Routine Analysis of Catecholamines and Metabolites in Urine by a Liquid Chromatographic Column Switching System

Abstract

A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic technique including a column switching system has been adapted for the routine measurement of catecholamines and their metabolites (14 compounds) in urine. From 1 ml of urine all the compounds and the internal standards were obtained according to combined extraction procedures involving organic solvent, anionic and weakly cationic resins. Finally four extracts (catecholamines, methoxamines, acidic and neutral derivatives) had to be chromatographed throughout a wholly automated apparatus. For each run, the column switching system determined the analytical columns to be used to obtain the separation of the compounds from interferences due to other co-extracted endogenous substances, while the analysis times remained between 20 and 40 min. Such a system allowed the rapid clean-up of columns (in direct- and back-flush mode) carried out between two consecutive injections. By coupling on-line fluorimetric and electro-chemical detections the specificity of the technique could be checked, since the ratio of the responses of both detectors was an index of the purity of the peaks. Finally the advanced automation of the equipment allowed weekly the evaluation of catecholamines and the whole range of their known metabolites in 36 urine samples.     

Routine analysis of catecholamines and metabolites in urine by a liquid chromatographic column switching system

A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic technique including a column switching system has been adapted for the routine measurement of catecholamines and their metabolites (14 compounds) in urine. From 1 ml of urine all the compounds and the internal standards were obtained according to combined extraction procedures involving organic solvent, anionic and weakly cationic resins. Finally four extracts (catecholamines, methoxamines, acidic and neutral derivatives) had to be chromatographed throughout a wholly automated apparatus. For each run, the column switching system determined the analytical columns to be used to obtain the separation of the compounds from interferences due to other co-extracted endogenous substances, while the analysis times remained between 20 and 40 min. Such a system allowed the rapid clean-up of columns (in direct- and back-flush mode) carried out between two consecutive injections. By coupling on-line fluorimetric and electrochemical detections the specificity of the technique could be checked, since the ratio of the responses of both detectors was an index of the purity of the peaks. Finally the advanced automation of the equipment allowed weekly the evaluation of catecholamines and the whole range of their known metabolites in 36 urine samples.     

Trace Enrichment and HPLC Analysis of Chlorophenols in Environmental Samples,Using Precolumn Sample Preconcentration and Electrochemical Detection

Abstract

A HPLC method has been developed for trace analysis of chlorophenols in the 0.2–2 ppb range from spiked water samples. Simple liquid-liquid extraction followed by on-line preconcentration of total mono- and dichlorophenols has been performed using a divinylbenzene-styrene copolymeric sorbent (PRP₁) as packing material for the precolumn. The chlorophenols have been eluted from the precolumn on an analytical column (5μm LiChrosorb RP-18, 12.5 cm × 4 mm) by use of a switching valve system followed by separation. Detection was carried out with an electrochemical detector. The linearity of the detector response has been proved over two orders of magnitude. The detection limit of chlorophenols by means of the electrochemical method is in the lower picogram range. The recoveries of the isomeric chlorophenols from spiked river water samples having initial concentrations of 2ppb are usually 70–90%. The procedure has been applied to drinking water and river water.     

Enhancement of the Fluorimetric Properties of Some Carboxyl Substituted Anthracenes by Complexation with Bovine Serum Albumin

Abstract

A study has been conducted of the fluorimetric properties of substituted anthracenes, following complexation with bovine serum albuinin(BSA). It was found that although protein binding of the ligands enhances their fluorimetric properties, it fails to do so for their phosphorimetric properties. BSA would serve well in post column reactors for HPLC detectors, but not in pre-column systems.     

Pre-Column Switching Techniques for the Determination of Drugs and Metabolites in Body Fluids in Research and Routine Analysis

Abstract

The use of a column switching system for direct injection of samples and of a sample clean-up on reversed phase pre-columns is described. The pre-columns were filled with spherical C-18 silica gel of particle size 30 μm.

Two applications are reported on: (1) the direct injection of serum samples for the simultaneous analysis of nine antiepileptic drugs and metabolites and (2) the determination of phenytoin and of carbamazepine in serum ultra-filtrates.

The purge liquid for the sample clean-up was diluted phosphoric acid, and the eluent mixture for the chromatographic separation was water/acetonitrile. The analytical column (length 12.5 cm) was filled with C-18 silica gel of particle size 5 μm. A gradient elution was chosen for the first application, while the second application was carried out using isocratic chromatographic conditions.     

Tunable separation of anions and cations by column switching in ion chromatography

A convenient ion chromatography method has been proposed for the routine and simple determination of anions (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻) and/or cations (Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) using a single pump, a single eluent and a single detector. The present system used cation-exchange and anion-exchange columns connected in series via two 6-port switching valves or a single 10-port valve. The connection order of the ion-exchange columns could be varied by switching the valve(s). The present system therefore allowed the separation of either cations or anions in a single chromatographic run. While one ion-exchange column is being operated, the other ion-exchange column is being conditioned, i.e., the columns are always ready for analysis at any time. When 2.4 mM 5-sulfosalicylic acid was used as the eluent, the three anions and the five cations could be separated on the anion-exchange column and cation-exchange column, respectively. In order to obtain the separations of the target ions, the injection valve was placed between the two columns. Complete separations of the above anions or cations were demonstrated within 10 min each. The detection limits at S/N = 3 were 19-50 ppb (μg/l) for cations and 10-14 ppb for anions. The relative standard deviations of the analyte ions were less than 1.1, 2.9 and 2.8% for retention time, peak area and peak height, respectively. This proposed technique was applied to the determination of common anions and cations in river water samples.     

Separation of phenolic compounds and corresponding glucuronides by coupled-column micellar reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary An isocratic HPLC technique for separation of phenolic compounds and corresponding glucuronides in urine is developed. Sample pre-treatment, often a tedious and rate-limiting factor, was eliminated by use of a coupled column system. Spiked urine samples were injected directly into a C₄ precolumn and a selected fraction was transferred on-line from the precolumn to a silanized C₁₈ analytical column in the backflush mode. Analyte peak enrichment was attained by employing mobile phases of different elution strengths. The weaker mobile phase (7% v/v acetonitrile) was used to strongly retain the analytes on the precolumn while most of the polar endogenous compounds were washed to waste. Elution and transfer of the trapped analytes from the precolumn to the analytical column was achieved by introducing a stronger mobile phase (20% v/v acetonitrile) with the aid of a switching valve. The use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as counter ion and micellar agent in the mobile phase involved a high selectivity for the analytes relative to the urine matrix components and allowed simultaneous analysis of the glucuronides and parent compounds without the need of gradient elution. The system demonstrated a good repeatability on spiked urine samples. Who passed away July 21, 1996     

Column Switching Technique for Group-Type Separation of Different Pah Classes by use of C18-Modified Silica and Polystyrene Packings

Abstract

A column switching technique was developed to realize a group-type separation of PAHs and nitrogen containing PAHs (N-PAHs) applying a C₁₈-immobilized polystyrene packing as well as a C₁₈-modified silica stationary phase. On the first column the group-type separation and also the separation of the N-PAH fraction in single compounds was performed. After backflush and transfer to a second column, the separation of the PAH fraction could be achieved.     

Rapid and Simple Technique for the Quantitation of Polyamines in Biological Samples

Abstract

A rapid and simple technique has been developed to quantify putrescine, spermidine, and spermine in biological tissue. The method, based upon several published procedures, involves protein precipitation with perchloric acid followed by dansylation with 5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonyl chloride (dansyl chloride). After extraction on a Waters C₁₈ Sep-Pak cartridge, the samples are analyzed by high pressure liquid chromotography using a step solvent change and a 3μ C₁₈ reverse phase column. The chromotographic conditions allowed complete analysis of the three polyamines within 10 min with a total run time of 13 min (sample injection and re-equilibrium of column). Standard curves were linear up to 1 μg polyamine and the coefficient of variation for the assay ranged from 4% at l μg polyamine per sample to 11% at 50 ng polyamine per sample. The assay is therefore both rapid and simple. Moreover, unlike other available methods, the present technique does not require duel pumps, ion pairing agents, solvent extraction or a gradient control system. The concentrations of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in rat lung, liver and kidney are reported.     

Increased Flexibility in Multicolumn Chromatography (MC[sbnd]HPLC) via On-line Effluent Mixing Technique

Abstract

In continuation of our work dealing with multicolumn HPLC (MC[sbnd]HPLC) we describe in this paper an on-line on-column fraction trapping technique based on effluent mixing.

To a normal two-column switching set-up (in this case with two RP columns) an additional high-pressure pump gets inserted into the connection line between column A and column B via a low dead volume mixing tee. The in-line respectively off-line switching of pump B and the mobile phase B is time controlled by using a high pressure switching valve. With this set-up it is possible to mix on-line an effluent fraction from column A and transferred onto column B with a highly polar and pH-controlled (e.g. aqueous buffer) new effluent, to reduce or adjust significantly the overall elution strength of this mixed transferred solvent. Thus, several chromatographically effective possibilities can be created in a simple manner, which are for example: (a) pronounced peak compression respectively on-column concentration on column B; (b) due to low elution strength and/or pH adjustment during the trapping period on column B, increments to the overall selectivity of the column switching set-up can be added creating multidimensionality via mobile phase switching; (c) combining the heart cut with the effluent mixing technique enables analysis of trace peaks eluted on the back flank of an overloaded main peak.     

Studies on Steroids. CLXXXLV. Separation of Catechol Estrogen Monoglucuronides and Monosulfates by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection

Abstract

Separation of catechol estrogen monoglucuronides and mono-sulfates by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection on a reversed-phase column has been carried out. The effects of composition and pH of mobile phases on the capacity factor were investigated with a TSKgel ODS-120T column. Each group of isomeric monoglucuronides and monosulfates of 2- and 4-hydroxyestrogens was efficiently resolved on this column when the 0.5% ammonium dihydrogen phosphate-tetrahydrofuran-acetonitrile system was used as a mobile phase.     

Quantitative Analysts of 5-Hydroxytryptamtne in Biological Material by High Perfornance Liquid Chromatography and Electrochmical Detection

Abstract

A quantitative method for the analysis of 5-hydroxytryptamine in biological material is described. The method is based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. A simple purification on a weakly acidic ion exchange resin prior to the analysis gives quite clean samples and permits concentration of diluted samples. The chromatographic separation is performed on a reverse phase column with organic modifier added to an aqueous eluent. With this analytical system 25 pg of 5-hydroxytryptamine can be detected.     

Automated high-performance liquid chromatographic method with column switching for the determination of neurotransmitters and related compounds, ascorbic acid and uric acid in tissue extracts

An automated high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical and fluorimetric detection and on-line data evaluation is described for the simultaneous measurement of indoleaminergic and catecholaminergic neurotransmitters, some of their metabolites and precursors and ascorbic and uric acids. Deproteinized tissue extracts from the central nervous system or peripheral organs are injected without prior purification (recovery greater than 90%). A switching system enables the compounds to be passed as necessary through one, two or three reversed-phase columns, which are then eluted simultaneously (analysis time 25 min). Fifty samples per day can be analysed with a precision of 95% for neurotransmitters and about 90% for ascorbic and uric acids.     

A Low-Resolution Separation of C14 -Glyburide and Its Metabolites from Plasma Extracts Using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph Guard Column

Abstract

A low-resolution method for simultaneous, rapid determination of radiolabeled glyburide and its metabolites in human plasma is described. Plasma samples were extracted with ethyl acetate. Extracts were redissolved in 300 μl of mobile phase, and injected into a 3 cm guard column, which was incorporated as a loop in a six-port switching valve. C¹⁴-glyburide was collected as a single 4-min fraction at a flow rate of 4 ml per min.

Following collection of a 1-ml fraction, the column was backflushed with methanol to allow collection of the metabolites of glyburide. The mean value of recovered radioactivity was 95.5 ± 5.7%. The validity of the separation was verified in a high-resolution HPLC system and no cross contamination of the fractions was observed.     

Multivariate Fluorimetric Determination of Mixture of Pyrene,Perylene and Triphenylene in Water Sample

ABSTRACT

Micellization is described as a successful media for simultaneous fluorimetric determination of perylene, pyrene and triphenylene in water samples by reducing interference between them. A multivariate method based on synchronous fluorescence scan to estimate perylene, pyrene and triphenylene in their mixture solution has been proposed. The method does not require solving of large amounts of data obtained from the whole spectrum of the samples, thus making the analysis simple and fast. The method gives the best result for perylene and satisfactory results for pyrene and triphenylene. Analysis of water samples of two different origins spiked with known amount of perylene, pyrene and triphenylene also gives satisfactory result. Presence of fluoranthene up to 1 μM does not interfere in the analysis.     

The Quantitation of Heroin and Selected Basic Impurities via Reversed Phase HPLC. II. The Analysis of Adulterated Samples

Abstract

Methodology is presented for the quantitation of heroin, O⁶-monoacetylmorphine, acetylcodeine, noscapine and papaverine in adulterated illicit heroin samples. Reversed phase chromatography was employed using an HS-5 C18 column with a gradient system. This methodology used a multimode detection scheme which consisted of a photodiode array detector in series with a dual electrochemical detector in the parallel mode. Owing to its high specificity for O⁶-monoacetylmorphine, electrochemical detection via the oxidation mode proved necessary for the quantitation of this compound in samples highly adulterated with quinine. The use of relative retention times, UV spectra and dual electrochemical response ratios for the screening of adulterants in heroin is discussed.     

Performance of the Continuous Addition of Reagent Technique in Fluorimetric Reaction-Rate Methods. Determination of Thiamine at the Nanomolar Level

Abstract

The potential of the continuous addition of reagent (CAR) technique, developed for reactions on the millisecond time scale, in fluorimetric reaction-rate methods, is evaluated. The approach was applied to the classical fast reaction involving the oxidation of thiamine to fluorescent thiochrome effected by potassium ferricyanide in basic solutions. Practical problems associated with this system were readily avoided by using the CAR technique. Several kinetic methods have been developed for the determination of thiamine; all are very sentitive (detection limit, 2. 5x10^?9 M) compared to other fluorimetric equilibrium and reaction-rate methods and are suitable for routine analyses (sample throughput, 100 h^?1).     

Quantitative Analysis of Terbutaline (Bricanyl®) in Human Plasma with Liquid Chromatography and Electrochemical Detection Using On-Line Enrichment

Abstract

A liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection (LC-EC) has been developed for the quantitative analysis of terbuta-line in the range 5–50 pmole ml^?1 of human plasma. Terbutaline is isolated from 2 ml of plasma on an ion-exchange column and the eluate is concentrated on a hydrophobic precolumn on-line in the chromatographic system. The precolumn is then back-flushed for further separation onto a hydrophobic analytical column. The mobile phase is a methanol-aqueous buffer to which sodium perchlorate is added to achieve resolution from interfering peaks. A glassy carbon electrode is used for detection. Comparison has been made with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to examine the accuracy of the method.     

A Reverse Phase HPLC Assay for the Determination of Calcium Pantothenate Utilizing Column Switching

Abstract

A reverse phase HPLC assay utilizing column switching has been developed and validated for the determination of calcium pantothenate (CP) in several multivitamin tablet formulations. The reverse phase system utilizes a DuPont Zorbax C-8 analytical column, an automatically switched and backflushed Brownlee RP-18 guard column for the elimination of a highly retained excipient peak, 88:12 0.25M phosphate buffer:MeOH mobile phase, and 214 nm detection. Sample preparation and the switched column chromatography cycle each require approximately 15 minutes. A spiked recovery study showed linearity over the 50–150% of theory concentration range. Average recovery was 99.7%. Assay precision studies yielded sample RSD's ranging from 0.8 to 2.3%. Results obtained by this method are comparable to those obtained by the USP method.     

Diagnosis of Metal Poisoning and Evaluation of Chelation Therapy by Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Coupled to a Novel Digestion Procedure

Abstract

Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, coupled to a closed acid digestion system, has been proven to be an efficient tool for rapid diagnosis of metal poisoning and for evaluating the progress of chelation therapy. This technique and system has been used to determine total zinc, cadmium, lead, bismuth, copper, and thallium in urine, blood, hair, teeth, feces, bone and other tissue for medical management and post-mortem studies. The technique lends itself to determining minute changes in metal concentrations, while its low detection limits provide for the analysis of liquid samples as small as 10 μl. A procedure for rapidly removing metal contaminants from reagents and electrolyte systems was tested and found to be effective for this highly sensitive technique.