GC-MS determination of Sertraline and Desmethylsertraline in blood

Abstract

Sertraline is an oral antidepressant drug of the selective serotonin reuptake type. Its metabolite - desmethylsertraline - eliminated slowly and contribute limited pharmacological activity. The aim of this research was the development of rapid and sensitive methods of determination sertraline and its metabolite in whole blood by GC-MS, which can be applied for routine chemical-toxicological analysis. Our studies were focused on natural zeolites sorption ability evaluation and particularly on clinoptilolite originated from the Transcarpatian deposits. Methodology: Samples of citrated human whole blood was obtained from Lviv station of blood transfusion and verified drug free. The samples of blood were kept frozen at -20°C. 2 ml human blood was spiked with sertraline and desmethylsertraline at five concentrations: 0.01; 0.10; 0.50; 0.80 and 1.0 μg/ml each compounds. In all samples of blood were added the internal standard (100μl aqueous solution of bupropione hydrochloride 1 μg/ml) and 2 ml of phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Then the samples were vortex mixed for 5 min and sonicated for 15 min at 20°C. The whole liquid was transferred on column for SPE (with 0.6 g of H-clinoptilolite, fraction 0.20-0.22 nm). SPE columns were conditioned with 1 ml of 0.1 M solution of HCI in methanol and 1 ml of water. After samples pass the columns were washed with 4 ml phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), 3 ml of water and methanol-water mixture (1:1, v/v). The sorbet was dried in nitrogen flow. [...].