A rapid method of determining amphetamine in plasma samples using pentafluorobenzenesulfonyl chloride and electron-capture gas chromatography.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Acute administration of (+)-amphetamine has been used as a model for mania in humans since it mimics the physiological, biochemical, and cognitive effects seen in mania. A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of amphetamine in human plasma samples using gas chromatography with electron-capture detection was developed in our laboratory to follow the time course of amphetamine levels in patients receiving this drug as part of a study using amphetamine as a model for mania.

METHODS:

Blood samples were taken from healthy male volunteers at 30, 60, 90, 150, 210, 240, and 480 min after administration of 25 mg of (+)-amphetamine. Plasma was isolated by centrifugation and used for the analysis. This method is a modification of the procedure described by Paetsch et al. [J. Chromatogr. 573 (1992) 313] for the determination of amphetamine in rat brain tissue. Amphetamine was derivatized under basic conditions using pentafluorobenzenesulfonyl chloride (PFBSC) prior to analysis on a gas chromatograph equipped with a capillary column and an electron-capture detector. The internal standard used was benzylamine. The structure of the amphetamine derivative was confirmed using combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULTS:

The limit of detection was <1 ng/ml, and the method was linear in the 1- to 100-ng range used. Mean amphetamine levels peaked at 3.5 h after drug administration, and were 40.8 +/- 1.5 ng/ml at that time.

DISCUSSION:

This procedure produces a stable derivative with excellent chromatographic properties and is both simple and reproducible.

• Authors: S J Asghar, G B Baker, G A Rauw, P H Silverstone
• Journal: Journal of pharmacological and toxicological methods (J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods) 2001 Sep-Oct Vol. 46 Issue 2 Pg. 111-5 ISSN: 1056-8719 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12481848 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Sulfones
• pentafluorobenzenesulfonyl chloride
• Amphetamine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Amphetamine (blood)
• Chromatography, Gas (methods)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sulfones (analysis)