or 50 nL of urine. The method is applied to the determination of the N-acetylneuraminic acid in human sera from normal subjects and cancer patients and in normal urine.     

Assessment of terbium (III) as a luminescent probe for the detection of tuberculosis biomarkers

A detection method for nicotinic acid, a specific metabolite marker of Mycobacterium tuberculosis present in cultures and patients' breath, is studied in complex solutions containing other metabolites and in biological media such as urine, saliva and breath condensate. The method is based on the analysis of the luminescence increase of Tb³⁺ complexes in the presence of nicotinic acid due to the energy transfer from the excited ligand to the lanthanide ion. It is shown that other potential markers found in M. tuberculosis culture supernatant, such as methyl phenylacetate, p-methyl anisate, methyl nicotinate and 2-methoxy biphenyl, can interfere with nicotinic acid via a competitive absorption of the excitation photons. A new strategy to circumvent these interferences is proposed with an upstream trapping of volatile markers preceding the detection of nicotinic acid in the liquid phase via the luminescence of Tb³⁺ complexes. The cost of the method is evaluated and compared with the Xpert MTB/RIF test endorsed by the World Health Organization.     

Gas chromatographic analysis of flunixin in equine urine after extractive methylation

A quantitative method for the analysis of flunixin, 2-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethylanilino) nicotinic acid, in equine urine by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection has been developed. Flunixin and the internal standard, mefenamic acid, N-(2,3-xylyl) anthranilic acid, were analysed after extractive methylation of the carboxylic acid group using methyl iodide. The extraction and alkylation conditions of flunixin and mefenamic acid have been studied. The detection limit of the method was 0.25 mumol/l flunixin in urine (74 ng/ml). Flunixin was found to be conjugated to 96.5% in equine urine, and the conjugate was spontaneously hydrolysed to free flunixin. This approach can also be used to confirm the presence of flunixin or mefenamic acid in horse urine in the doping control of racehorses.     

Development of simultaneous analysis of tryptophan metabolites in serum and gastric juice – an investigation towards establishing a biomarker test for gastric cancer diagnosis

To evaluate changes in tryptophan metabolism and discover diagnostic biomarkers for gastric cancer, a quantitative method was developed for tryptophan and its seven metabolites (indole‐3‐lactic acid, anthranilic acid, serotonin, nicotinic acid, kynurenic acid, kynurenine and 3‐indoxyl sulfate) in both human serum and gastric juice using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Serum and gastric juice were prepared with a simple protein precipitation using aqueous 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile. As a result, it was found that the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism was activated in gastric cancer and that the metabolic ratio of kynurenine/tryptophan, which reflects the enzyme activity of indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase, was associated with the observed metabolic changes. Finally, the investigation of tryptophan metabolites, especially kynurenic acid, in serum and gastric juice might serve as biomarkers for gastric cancer. The findings in this study provide critical information of tryptophan metabolism which can be applied to a serum‐based diagnostic test for gastric cancer.     

Determination of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in human serum by liquid chromatography after fluorescence labeling based on the Suzuki coupling reaction

A simultaneous method for the determination of haloperidol (HP) and its metabolite, reduced haloperidol (RHP), in human serum was developed by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Suzuki coupling reaction with a fluorescent arylboronic acid, 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenylboronic acid (DPA), was employed to convert HP and RHP into highly fluorescent compounds. HP and RHP were extracted from human serum by liquid-liquid extraction with a mixture of n-hexane and isoamyl alcohol (99:1, v/v) and subsequently labeled by reaction with DPA. Separation of DPA derivatives of HP and RHP was performed on a silica column with a mixture of acetonitrile and H(2)O (90:10, v/v) containing triethylamine and acetic acid as a mobile phase. The proposed method allowed sensitive detection of HP and RHP in human serum with a detection limit (at a signal to noise ratio of 3) of 0.22 and 0.20 ng/mL, respectively. The applicability of the method for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) was demonstrated by analyzing human serum samples from schizophrenic patients receiving HP.     

Investigation of folic acid stability in fortified instant noodles by use of capillary electrophoresis and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography

A single enzyme treatment with alpha-amylase, prior to the quantification of added folic acid (FA) in fortified instant fried Asian noodles with analysis performed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with UV detection, is described. The method was validated and optimized for capillary electrophoresis (CE) with separation achieved using a 8 mM phosphate-12 mM borate run buffer with 5% MeOH at pH 9.5. FA was well separated from matrix components with nicotinic acid (NA) employed as an internal standard. In a comparative study, separation of FA was performed using HPLC with a mobile phase consisting of 27% MeOH (v/v) in aqueous potassium phosphate buffer (3.5 mM KH(2)PO(4) and 3.2 mM K(2)HPO(4)), pH 8.5, and containing 5 mM tetrabutylammonium dihydrogen phosphate as an ion-pairing agent. For both methods, excellent results were obtained for various analytical parameters including linearity, accuracy and precision. The limit of detection was calculated to be 2.2 mg/L for CE without sample stacking and 0.10 mg/L with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sample extraction involved homogenization and enzymatic extraction with alpha-amylase. Results indicated that FA was stable during four main stages of instant fried noodle manufacturing (dough crumbs, cut sheets, steaming and frying).     

Determination of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in human serum by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography combined with spectrofluorimetric detection of 4-pyridoxic acid 5'-phosphate as a derivative

A very sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) in human serum is described. The specificity is based on the selective oxidation of PLP to 4-pyridoxic acid 5'-phosphate with potassium cyanide. Separation of the highly fluorescent 4-pyridoxic acid 5'-phosphate is achieved by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Specificity is improved by a careful choice of fluorescence filters, maximised at the excitation (325 nm) and emission (418 nm) wavelengths of 4-pyridoxic acid 5'-phosphate. The detection limit for the reaction is 0.22 ng ml(-1). For quantification, the serum is spiked with PLP before protein precipitation with 3.3% m/V trichloroacetic acid. The method can be used for the determination of PLP in serum, even in vitamin B6 deficient patients. The mean value for human serum PLP from 30 healthy adults was found to be 14.6 +/- 4.8 ng ml(-1) (mean +/- standard deviation).     

Column-switching techniques for high-performance liquid chromatography of ibuprofen and mefenamic acid in human serum with short-wavelength ultraviolet detection.

Column-switching techniques for high-performance liquid chromatography of two acidic drugs, ibuprofen and mefenamic acid, in human serum with short-wavelength ultraviolet detection are described. The method involved extraction of the analyte from acidified serum followed by the chromatographic analysis using column switching. Three ODS columns were used each with different mobile phase, utilizing the difference of ion-pair formation or of ionization caused by pH change. The method offered high sensitivity and selectivity, with short-wavelength ultraviolet detection at 221 nm for ibuprofen and at 219 nm for mefenamic acid. The detection limits were 0.5 ng/ml (2.4 pmol/ml) for ibuprofen and 0.1 ng/ml (0.4 pmol/ml) for mefenamic acid using 1 ml of serum, both at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. With some modifications, the principle of the method would be applicable to other acidic compounds in biological fluids.     

Determination of ethyl glucuronide in human serum by hyphenation of capillary isotachophoresis and zone electrophoresis

The determination of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a marker of recent alcohol consumption, in human serum by hyphenation of capillary ITP (CITP) and CZE is reported. For CITP step, 1 x 10(-2) M hydrochloric acid adjusted with epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) to pH 4.4 was used as the leading electrolyte, and 1 x 10(-2) M nicotinic acid with EACA, pH 4.4, was used as the terminating electrolyte (TE). All electrolytes contained 0.2% hydroxypropylcellulose to suppress electroosmosis. In CITP, EtG was separated from fast serum macrocomponents chloride, phosphate, lactate, and acetate. Zones of microcomponents including EtG that migrated between acetate and nicotinate were forwarded to the second capillary filled with a BGE identical with the TE. Conductivity detection was used in the CITP step. Sensitive detection in the CZE step was performed using indirect spectrophotometric detection at 254 nm. The assay is based on a 1:5 dilution of serum with deionized water and has a concentration LOD for EtG in diluted sample of 9.8 x 10(-9) M. The method was used for the determination of EtG in sera of volunteers consuming alcohol.     

Determination of nitrazepam in serum by gas-liquid chromatography. Application in bioavailability studies.

A gas chromatographic method with electron capture detection has been developed for the analysis of nitrazepam in serum. N-Desmethyldiazepam is used as internal standard. Nitrazepam isolated from serum is converted by acid hydrolysis into 2-amino 5 nitrobenzophenone, which is chromatographed. Metabolites of nitrazepam (7-amino and 7-acetamido compounds) are not included in the determination. Recovery experiments showed that the method is quantitative. The limit of detection is 5 ng/ml of nitrazepam in serum. The method has been used for measuring serum concentrations of nitrazepam in bioavailability studies on subjects given a single dose of nitrazepam tablets.     

Determination of SQ 27,519, the active phosphinic acid-carboxylic acid of the prodrug SQ 28,555, in human serum by capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection after a two-step derivatization

A method for the determination of SQ 27,519 (II), the active phosphinic acid-carboxylic acid of the prodrug SQ 28,555 (I), in human serum is presented. Compounds I and II are simultaneously extracted from acidified serum into ethyl acetate, and II is back-extracted into aqueous sodium bicarbonate. Compound I, in ethyl acetate, can be subsequently hydrolyzed and measured as II. The two acidic groups of II are selectively esterified, first by methylation of the carboxylic acid with methanolic hydrochloric acid and then by formation of the hexafluoroisopropyl ester of the phosphinic acid. The resulting product is measured by splitless-injection capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. Linear standard curves were obtained for II with a detection limit of less than 10 ng/ml of serum. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of serum samples obtained from normal individuals after administration of I. In an ascending-dose study involving several human subjects the serum levels of II ranged from less than 10 to 7000 ng/ml of serum.     

Use of 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulphonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole as a labelling reagent for peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection and its application to the determination of the beta-blocker metoprolol in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Fluorogenic reagents having a benzofurazan moiety, viz., 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulphonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-F), 7-fluoro-4-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole and 4-(aminosulphonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole, were compared for the sensitive analysis of their derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography with peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection. Of the proline derivatives, DBD-proline was the most sensitive with a detection limit of 2 fmol. The optimum concentrations of bis[4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl] oxalate and H2O2 for the post-column reaction were 0.5 and 75 mmol dm-3 respectively and amino acids and beta-blockers derivatized with DBD-F were detected in the range 0.2-40 fmol (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) using the proposed method. The lower detection limit of metoprolol (a beta-blocker having an isopropylamino group) spiked in serum was 0.8 ng ml-1 using 20 microl of serum (signal-to-noise ratio = 5).