Mentor
Lawrence Fleckenstein
Participation year
2012
Project title

Validation of a Sensitive HPLC Method for the Determination of Ivermectin in Human Plasma

Abstract

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode whose infection affects more than 50 million people worldwide. Strongyloidiasis usually occurs in immunocompromised hosts and can cause gastrointestinal and pulmonary symptoms as well as hypoalbuminemia. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic agent used in humans for the treatment of strongyloidiasis. Ivermectin binds avidly to plasma proteins, especially albumin, leading to a low levels of free drug. Free levels are important because they are responsible for toxicity and therapeutic outcomes of the drug. The objective of this research is to perform a method for the quantification of ivermectin in human plasma in order to determine them in patients with strongyloidiasis. The method is needed to determine if, as a consequence of their hypoalbuminemia, the free levels of the drug are elevated. The method consists of spiking 500 µL of human plasma with ivermectin and internal standard, abamectin. The extraction of ivermectin and abamectin from human plasma is done using solid phase extraction cartridge. The use of a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography using fluorescence detection method is used for the quantification of ivermectin in human plasma. For this reason fluorescent derivatives of ivermectin and abamectin were made prepared. The separation is achieved using a HPLC with a Gemini C18 5µ column and a mobile phase of THF-ACN-water. Calibration curves and control samples were prepared daily for the validation of the method. The results of validation demonstrate that the standard curve is linear over the concentration range 0.08-80 ng/ml and the chromatograms show a complete separation of Ivermectin and Abamectin peaks. The method appears to be accurate, reproducible and suitable for pharmacokinetic studies. "

Madeline Gonzalez-Morales
Education
University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla