Stability-indicating methods for the determination of disopyramide phosphate

Four methods were developed for the determination of intact disopyramide phosphate in the presence of its degradation product. In the first and second methods, third-derivative spectrophotometry and first derivative of the ratio spectra were used. For the third-derivative spectrophotometric method, the peak amplitude was measured at 272 nm, while for the derivative ratio spectrophotometric method, disopyramide phosphate was determined by measuring the peak amplitude at 248 and 273 nm. Both methods were used for the determination of disopyramide phosphate in the concentration range 12.5-87.5 microg/mL, with corresponding mean recovery 100.8 +/- 0.7% for the first method and 99.9 +/- 0.7% and 99.6 +/- 0.7% for the second method at 248 and 273 nm, respectively. In the third method, an ion selective electrode (ISE) was fabricated using phosphotungstic acid as an anionic exchanger, PVC as the polymer matrix, and dibutylsebacate as a plasticizer. The ISE was used for the determination of disopyramide phosphate in pure powder form in the concentration range 10(-2)-10(-5) M. The slope was found to be 58.5 (mV/decade), and the average recovery was 99.9 +/- 1.6%. The fourth method depended on the quantitative densitometric determination of the drug in concentration range of 0.25-2.5 microg/spot using silica gel 60 F245 plates and ethyl acetate-chloroform-ammonium hydroxide (85 + 10 + 5, v/v/v) as the mobile phase, with corresponding mean accuracy of 100.3 +/- 1.1%. The 4 proposed methods were found to be specific for disopyramide phosphate in presence of up to 80% of its degradation product for the spectrophotometric methods, 90% of its degradation for the densitometric method, and 40% for the ISE method. The 4 proposed procedures were successfully applied for the determination of disopyramide phosphate in Norpace capsules. Statistical comparison between the results obtained by these methods and the official method of the drug was done, and no significant differences were found.     

A simple method for nicardipine hydrochloride quantification in plasma using solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and sensitive reversed-phase liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the determination of nicardipine hydrochloride (NC) in rabbit plasma. Nicardipine hydrochloride and nimodipine, used as internal standard, were initially extracted from plasma by a rapid solid-phase extraction using C(18) cartridges. After extraction, nicardipine hydrochloride was separated by HPLC on a C(18) column and quantified by ultraviolet detection at 254 nm. A mixture of acetonitrile-0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer-methanol (45:40:15) with 0.2% of triethylamine of pH of 6.1 was used as mobile phase. The mean (+/-SD) extraction efficiency of NC was 77.56 +/- 5.4, 84.23 +/- 4.32 and 83.94 +/- 3.87% for drug concentrations of 5, 25 and 100 ng/mL, respectively. The method proved to be linear in the range of 5-100 ng/mL with a regression coefficient of 0.9993. The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day analysis for NC in plasma were 3.26-6.52% (n = 5) and 4.71-9.38% (n = 5), respectively. The differences of the mean value measured from the concentration prepared, expressed in percentages (bias percentage), were only - 5.2, 0.4 and 0.8% at NC 5, 25 and 50 ng/mL, which confirmed the accuracy of the method. The analytical technique was used to determine NC plasma concentration after drug oral administration to rabbits. The results inferred that NC is rapidly absorbed in rabbits and has a short half-life (t(1/2) = 1.34 h).     

Development and validation of spectrophotometric, TLC and HPLC methods for the determination of lamotrigine in presence of its impurity

Three reliable, rapid and selective methods have been developed and validated for the determination of lamotrigine in the presence of its impurity, 2,3-dichlorobenzoic acid. The first method is spectrophotometric method using p-chloranilic acid forming a colored product with lambda(max) 519+/-2 nm. All variables affecting the reaction have been investigated and the conditions were optimized. Beer's law was obeyed over a concentration range of 10-200 microg ml(-1) with mean accuracy 100.13+/-0.44%. The molar ratio of the formed ion-association complex is found to be 1 : 1 as deduced by Job's method. The conditional stability constant (K(f)), standard free energy (DeltaG), molar absorptivity(epsilon), and sensitivity index were evaluated. The second method is based on TLC separation of the cited drug (Rf=0.75+/-0.01) from its impurity (Rf=0.23+/-0.01) followed by densitometric measurement of the intact drug spots at 275 nm. The separation was carried on silica gel plates using ethyl acetate : methanol : ammonia 35% (17 : 2 : 1 v/v/v) as a mobile phase. The linearity range was 0.5-10 microg/spot with mean accuracy 99.99+/-1.33%. The third method is accurate and sensitive stability-indicating HPLC method based on separation of lamotrigine from its impurity on a reversed phase C(18) column, using a mobile phase of acetonitrile : methanol : 0.01 M potassium orthophosphate (pH 6.7+/-0.1) (30 : 20 : 50 v/v/v) at ambient temperature 25+/-5 degrees C and UV detection at 275 nm in an overall analysis time of about 6 min., based on peak area. The injection repeatability, intraday and interday repeatability were calculated. The procedure provided a linear response over the concentration range 1-12 microg ml(-1) with mean accuracy of 99.50+/-1.30%. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of lamotrigine in bulk powder, in dosage form and in presence of its impurity. The results obtained were analyzed by ANOVA to assess that no significant difference between each of the three methods and the reported one. The validation was performed according to USP guidelines.     

Simultaneous determination of disopyramide and mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide enantiomers in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis

In this paper, a rapid method for the enantioselective analysis of the antiarrhythmic drug disopyramide and its main metabolite mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis employing the cyclodextrin-modified electrokinetic chromatography mode is described. Sample clean-up was carried out by alkalinization with sodium hydroxide followed by liquid-liquid extraction with toluene. The complete enantioselective analysis was performed within less than 5 min using 20 mmol/L sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0, containing 0.2% w/v sulfated beta-cyclodextrin as chiral selector. A 40 cm uncoated fused-silica capillary was used for the analysis, performed at a voltage of 15 kV and at 20 degrees C. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 62.5-1850 ng/mL and 125-1850 ng/mL for each enantiomer of disopyramide and mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide. The mean recoveries for disopyramide and mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide enantiomers were up to 87 and 69%, respectively. All four enantiomers studied could be quantified at three different concentrations (200, 400 and 600 ng/mL) with coefficient of variation and % relative error not higher than 15%. The quantitation limit was 62.5 ng/mL for (+)-(S)-and (-)-(R)-disopyramide and (-)-(R)-mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide and 125 ng/mL for (+)-(S)-mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide, using 1 mL of human plasma.     

Routine monitoring of carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography using 10-methoxycarbamazepine as internal standard

Carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with acetonitrile-water as mobile phase, and detection was effected by UV absorption at 215 nm with a total retention time of less than 10 min. Plasma samples were extracted with dichloromethane and 4 M sodium hydroxide, and 10-methoxy-carbamazepine was added as internal standard. Other commonly used anticonvulsant drugs present in plasma showed no significant interference. The within-batch coefficient of variation for carbamazepine was 4.9% and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide 5.9%. Between-batch coefficients of variation were 3.7% and 5.3%, respectively. Mean recovery for carbamazepine was 100.2% and for carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide 100.6%. This HPLC method was compared with both an enzyme immunoassay procedure (EMIT) and a gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method. Correlation coefficient between HPLC/EMIT for carbamazepine was 0.983, HPLC/GLC carbamazepine 0.988 and HPLC/GLC carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide 0.981.     

A simple, rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of rivastigmine and its major metabolite NAP 226-90 in rat brain and plasma by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A simple and sensitive reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray-mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, and its major metabolite NAP 226-90 in rat plasma and brain homogenates. Rivastigmine and NAP 226-90 were extracted from plasma and brain by ethyl acetate and, after drying under nitrogen, re-dissolved in acetonitrile and separated isocratic by HPLC on a C(18) column and quantified by single ion monitoring mass spectrometer. The mean (+/-SD) extraction efficiency for rivastigmine in plasma and brain was 93 +/- 2 and 95 +/- 2% (n = 5) of NAP 226-90 in a drug range of 10-100 pmol/mL or pmol/g. The method proved to be linear within the tested range (regression coefficient, r = 0.9999, n = 5). Intra- and inter-day precision coefficients of variation and accuracy bias were acceptable (within 15%, n = 5) over the entire range for both compounds using plasma or brain samples. The limits of quantification were 0.5 pmol/mL plasma and 2.5 pmol/g brain for rivastigmine and 1 pmol/mL plasma and 5 pmol/g brain for NAP 226-90, respectively. The analytical technique was used to determine the concentrations of rivastigmine and its metabolite NAP 226-90 in rat plasma and brain after oral drug administration. The concentrations of the parent drug and its major metabolite were compared to a pharmacodynamic parameter, the ex vivo inhibition of acetylcholinesterase.     

Determination of cyclosporine A in whole blood: comparison of a chromatographic method with three different immunological methods

Cyclosporine A is potent immunosuppressive agent characterized by a narrow therapeutic range, inter- and intra-individual variability and a lack of correlation between drug dosage and blood levels. In view of these facts, blood levels of CyA should be routinely monitored to assess organ rejection and toxicity.

We evaluated CyA as well as its metabolites (AM9, AM19, AMl, and AM4N) in whole blood samples from 117 patients using commercially available immunological assays (AxSYM, EMIT, Dimension) and HPLC.

Cross-reactivity of the immunological assays was evaluated using different concentrations of the CyA metabolites (in vitro cross-reactivity) and by statistical analysis of patient data (in vivo cross-reactivity). Cross-reactivity was seen in all immunological assays, with differences in in vitro and in vivo cross-reactivity.

The statistical analysis showed a classical correlation between HPLC and AxSYM of r² = 0.89, HPLC versus EMIT of r² = 0.93, and HPLC versus Dimension of r² = 0.93.

The percentage metabolite cross-reactivity (%) by immunological assays for four metabolites at two concentrations each (250 and 1000 ng ml⁻¹) was lowest with the Dimension assay.

Of the immunological methods examined, the new Dimension for CyA determination can be relied on to produce results comparable to HPLC; other advantages are its simplicity, practicability and ease of handling.     

高效液相色谱法测定大鼠神经组织中的硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐

 建立了大鼠神经组织中亚硝酸盐和硝酸盐的高效液相色谱测定方法,以用于研究一氧化氮在糖尿病慢性神经病变中的作用。在1 μmol/L～25 μmol/L的浓度范围内,NO2-和NO3-的峰面积与浓度的线性相关系数>0.991;最低检测浓度分别为0.2 μmol/L和0.5 μmol/L;日内、日间相对标准偏差<14%。对各实验组大鼠的初步测定结果表明,糖尿病组及糖尿病胰岛素(IGF)治疗组的NO2-和NO3-水平均低于对照组。 关键词：高效液相色谱法;一氧化氮;硝酸盐;亚硝酸盐;糖尿病神经病变     

Validated HPLC and HPTLC stability-indicating methods for determination of alfuzosin hydrochloride in bulk powder and pharmaceutical formulations

Two sensitive, selective, and precise stability-indicating, high-performance liquid chromatography and high-performance thin-layer chromatography methods have been developed for the determination of alfuzosin hydrochloride in the presence of its degradation products. Alfuzosin.HCl was subjected to stress alkaline, acidic, oxidative, thermal, and photo-degradation. The drug could be well separated from the degradation products upon applying the two methods. Separation by HPLC was achieved using an Xterra RP18 column and acetonitrile/0.02 M KH2PO4 (pH=3) in a ratio of 20:80 as mobile phase. The flow rate was 1 mL/min. The linearity range was 0.25 to 11 microg/mL with mean percentage recovery of 100.26 +/- 1.54. The HPTLC method used ALUGRAM Nano-SIL silica gel 60 F254 plates; the optimized mobile phase was methanol/ammonia (100:1.2). Quantitatively the spots were scanned densitometrically at 245 nm. A second order polynomial equation was used for the regression. The range was 0.5-7 microg/spot. The mean percentage recovery was 100.13 +/- 1.67. Two main degradation products were obtained in most stress conditions, separated, and identified by FT-IR and NMR spectral analysis, from which the degradation pathway was proposed. The two methods were validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization. In addition, the HPLC method was used to study the kinetics of alkaline and acid degradation of the drug.     

Determination of vitamin E acid succinate in biodegradable microspheres by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple, rapid, and reproducible reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is applied to the routine assay of vitamin E acid succinate in biodegradable microspheres. Vitamin E acid-succinate-containing poly-(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres are prepared by the solvent evaporation method. The starting drug-polymer ratio is 1:10 (w/w) and the total amount of drug and polymer processed is always 440 mg. The content of vitamin E acid succinate in the microspheres is evaluated by HPLC. Chromatography is carried out isocratically at 25 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C on an Extrasil ODS-2 column with a mobile phase composed of methanol-water (97:3, v/v) (pH 5.6) at a flow rate of 2 mL/min and UV detection at 284 nm. Parameters such as linearity, limits of quantitation (LOQ) and detection (LOD), precision, accuracy, recovery, specificity, and ruggedness are studied as reported in the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The stability of vitamin E acid succinate is also studied with satisfactory results after 48 h at 25 degrees C. The method is selective and linear for drug concentrations in the range 15-210 micro g/mL. The LOQ and LOD are 15 and 3 micro g/mL, respectively. The results for accuracy studies are good. Values for coefficient of variation for intra- and interassay are 2.08% and 2.32%, respectively. The mean percentage of vitamin E acid succinate in the recovery studies is 99.52% +/- 0.81%. The mean loading efficiency for microspheres is 96.53% +/- 1.31%.     

Development of a broad toxicological screening technique for urine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Withdrawal of the support for the REMEDi HS drug profiling system has necessitated its replacement within our laboratories with an alternative broad toxicological screening technique. To this end, a novel method, based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry, was developed for the routine analysis of urine samples. Identification was achieved by comparison of acquired data to libraries containing more than 300 common drugs and metabolites, and was based on a combination of retention time, exact mass and fragmentation patterns. Validation data for the method is presented and comprised an evaluation of the following parameters: precision; transferability of the methodology between the six collaborating laboratories; specificity; extraction recovery and stability of processed samples; matrix effects and sensitivity.This paper presents the benefits of supplementary fragmentation data with particular regard to increasing specificity and confidence of identification and its usefulness with overdosed samples. The utility of the method was assessed by the parallel analysis of 30 authentic urine samples using the REMEDi HS and UPLC-TOF. The latter provided enhanced detection, leading to the identification of twice as many drugs. Furthermore it did not miss any compounds that were identified by REMEDi HS. The UPLC-TOF findings were further verified by a combination of data from three other conventional screening techniques, i.e., GC-MS, HPLC-DAD and UPLC-MS/MS.     

Determination of rat brain kynurenic acid by column-switching HPLC with fluorescence detection

Kynurenic acid (KYNA), one of the tryptophan metabolites, serves as an endogenous antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate and the alpha7 nicotinic receptors in mammalian brains. In the present study, the column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method we developed for plasma KYNA was extended and validated for the determination of brain KYNA. Rat cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem homogenates were deproteinized with acetone, and the extracts reconstituted with the mobile phase were injected onto the HPLC. In spite of the facile pretreatment, the fluorescence peak of KYNA in the cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem was clearly observed with no interfering peaks. Intra- and inter-day precisions [relative standard deviation (%)] and accuracies [relative mean error (%)] were satisfactory (< +/-5.8%). The concentrations of KYNA in rat cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem were 224 +/- 65.8, 606 +/- 191, and 323 +/- 114 fmol/mg protein (n = 5), respectively. The proposed HPLC method will be a useful tool for pharmacokinetic and pharmacological researches on brain KYNA.     

Disopyramide-Selective Membrane Electrode∗

Abstract

A liquid membrane electrode based on disopyramide - dipicrylamine ion - pair complex, dissolved in nitrobenzene as solvent was proposed for the determination of disopyramide - an antiarrhythmic drug. The linear response covers the range from 10^?2 - 5 × 10^?6 M disopyramide solution, with a slope of 51.0 mV/decade (pH range 3.0 to 7.0). The detection limit is 4.7 × 10^?8 M. The electrode shows a good stability, reproducibility and fast response. The selectivity of the electrode is good. The strong interfering ion is thiamine (Vitamin B₁). These characteristics of the electrode made it to be used for the determination of disopyramide through direct and indirect potentiometric methods. Through indirect potentiometric method, disopyramide - as active substance can be determined with an average recovery of 99.98% and a relative standard deviation of 0.24%, and also this method can be used for its determination in pharmaceutical formulations such as capsules and ampoules with a relative standard deviation less than 1%. The electrode can be used at the dissolution tests of disopyramide capsules. The physical processes are numerically simulated by typical equations. The apparent first - order rate constants for disintegration and dissolution processes were calculated.

     

高效液相色谱法测定尿液中的异硫氰酸酯

 省去合成1,3 苯二硫杂环五烯 2 硫酮这一步骤，直接用异硫氰酸丙基酯与1,2 苯二硫酚反应作标准，建立了尿液中异硫氰酸酯的反相高效液相色谱(HPLC)测定方法。异硫氰酸丙基酯的标准曲线回归方程 y =0.418 2x + 2.821 ( r2 = 0.999 3 )与异硫氰酸甲基酯的回归方程 y = 0.412 2x + 2.442 3 ( r 2= 0.996 6 )基本拟合。检出限(以信噪比为2.5计)为0.08 μ mol/L 。日内重现性( n =21)以相对标准偏差(RSD)表     

Development of a CE method for the determination of mycophenolic acid in human plasma: a comparison with HPLC

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a widely used drug for the maintenance of immunosuppressive therapy in renal-transplant recipients. MMF is rapidly metabolized in vivo to mycophenolic acid (MPA), a reversible, noncompetitive inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which represents a limiting enzyme in lymphocyte proliferation. MPA shows large interindividual pharmacokinetic variability: its monitoring is therefore of primary importance to achieve adequate immunosuppression with minimized risk of graft rejection or toxicity. We developed a CE method for the determination of total MPA (tMPA) in plasma, based on easy sample preparation; CE evaluation of tMPA was performed in 30 mmol/L sodium-borate with 10 mmol/L SDS (pH 10.00) at 25 degrees C using a 60 cm (54.5 to window) uncoated capillary with UV detection at 254 nm wavelength. MPA was readily detectable in plasma; the CE method was linear in the range of 0.7-120 microg/mL (r >0.992). Intra- and interassay imprecision was <7% except for the lowest spiked MPA concentration, which had an intra-assay RSD% of 14.7 compared to 18.3 interassay. Data by CE were compared with results obtained by a validated HPLC method. CE assay of tMPA exhibited a very good correlation (r(2) >0.988) with respect to HPLC; Bland-Altman difference versus average showed a mean of -0.18 microg/mL +/- 1.14 SD. CE determination of tMPA is a robust, sensitive and reproducible method with the advantage over HPLC of being fast, simple and unexpensive, also enabling quick assessment of MPA for pharmacokinetic studies.     

Direct enantiomeric resolution of disopyramide and its metabolite using chiral high-performance liquid chromatography. Application to stereoselective metabolism and pharmacokinetics of racemic disopyramide in man

A method for the simultaneous determination of disopyramide and mono-N-desisopropyldisopyramide enantiomers extracted from human plasma and urine is presented. Separation and quantitation were carried out using two columns coupled in series, and UV detection at 254 nm. First, the racemates of the two compounds were separated using a reversed-phase column, and then the enantiomers were separated using a stereoselective column packed with human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. The mobile phase was 8 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.20-2-propanol (92:8, v/v). The coefficients of variation (%) for the plasma daily determination were 6.7% for R(-)- and S(+)-disopyramide at drug levels of 1.5 micrograms/ml, and 8.5% and 7.7% for R(-)- and S(+)-mono-N-desisopropyldisopyramide, respectively, at drug levels of 0.375 micrograms/ml. The method has allowed the study of stereoselective metabolism and pharmacokinetics of disopyramide after oral administration as a racemate.     

HPLC determination and pharmacokinetics of chlorogenic acid in rabbit plasma after an oral dose of Flos Lonicerae extract

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of chlorogenic acid (3-O-caffeoyl-D-quinic acid) in plasma and applied to its pharmacokinetic study in rabbits after administration of Flos Lonicerae extract. Plasma samples are extracted with methanol. HPLC analysis of the extracts is performed on a C(18) reversed-phase column using acetonitrile-0.2% phosphate buffer (11:89, v/v) as the mobile phase. The UV detector is set at 327 nm. The standard curves are linear in the range 0.0500-1.00 microg/mL (r = 0.9987). The mean extraction recovery of 85.1% is obtained for chlorogenic acid. The interday precision (relative standard deviation) ranges from 5.0% to 7.5%, and the intraday precision is better than 9.0%. The limit of quantitation is 0.0500 microg/mL. The plasma concentration of chlorogenic acid shows a C(max) of 0.839 +/- 0.35 microg/mL at 34.7 +/- 1.1 min and a second one of 0.367 +/- 0.16 microg/mL at 273.4 +/- 39.6 min.     

Iodine status and the effect of soil erosion on trace elements in Nanka and Oba towns of Anambra State, Nigeria

Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) is common in all populations. Iodine and other trace elements naturally occur in the soil but erosion leaches off these elements from the soil. This results in a continued loss of trace elements from the soil. In the present study, the levels of iodine, selenium, zinc and lead in the environment (measured in soil, bitter leaves (Vernonia amygdalina), cassava roots (mannihot utilissima, staple food in Nigeria), and drinking water) and urinary iodine from school children (n=200), pregnant women (n=60) and women of child bearing age (n=60) were determined for Nanka prone to soil erosion and Oba all in Anambra State, Nigeria (used as control) to assess their risk to IDD. The levels of selenium, zinc and lead were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry while the levels of iodine in the environment and urinary iodine were estimated using the method of Dunn et al.,(1993). In this study there was a positive correlation between iodine and the metals. The results show that the mean concentrations of total soil zinc (0.69 +/- 0.16 ppm); lead (0.40 +/- 0.12 ppm) values in Oba were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than values from Nanka (Zn = 0.33 +/- 0.10 ppm; Pb = 0.21 +/- 0.09 ppm). However, total soil values for selenium and iodine in soil were not significantly different in the two communities. Mean concentration of total vegetable zinc (0.63 +/- 0.14 ppm) value in Oba is significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the value from Nanka (Zn = 0.31 +/- 0.07 ppm). However, total vegetable values for I, Se and Pb were not significantly different in the two communities. Also, mean concentration of total cassava zinc (0.65 = 0.15 ppm) in Oba was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than Zn (0.44 +/- 0.1l ppm) from Nanka. However, values for Se, Pb, and I were not significantly different in the two communities. Mean concentration of total water iodine (105.25 +/- 10.44 microg/L) in Oba was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the value from Nanka (I = 89.8 +/- 6.42 microg/L). However, total water values for Se, Zn, and Pb were not significantly different in the two communities. The mean urinary iodine concentration of 170.65 +/- 27.17 microg/L in school children from Oba was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the mean concentration of 156.12 +/- 16.48 microg/L found in school children from Nanka. However, the mean urinary iodine concentration of all the women (pregnant and non-pregnant) were not significantly different in the two communities but they are below the recommended daily intake. The results show that people living in Nanka and Oba, could be at risk of IDD.     

Performance and reliability of splitless microliter gradient pumps in a metabolic stability study using cytochrome P450/3A4 and capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

The performance of two commercially available capillary LC pumps (MicroPro (Eldex, USA), Evolution 200 (ProLab, Switzerland)) generating really splitless gradients in the microliter per minute range was tested in detail concerning their applicability for routine drug discovery. A standard method to study metabolic stability against CYP450 isoform 3A4 was selected. This method was transformed into a fast splitless capillary LC-MS method. Both pumps generated reproducible gradients at flows of 5-10 microl/min within 10-15 min. Although gradient formation of the MicroPro system was very reproducible, its equilibration time was too long for fast gradients around 5 microl/min. The Evolution 200 pump offered a good performance with 180 microm i.d. columns at a flow rate of 6 microl/min. The precision of the retention time of the internal standard (ISTD) varied between 1.4 and 3.4% (n = 131-152, three different columns tested). Up to 800 injections of sufficient performance on one column and a stable enough response of the ISTD for 16 h sequence duration were obtained. Accuracy between 95 and 105% and precision < or = 8.4% for 1'-hydroxylated midozolam were reached. The IC50 values of the miniaturized assay (drug candidate BAL4815 1.7 +/- 0.5, itraconazole 0.46 +/- 0.06, and ketoconazole 0.12 +/- 0.01 microM) agreed well with those of the conventional approach. Details concerning method optimization and limitations in operation are discussed in detail. Still, the overall performance of the capillary LC pumps cannot cope completely with that of conventional HPLC pumps in terms of user-friendliness.