High-performance liquid chromatography of sulphadimethoxine and its N1-glucuronide, N4-acetyl and N4-acetyl-N1-glucuronide metabolites in human plasma and urine

Determination and occurrence of sulfonamide transformation products in surface waters

The transformation products of sulfonamides (SAs) have raised increasing environmental and health concerns in recent years, but information on their analysis and environmental fates remains limited. In this study, an analytical method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS) was optimized to simultaneously analyze 9 SA transformation products and 14 SAs in water samples. This method was applied to investigate the occurrence of antibiotics in three urban rivers in Beijing, and all of the target compounds were detected. N-acetylsulfamethoxazole, N-acetylsulfapyridine, and N-acetylsulfamethazine were found to be the predominant acetyl SAs in the aquatic environment, and high frequencies of hydroxylated SA (5-hydroxysulfapyridine) and glucuronide-conjugated SA (sulfamethoxazole β-D-glucuronide) were also detected. The SA transformation products accounted for 22-32% of the total concentrations of SAs and their transformation products in the water samples. The pollution levels of the compounds exerted only minor effects on the proportions of the SA transformation products. The compound-specific transformation of sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, and sulfadiazine in the water samples was consistent with their acetylation efficiencies in metabolic processes in organisms, which suggests that the SA-acetylated products were derived mainly from biological metabolism in humans or animals. This finding was supported by the fact that environmental degradation exerts a weak effect on SA profiles in the water samples.

Determining sulfamonomethoxine and its acetyl/hydroxyl metabolites in chicken plasma under organic solvent-free conditions

A quantitative technique is described for a sample preparation followed by high performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of sulfamonomethoxine and its metabolites, N4-acetyl SMM and 2,6-dihydroxy SMM, in chicken plasma. The average recoveries, analytical total time, and limits of quantitation were >/=80% (relative standard deviations (SD) </=6%), <30 min sample-1 (12 samples in 2 h), and </=0.09 microg ml(-1), respectively. The procedure, performed under 100% aqueous conditions, uses no organic solvents and toxic reagents at all and is, therefore, harmless to the environment and humans.

Isolation, identification and determination of sulfadiazine and its hydroxy metabolites and conjugates from man and rhesus monkey by high-performance liquid chromatography

The following metabolites of sulfadiazine (S) were isolated from monkey urine by preparative HPLC: 5-hydroxysulfadiazine (5OH), 4-hydroxysulfadiazine (4OH) and the glucuronide (5OHgluc) and sulfate conjugate of 5OH (5OHsulf). The compounds were identified by NMR, mass and infrared spectrometry and hydrolysis by beta-glucuronidase. The analysis of S, the hydroxymetabolites (4OH, 5OH) and conjugates N4-acetylsulfadiazine (N4), 5OHgluc and 5OHsulf in human and monkey plasma and urine samples was performed using reversed-phase gradient HPLC with UV detection. In plasma, S and N4 could be detected in high concentrations, whereas the other metabolites were present in only minute concentrations. In urine, S, the metabolites and conjugates were present. The limit of quantification of the compounds in plasma varies between 0.2 and 0.6 microgram/ml (S 0.31, N4 0.40, 4OH 0.20, 5OH 0.37, 5OHgluc 0.33 and 5OHsulf 0.57 microgram/ml). In urine it varies between 0.6 and 1.1 micrograms/ml (S 0.75, N4 0.80, 4OH 0.60, 5OH 0.80, 5OHgluc 0.80 and 5OHsulf 1.1 micrograms/ml). The method was applied to studies with healthy human subjects and Rhesus monkeys. The metabolites 5OH, 5OHgluc and 5OHsulf were present in Rhesus monkey and not in man. Preliminary results of studies of metabolism and pharmacokinetics in Rhesus monkey and man are presented.

Isolation, identification and determination of sulfamethoxazole and its known metabolites in human plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography

From human urine the following metabolites of sulfamethoxazole (S) were isolated by preparative HPLC: 5-methylhydroxysulfamethoxazole (SOH), N4-acetyl-5-methylhydroxysulfamethoxazole (N4SOH) and sulfamethoxazole-N1-glucuronide (Sgluc). The compounds were identified by NMR, mass spectrometry, infrared spectrometry, hydrolysis by beta-glucuronidase and ratio of capacity factors. The analysis of S and the metabolites N4-acetylsulfamethoxazole (N4), SOH, N4-hydroxysulfamethoxazole (N4OH), N4SOH, and Sgluc in human plasma and urine samples was performed with reversed-phase gradient HPLC with UV detection. In plasma, S and N4 could be detected in high concentrations, while the other metabolites were present in only minute concentrations. In urine, S and the metabolites and conjugates were present. The quantitation limit of the compounds in plasma are respectively: S and N4 0.10 micrograms/ml; N4SOH 0.13 micrograms/ml; N4OH 0.18 micrograms/ml; SOH 0.20 micrograms/ml; and Sgluc 0.39 microgram/ml. In urine the quantitation limits are: N4 and N4OH 1.4 micrograms/ml; S 1.5 micrograms/ml; N4SOH 1.9 micrograms/ml; SOH 3.5 micrograms/ml; and Sgluc 4.1 micrograms/ml. The method was applied to studies with healthy subjects and HIV positive patients.

Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of residual sulphamonomethoxine, sulphadimethoxine and their N4-acetyl metabolites in foods of animal origin

A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of residual sulphamonomethoxine, sulphadimethoxine and their N4-acetyl metabolites in beef, pork, chicken and eggs by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed. The extraction of these compounds was performed using a mixture of 90% (v/v) acetonitrile solution and hexane (5:4, v/v) to minimize the fat content followed by purification by alumina column chromatography. These extracts contained sulphonamide analytes which were free from interfering compounds when examined by HPLC using a LiChrosorb RP-18 column. The average recoveries from spiked meat and egg were in excess of 80% with relative standard deviations between 0.4 and 5.0%. The practical limits of detection were 0.01 ppm for all samples.

Direct gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of salicylic acid, with the corresponding glycine and glucuronide conjugates in human plasma and urine

A gradient reversed-phase HPLC analysis for the direct measurement of salicylic acid (SA) with the corresponding glycine and glucuronide conjugates in plasma and urine of humans was developed. The glucuronides were isolated by preparative HPLC from human urine samples. The concentration of the glucuronides in the isolated fraction were determined after enzymatic hydrolysis. Salicylic acid acyl glucuronide (SAAG) was not present in plasma. No isoglucuronides were present in acidic and alkaline urine of the volunteer. The limits of quantitation in plasma are: SA 0.2 microgram/ml, salicyluric acid (SU) 0.1 microgram/ml, salicylic acid phenolic glucuronide (SAPG) 0.4 microgram/ml and salicyluric acid phenolic glucuronide (SUPG) 0.2 microgram/ml. The limit of quantitation in urine is for all compounds 5 micrograms/ml. Salicylic acid acyl glucuronide is stable in phosphate buffer pH 4.9 during 8 h at 37 degrees C; thereafter it declines to 80% after 24 h. The subject's urine was therefore acidified by the oral intake of 4 x 1.2 g of ammonium chloride/day. With acidic urine, hardly any salicylic acid is excreted unchanged (0.6%). It is predominantly excreted as salicyluric acid (68.7%).

Probenecid inhibits the renal clearance and renal glucuronidation of nalidixic acid. A pilot experiment

The aim of this pilot study was to demonstrate the possible inhibitory effect of probenecid on the renal glucuronidation and on the renal clearance of nalidixic acid in a human volunteer. Under acidic urine conditions, hardly any nalidixic acid is excreted unchanged (0.2%). It is excreted as acyl glucuronide (53.4%), 7-hydroxymethylnalidixic acid (10.0%), the latter's acyl glucuronide 30.9%, and 7-carboxynalidixic acid (4.2%). Under probenecid co-medication the renal glucuronidation of nalidixic acid is reduced from 53% to 16%; the renal clearance of both nalidixic acid and 7-hydroxymethylnalidixic acid are reduced (p < 0.001); the intrinsic t1/2 of the metabolite 7-hydroxymethylnalidixic acid increased from 0.48 h to 4.24 h. The amount of acyl glucuronidation of 7-hydroxymethylnalidixic acid was not altered. The in vitro protein binding of both acyl glucuronides was increased, while no effect on the unconjugated compounds was seen. Nalidixic acid had no effect on the maximal renal excretion rate of probenecid acyl glucuronide.

Direct gradient reversed-phase HPLC analysis and preliminary pharmacokinetics of nalidixic acid, 7-hydroxymethylnalidixic acid, 7-carboxynalidixic acid, and their corresponding glucuronide conjugates in humans

A gradient reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatographic analysis was developed for the direct measurement of nalidixic acid with its acyl glucuronide, 7-hydroxymethylnalidixic acid with its acyl and ether glucuronides, and 7-carboxynalidixic acid in human plasma and urine. The glucuronides and 7-carboxynalidixic acid were not present in plasma after an oral dose of 1,000 mg nalidixic acid. The acyl glucuronides of 7-carboxynalidixic acid were not present in plasma and urine. The acyl glucuronides are stable in urine at pH 5.0-5.5. The subject's urine must therefore be acidified by the oral intake of 4 x 1 g of ammonium chloride per day. With acidic urine, hardly any nalidixic acid was excreted unchanged (0.2%). It was excreted as acyl glucuronide (53.4% of dose), 7-hydroxymethyl-nalidixic acid (10.0%), the latter's acyl glucuronide (30.9%), and 7-carboxynalidixic acid (4.2%).

Direct-gradient high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis and preliminary pharmacokinetics of flumequine and flumequine acyl glucuronide in humans: effect of probenecid

A gradient high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis for the direct measurement of flumequine, with its acyl glucuronide, in plasma and urine of humans has been developed. In order to prevent hydrolysis and isomerization of flumequine acyl glucuronide, the samples were acidified by the oral intake of four 1.2-g amounts of ammonium chloride per day. In contrast to the acyl glucuronides of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, flumequine and its acyl glucuronide were stable in urine of pH 5.0-8.0. Flumequine acyl glucuronide is unstable at pH 1.5. In acidic urine (pH 5-6), almost no flumequine is excreted unchanged (1%): it is excreted chiefly as acyl glucuronide (84.2%). Probenecid co-medication reduces the renal excretion rate of flumequine acyl glucuronide from 662 to 447 micrograms/min (p = 0.00080), but not the percentage of glucuronidation.

Direct measurement of probenecid and its glucuronide conjugate by means of high pressure liquid chromatography in plasma and urine of humans

Probenecid with its phase-I metabolites, and phase-II glucuronide conjugate can be analysed by a gradient high pressure liquid chromatographic method. Probenecid glucuronide in plasma with pH 7.4 is not stable and declines to 10% of the original value within 6 h (t1/2 approximately 1 h). Probenecid glucuronide is stable in urine with pH 5.0, moderately unstable at pH 6.0 (t1/2 approximately 10 h), and unstable at pH 8.0 (t1/2 approximately 0.5 h). Probenecid glucuronide is stable in water and 0.01 mol/l phosphoric acid in the autosampler of the high pressure liquid chromatograph. The decrease in concentration in water is 5.5% during 9 h and 0% in diluted acid. Probenecid glucuronide and the phase-I metabolites were not detectable in plasma. The main compound in fresh urine is the phase-II conjugate probenecid glucuronide (62% of a 500 mg dose); the phase-I metabolites are present and only a trace of probenecid is present. The percentage of the dose of the phase-I metabolites varies between 5 and 10, while hardly any probenecid is excreted unchanged (0.33%).

Pharmacokinetics and acetylation of sulfa-2-monomethoxine in humans

In humans sulfa-2-monomethoxine (S) is metabolized by N4-acetylation (39.9 +/- 8.0 per cent). After an oral dose, S is eliminated biphasically (t1/2, 5.2 +/- 1.6 h and 13.2 +/- 3.4 h) which is similar in both fast and slow acetylators. The metabolite N4-acetylsulfa-2-monomethoxine (N4) is eliminated monophasically (t1/2, 30.0 +/- 5.7 h). The intrinsic mean residence time (MRT) of N4 is 33.5 +/- 8.8 h. The mean total body clearance of S is 11.6 +/- 2.7 ml min-1, and the Vdss is 12.3 +/- 1.01. The renal clearance of S during the first day was twice as high as on the following days for two of the six volunteers (8 vs 4 ml min-1). The renal clearance of N4 during the first day, for four out of the six volunteers, was twice as high as on the following days (8 vs 4 ml min-1). The protein binding of S is 95 per cent and that of its conjugate N4 98 per cent. Approximately 80 per cent of the oral dose of S is excreted in the urine as parent drug (41.0 +/- 6.2 per cent) and as N4 acetyl conjugate (39.9 +/- 8.0 per cent).

Analysis of lamotrigine and lamotrigine 2-N-glucuronide in guinea pig blood and urine by reserved-phase ion-pairing liquid chromatography

Lamotrigine is an investigational anticonsulvant drug undergoing clinical trials. A simultaneous assay was developed to quantitate lamotrigine and its major metabolite, lamotrigine 2-N-glucuronide, from guinea pig whole blood. The extraction procedure and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay employed sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) as an ion-pairing reagent to selectively separate lamotrigine and lamotrigine 2-N-glucuronide from endogenous blood components, other anti-convulsant drugs, and their metabolites. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile-50 mM phosphoric acid (pH 2.2) containing 10 mM SDS (33:67, v/v), and components were detected at 277 nm. The total coefficients of variance (C.V.) for the blood assay were less than or equal to 9.4% for lamotrigine (0.25-20.0 micrograms/ml) and less than or equal to 13.4% for the glucuronide metabolite (0.25-10.0 micrograms/ml). Separate assays for lamotrigine and its glucuronide in urine were developed. In order to quantitate low levels of lamotrigine in guinea pig urine, lamotrigine was extracted with tert.-butyl methyl ether-ethyl acetate (1:1). The total C.V. for lamotrigine quantitation in urine was less than or equal to 7.5% (0.10-10.0 micrograms/ml). For the determination of lamotrigine 2-N-glucuronide, urine was diluted with an SDS-phosphoric acid buffer (1:4) and injected directly onto the HPLC system, total C.V. less than or equal to 4.2% (0.5-50 micrograms/ml).

Pharmacokinetics, N1-glucuronidation and N4-acetylation of sulfamethomidine in humans

Sulfamethomidine metabolism was studied in 6 volunteers. In humans, only N1-glucuronidation and N4-acetylation take place, leading to the final double conjugate N4-acetylsulfamethomidine N1-glucuronide. The N1-glucuronides were directly measured by high pressure liquid chromatography. Fast and slow acetylators show a similar half-life for sulfamethomidine (26 +/- 6 h) and its conjugates sulfamethomidine (26 +/- 6 h) and N4-acetylsulfamethomidine (36 +/- 16 h). Approximately 50-60% of the oral dose of sulfamethomidine is excreted in the urine, leaving 40-50% for excretion into bile and faeces. The main metabolite of sulfamethomidine is its N1-glucuronide, which accounts for 36 +/- 7% of the dose, followed by N4-acetylsulfamethomidine (16 +/- 8%). N1-glucuronidation results in a 75% decrease in protein binding of sulfamethomidine. N4-acetylsulfamethomidine and its N1-glucuronide showed the same high protein binding of 99%. The renal clearance of N4-acetylsulfamethomidine is 7.9 +/- 2.2 ml/min and approximately 20 times as high as that of the parent drug (0.46 +/- 0.16 ml/min). Total body clearance of sulfamethomidine is 4.5 +/- 0.9 ml/min and the volume of distribution in steady state 10.6 +/- 1.7 1. No measurable plasma concentrations of the N1-glucuronides from sulfamethomidine are found in plasma. This may be explained by renal glucuronidation after active tubular reabsorption.

Direct determination of codeine, norcodeine, morphine and normorphine with their corresponding O-glucuronide conjugates by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the detection, separation and measurement of codeine and its metabolites norcodeine, morphine and normorphine, with their glucuronide conjugates. The glucuronidase Escherichia coli type VIIA hydrolyses codeine-6-glucuronide completely and is used for the construction of the calibration curves of codeine-6-glucuronide. Enzymic hydrolysis of codeine-6-glucuronide depends on the specific activity of the glucuronidase applied. Examples are shown of a volunteer who is able to form morphine from codeine and one who is unable to do so.

Novel oxidative pathways of sulphapyridine and sulphadiazine by the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans

The sulphonamides sulphapyridine and sulphadiazine show novel hydroxy metabolites in the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans. In the excreta of the turtles the monohydroxy metabolites 4-hydroxy- and 5-hydroxysulphapyridine and the dihydroxy metabolite 4,5-dihydroxysulphapyridine were detected. Of sulphadiazine only dihydroxy metabolites 4,5- and 4,6-dihydroxysulphadiazine were detected. About 70-90% of the dose of sulphapyridine was recovered, while this figure varied between 48 and 69% for sulphadiazine.

Direct high pressure liquid chromatographic analysis and preliminary pharmacokinetics of enantiomers of oxazepam and temazepam with their corresponding glucuronide conjugates

Three high pressure liquid chromatographic systems for the separation of oxazepam, temazepam and their glucuronides (system A), the separation of their R,S glucuronide diastereomers (system B) and the chiral separation of the parent drugs (system C) are described. Preliminary pharmacokinetics of R,S-oxazepam and R,S-temazepam in a human volunteer reveal that the protein binding of the glucuronides is lower than that of the parent drugs, but that there is no difference in protein binding between the R-oxazepam/temazepam and S-oxazepam/temazepam and their corresponding glucuronides. The S-glucuronide is the main metabolite formed and excreted by man. The plasma ratio R/S-glucuronide is 1:1 for both oxazepam and temazepam. The renal clearance of R-temazepam, and S-temazepam are similar, and those of R-oxazepam and S-oxazepam tend to be different.

High pressure liquid chromatographic analysis and preliminary pharmacokinetics of sulfaphenazole and its N2-glucuronide and N4-acetyl metabolites in plasma and urine of man

A direct high pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of sulfaphenazole-N2-glucuronide in urine is described. After an oral dose of 439 mg of sulfaphenazole, 0% is excreted unchanged in the urine, less than 1% is excreted as N4-acetylsulfaphenazole. As N2-glucuronide 49.4% is excreted in one slow acetylator and 84.8% in one fast acetylator.

HPLC analysis and pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of R,S-oxazepam and R,S-temazepam with their corresponding glucuronide conjugates in urine and plasma of man

R,S-Oxazepam and R,S-temazepam can be separated in their enantiomers by means of a chiral AGP column. The corresponding R- and S-glucuronide conjugates can be separated on a normal reversed-phase C18 column. Man conjugates the S-enantiomer of oxazepam and temazepam both better than the R-enantiomer. The urinary recovery of the glucuronides following either R,S,-oxazepam or R,S-temazepam almost amounts to 100% of the dose administered.

Pharmacokinetics, N1-glucuronidation and N4-acetylation of sulfadimethoxine in man

Sulfadimethoxine is metabolized by O-dealkylation, N4-acetylation and N1-glucuronidation. In man, only N1-glucuronidation and N4-acetylation takes place, leading to the final double conjugate N4-acetylsulfadimethoxine-N1-glucuronide. The N1-glucuronides are directly measured by high pressure liquid chromatography. When N4-acetylsulfadimethoxine is administered as parent drug, 30% of the dose is N1-glucuronidated and excreted. Fast acetylators show a shorter half-life for sulfadimethoxine than slow acetylators (27.8 +/- 4.2 h versus 36.3 +/- 5.4 h; P = 0.013), similarly the half-life of the N4-acetyl conjugate is also shorter in fast acetylators (41.3 +/- 5.2 h versus 53.5 +/- 8.5 h, P = 0.036). No measurable plasma concentrations of the N1-glucuronides from sulfadimethoxine are found in plasma. N1-glucuronidation results in a 75% decrease in protein binding of sulfadimethoxine. N4-acetylsulfadimethoxine and its N1-glucuronide showed the same high protein binding of 99%. Approximately 50-60% of the oral dose of sulfadimethoxine is excreted in the urine, leaving 40-50% for excretion into bile and faeces.