title: A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for 6-mercaptopurine metabolites in red blood cells.
abstract: A highly sensitive and rapid assay for the detection of 6-mercaptopurine metabolites in the red blood cells of leukemic patients receiving the drug has been developed. The method employs a batch-chromatographic procedure using a mercurial cellulose resin to selectively absorb thiol compounds combined with separation by high-performance liquid chromatography using a Partisil-SAX column and uv detection. This method permits detection of 6-thioinosine monophosphate, 6-thiouric acid, and 6-thioguanosine mono-, di-, and triphosphates in patient samples with a sensitivity of 5-10 pmol. No 6-thioinosine di- or triphosphates were detected in patient samples. The results of our study indicate that 6-thioguanosine triphosphate is the major metabolite of 6-mercaptopurine retained by red blood cells after oral or iv administration of the drug.
mesh_terms: D001711:Biotransformation; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000097:blood; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000032:analysis; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000097:blood*; D008778:Methylthioinosine / Q000032:analysis; D009941:Organomercury Compounds; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D009941:Organomercury Compounds; D008778:Methylthioinosine; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D002482:Cellulose; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D013866:Thioguanine