RP-HPLC method with fluorescence detection for determination of small quantities of triamcinolone in plasma in presence of endogenous steroids after derivatization with 9-anthroyl nitrile; pharmacokinetic studies

A new indirect RP-HPLC method was developed for determination of small, ng/ml, concentrations of triamcinolone (TMC) in human plasma, in presence of endogenous corticosteroids: cortisol (hydrocortisone, F), cortisone (E) and their metabolites, after administration of TMC in a free alcohol form. After solid phase extraction (SPE) in cartridges with octadecyl phase, TMC and prednisolone (I.S.) were derivatized by treatment with 9-anthroyl nitrile (9-AN) in a basic mixture, consisting of triethanolamine and quinuclidine, to receive fluorescent esters at 21-hydroxyl group of the steroid chain. Optimal conditions were also established to purify fluorescent TMC and I.S. derivatives before injection into HPLC column. The fluorescent esters were determined using an isocratic RP-HPLC technique in a C18 column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.3 mM ortho-phoshoric acid. The method was validated before using to pharmacokinetic studies. Calibration curve of TMC was linear in the range of 2.5–100.0 ng/ml. Intra- and inter-day measurement precision and accuracy were equal to or lower than 15%. Percent recovery, and limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of TMC were also determined. The method was applied for in vivo conditions after administration of tablets containing TMC to healthy volunteers. Moreover, the method provided potential to determine TMC and, simultaneously, other glucocorticoids: E, F and their metabolites in one analytical run. Column interactions were observed between endogenous metabolites of E. Usefulness of the elaborated method was confirmed in pharmacokinetic studies following administration of a small (4 mg) dose of TMC to human volunteers. The method can provide an alternative to HPLC coupled with RIA in determination of small quantities of TMC.