DETERMINATION OF PENTAMIDINE IN SERUM AND URINE BY MICELLAR ELECTROKINETIC CHROMATOGRAPHY

A number of parameters influencing the electrokinetic processing of pe ntamidine by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) were studie d in order to develop an analytical method for this compound. The para meters considered were: pH, ionic strength, and SDS concentration of e lectrolyte, temperature and working voltage. On the basis of the resul ts obtained, the best analytical conditions for the detection of penta midine in serum and urine by MEKC were determined. Analysis by MEKC pe rmitted determination of the drug in 10 min. Good linearity, reproduci bility and accuracy were obtained in the range 0-30 mu g/ml for both s amples, with a correlation coefficient r greater than or equal to 0.99 98 and a recovery of 87-92% in serum and 90-108.9% in urine. We examin ed the metabolism of pentamidine using rat liver homogenates in order to exclude any possible interference of metabolites in the analysis of pentamidine.