Serum theophylline analysis by high-pressure liquid chromatography

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate quantification of theophylline in serum is crucial for therapeutic drug monitoring.
• Existing methods may require larger sample volumes or extensive preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a rapid, sensitive, and precise high-pressure liquid-chromatographic (HPLC) method for theophylline determination in serum.
• To establish a micro-scale method suitable for routine and research applications.

Main Methods:

• Development of a rapid HPLC method utilizing liquid extraction and silica adsorption chromatography.
• Employing beta-hydroxypropyl theophylline as an internal standard for reproducible results.
• Evaluation of selectivity, accuracy, and precision with minimal sample preparation.

Main Results:

• The method requires only 0.2 ml of serum per determination.
• Achieved a sensitivity of 0.5 mg/liter for theophylline quantification.
• Demonstrated adequate selectivity, accuracy, and precision with no observed interferences.

Conclusions:

• The developed HPLC method is a reliable and efficient tool for serum theophylline analysis.
• Its high sensitivity and minimal sample requirement make it suitable for various clinical and research settings.
• The method's robustness ensures reproducible results for therapeutic drug monitoring.