Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Capacity of Grape Seed and Grape Skin Phenolic Compounds After Simulated In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion

Grapes present recognized beneficial effects on human health due to their polyphenolic composition. The grape overproduction together with the wine sales down and the world socioeconomic situation makes the wine grape valorization a promising strategy to give an added-value to this natural product. The objective of the present work was to study the influence of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic profile of skin and seed extracts of different grape varieties (Tempranillo, Graciano, Maturana tinta and Hondarrabi zuri). After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, total phenolic content (TPC) of seed polyphenolic extracts decreased significantly for all the varieties. The highest decrease was for Tempranillo going from 108 ± 9 to 50 ± 3 mg / g dry matter (dm). This variety also showed the highest decrease of 90% in antioxidant capacity. However, for all the skin polyphenolic extracts there was an increase in TPC. The highest variation was also for Tempranillo. It varied from 10.1 ± 0.8 to 55.1 ± 0.9 mg / g dm. Among red varieties Tempranillo skin polyphenolic extract showed the lowest undigested anthocyanin content but the highest bioaccessibility index (BI) of 77%. For flavanols, flavonols and procyanidins the seed polyphenolic extracts showed a BI at the intestinal phase between 11% for (+)-epicatechin gallate to 130% procyanidin A2. The results of this study suggest that grape skin extracts and grape seed extracts are a reliable source of bioaccessible antioxidant polyphenols, to be used for the development of antioxidant supplements with specific functionalities depending on the grape variety.

Behaviour of Vespa velutina nigrithorax (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) under Controlled Environmental Conditions

From its introduction in Europe, Vespa velutina nigrithorax has become an invasive species, since it is a predator of native fruits and insects, most of the latter being honeybees. Despite the knowledge on the life cycle of this hornet, Asian hornet behaviour is not well understood, since in vivo studies on this species are quite difficult to perform. In this work, an observational study of the behaviour of this invasive species in captivity has been carried out. Two secondary and one embryo nests were caught and kept under controlled environmental conditions, up to 13 weeks for the secondary nest and 6 weeks for the embryo nest. Captivity adaptation, defence against perturbations, evolution of the colony and overwintering were the different behaviours studied. The study has shown the importance of avoiding disturbances to the nest from the beginning of the experiments, since they tend to destroy the colony. The aggressive behaviour observed in the embryo nest was lower than in the secondary nests. Results of this research will allow obtaining additional information on this species, which is crucial to develop effective control methods.

Estimation of the post-mortem interval of human skeletal remains using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics

An important demand exists in the field of forensic analysis to objectively determine the post-mortem interval (PMI) when human skeletal remains are discovered. It is widely known that bones undergo different chemical and physical processes after death, mainly due to their interaction with the environment in which they are found, although it is not known exactly what these processes consist of. Multiple techniques have been used so far to follow up these and other post-mortem changes and thus establish the time elapsed since the individual's death, but they present important drawbacks in terms of reliability and accuracy. The aim of this research was to propose an analytical methodology capable of determining the PMI by using non-destructive Raman spectroscopy measurements of human skeletal remains. The recorded Raman spectra provided valuable and potentially useful information from which a multivariate study was performed by means of orthogonal partial least squares regression (OPLSR) in order to correlate the PMI with the detected spectral modifications. A collection of 53 real human skeletal remains with known PMI (15 years ≤ PMI ≤ 87 years) was analysed and used for building and validating the OPLS model. The PMI of 10 out of 14 validation samples could be determined with an accuracy error of less than 30%, demonstrating the adequate predictive performance of the OPLS model even in spite of the large inter-individual variability it handled. This opens up the possibility of applying the OPLS model in combination with non-destructive techniques to the determination of the PMI of human skeletal remains that have been buried in conditions similar or equal to those of cemetery niches and in a geographic location with a Mediterranean climate, which is an important achievement for forensic medicine and anthropology.

Exploring the Decomposition Products of 1,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene and Perfluoro-(3-methylbutan-2-one) Gas Mixtures in Medium-Voltage Electrical Switchgear as Alternatives to SF6

In this work, binary and ternary gas mixtures of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, HFO-1234ze(E), and perfluoro-(3-methylbutan-2-one), CF₃C(O)CF(CF₃)₂, with CO₂ and synthetic air, are presented as alternatives to SF6 in medium-voltage electrical equipment. They were used in four medium-voltage switchgear cubicles replacing SF6 gas, and after a period of time, under permanent 30 kV AC voltage, gas mixture samples were extracted and analyzed on the same day using a validated methodology based on gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) and thermal conductivity (TCD). CF₄ (tetrafluoromethane), C₂F₆ (hexafluoroethane), C₃F₆ (hexafluoropropylene), C₃HF7 (1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane), CH₂F₂ (difluoromethane), and the cis and trans-C₃H₂F₄ (1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) have been identified as decomposition products in these gas mixtures. In addition, a quantity of water has been observed, as well as CO in one of the cubicles. The most abundant decomposition products identified in gas mixture samples (C₃HF₇ and C₃F₆) together with water and CO content have been quantified using commercial gas mixture reference standards. The toxicity and global warming of the analyzed compounds are evaluated to determine the most adequate gas mixture among those studied as a candidate to substitute SF6.

Grape polyphenols supplementation for exercise-induced oxidative stress

Exercise induces free radicals’ overproduction and therefore, an enhancement of oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance between the production of reactive species and the intrinsic antioxidant defense. Redox activity of reactive species plays an important and a positive role on exercise adaptation, but these species at very high concentrations have detrimental effects. As a result, the use of antioxidant supplements for reducing oxidative stress can be an effective health strategy to maintain an optimal antioxidant status. In this sense, grapes are an important source of natural antioxidants due to their high content in polyphenols. They have shown antioxidant potential benefits for the reduction of intense exercise effect in athletes of different sport disciplines. Consequently, it is plausible to hypothesize that a strategic supplementation with grape based products may be a good approach to mitigate the exercise induced oxidative stress. The goal of this review is to present the state of the art of supplementation effects with grape beverages and grape extracts on the oxidative stress markers in athletes. The data of polyphenolic dosages, participant characteristics and exercise protocols are reported.

Analysis of the Heterogeneous Distribution of Amiloride and Propranolol in Dried Blood Spot by UHPLC-FLD and MALDI-IMS

Dried blood spot (DBS) has lately experienced an increase in its use in bioanalysis due to its several advantages compared with traditional blood sampling methods. Nevertheless, the use of DBS with quantitative purposes is hindered by the heterogeneous distribution of some compounds in the supporting matrix and the dependence of the response on different factors, such as the hematocrit, blood volume, and sampling position. In this study the effect of those factors in the analytical response was investigated by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection, using amiloride and propranolol as model compounds. The results showed a heterogeneous and drug-dependent distribution of the compounds in the blood spot. While amiloride concentration was higher in the center, propranolol concentration was higher in the periphery of the spot. Besides, the influence of the hematocrit on the quantitative results was observed. MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-IMS) has allowed study of the distribution of the two cardiovascular drugs when they were placed in the DBS card using water:methanol solutions, demonstrating that they followed a similar distribution pattern as in blood. This work has showed the potentiality of the MALDI-IMS technique to predict the distribution of the drugs in the DBS card.

Metabolomic analysis for the study of maturation in pediatrics: Effect of confounding factors in a pilot study

A pilot study for the investigation of the maturation grade of children has been carried out using plasma samples already analyzed in a previous pharmacokinetic study. By using a meticulous data treatment, possible confounding factors that may hinder the obtained results were identified. By doing so, it was possible to obtain enough evidence to support the feasibility of performing a larger study eluding some unwanted variability and minimizing not only the number of subjects involved but also the time and money spent on the study. In the pilot study the metabolic profiles obtained using UHPLC-TOF-MS technique of plasma samples from 14 newborn piglets (<5 days) were compared with the plasma profiles of 16 infant piglets (8 weeks). The type of anaesthesia administered, gender, vein or artery of blood extraction and time of sampling were studied as possible confounding factors. Unsupervised analysis by principal component analysis (PCA) clearly differentiated between neonates and children. During the data treatment and the statistical analysis, the effect of confounding factors such as the anaesthetic regimen was identified and removed, while the effect of the rest of studied factors was not considered relevant, and the discrimination between the two groups based on the age was maintained. This allowed extracting relevant conclusions for a future study design while avoiding the unnecessary sacrifice of animals. Furthermore, the results obtained demonstrate the utility of metabolomics in the discovery of novel putative plasma biomarkers such as carnitines that can be correlated with the maturation state of paediatric patients.

Effect of coating on the environmental applications of zero valent iron nanoparticles: the lindane case

Commercial stabilized slurry of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) as well as laboratory-synthesized polymer-stabilized NZVI nanoparticles were used for lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) degradation studies in aqueous solution. In the present study, polymer-stabilized iron nanoparticles were stabilized using polyethylene glycol (PEG, Mn ~400 and ~950-1050) and polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF, Mn ~650). To study the effectiveness of the different nanoparticles, a quantitative monitorization of lindane degradation by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and a qualitative measurement of generated volatile by-products by headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by GC/MS were carried out. The obtained data were compared and contrasted with the results obtained in previous work. Results showed that the nanoparticles studied in this work possess superior dechlorination performance compared with previous observations. The freshly prepared Fe(0)-PEG400, Fe(0)-PEG1050 and Fe(0)-PTHF exhibited high reactivity during the dechlorination process of lindane in a very short time. The results obtained with the synthesized nanoparticles were similar to those obtained with commercial nanoparticles. However, in all cases reactivity decreased at reaction's late stage. Degradation of lindane by the studied nanoparticles removed 99.9% of the lindane initial concentration after 72h, except for Fe(0)-PTHF nanoparticles, for which the reaction stopped after 5min. In all cases, the reaction followed a second order kinetics. Finally, comparing the results from this study with our previous work, where different nature polymers were considered (Fe(0)-CMC, Fe(0)-PAA and Fe(0)-PAP), more gradual degradation profile of lindane was observed for Fe(0)-PAA and Fe(0)-CMC. It should be noted that in the present case, the reaction of lindane was speeded up with commercial and Fe(0)-PEG nanoparticles. Nevertheless, in the later case, the composition of by-products was affected by the presence of partially degraded intermediates. Taking into account the current technologies, the high removal rates obtained and the acceptable degradation times required, the proposed technology is suitable for its aimed purpose.

DATINK pilot study: an effective methodology for ballpoint pen ink dating in questioned documents

Establishing the approximate age of an ink entry from a questioned document is often a complicated task and a controversial issue in forensic sciences. Among the existing approaches, the analysis of solvents in ballpoint inks may be a useful parameter for determining the age of ink on paper. In recent years, several ink dating methods have been proposed. These methods have been based on the analysis of common ink solvents using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) as the analytical platform. Despite these recent methods, several questions remain. The aim of this work was to develop an ink dating methodology (DATINK) for documents written by ballpoint pens based on the disappearance of volatile solvents from the ink entry. Multiple solid-phase microextraction (MHS-SPME) coupled to GC/MS was used to measure the solvents from ink entries made with four BIC(®) ballpoint pens. The β parameter, the remaining fraction of the analyte in the system after one equilibration, corresponding to the successive extractions was considered for modelling a mathematical equation for later ink age dating. Preliminary tests of DATINK method showed that it was possible to detect the presence of ink solvents on documents up to the studied five years. The analyses of different real samples of known age were analyzed in terms of β values, which provided a mean relative error of 21%. The proposed use of β parameter for estimating the absolute age of ballpoint ink entries has shown promising results with a standard deviation of β ranging from 0.002 to 0.004.

Quantitative determination of fentanyl in newborn pig plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples by HPLC-MS/MS

In this study, a selective and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method requiring low sample volume (≤100 μL) was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of the opioid drug fentanyl in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A protein precipitation extraction with acetonitrile was used for plasma samples whereas CSF samples were injected directly on the HPLC column. Fentanyl and (13) C6 -fentanyl (Internal Standard) were analyzed in an electrospray ionization source in positive mode, with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the transitions m/z 337.0/188.0 and m/z 337.0/105.0 for quantification and confirmation of fentanyl, and m/z 343.0/188.0 for (13) C6 -fentanyl. The respective lowest limits of quantification for plasma and CSF were 0.2 and 0.25 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy did not exceed 15%, in accordance with bioanalytical validation guidelines. The described analytical method was proven to be robust and was successfully applied to the determination of fentanyl in plasma and CSF samples from a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study in newborn piglets receiving intravenous fentanyl (5 µg/kg bolus immediately followed by a 90-min infusion of 3 µg/kg/h).

Evaluation of human plasma sample preparation protocols for untargeted metabolic profiles analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-TOF-MS

Eight human plasma preparation protocols were evaluated for their suitability for metabolomic studies by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: organic solvent protein precipitation (PPT) with either methanol or acetonitrile in 2:1 and 3:1 (v/v) ratios with plasma; solid-phase extraction (SPE) using C18 or HybridSPE cartridges; and a combination of PPT and SPE C18 cartridges and microextraction by packed sorbent. A study design in which the order of injection of the samples was not randomized is presented. The analyses were conducted in a BEH C18 column (1.7 μm, 2.1 mm × 100 mm) using a linear gradient from 100% water to 100% methanol, both with 0.1% formic acid, in 21 min. The most reproducible protocol considering both the univariate and the multivariate analysis results was PPT with acetonitrile in a 2:1 (v/v) ratio with plasma, offering a mean coefficient of variation of the area of all the detected features of 0.15 and one of the best clusterings in the principal component analysis plots. On the other hand, the highest number of extracted features was achieved using methanol in a 2:1 (v/v) ratio with plasma as the PPT solvent, closely followed by the same protocol with acetonitrile in a 2:1 (v/v) ratio with plasma, which offered only 1.2% fewer repeatable features. In terms of concentration of remaining protein, protocols based on PPT with acetonitrile provided cleaner extracts than protocols based on PPT with methanol. Finally, pairwise comparison showed that the use of PPT- and SPE-based protocols offers a different coverage of the metabolome.

Analytical strategies based on multiple headspace extraction for the quantitative analysis of aroma components in mushrooms

Headspace (HS) and headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) have been found to be suitable methods for the analysis of volatile organic compounds. The objectives of this paper are to study the possibilities of multiple headspace extraction (MHE) for the quantitative determination of volatile compounds in mushroom samples and to compare the results obtained using three different sample treatment techniques. For this purpose, HS with two different injection techniques (pressure-loop system and gas-tight syringe autosampling system) and HS-SPME have been studied. Three processes were optimized for the analysis of 20 volatile compounds by experimental design technique based on Central Composite Design (CCD) and Full Factorial Design depending on the used methodology. Once the designs were finished, a trade off among optimum conditions for each compound analyzed was reached. At optimum conditions, appropriate extraction time and sample amount for the three techniques used were established. Finally, the methods were validated in terms of linearity, detection and quantitation limits and repeatability. The most suitable method was then applied to the quantitative analysis of seven mushroom samples. A detailed comparison of the analytical performance characteristics of HS and HS-SPME as sample treatment techniques for final GC/MS determination is given. In addition, MHE has been proved to be an adequate technique to avoid matrix effects in complex samples quantitation. Its applicability to the determination of volatile mushroom components, along with its limitations, is discussed in this work.

Relevance study of bare and coated zero valent iron nanoparticles for lindane degradation from its by-product monitorization

Zero-valent iron nanoparticles (NZVI) as well as polymer-stabilized nanoparticles were synthesized and used for lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) degradation in aqueous solution. To study the effectiveness of the different coated nanoparticles, simple and rapid analytical methods have been developed to measure and to detect lindane and its by-products. For the monitorization of lindane degradation solid-phase extraction (SPE) was used, while volatile by-products formation measurement was carried out by headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by GC/MS. The SPE-GC/MS method provides low detection limits (0.2 μg L(-1)), high recovery (above 95%) and it is a valuable tool for kinetic studies of the degradation process for each polymer used, while HS-SPME-GC/MS has proved to be an effective tool for the extraction and evaluation of volatile degradation by-products.

Hydrolysis and transesterification reactions of candesartan cilexetil observed during the solid phase extraction procedure

Candesartan cilexetil is an angiotensin receptor antagonist widely used in the treatment of high blood pressure. This prodrug is metabolised into candesartan, which blocks the receptors AT1 for angiotensin II decreasing the blood pressure levels. During the development of a solid phase extraction procedure for the chromatographic determination of eight antihypertensive compounds, lack of linearity and reproducibility was observed only for candesartan cilexetil. Due to this fact, a stability study for this prodrug was performed. It showed that the lack of linearity and reproducibility was based on hydrolysis and transesterification processes which occurred during the drying step after elution with methanol into glass tubes. These phenomena could be reproduced artificially under basic conditions, which demonstrated the presence of basic residues in glass tubes. The study of this potential hydrolysis and transesterification reactions is very important to assure that labile drugs containing ester groups remain unaffected.

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography method for the determination of several natural red dyestuff and lake pigments used in art work

The identification of organic colorants used in artistic paintings is an important information source for reconstructing the working techniques found in a particular work and for defining a programme for the restoration and conservation of the painting. In this work, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as a surfactant in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) for separating a broad range of red organic pigments, based on their colouring matters: madder (colouring matters: alizarin, quinizarin and purpurin), cochineal (colouring matter: carminic acid), red sandalwood (colouring matter: santalin), brazilwood (colouring matter: brazilin), lac dye (colouring matter: laccaic acid) and dragon's blood (colouring matter: dracorhodin). The running electrolyte used was 20 mM borax (pH 9), containing 20 mM SDS and 10% acetonitrile as organic modifier. Separation was carried out by applying a +20 kV voltage at the injection end, 25 degrees C and 214 nm/254 nm as detection wavelengths. All colorants were separated within less than 13 min with a good baseline resolution. The method was applied to the analysis of paint samples obtained from the Diocesan Museum of Holy Art of Bilbao.

Exposición laboral a hongos y bacterias ambientales en una planta de selección de residuos de envases

Several studies have showed an association between the work in waste treatment plants and occupational health problems such as irritation of skin, eyes and mucous membranes, pulmonary diseases, gastrointestinal problems and symptoms of organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS). These symptoms have been related to bioaerosol exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the occupational exposure to biological agents in a plant sorting source-separated packages (plastics materials, ferric and non-ferric metals) household waste. Airborne samples were collected with M Air T Millipore sampler. The concentration of total fungi and bacteria and gram-negative bacteria were determined and the most abundant genera were identified. The results shown that the predominant airborne microorganisms were fungi, with counts greater than 12,000 cfu/m(3) and gram-negative bacteria, with a environmental concentration between 1,395 and 5,280 cfu/m(3). In both cases, these concentrations were higher than levels obtained outside of the sorting plant. Among the fungi, the predominant genera were Penicillium and Cladosporium, whereas the predominant genera of gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Serratia. The present study shows that the workers at sorting source-separated packages (plastics materials, ferric and non-ferric metals) domestic waste plant may be exposed to airborne biological agents, especially fungi and gram-negative bacteria.

Validation of a solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of eprosartan in human plasma

In this work, a solid phase extraction-reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic (SPE-RP-HPLC) method with photometric detection for monitoring the antihypertensive drug eprosartan has been validated in order to assure good quantitation of eprosartan in plasma samples obtained from patients under cardiovascular treatment. This analytical method was developed by using experimental design and quantitation was accomplished with the internal standard method. No interferences were observed from endogenous compounds of plasma and other drugs which are commonly co-administered in elderly patients. The recoveries of eprosartan from plasma samples, measured at three levels of the linear concentration range (150-4000 ng/mL) were found to be between 93.4 and 102.8%. The intraday and interday precision and accuracy (measured by relative standard deviation, RSD, and relative error, RE, respectively) were always lower than 13% (RSD) and 4% (RE). Stability studies showed that eprosartan stock solutions are stable for at least 3 months when stored at 8 degrees C and plasma samples containing the drug were stable at least during the whole analytical method.

Capillary electrophoresis as a useful tool for the analysis of chemical tracers applied to hydrological systems

A capillary electrophoretic method was optimised for the separation and determination of iodide used as artificial tracer in hydrology. The influence of the buffer concentration and pH, electroosmotic flow modifier concentration (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)), the injection time and voltage applied, on the electrophoretic separation was studied. A running buffer of 20 mM phosphate (pH 8) containing 1 mM CTAB was found to provide the optimum separation of iodide with respect to resolution, migration time and selectivity. The water samples were injected hydrostatically at 10 cm for 110 s, the voltage applied was -20 kV and a detection wavelength of 214 nm. The influence of the sulphite added to water samples in order to prevent the oxidation of iodide to iodate was also studied. This method can be applied to the determination of iodide free of sulphite interference up to at least a ratio of 1:1000 (I(-):SO3(2-)). The other inorganic anions, which are present in the water samples (mainly chloride, sulphate, nitrate, carbonate), do not interfere with the determination of iodide. This method allows the simultaneous determination of bromide, nitrite, and nitrate together with iodide. The electrophoretic method showed to be linear from 0.5 to 5 mg l(-1) of iodide (the migration time was 2.6 min) with a quantitation limit of 0.45 mg l(-1) and a intraday repeatability lower than 4% of R.S.D. at different concentration levels.

Experimental Design Optimization of a Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Method for the Screening of Several Diuretics and ACE Inhibitors

Experimental design methodologies are applied to the development of a capillary zone electrophoretic method for the separation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril and its derivative enalaprilat and the diuretics xipamide and hydrochlorothiazide. The effects of pH, buffer concentration, proportion of boric acid in the mixed boric acid-potassium dihydrogen phosphate background electrolyte, temperature, applied voltage, and percentage of organic modifier are studied. Critical factors are identified in a screening design (a 2(6-2) fractional factorial design), and afterwards, optimal conditions for the separation are reached by means of an optimization design (a 2(2) + 2 x 2 + k central composite design). The studied response is the resolution between peaks. The four studied compounds can be separated in less than 3.5 min using an electrolyte of 20mM boric acid-potassium dihydrogen phosphate (75:25, v/v) with 5% MeOH adjusted to pH 8.0 with KOH, at a potential of 30 kV. The detection wavelength and temperature are 206 nm and 35 degrees C, respectively.

Experimental design approach for the optimisation of a HPLC-fluorimetric method for the quantitation of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist telmisartan in urine

A high performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorimetric detection has been developed for the quantitation of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARA II) 4-((2-n-propyl-4-methyl-6-(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-benzimidazol-1-yl)methyl)biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid (telmisartan) in urine, using a Novapak C18 column 3.9 x 150 mm, 4 microm. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture acetonitrile-phosphate buffer (pH 6.0, 5 mM) (45:55, v/v) pumped at a flow rate of 0.5 ml min(-1). Effluent was monitored at excitation and emission wavelengths of 305 and 365 nm, respectively. Separation was carried out at room temperature. Chromatographic variables were optimised by means of experimental design. A clean-up step was used for urine samples consisting of a solid-phase extraction procedure with C8 cartridges and methanol as eluent. This method proved to be accurate (RE from -12 to 6%), precise (intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation (CV) were lower than 8%) and sensitive enough (limit of quantitation (LOQ), ca. 1 microg l(-1)) to be applied to the determination of the active drug in urine samples obtained from hypertensive patients. Concentration levels of telmisartan at different time intervals (from 0 up to 36 h after oral intake) were monitored.

Multivariate optimisation of a cyclodextrin-assisted-capillary zone electrophoretic method for the separation of torasemide and its metabolites

In this work, a rapid cyclodextrin-assisted capillary electrophoretic method is developed for the separation of the diuretic torasemide and three of its metabolites. Both fractional factorial and central composite designs were employed to optimise the separation method. The factors studied were pH, concentration of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, concentration of the background electrolyte and percentage of acetonitrile as organic modifier. Monitored response was a composite quality response (Q*) which balanced conflicting normalized responses, such as resolution and migration time. Optimal separation of the four studied compounds was achieved in less than 6.5 min, using an electrolyte of 60 mM borate buffer with no organic modifier and 25 mM methyl-beta-cyclodextrin concentration adjusted to pH 8.0 at a potential of 30 kV. Detection wavelength and temperature were 197 nm and 20 degrees C respectively. This work means a significant improvement with regard to a previous separation method for these compounds developed in our laboratory.

Quantitative determination of oxprenolol and timolol in urine by capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple capillary zone electrophoretic method with UV detection has been developed for the quantitative determination of the beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists (beta-blockers) oxprenolol and timolol in human urine, preceded by a solid-phase extraction step. The electrophoretic separation was performed on a 78 cm x 75 microm I.D. fused-silica capillary (effective capillary length: 70 cm). The electrolyte consisted of a Na2B4O7-H3BO3 (50 mM), pH 9. The introduction of the sample was made hydrostatically for 20 s and the running voltage 25 kV at the injector end of the capillary. Photometric detection was used at a wavelength of 229 nm for oxprenolol and 280 nm for timolol. Under these conditions oxprenolol migrated at 4.76+/-0.05 min and timolol at 4.97+/-0.05 min. The solid-phase extraction methods were optimised for each beta-blocker and provided recoveries of 72.8% for timolol and 94.52% for oxprenolol. Good resolution from the endogenous compounds present in the urine matrix were achieved for both compounds. The method was applied to the determination of both beta-blockers in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples obtained from hypertensive patients after the ingestion of a therapeutic dose (in a 24-h time interval after the ingestion). The quantitative results were compared with results previously obtained at our laboratories by HPLC and were found to be in good agreement. Good reproducibility, linearity, accuracy and quantitation limits (in urine) of 0.19 microg/ml for timolol and 0.20 microg/ml for oxprenolol were obtained, allowing the method to be applied to pharmacokinetic studies of these compounds.

Fast screening method for the determination of angiotensin II receptor antagonists in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

A selective, accurate and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic assay coupled to fluorescence detection was developed for the detection of some angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA II): Losartan, Irbesartan, Valsartan, Candesartan cilexetil and its metabolite Candesartan MI. The analytes and the internal standard (bumetanide, a high-ceiling diuretic) were extracted from plasma under acidic conditions by means of solid-phase extraction using C8 cartridges. This procedure allowed recoveries close to 80% for all these drugs excluding Candesartan cilexetil (70%) which presented adsorption processes on glass and plastic walls. The analytes and potential interferences were separated on a reversed-phase column, muBondapak C18, at room temperature. A gradient elution mode was used to carry out the separation, the optimal mobile phase being composed of acetonitrile-5 mM acetate buffer, pH 4, at variable flow-rates (from 1.0 to 1.2 ml/min). Fluorescence detector was set at an excitation wavelength of 250 nm and an emission wavelength of 375 nm. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations for all the compounds were lower than 8% except for Losartan (12%) and the method assesses a quite good accuracy (percentage of relative error approximately 6% in most of the cases). The limit of quantitation for these compounds was 3 ng/ml for Candesartan cilexetil and M1, 16 ng/ml for Losartan and 50 ng/ml for Irbesartan and Valsartan, which allows their determination at expected plasma concentration levels. This assay method has been successfully applied to plasma samples obtained from hypertensive patients under clinical studies after oral administration of a therapeutic dose of some of these ARA II compounds.

Determination of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril and its metabolite quinaprilat in pharmaceuticals and urine by capillary zone electrophoresis and solid-phase extraction

Quinapril is an antihypertensive drug commonly used in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. In this work, a capillary zone electrophoresis system is optimized for the analysis of quinapril and its active metabolite quinaprilat in urine, as well as for the determination of the drug and its combination with hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceuticals. The separation takes place in a fused-silica capillary. The running electrolyte consists of a 60 mM borate buffer solution, pH 9.5. The analysis of urine samples requires a previous extraction step using C8 solid-phase cartridges. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the separation of the two analytes and the internal standard takes less than 5 min. The detection limits obtained (75 and 95 ng/mL for quinapril and quinaprilat, respectively) allow the application of the electrophoretic method to the determination of the drug and its metabolite in urine samples obtained from four patients treated with quinapril.

Simultaneous determination of torasemide and its major metabolite M5 in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection is described for the simultaneous determination of the loop diuretic 1-isopropil-3-[4-(3-methylphenylamino)-3-pyridinesulphonyl]urea (torasemide) and its major metabolite M5 in human urine. The assay is simple, fast, and easy. It requires a sample cleanup consisting of a solid-phase extraction under acidic conditions followed by chromatographic separation with a C18 microBondapack column. The use of a water-acetonitrile mobile phase (80:20, v/v, pH 3) ensures total separation from urine-interfering substances, and both compounds can be quantitated amperometrically at a glassy carbon electrode set to +1300 mV versus Ag-AgCl. The method demonstrates linearity for both the parent drug and the metabolite over a wide concentration range (up to 7 microg/mL) and reproducibility with relative standard deviation lower than 2% in intraday and 5% in interday assays. The mean extraction recoveries are 78% for M5 and 60% for torasemide, and the limits of quantitation are 1 and 8 ng/mL, respectively. The method developed is applied to the analysis of healthy volunteers' urine samples collected at different time intervals after the oral ingestion of a single dose of 10 mg torasemide, and the results obtained are in agreement with the pharmacokinetic profile of torasemide.

pK(a) determination of angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA II) by spectrofluorimetry

The acid-base equilibrium constants of a new family of antihypertensive drugs, the angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA II), Losartan, Irbesartan, Valsartan, Candesartan cilexetil, its metabolite Candesartan M1 and Telmisartan were determined by spectrofluorimetry. Relative fluorescent intensity (I(F,rel))-pH data were treated by graphical (derivatives and curve-fitting) and numerical methods (LETAGROP SPEFO). The resultant pK(a) values at an ionic strength of 0.5 M were (3.15+/-0.07) for Losartan, (4.70+/-0.06) for Irbesartan, (4.90+/-0.09) for Valsartan, (6.0+/-0.1) for Candesartan cilexetil, (3.9+/-0.1) for Candesartan M1, and (4.45+/-0.09) for Telmisartan.

Quantitative determination of the loop diuretic bumetanide in urine and pharmaceuticals by high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with amperometric detection has been developed for the determination of the diuretic bumetanide using a microBondapak C18 column. The mobile phase consists of a 50:50 acetonitrile-water mixture containing 5mM KH2PO4-K2HPO4 (pH 4.0). The compound is monitored at +1350 mV with an amperometric detector equipped with a glassy carbon working electrode. A liquid-liquid or solid-liquid extraction is done prior to chromatographic analysis in order to avoid the interferences found in the urine matrix. The percentages of recovery obtained are 71%+/-1% for liquid-liquid extraction and 84.2%+/-0.7% for solid-liquid extraction. The method developed has a linear concentration range from 50 to 499 ng/mL with a reproducibility in terms of relative standard deviation of 1.73% and 3.85% for a concentration level of 70 ng/mL and 237 ng/mL, respectively, and a detection limit of 0.25 ng/mL (3:1 signal-to-noise ratio). The method is applied to the determination of bumetanide in pharmaceutical formulations and urine obtained from hypertensive patients and healthy volunteers after the ingestion of a therapeutic dose of Fordiuran (1 mg bumetanide).

Capillary zone electrophoresis applied to the determination of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor cilazapril and its active metabolite in pharmaceuticals and urine

A capillary zone electrophoresis method has been developed for the quantitation of antihypertensive drug cilazapril and its active metabolite cilazaprilat in pharmaceuticals and urine. The separation of the compounds was performed in a fused-silica capillary filled with the running electrolyte, which consisted of a 60 mM borate buffer solution at pH 9.5. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the separation took less than 5 min. The analysis of urine samples required a previous solid-phase extraction step using C8 cartridges. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the drug and its metabolite in urine samples obtained from three hypertensive patients (detection limits of 115 ng ml(-1) for cilazaprilat and 125 ng ml(-1) for cilazapril) and to pharmaceutical dosage forms. The method was validated in terms of reproducibility, linearity and accuracy.

Determination of the beta-blocker atenolol in plasma by capillary zone electrophoresis

A capillary zone electrophoretic method was optimised for the determination of the beta-blocker atenolol in plasma. Separation was performed in an uncoated silica capillary of 58.5 cm (effective length 50 cm) x 75 microm I.D., and detection was at 194 nm. The effects of the buffer (concentration and pH), the injection time, the voltage applied and the plasma clean-up procedure were studied. The determination of atenolol was achieved in less than 3 min, using an electrolyte of 50 mM H3BO3-50 mM Na2B4O7 (50:50, v/v) pH 9, injected hydrodynamically for 4 s at 50 mbar and applying a voltage of +25 kV. This method was applied to the determination of atenolol in plasma of nine hypertensive patients (male and female, aged from 39 to 73 years). Atenolol concentrations found vary from 30 to 585 ng/ml.

Determination of the antihypertensive drug cilazapril and its active metabolite cilazaprilat in pharmaceuticals and urine by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with photometric detection

A liquid chromatographic method with photometric detection for the determination of cilazapril and its active metabolite and degradation product cilazaprilat in urine and pharmaceuticals has been developed. The chromatographic method consisted of a microBondapak C18 column maintained at 30+/-0.2 degrees C, using a mixture of methanol-10 mM phosphoric acid (50:50 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. Enalapril maleate was used as internal standard. The detection was performed at a wavelength of 206 nm. A study of the retention of cilazapril and cilazaprilat using solid-liquid extraction has been carried out in order to optimise the clean-up procedure for urine samples, which consisted of a solid-liquid extraction using C(R) cartridges. Recoveries greater than 85% are obtained for both compounds. The method was sensitive, precise and accurate enough to be applied to the determination of urine samples obtained from three hypertensive patients up to 24 h after intake of a therapeutic dose (detection limit of 70 ng/ml for cilazapril and cilazaprilat in urine). A comparison of the method developed using photometric and amperometric detection has been carried out.

Solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography applied to the determination of quinapril and its metabolite quinaprilat in urine

Quinapril is an antihypertensive drug that belongs to the family of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. It is metabolized to quinaprilat, which is the compound that is really responsible for the therapeutic action. In this study, a rapid and simple liquid chromatographic method with photometric detection is described and applied to the determination of quinapril and quinaprilat in urine. The cleanup procedure for the urine samples consists of a solid-liquid extraction using C8 cartridges. Under these conditions, both compounds and the internal standard (enalapril maleate) are separated in less than 9 min. Recoveries for quinapril and quinaprilat are greater than 80%. The method is sensitive enough (detection limit of 60 ng/mL for quinapril and 50 ng/mL for quinaprilat) to be applied for the determination of quinapril and quinaprilat in urine samples obtained from four hypertensive patients after the intake of a therapeutic dose.

Determination of the pKa values of beta-blockers by automated potentiometric titrations

The acid-base equilibrium constants of the beta-blockers atenolol, oxprenolol, timolol and labetalol were determined by automated potentiometric titrations. The pKa values were obtained in water-rich or water methanol medium (20% MeOH) to obviate the solubility problems associated with the compounds. The initial estimates of pKa values were obtained from Gran's method and then, were refined by the NYTIT and ZETA versions of the LETAGROP computer program. The resultant values were 9.4 (I = 0.1 M KCl, 20% methanol) for atenolol, 9.6 (I = 0.1 M KCl) for oxprenolol, 9.4 (I = 0.1 M KCl, 20% methanol) for timolol and 7.4 and 9.4 (I = 0.1 M KCl) for labetalol. The potentiometric method was found to be accurate and easily applicable. The operational criteria for applying the methodology are indicated.

Determination of aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide and aldicarb sulfone in some fruits and vegetables using high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

An analytical method for the determination of aldicarb, and its two major metabolites, aldicarb sulfoxide and aldicarb sulfone in fruits and vegetables is described. Briefly the method consisted of the use of a methanolic extraction, liquid-liquid extraction followed by solid-phase extraction clean-up. Afterwards, the final extract is analyzed by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS). The specific fragment ion corresponding to [M-74]+ and the protonated molecular [M+H]+ ion were used for the unequivocal determination of aldicarb and its two major metabolites. The analytical performance of the proposed method and the results achieved were compared with those obtained using the common analytical method involving LC with post-column fluorescence detection (FL). The limits of detection varied between 0.2 and 1.3 ng but under LC-FL were slightly lower than when using LC-APCI-MS. However both methods permitted one to achieve the desired sensitivity for analyzing aldicarb and its metabolites in vegetables. The method developed in this work was applied to the trace determination of aldicarb and its metabolites in crop and orange extracts.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the antihypertensive drug atenolol in cultured human lymphocytes: effects of long-term therapy

The genotoxicity of atenolol, a beta-blocker antihypertensive drug, both in vitro and in vivo, was cytogenetically tested for its ability to induce sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) in cultured peripheral lymphocytes. Also, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a centromeric probe was performed to determine the origin of the induced MN. The in vivo study was carried out, on the one hand, on four patients under antihypertensive treatment with atenolol and, on the other hand, on four matched control individuals taking an oral dose of atenolol. The in vitro study was performed on the control individuals by adding the drug to the culture medium at a final concentration similar to the levels found in plasma. When a comparison was made, the frequency of SCE did not show significant differences in any case. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of MN was detected in patients but not in control individuals either in vitro or in vivo. FISH analysis revealed statistically significant differences between patients and control individuals without the drug with respect to the frequency of centromeric signals in MN. Taking all these observations together, our data suggest that chronic exposure to atenolol resulted mainly in the induction of chromosome loss, so an aneugenic activity could be predicted. Different sensitivity to the compound was observed among control individuals. Nevertheless, all of them responded to the presence of atenolol in the same way in both assays. Interindividual variability was also reported. The intervariability seen in patients suggested an adaptive response to the chemical after long-term therapy.

[Social self-positioning as indicator of socioeconomic status]

OBJECTIVE

Self-perceived class results from directly questioning subjects about his or her social class. The aim of this investigation was to analyse self-perceived class in relation to other indicator variables of socioeconomic level.

METHODS

Data from the 1994 Catalan Health Interview Survey, a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of the non-institutionalised population of Catalonia was used. We conducted a discriminant analysis to compute the degree of right classification when different socioeconomic variables potentially related to self-perceived class were considered. All subjects who directly answered the questionnaire were included (N = 12,245). With the aim of obtaining the discriminant functions in a group of subjects and to validate it in another one, the subjects were divided into two random samples, containing approximately 75% and 25% of subjects (analysis sample, n = 9,248; and validation sample, n = 2,997).

RESULTS

The final function for men and women included level of education, social class (based in occupation) and equivalent income. This function correctly classified 40.9% of the subjects in the analysis sample and 39.2% in the validation sample. Two other functions were selected for men and women separately. In men, the function included level of education, professional category, and family income (39.2% of classification in analysis sample and 37.2% in validation sample). In women, the function (level of education, working status, and equivalent income) correctly classified 40.3% of women in analysis sample whereas the percentage was 38.9% in validation sample. The percentages of right classification were higher for the highest and lowest classes.

CONCLUSION

These results show the utility of a simple variable to self-position within the social scale. Self-perceived class is related to education, income, and working determinants.

High-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection applied to the screening of 1,4-dihydropyridines in human plasma

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection has been developed for the determination of six 1,4-dihydropyridines: nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, nicardipine, felodipine and lacidipine. The chromatographic separation was performed using a Supelcosil LC-ABZ+Plus C18 column. A mobile phase of methanol-water (70:30), containing 2 mM CH3COOH-CH3COONa at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min and a pH of 5.0, was used. The temperature was optimized at 30+/-0.2 degrees C. The amperometric detector, equipped with a glassy carbon electrode, was operated at 1000 mV versus Ag/AgCl in the direct current mode. The method was applied to the determination of these compounds at ng/ml concentrations, obtaining intra-day reproducibilities of lower than 5.0% in terms of relative standard deviations and detection limits ranging from 16 to 44 ng/ml. The method was applied to the screening of 1,4-dihydropyridines in spiked plasma samples, with a total elution time of lower than 18 min, obtaining the best recoveries for nimodipine and felodipine (91 and 88%, respectively). These recoveries together with the low detection limits achieved allow its application to the analysis of these drugs in human plasma.

Quantitative determination of indapamide in pharmaceuticals and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with amperometric detection for the determination of the diuretic indapamide using a muBondapak C18 column is developed. The mobile phase consists of an acetonitrile-water mixture (45:55, 5 mM) in KH2PO4-K2HPO4 (pH 4.0). The compound is monitored at +1200 mV with an amperometric detector equipped with a glassy carbon working electrode. A liquid-liquid or solid-liquid extraction is performed prior to chromatographic analysis to avoid the interferences found in urine matrix. Percentages of recovery are 88.3 +/- 5.6 and 82.9 +/- 7.8 for liquid-liquid and solid-liquid extraction, respectively. The developed method has a linear concentration range from 25 to 315 ng/mL with a reproducibility in terms of relative standard deviation of 4% for a concentration level of 0.5 microgram/mL and a quantitation limit of 1 ng/mL. The method is applied to the determination of indapamide in tablets and urine obtained from hypertensive patients after the ingestion of Tertensif (indapamide 2.5 mg).

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography as a fast screening method for the determination of 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonists

A micellar electrokinetic chromatographic method (MEKC) was optimized for the separation of six calcium antagonists. The effects of the buffer (concentration and pH), concentration of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), the organic modifier, the injection time, and the voltage applied were studied. A final appropriate electrolyte of 50 mM borate buffer, pH 8.2, containing 20 mM SDS and 15% (v/v) acetonitrile was found to provide the optimum separation with respect to resolution and migration time. The samples were introduced hydrostatically for 4 s at 50 mbar injection pressure and the applied voltage was +25 kV. The screening of the six compounds was achieved in less than 15 min: nifedipine (migration time, tm = 6.9 min), nimodipine (tm = 10.1 min), felodipine (tm = 12.2 min), nicardipine hydrochloride (tm = 12.7 min), lacidipine (tm = 13.5 min) and amlodipine besylate (tm = 14.1 min, tm = 8 min). The method developed showed to be linear at least up to 70 micrograms/ml with a detection limit of about 5 micrograms/ml for each compound. The within-day and inter-day area reproducibility (R.S.D.) were, respectively, lower than 4.8 and 8.6% for six replicate samples.

Simultaneous determination of the beta-blocker atenolol and several complementary antihypertensive agents in pharmaceutical formulations and urine by capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple capillary zone electrophoresis method is developed for the quantitation of the beta-blocker atenolol and the complementary antihypertensive agents bendroflumethiazide, amiloride, and hydrochlorothiazide in human urine samples. The electrophoretic separation is performed using a 78-cm x 75-micron-i.d. (70-cm effective length) fused-silica capillary. A borate buffer (pH 9) is used as running electrolyte. The sample is hydrostatically introduced for 20 s, and the running voltage is 25 kV at the injector end of the capillary. The analysis of urine samples requires the optimization of solid-phase extraction methods, achieving recoveries > or = 61% for all the drugs and good separation from the urine matrix. The method is successfully applied to the determination of these compounds in pharmaceutical formulations and in urine samples collected after the intake of Neatenol Diu (100 mg atenolol-5 mg bendroflumethiazide) and Kalten (50 mg atenolol-25 mg hydrochlorothiazide-2.5 mg amiloride). The method is validated in terms of reproducibility, linearity, and accuracy.

Quantitative determination of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor cilazapril and its active metabolite cilazaprilat in pharmaceuticals and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method with amperometric detection has been developed for the quantitation of cilazapril and its active metabolite and degradation product cilazaprilat in urine and tablets. The chromatographic system consisted of a microBondapak C18 column, using a mixture of methanol-5 mM phosphoric acid (50:50, v/v) as mobile phase, which was pumped at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. The column was kept at a constant temperature of (40+/-0.2) degrees C. Detection was performed using a glassy carbon electrode at a potential of 1350 mV. Sample preparation for urine consisted of a solid-phase extraction using C8 cartridges. This procedure allowed recoveries greater than 85% for both compounds. The method proved to be accurate, precise and sensitive enough to be applied to pharmacokinetic studies and it has been applied to urine samples obtained from four hypertensive patients (detection limit of 50 ng/ml for cilazapril and 40 ng/ml for cilazaprilat in urine). Results were in good agreement with pharmacokinetic data.

Quantitative determination of the beta-blocker labetalol in pharmaceuticals and human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with amperometric detection has been developed for the quantitation of labetalol in urine. The chromatography was performed at 30 degrees C using a reversed-phase column with a base deactivated silica stationary support and an alkylamide bonded phase (Supelcosil ABZ+Plus). A 5 mM acetate buffer (pH 4.5)-acetonitrile (70:30, v/v) mixture was employed as the mobile phase, pumped at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min. Sample preparation was carried out using a simple solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure, and recoveries higher than 85% were achieved. The method was found to be accurate, precise (R.S.D lower than 8%), and sensitive enough (experimental quantitation limit of 20 ng/ml, detection limit 10 ng/ml) to be applied to doping analysis and pharmacokinetic studies in human urine. The method was applied to the determination of labetalol in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples obtained from a healthy volunteer after the ingestion of a therapeutic dose of the drug, and the results obtained were in agreement with the pharmacokinetic data.

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the loop diuretic torasemide in human urine

A fast and reliable gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method for the identification and determination of the loop diuretic torasemide in human urine is described. The usefulness of different derivatization procedures and reagents was studied. Flash methylation using trimethylanilinium hydroxide was the most convenient and appropriate procedure. The optimal urine isolation method comprised alkaline liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. After evaporation of the organic layer to dryness, the solid residue was reconstituted in the derivatizing reagent and was directly injected into the GC-MS system. Samples were analysed in the multiple ion detection mode using electron impact ionization. No interferences from other urinary compounds were found. Torasemide gave rise to a derivative that was identified by GC with Fourier transform infrared detection. There was a 70 +/- 5% recovery of torasemide. The coefficient of variation was 5% at a concentration of 0.05 microgram/ml. The method was used for the determination of torasemide in urine samples obtained from a healthy volunteer that had received a single, 10 mg dose of torasemide.

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography as a fast screening method for the determination of the doping agents furosemide and piretanide in urine

The possibility of using micellar electrokinetic chromatography for the screening of the loop diuretics piretanide and furosemide in urine was studied. A fast and simple method with good repeatability is described. The method was applied to urine samples collected from a healthy volunteer after oral administration of therapeutic doses of each compound. Positive identification in the urine matrix was possible through recording diode array spectra.

Determination of piretanide and furosemide in pharmaceuticals and human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection (ED) has been developed for the determination of two diuretics: 4-phenoxy-3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid (piretanide) and 4-chloro-2-furfurylamino-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid (furosemide). The chromatographic separation was performed on a mu Bondapak C18 column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (40:60) containing 5 mM KH2PO4/K2HPO4 and with a flow-rate of 1 ml/min (69 bar). The temperature was optimized at 30 +/- 0.2 degrees C. The amperometric detector equipped with a glassy carbon electrode was operated at +1200 mV versus Ag/AgCl in the direct current mode. The method was applied to the determination of these compounds in two concentration ranges (ppm and ppb), obtaining a reproducibility in terms of relative standard deviations lower than 1% for within-day and 4% for day-to-day and determination limits of 15 ppb for both compounds. Recoveries greater than 90% were obtained for spiked urine samples, using a liquid-liquid extraction method in the sample clean-up procedure. The LC-ED method was applied to commercially available pharmaceuticals (Seguril, furosemide 40 mg, and Perbilén, piretanide 6 mg) and urine samples obtained from healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients.

High-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection applied to the screening of beta-blockers in human urine

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection has been developed for the determination of six beta-blockers: atenolol, nadolol, timolol, metoprolol, oxprenolol, and alprenolol. The chromatographic separation was performed using a mu Bondapack C18 column, a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (40:60), containing 5 mM KH2PO4/K2HPO4 proved to be optimal at a 1.3 ml/min flow-rate, and a pH of 6.5. The temperature was optimized at 30 +/- 0.2 degrees C. The amperometric detector, equipped with a glassy carbon electrode, was operated at 1300 mV versus Ag/AgCl in the direct current mode. The method was applied to the determination of these compounds at two concentration levels: ppm and ppb (ng/ml), obtaining relative standard deviations lower than 5% at ppm levels and lower than 10% at ppb levels, and quantitation limits ranging from 15 ppb to 500 ppb. The method was applied to the screening of beta-blockers in spiked urine samples, with a total elution time lower than 12 min, obtaining the best recoveries for timolol and metoprolol (never greater than 93%). These recoveries together with the low limits of quantitation achieved, allows its application to doping analysis in human urine.

Effects of acute intravenous ethanol on basal exocrine pancreatic secretion in rat: cholinergic involvement

The effect of intravenous infusion of ethanol on the basal exocrine pancreatic secretion of anesthetized rats was studied. The cholinergic involvement on the actions of ethanol was also studied using previously atropinized animals. During the stimulation period, pancreatic flow rate was significantly increased by intravenous ethanol in both un-atropinized (199% compared with basal) and atropinized rats (195% compared with basal). Pancreatic protein output was also increased during ethanol administration in both groups of animals (171% and 165% compared with basal in, respectively, un-atropinized and atropinized rats). After the administration of ethanol, in the poststimulation period, pancreatic flow rate was further increased only in the atropinized group of rats (290% compared with basal), whose values were significantly higher than those of ethanol-treated un-atropinized animals (195% compared with basal). A similar profile of response was observed in pancreatic protein output. Since intravenous ethanol did not stimulate either secretin or VIP release to portal plasma, the present results point to a direct effect of this substance on the exocrine pancreas. Furthermore, atropine revealed the existence of an inhibitory cholinergic effect of ethanol on the exocrine pancreas. In summary, results show that the effect of intravenous ethanol on the basal exocrine pancreatic secretion is dual and antagonistic.

Comparison between the effects of VIP and the novel peptide PACAP on the exocrine pancreatic secretion of the rat

The effect of intravenous infusion of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) 27, a novel regulatory peptide that shows a close structural and chemical similarity to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), on the rat exocrine pancreatic secretion was studied. PACAP and VIP stimulated the flow rate of exocrine pancreatic secretion (p < 0.05). However, protein output and amylase secretion were mainly stimulated by PACAP. Intravenous infusion of VIP increased the plasma levels of secretin (p < 0.05). On the other hand, PACAP released neither secretin nor VIP. Our results show: (a) both PACAP and VIP stimulate exocrine pancreatic secretion, (b) PACAP stimulation of pancreatic amylase and protein secretion is greater than that induced by VIP, and (c) PACAP probably exerts a direct effect on exocrine pancreas whereas some of the actions of VIP might be mediated by secretin.