Direct injection of human plasma samples after ultrafiltration into programmed temperature vaporiser-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with packed liner.

The direct injection of plasma samples after ultrafiltration into a gas chromatograph using a packed injector liner was investigated. Ropivacaine, a local anaesthetic of the amide type and one of its metabolites (PPX) were used as model compounds in this evaluation. Phosphoric acid was added to the plasma to minimize the protein binding. After ultrafiltration, 50 microl of the sample was directly injected into the chromatographic system. No interfering peaks or damage to the GC or MS system were observed using ultrafiltration as a sample-preparation method. The validation of the method demonstrated good linearity and selectivity. The limits of quantification were 1.1 nM (301 pg/ml) and 1.4 nM (325 pg/ml) for ropivacaine and PPX, respectively. The liner had to be changed after 20 injections.

Determination of dextropropoxyphene and norpropoxyphene in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple and sensitive procedure for the routine assay of the analgesic drug dextropropoxyphene and its main metabolite, norpropoxyphene, in plasma is described. After liquid-liquid extraction from alkalinized plasma and back-extraction into a small volume of an acidic aqueous phase, the aqueous phase was injected into a column packed with 3-microns octadecylsilica particles. Ultraviolet absorbance detection at 210 nm was used. Concentrations down to 2 nM could be determined for both compounds; at this level, the intra-assay coefficient of variation was 5%.

Liquid chromatographic determination of the enantiomers of ibuprofen in plasma using a chiral AGP column.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of the R- and S-enantiomers of ibuprofen. The enantiomers and the internal standard 4-pentylphenylacetic acid are extracted from plasma, separated and quantified on a Chiral-AGP column using ultraviolet detection. The simplicity, sensitivity and precision of the method makes it convenient for use in pharmacokinetic studies.

Determination of phosphonoformate (foscarnet) in biological fluids by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography.

Bioanalytical liquid chromatographic methods for the determination of phosphonoformate (foscarnet) have been developed. Biological fluids, after simple pre-treatment (ultrafiltration and/or treatment with charcoal), were injected into a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic system with electrochemical detection. Foscarnet was retained as an ion pair with tetrahexylammonium; addition of pyrophosphate was necessary in order to obtain an acceptable peak. This additive could also be used for the fine regulation of the retention to achieve the necessary selectivity.