Determination of nitrosourea compounds in brain tissue by gas chromatography and electron capture detection

Samuel J. Hassenbusch, O. Michael Colvin, James H. Anderson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A relatively simple, high‐sensitivity gas chromatographic assay is described for nitrosourea compounds, such as BCNU [1,3‐bis(2‐chloroethyl)‐1‐nitrosourea] and MeCCNU [1‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐3‐(trans‐4‐methylcyclohexyl)‐1‐nitrosourea], in small biopsy samples of brain and other tissues. After extraction with ethyl acetate, secondary amines in BCNU and MeCCNU are derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride. Compounds are separated and quantitated by gas chromatography using a capillary column with temperature programming and an electron capture detector. Standard curves of BCNU indicate a coefficient of variance of 0.066 ± 0.018, a correlation coefficient of 0.929, and an extraction efficiency from whole brain of 68% with a minimum detectable amount of 20 ng in 5–10 mg samples. The assay has been facile and sensitive in over 1000 brain biopsy specimens after intravenous and intraarterial infusions of BCNU.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)840-842
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume84
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmaceutical Science

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