An Automated HPLC Method for the Assay of Propranolol and Its Basic Metabolites in Plasma and Urine

An automated HPLC method is described for the simultaneous determination of propranolol, 4-hydroxypropranolol, and N-desisopropylpropranolol in plasma and urine before and after β-glucuronidase/aryl sulfatase treatment. It involves extraction with ether at pH 10 in the presence of ascorbic acid, added to prevent oxidation of 4-hydroxypropranolol. The compounds are then back extracted into dilute acid and assayed on an HPLC using a fluorescence detector. Three HPLC columns have been used (a phenyl, an octyl, and an octadecyl column). The last column was found to be most reproducible with minimal inter-column variation. The solvent system includes a combination of acetonitrile, methanol, and phosphoric acid. Concentrations as low as 0.2, 1.0, and 0.2 ng/ml of propranolol, 4-hydroxypropranolol, and N-desisopropylpropranolol , respectively, can be measured using 1 ml of plasma.