Stereoselective high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with fluorometric detection for the isomers of mivacurium in human plasma.
A high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with fluorometric detection was developed for the analysis of the stereoisomers of mivacurium, a new short-acting neuromuscular blocker, in plasma. The isomers were isolated from plasma by solid-phase extraction with C18 and anion-exchange cartridges. The extracts were chromatographed on a LiChrosphere 60 RP Select B column (125 mm x 4.6 mm I.D.) using a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (4:6, v/v) containing 0.005 M octanesulfonic acid. The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths were 202 and 320 nm, respectively. The accuracy and precision of the assay, expressed as the percentage deviation of measured values from true values and the percentage coefficient of variation, respectively, were less than or equal to 10% at all concentrations except for the percentage coefficient of variation at the lower limit of quantitation (5 ng/ml). The assay has been successfully used for the analysis of plasma samples from a pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers.
In Vitro Metabolism of Mivacurium Chloride (BW B1090U) and Succinylcholine
The in vitro rates of metabolism of mivacurium chloride and succinylcholine in pooled human plasma were compared. In addition, the rate of metabolism of mivacurium in buffered solutions of butyrylcholinesterase (E.C. 3.1.1.8) and acetylcholinesterase (E.C. 3.1.1.7) was determined. Succinylcholine concentrations were measured spectrophoto-metrically, and mivacurium concentrations were determined with a high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay. The hydrolysis of mivacurium in plasma followed first-order kinetics, and the rate of hydrolysis decreased as plasma was serially diluted. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) for mivacurium metabolism in plasma was 245/μmol/L, and the maximum velocity (Vmax) was 50 U/L; the Km for succinylcholine was 37 μmol/L, and Vmax was 74 U/L. At comparable multiples of the Km the hydrolysis rate of mivacurium was 70% of that of succinylcholine. Mivacurium was metabolized significantly in solutions containing butyrylcholinesterase, but only minimally in solutions containing acetylcholinesterase.
A new succinylcholine-based assay of plasma cholinesterase.
We describe a new method for measuring the in vitro rate of hydrolysis of the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. This substrate is hydrolyzed by plasma cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8). The resulting choline is determined by measuring the hydrogen peroxide formed on its oxidation by choline oxidase (EC 1.1.3.17). This is done by use of phenol and aminoantipyrine coupled to peroxidase, and yields an intense chromophore, Amax 500 nm. The assay requires 0.1 mL of plasma, and is precise and specific. The CV was 2.7% within run, 7.3% between run. For the usual (U variant) enzyme the Km is 53 mumol/L. Enzyme activity is removed by anticholinesterase antiserum, and is inhibited by dibucaine with a Ki of 2 mumol/L. Ten samples can be assayed in duplicate in an hour. This method is suited to routine use in any laboratory that has a simple spectrophotometer. The mean activity in 11 individuals with the cholinesterase phenotype UU was 105 U/L, for seven UA heterozygotes 61 U/L, and for three AA homozygotes 4 U/L. To the extent allowed by extrapolation from in vitro to in vivo results, this method should increase diagnostic accuracy and may directly predict duration of succinylcholine-induced apnea.