Rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for salicylic acid in plasma without solvent extraction

The in vivo measurement of highly reactive free radicals, such as the hydroxyl radical (oOH), in humans is very difficult, if not impossible. Specific markers, based on the ability of oOH to attack aromatic molecules and produce hydroxylated compounds, are under investigation. In vivo radical metabolism of salicylic acid produces two main hydroxylated derivatives: 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA). The measurement of 2,3-DHBA, following oral administration of salicylic acid or its acetylated form (aspirin), is proposed for the assessment of in vivo oxidative stress. The intensity of oxidative stress is a function of the ratio of dihydroxylated derivatives to salicylic acid rather than the absolute dihydroxylated derivatives levels. Consequently, a simple, accurate, and sensitive assay of the salicylic acid level in plasma is needed to investigate the in vivo free radical production. In this work, a rapid and sensitive method is presented that is useful for the quantitation of salicylic acid in biological fluids. The methodology uses high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection for the identification and quantitation of salicylic acid without organic extraction. A detection limit of less than 5 mumol is achieved with spectrophotometric detector responses that are linear over at least 6 orders of magnitude. Plasma concentrations of salicylic acid determined by the present technique are reported following the administration of 1000 mg aspirin in 20 healthy subjects.