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A rapid and sensitive quantitation method of endogenous morphine in human plasma
Y Liu1, T V Bilfinger, G B Stefano
1Neuroscience Research Institute, State University of New York at Old Westbury, 11568, USA.
Life Sciences
|January 1, 1997
Summary
This study developed a new method to detect low levels of endogenous morphine in human plasma. The enhanced technique significantly improves detection sensitivity for this crucial opiate alkaloid.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Endogenous morphine exists at very low concentrations (pg/ml) in human plasma.
- Standard detection methods like RIA and HPLC lack the sensitivity for direct measurement.
- Effective initial purification is critical for accurate opiate alkaloid determination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a sensitive method for quantifying endogenous morphine in human plasma.
- To enhance the detection limit for opiate alkaloids in biological samples.
- To establish a reliable technique for measuring endogenous morphine levels.
Main Methods:
- Acidified protein precipitation from 2 ml human plasma.
- Solid-phase extraction (Sep-pak) for morphine concentration.
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (500 mV, 0.02 Hz).
Main Results:
- Achieved 86±5.7% recovery of morphine.
- Established a detection sensitivity of 50 pg/ml.
- Increased detection limit by 40-fold compared to standard HPLC (2 ng/ml).
Conclusions:
- The developed method allows for the determination of endogenous morphine in human plasma.
- Quantified endogenous morphine levels in plasma at 80 pg/ml.
- This technique offers a significant advancement in detecting low-level opiate alkaloids.