Determination of olsalazine sodium in pharmaceuticals by differential pulse voltammetry

The electrochemical oxidation of olsalazine sodium was investigated by cyclic, linear sweep, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry using glassy carbon disc electrode in different buffer systems. Best results were obtained for the determination of olsalazine using the differential pulse voltammetric technique in phosphate buffer at pH 7.0. The electroactive species exhibits a diffusion-controlled voltammetric wave and its differential pulse peak current shows a linear dependence on olsalazine concentration in the range between 2 x 10(-6) M and 2 x 10(-4) M. This relationship has been applied to the determination of olsalazine in commercial capsule dosage forms. The recovery study shows good accuracy and precision for the assay developed. A UV spectrophotometric assay is also reported for comparison.

Simple method for the determination of 5-aminosalicylic and N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid in rectal tissue biopsies

We describe a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid and N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid in rectal tissue biopsies. Samples were derivatised using propionic anhydride and proteins were precipitated with methanol. A Supelcosil ABZ column (150x4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm silica particles) was used with a mobile phase comprising 0.1 M acetic acid, acetonitrile and triethylamine (1600:114:6, v/v/v). Fluorescence detection was employed and detection limits were 0.2 ng/mg tissue at a signal-to-noise ratio of three (measured concentration: 5-aminosalicylic acid, 0.254 (0.228-0.286) ng/mg, C.V. 10.7%; N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid, 0.18 (0.154-0.198) ng/mg, C.V 9.8%). This assay was validated for use with serum, urine and faecal samples for which it proved to be both precise and accurate (C.V.<10%, measured concentration within 10%).

Distribution and concentrations of 5-aminosalicylic acid in rectosigmoid biopsy specimens after rectal administration

PURPOSE

Using the autofluorescent properties of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), we studied the penetration and distribution of this molecule in human colonic biopsies at different time intervals after administration of 5-ASA enemas.

METHODS

Fluorescence scores of rectosigmoidal biopsy specimens were compared with 5-ASA and acetyl-5-aminosalicylic (Ac-5-ASA) concentrations, determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, in adjacent biopsies and in serum samples.

RESULTS

5-ASA penetrates into the rectal mucosa and into the epithelial cells after local application by means of an enema. We found a characteristic 5-ASA staining of two intramucosal structures that need further identification: intraepithelial triangular configurations and "5-ASA scavengers" in the lamina propria. Fluorescence scores correlate well with 5-ASA concentrations in adjacent biopsies (r = 0.67; P < 0.005) and correlate even better with serum concentrations of 5-ASA (r = 0.84; P < 0.005) and Ac-5-ASA (r = 0.80; P < 0.005), hence reflecting the amount of systemically absorbed and metabolized 5-ASA.

CONCLUSION

5-ASA penetrates into the rectal mucosa after local application. Local availability, assessed by means of fluorescence microscopy, correlates well with serum concentrations.

Simultaneous determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid, acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid in endoscopic intestinal biopsy samples in humans by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid (Ac-5-ASA) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (5-HSA) in human endoscopic intestinal biopsy with electrochemical detection has been developed and validated. A liquid-liquid extraction procedure was used to isolate these drugs from the biological material prior to analysis. The compounds were separated on an Erbasil S reversed-phase column using methanol-critic acid-sodium hydrogenphosphate-heptane-sulfonic acid-disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (pH 3) as mobile phase. The method was linear from 1.0 to 300 ng ml-1 for 5-ASA, from 10 to 1000 ng ml-1 for Ac-5ASA and from 0.1 to 10 ng m-1 for 5-HSA. The limit of detection for 5-ASA and for Ac-5-ASA was 1 ng ml-1 and that for 5-HSA was 0.1 ng ml-1. This procedure is suitable for pharmacological and clinical studies of 5-ASA.

Radical-derived oxidation products of 5-aminosalicylic acid and N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid

5-Aminosalicylic acid is an agent effective in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. Its ability to scavenge radicals is considered to be a major factor responsible for its therapeutic efficacy. In this study oxidation products of aminosalicylates with hydroxyl radicals were produced. The compounds that could be discovered by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis originate from a 1,4-benzoquinone monoimine intermediate which subsequently undergoes multiple reactions such as hydrolysis, reductive 1,4-Michael addition, reoxidation and decarboxylation. Some of these products could represent metabolites formed under in vivo conditions and thus provide a tool for screening biological material from subjects under different clinical conditions.

Comparative bioavailability of 5-aminosalicylic acid from a controlled release preparation and an azo-bond preparation

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of the bioavailability of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA, mesalazine) from the different 5-ASA-containing drugs is important for rational therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases.

METHODS

The local and systemic bioavailability of 5-ASA from a controlled release 5-ASA preparation (Pentasa--2, 4 or 6 g/day) was investigated and compared with the azo-bond 5-ASA preparation olsalazine (Dipentum--2 g/day) in 13 healthy volunteers during steady state conditions.

RESULTS

The therapeutically relevant parameter of 5-ASA at the rectal level, expressed as the mean concentration in faecal water, showed a significant trend towards higher concentrations with increasing Pentasa dose: 9.2 mmol/L, 19.0 mmol/L and 24.4 mmol/L, respectively. The concentration of olsalazine 2 g/day was 16.0 mmol/L. The concentration of the metabolite N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid (Ac-5-ASA) did not rise with increasing Pentasa dose, indicating saturable presystemic acetylating capacity of 5-ASA. Total urinary excretion of 5-ASA and Ac-5-ASA, as a percentage of the daily ingested 5-ASA dose, remained constant on the three Pentasa doses, but there was a significant increase in the 5-ASA fraction. Mean steady state plasma concentrations of 5-ASA and Ac-5-ASA were significantly higher on Pentasa 4 g/day and 6 g/day than on 2 g/day. Values on Pentasa 2 g/day were comparable with those on olsalazine 2 g/day.

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirmed that 5-ASA is released from Pentasa in a predictable manner, the amount released increasing with dose. Olsalazine is an excellent generator of 5-ASA in the colon.

Disposition of olsalazine and metabolites in breast milk

This study examined the disposition of olsalazine and its metabolites into breast milk after the ingestion of a single dose of 500 mg olsalazine. Blood and serum samples were obtained for 48 hours after the ingestion of 500 mg olsalazine in a 39-year-old lactating woman. Blood samples were obtained at .0, .5, 1, 2, 4,6, 24.5, 26, and 48 hours. Maternal milk samples were obtained at .0, .5, 2, 4, 6, 14, 24, 28, 36, and 48 hours. Olsalazine and olsalazine-S underwent high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis, and 5-ASA and Ac 5-ASA underwent fluorometric detection. Acetylated-5-ASA achieved concentrations of .8, .86, and 1.24 mumol/L in breast milk at 10, 14, and 24 hours, respectively. Olsalazine, olsalazine-S, and 5-ASA were undetectable in the breast milk for 48 hours after drug administration. Clinically significant drug exposure in the breast-fed infant is unlikely after a maternal single dose of olsalazine. Idiosyncratic hypersensitivity, however, remains a possibility even if the infant is exposed to only minute quantities.

[Localization of salazopyrin in colonic mucosa patients with ulcerative colitis]

In this study SASP metabolite levels were measured in colonic mucosal specimens and plasma samples from 31 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) under treatment with the drug. Colonic tissue specimens were obtained by endoscopically guided biopsy and plasma was isolated from peripheral blood. Measurements were performed by HPLC according to the procedure of Fischer et al. The levels of 5-ASA and SP in either of colonic tissue or plasma were significantly lower than those of Ac-5-ASA and Ac-SP, respectively. The tissue level of 5-ASA had a significant correlation to the dosage of 5-ASA. The tissue levels of 5-ASA and Ac-5-ASA were low in an active stage of UC than during a remission period and the difference observed with respect to the latter metabolite was significant. These findings suggest that acetylation of 5-ASA is inhibited in the colonic mucosa in an active stage of the disease.

Ion-pairing high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid and related impurities in bulk chemical

An ion-pairing high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) bulk chemical in the presence of thirteen potential synthetic process impurities. In addition, the method is suitable for the determination of the in process intermediate, 5-nitrosalicylic acid. A selective method was achieved on a Hypersil-BDS reversed-phase column using 1-heptanesulfonic acid sodium salt as the ion-pairing reagent in a 0.08 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 2) containing 0.005 M 1-heptanesulfonic acid sodium salt and 0.07 M sodium chloride-methanol-tetrahydrofuran (85:11:4, v/v/v) isocratic mobile phase. The method was validated using a multi-day, intra-laboratory protocol. The validation addressed linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and ruggedness of the method. The validated method characterizes the purity of 5-ASA bulk chemical.

High-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid and acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid concentrations in endoscopic intestinal biopsy in humans

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of 5-amino-salicylic acid (5-ASA) and N-acetyl-5-ASA (Ac-5-ASA) concentrations in endoscopic mucosal biopsy homogenates is presented. The mean recoveries of 5-ASA and Ac-5-ASA from spiked blank biopsy homogenates ranged from 95.9 to 120% and from 92.5 to 100%, respectively. The coefficients of variation for 5-ASA and Ac-5-ASA were 0.7-8.6% and 1.4-12.9%, respectively. This method is useful for direct determination of topical availability of 5-ASA and Ac-5-ASA and probably an accurate parameter of drug bioavailability.

Clinical evidence supporting the radical scavenger mechanism of 5-aminosalicylic acid

5-Aminosalicylic acid, the therapeutically active metabolite of sulfasalazine, was exposed to oxygen-derived free radicals produced by the Fenton reaction in vitro, and several metabolites were detected and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The majority of these metabolites were present in methanolic extracts of feces samples from sulfasalazine-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease but not in rheumatoid arthritis patients with normal bowel function. The presence of these metabolites, which have not been demonstrated in vivo before, provides evidence of an interaction between 5-aminosalicylic acid and oxygen-derived free radicals in sulfasalazine-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Since the concentration of lipid peroxides, which is dependent on the release of oxygen-derived free radicals, was significantly increased in pretreatment rectal biopsies of the patients, and further was normalized concomitantly with a significant improvement in disease activity over the 5-wk treatment period, an important role of the radical scavenger mechanism of 5-aminosalicylic acid in sulfasalazine therapy of chronic inflammatory bowel disease is strongly suggested.

Effects of mesalazine substitution on salicylazosulfapyridine-induced seminal abnormalities in men with ulcerative colitis

Some semen characteristics of eight male patients with clinically inactive ulcerative colitis were investigated. Semen analysis was carried out twice during salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) treatment and repeated twice after at least 3 months' treatment with mesalazine. The motility variables all showed significant improvement during mesalazine treatment: the graded motility (p less than 0.05), motility in percentage (p less than 0.01), and the penetration in egg white (p less than 0.05). The semen plasma was analyzed for mesalazine and the metabolite Ac-mesalazine during both regimens. There was no difference in the semen plasma concentration of mesalazine during the two regimens, whereas Ac-mesalazine was significantly higher during mesalazine treatment than during SASP treatment, indicating that other SASP metabolites, most likely sulfapyridine, are the agent causing the abnormal sperm characteristics. We suggest that pure mesalazine preparations are a safer alternative in young men with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Stability of disodium azodisalicylate (olsalazine) and metabolites in urine and faeces stored at different temperatures

METHODS

The stability of disodium azodisalicylate, 5-aminosalicylic acid and acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid dissolved in distilled water and in urine or mixed with faeces to which HgCl2 was added, was studied at -20 degrees C, 4 degrees C and room temperature.

RESULTS

In water, no marked differences were found between the three storage regimens. In urine, disodium azodisalicylate and acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid were stable, while the 5-ASA concentration decreased when stored at 4 degrees C and room temperature. In faeces stored during seven days, a marked decrease in 5-aminosalicylic acid concentration to about zero was found when it was kept at 4 degrees C and room temperature. No marked change in the concentration of disodium azodisalicylate and 5-aminosalicylic acid added to the faeces-HgCl2-mixtures appeared.

Olsalazine-O-sulphate: an acid labile metabolite of olsalazine

The discovery of an acid labile metabolite of olsalazine, tentatively identified as olsalazine-O-sulphate, is described. Due to its acid labile properties, this conjugate was previously co-determined with olsalazine. Based on this finding, a new assay has been developed making it possible to determine both olsalazine and olsalazine-O-sulphate simultaneously. The initial aim of this study was to simplify an original analytical method in order to improve sample throughput without loss of sensitivity. However, during this work, a previously unidentified acid labile metabolite was discovered. The characterization of this metabolite is described here.

Stability of 5-aminosalicylic acid suspension

The stability of 5-aminosalicylic acid in a suspension prepared extemporaneously for administration by enema was studied. The suspension was prepared (tragacanth was the suspending agent) and then placed in 3-ounce amber glass prescription bottles; five bottles were stored at room temperature and five were refrigerated for 90 days. Using samples from each bottle, concentrations of 5-aminosalicylic acid were determined in triplicate by high-performance liquid chromatography at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. Throughout the study period, all samples retained more than 90% of the day 0 concentration of 5-aminosalicylic acid. At each storage time, concentrations in samples stored at either room temperature or under refrigeration were not significantly different. In this extemporaneously prepared suspension, 5-aminosalicylic acid was stable for 90 days at room temperature and under refrigeration.

Mechanism of decarboxylation of p-aminosalicylic acid

The rate of decarboxylation of p-aminosalicylic acid (1) in aqueous solutions was studied at 25 degrees C (mu = 0.5) as a function of pH and buffer concentration. A pH-rate profile was generated by using the rate constants extrapolated to zero buffer concentration. The profile was bell-shaped, with the maximum rate of decarboxylation near the isoelectric pH. The rate constants obtained in buffered solutions indicated general acid catalysis. Bronsted behavior appeared to be adhered to. The two ionization constants of 1 were determined spectrophotometrically at 25 degrees C and at an ionic strength of 0.5. An HPLC method was used to characterize the degradation products of the reaction. Kinetic solvent deuterium isotope effects were studied to further confirm the mechanism of decarboxylation. Below pH 7.0, the mechanism of 1 decarboxylation is the rate controlling proton attack on the carbon-alpha to the carboxylic acid group of 1 anion and the ampholyte, followed by the rapid decarboxylation of the formed intermediate.

Chromatographic analysis of antituberculosis drugs in biological samples

Numerous chromatographic and non-chromatographic methods of analysis for anti-tuberculosis drugs and metabolites in biological tissues have been discussed in this review. Depending upon the analytical methodology selected, limits of detection range from microgram to picogram levels. A number of examples have been given of the correlation between different types of assay procedures. The metabolism and pharmacokinetics have been described along with some of the commonly associated problems of sample collection and storage.

A stable isotope method for the quantification of N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid in plasma and urine

The synthesis of a number of N-acyl-5-aminosalicylic acids and their derivatives is described. These compounds allow the sensitive and specific mass spectrometric determination of unlabelled or deuterium-labelled N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid in biological samples. An in vivo study shows that the labelled compound, administered to rats, is excreted isotopically unchanged to at least 97%, and that no significant deacetylation/acetylation mechanism exists for this metabolite N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid of salicylazosulphapyridine.

Colorimetric determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid and its N-acetylated metabolite on urine and feces

A simple and convenient colorimetric method is described for the quantitative determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and N-acetyl-5-ASA in urine and feces after oral administration of salicylazosulfa-pyridine (SASP), the drug of choice in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. N-acetyl-5-ASA is extracted directly from the acidified biological specimen, deacetylated, and the liberated 5-ASA subjected to a modified Bratton-Marshall reaction. The 5-ASA present in the specimen must be acetylated with acetic anhydride prior to extraction. The violet colored product of the Bratton-Marshall reaction has a lambdamax of 560 nm and conforms to Beer's law over the concentration range of 0-70 umg/ml. Average recoveries (+/- S.D., N = 6) OF 5-ASA added to rat and human urine and rat fecal homogenates were 91.6 +/- 4.9%, 102 +/- 6.0%, and 71.0 +/- 4.8%, respectively. Interference by SASP and its sulfapyridine metabolities is negligible. As demonstrated, the colorimetric method is of sufficient sensitivity for application in most metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies conducted with SASP in laboratory animals and man.

The determination of sodium aminosalicylate in cachets of sodium aminosalicylate and isoniazid by ultraviolet absorption

Sodium aminosalicylate can be determined in the presence of isoniazid by its ultraviolet absorption at 299 nm. The method is at least as accurate as the B.P.C. 1968 bromination method for cachets of sodium aminosalicylate and isoniazid. Analysis of a powder mix containing sodium aminosalicylate (2 g) and isoniazid (50 mg) gave a mean value of 2.02 ± 0.01 (s.d.) for ten determinations using the proposed method. The B.P.C. method gave a mean value of 2.03 ± 0.33 (s.d.). The proposed method has the advantage that the determination is independent of the isoniazid content and is more rapid than the official method. It can be easily adapted for automatic analysis.