Quantitative high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of acrolein in plasma after derivatization with Luminarin (R) 3

A rapid, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic met hod for the quantification of acrolein (1), one of the toxic metabolites of oxazaphosphorine alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide) was d eveloped. Condensation of acrolein with Luminarin(R) 3 afforded a fluoresce nt derivative that could be specifically detected and quantified. Chromatog raphic conditions involved a C-18 RP column Uptisphere and a gradient eluti on system to optimize resolution and time analysis. The method showed high sensitivity with a limit of detection of 100 pmol/ml and a limit of quantif ication of 300 pmol/ml. This technique is particularly suitable for pharmac okinetic studies on plasma of oxazaphosphorine-receiving patients. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.