Oxidative assessment of phospholipid-stabilized perfluorocarbon-based blood substitutes

Methods based on the HPLC separation with subsequent UV detection and spectrofluorimetry have been developed to monitor the formation of oxidative decomposition products of phospholipids in perfluorocarbon emulsions. Catalytic, as well as emulsion oxidative stability studies have been conducted utilizing egg yolk phospholipid (EYP) and perfluorocarbons of varied compositions/purity in order to assess their effect on susceptibility to oxidation. Our studies indicate that phospholipid composition, degree of unsaturation, perfluorocarbon purity and the presence of oxygen and trace metals have a significant effect on the formation of oxidative decomposition products. A combination of methods has proven useful in monitoring the levels of oxidative decomposition products of phospholipids in phospholipid-stabilized perfluorocarbon-based blood substitutes. Such an approach has proven beneficial in the development of pharmaceutical agents of potentially higher quality and storage stability.