Determination of metabolites of cytochrome P-450 model systems using high-performance liquid chromatography

High-performance liquid chromatographic techniques were developed for the simultaneous detection of metabolites in a cytochrome P-450 model system composed of NADH, haemoglobin and methylene blue. Monohydroxylated metabolites were determined following aniline, acetanilide and phenol hydroxylations. 4-Aminoantipyrine, 7-hydroxycoumarin and p-nitrophenol were determined after dealkylation of 4-N,N-dimethylamino-antipyrine, 7-ethoxycoumarin and p-nitroanisole. These substrates are commonly used for measuring cytochrome P-450 activities. Treatment of the samples was minimal, consisting of a simple deproteinization, and did not involve any organic extraction. Separations were carried out on reversed-phase columns and the products were detected by UV adsorption. Separations were completed in less than 15 min and the detection limits were between 0.5 and 4 microM.