Enantiomeric separation of pirlindole by liquid chromatography using different types of chiral stationary phases

The enantioseparation of pirlindole by liquid chromatography (LC) was investigated using three different chiral stationary phases (CSPs) containing either cellulose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (Chiralcel OD-R), ovomucoid (OVM) or beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The effects of the mobile phase pH on retention, enantioselectivity and resolution were studied. Methanol and acetonitrile were tested as organic modifiers while the influence of the addition to the mobile phase of sodium alkanesulfonates or sodium perchlorate was also investigated. Sodium perchlorate was only used on the Chiralcel OD-R column while sodium alkanesulfonates were tested as mobile phase additives on the three kinds of CSPs. The enantioseparation of pirlindole could be obtained on all CSPs tested, the best results with respect to chiral resolution being achieved on the Chiralcel OD-R and the OVM columns. The use of sodium octanesulfonate (NaOS) was found to improve the enantioseparation of pirlindole on the OVM column while enantioselectivity was considerably enhanced by addition of sodium perchlorate on the Chiralcel OD-R column.

Method development strategies for the enantioseparation of drugs by capillary electrophoresis using cyclodextrins as chiral additives

General strategies for the development of capillary electrophoretic methods for the enantiomeric separation of basic, acidic or neutral drugs were developed. For all kinds of compounds, the use of a buffer made of 100 mM phosphoric acid adjusted to pH 3 with triethanolamine and containing anionic and/or uncharged cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives as chiral selectors was recommended. Two different optimization schemes depending on the acidic or basic character of the analytes, were elaborated. For most basic compounds present in cationic form at pH 3, enantiomeric separation could be achieved in the normal polarity mode. Different beta-cyclodextrin derivatives were first tested at a given concentration. Five derivatives were found to be particularly useful for enantioseparations in capillary electrophoresis (CE): the anionic carboxymethyl-beta-CD (CMCD) and sulfobutyl-beta-CD (SBCD) and the neutral dimethyl-beta-CD (DMCD), trimethyl-beta-CD (TMCD) and hydroxypropyl-beta-CD (HPCD). After selection of the most suitable CD, its concentration was optimized with respect to chiral resolution. If necessary, a further improvement in resolution could often be obtained for the enantiomers of cationic solutes by increasing the buffer pH from 3 to 5 using CMCD as chiral additive. Another possible alternative for enhancement in chiral resolution was the addition of metharlol or cyclohexanol to the buffer. For acidic drugs, essentially present in uncharged form at pH 3, and for neutral solutes, anionic CD derivatives such as SBCD or CMCD were first tested at a given concentration in the reversed polarity mode. Dual systems, based on the simultaneous addition of a charged CD (SBCD or CMCD) and a neutral CD (TMCD or DMCD), could then be investigated for resolution improvement. After optimization of the CD concentrations, the use of dual systems with CMCD at pH 5 could also be tested if necessary, especially for very weak acidic and neutral drugs. By applying these optimization strategies, 48 of the 50 drugs examined as model compounds could be fully enantioseparated by CE in short analysis times (usually less than 10 min).

Selection and characterization of two specific monoclonal antibodies directed against the two variants of human herpesvirus-6

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for human herpesvirus-6 (HHV6) proteins were derived from the splenocytes of mice immunized with HHV6 TAN isolate-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The two mAbs 8C8 and 7C7 reacted by means of immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase assays with both variant A and variant B isolates giving two different staining patterns. In infected cells, cytoplasmic diffuse staining was observed with mAb 8C8, whereas intense nuclear staining was obtained with mAb 7C7. These different locations of viral target proteins were confirmed by confocal microscopy. The mAb 8C8 reacted with a family of six glycoproteins designated as the gp72 complex in the case of variant A strains and gp63 complex in the case of variant B strains. The endoglycosidases H and F reduced those glycoproteins to a putative precursor molecule of 58 kDa. The mAb 7C7 reacted with 116 and 109 kDa proteins with the two HHV6 variants. These two mAbs did not neutralize virion infectivity in the absence of complement. No cross-reactivity was observed when these mAbs were used in immunoperoxidase assay and immunoblotting against the proteins of human cytomegalovirus or other human herpesviruses. Thus, the two mAbs 8C8 and 7C7 may be valuable tools for the diagnosis and biological investigation of HHV6 infections.

In vitro propagated dendritic cells from patients with human-papilloma virus-associated preneoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix: use of Flt3 ligand

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most efficient antigen presenting cells. The clinical use of DC as vectors for antitumor and anti-infectious disease immunotherapy has been limited by their low level and accessibility in normal tissue. Substantial numbers of DC can be generated from peripheral blood cultured in the presence of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). We showed in this study that substantial numbers of DC can be obtained from the peripheral blood of patients with (pre)neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix. The procedure required relatively small blood samples (10 ml) and the presence of 100 U/ml IL-4 and 800 U/ml GM-CSF in the culture medium. There was no significant difference in the morphology, yield, phenotype and function of generated DC between patients with cervical (pre)neoplastic lesions and healthy individuals. When the hematopoietic factor Flt3 ligand (Flt3L, 40 ng;ml) was added, there was an average increase in the DC population of 26% compared to cultures with GM-CSF and IL-4 alone. Approximately 1.2 x 10(6) cells with the characteristics of dendritic cells could be obtained when Flt3L was included in the medium. The addition of Flt3L did not modify the phenotypic profile of DC (HLA-DR+, CD1a+, CD4+, CD54+, CD80+, CD86+. CD40+, CD3- and CD14-). In addition, Flt3L generated functional DC capable of stimulating the proliferation of alloreactive T cells. These results suggest that Flt3L, in association with GM-CSF and IL-4, provides an advantageous tool for the large-scale generation of DC and that an immunotherapy based on the use of DC generated in vitro is possible in patients with (pre)neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix.

Simultaneous determination of methylphenobarbital enantiomers and phenobarbital in human plasma by on-line coupling of an achiral precolumn to a chiral liquid chromatographic column

A fully automated liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the simultaneous determination of methylphenobarbital enantiomers and phenobarbital in human plasma has been developed. The method is based on the use of a precolumn packed with an internal-surface reversed-phase packing material (LiChrospher ADS) for sample clean-up coupled to LC analysis on a cellulose tris(4-methylbenzoate) based chiral stationary phase (Chiralcel OJ-R). A 100-microliter plasma sample was injected directly on the precolumn packed with LiChrospher RP-18 ADS using a mixture of pH 5.0 phosphate buffer-methanol (97:3, v/v) as washing liquid. The analytes were then eluted in the back-flush mode with the LC mobile phase. The enantiomeric separation of methylphenobarbital was achieved on Chiralcel OJ-R). The retention times were modelled using a D-optimal design with ten experimental points in order to optimise the LC mobile phase for the separation of phenobarbital from the enantiomers of mephobarbital. The factors selected were the acetonitrile content, the pH and the sodium perchlorate concentration in the mobile phase. A Derringer's desirability function was used to find an optimal and robust solution within the experimental domain. The mobile phase selected consisted of a mixture of pH 7.0 phosphate buffer-acetonitrile (60:40, v/v). The elution profiles of phenobarbital, methylphenobarbital and blank plasma samples on the precolumn and the time needed for analyte transfer from the precolumn to the analytical column were then determined. Finally, the method developed was validated.

Simultaneous determination of pirlindole enantiomers and dehydropirlindole by chiral liquid chromatography

Liquid chromatography was employed for the determination of pirlindole enantiomers and its oxidation product dehydropirlindole (DHP). The direct separation of pirlindole enantiomers and DHP was achieved on a cellulose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phase (Chiralcel OD-R). Acetonitrile was used as the organic modifier and sodium perchlorate was used as an ionic additive in the mobile phase. The influence of acetonitrile and sodium perchlorate concentrations on enantioselectivity and achiral selectivity towards DHP was investigated in order to find suitable conditions for the determination of low amounts of each analyte. The mobile phase selected consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile and phosphate buffer (pH 5.0) containing sodium perchlorate (0.05 M) (35:65, v/v) and the UV detector was set at 220 nm. The method developed was validated and was found to be linear in the 0.1-5 microg ml(-1) range (r2 = 0.999 for the three compounds). Repeatability and the intermediate precision for the three analytes at a concentration of 0.1 microg ml(-1) were about 3 and 4%, respectively. This concentration corresponds to the quantification of 0.1% for the minor enantiomer. Actual determinations of enantiomeric purity for single enantiomers of pirlindole were performed.

Uncoupling the effects of energy expenditure and energy intake: appetite response to short-term energy deficit induced by meal omission and physical activity

The effects of two methods of inducing an acute energy deficit (exercise and a low-energy breakfast) on appetite were investigated in 11 healthy females, all of whom were regular exercisers and regular breakfast eaters. There were four experimental days: with exercise and a high-energy (500 kcal) breakfast (EHB), exercise and a low-energy (64 kcal) breakfast (ELB), no exercise and a high-energy breakfast (NEHB) and no exercise and a low-energy breakfast (NELB). Hunger and moods were monitored each hour from 8 a. m. until 5 p.m. Energy and macronutrient intake were measured during an ad libitum lunch test meal 4 h after the exercise and breakfast. Heart rate was continuously monitored using the Polar sport tester. The low-energy breakfasts (ELB and NELB) led to increased hunger during the morning and an increase in energy intake at lunch compared with the high-energy breakfasts. Subjects also experienced significantly more food cravings after LBs than after HBs. Exercise failed to have any significant effect on these variables. Thus, two methods of inducing a short-term energy deficit had markedly different effects on appetite. The low-energy breakfast presumably fails to generate the inhibitory satiety signals induced by the 500 kcal breakfast, whereas the metabolic effects of an exercise session failed to generate excitatory signals to hunger and food intake.

Time resolved fluorescence properties of phenylalanine in different environments. Comparison with molecular dynamics simulation

Time resolved fluorescence of the phenylalanine residue (Phe) alone and included in the transmembrane domain (TMD) sequences of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB-2 was studied using the synchrotron radiation source of light, and compared to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The fluorescence intensity decay is strongly sensitive to the environment. A mono-exponential decay was obtained for Phe amino acid alone in two different solvents and for Phe included in EGFR transmembrane sequence, with fluorescence lifetime values varying from 1.7 ns (EGFR) to 7.4 ns (Phe dissolved in water). In ErbB-2 transmembrane sequence three lifetimes were detected. The relative amplitude of the shortest one (0.14 ns) is smaller than 10%, whereas the others (0.6 and 2.2 ns) are almost equally represented. They have been attributed to different rotamers exchanging slowly. This interpretation is supported by MD simulations which evidence transitions in time series of the chi 1 dihedral angle of Phe observed in the case of ErbB-2. The anisotropy decays are similar for both peptides and indicate the presence of a correlation time in the nanosecond range (1-4 ns) and the probable existence of a very fast one (< 0.05 ns). Autocorrelation functions computed from MD simulations corroborate these results.

Identification of a potential effector pathway for the trimeric Go protein associated with secretory granules. Go stimulates a granule-bound phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase by activating RhoA in chromaffin cells

Besides having a role in signal transduction, heterotrimeric G proteins may be involved in membrane trafficking events. In chromaffin cells, Go is associated with secretory organelles, and its activation inhibits the ATP-dependent priming of exocytosis. By using permeabilized cells, we previously described that the control exerted by the granule-bound Go on exocytosis may be related to effects on the cortical actin network through a sequence possibly involving Rho. To provide further insight into the function of Rho in exocytosis, we focus here on its intracellular localization in chromaffin cells. By immunoreplica analysis, immunoprecipitation, and confocal immunofluorescence, we found that RhoA is specifically associated with the membrane of secretory chromaffin granules. Parallel subcellular fractionation experiments revealed the occurrence of a mastoparan-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase activity in purified chromaffin granule membranes. This stimulatory effect of mastoparan was mimicked by GAP-43, an activator of the granule-associated Go, and specifically inhibited by antibodies against Galphao. In addition, Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme completely blocked the activation of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase by mastoparan. We propose that the control exerted by Go on peripheral actin and exocytosis is related to the activation of a downstream RhoA-dependent phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase associated with the membrane of secretory granules.

Possible involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in regulated exocytosis: studies in chromaffin cells with inhibitor LY294002

Several lines of evidence suggest that phosphorylated products of phosphatidylinositol play critical functions in the regulation of membrane trafficking along the secretory pathway. To probe the possible involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) in regulated exocytosis, we have examined its subcellular distribution in cultured chromaffin cells by immunoreplica analysis and confocal immunofluorescence. We found that the PI 3-kinase heterodimer consisting of the regulatory and catalytic subunits was associated essentially with the subplasmalemmal cytoskeleton in both resting and nicotine-stimulated chromaffin cells. Attempts to immunoprecipitate PI 3-kinase with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies failed, suggesting that the activity of PI 3-kinase was not modulated by tyrosine phosphorylation and/or physical interaction with SH2-containing proteins in stimulated chromaffin cells. LY294002 [2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one], a potent inhibitor of PI 3-kinase, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of catecholamine secretion evoked by various secretagogues. Furthermore, cytochemical experiments with rhodamine-labeled phalloidin revealed that LY294002 blocked the disassembly of cortical actin in chromaffin cells stimulated by a depolarizing concentration of potassium. Our results suggest that PI 3-kinase may be one of the important regulatory exocytotic components involved in the signaling cascade controlling actin rearrangements required for catecholamine secretion.

CHARGE syndrome: report of 47 cases and review

The acronym CHARGE refers to a syndrome of unknown cause. Here we report on 47 CHARGE patients evaluated for the frequency of major anomalies, namely coloboma (79%), heart malformation (85%), choanal atresia (57%), growth and/or mental retardation (100%), genital anomalies (34%), ear anomalies (91%), and/or deafness (62%). In addition, we comment on anomalies observed very frequently in neonates and infants with the CHARGE syndrome, including, minor facial anomalies, neonatal brain stem dysfunction with cranial nerve palsy, and, mostly, internal ear anomalies such as semicircular canal hypoplasia that were found in each patient that could be tested. We propose several criteria for poor survival including male gender, central nervous system and/or oesophageal malformations, and bilateral choanal atresia. No predictive factor regarding developmental prognosis could be identified in our series. A significantly higher mean paternal age at conception together with concordance in monozygotic twins and the existence of rare familial cases support the role of genetic factors such as de novo mutation of a dominant gene or subtle sub-microscopic chromosome rearrangement. Finally, the combination of malformations in CHARGE syndrome strongly supports the view that this multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome is a polytopic developmental field defect involving the neural tube and the neural crests cells.

Dietary (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids rapidly modify fatty acid composition and insulin effects in rat adipocytes

The influence of dietary (n-3) compared with (n-6) polyunsatured fatty acids (PUFA) on the lipid composition and metabolism of adipocytes was evaluated in rats over a period of 1 week. Isocaloric diets comprised 16.3 g/100 g protein, 53.8 g/100 g carbohydrate and 21.4 g/100 g lipids, the latter containing either (n-3) PUFA (32.4 mol/100 mol) or (n-6) PUFA (37.8 mol/100 mol) but having identical contents of saturated, monounsaturated and total unsaturated fatty acids and identical polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios and double bond indexes. Despite comparable food intake, significantly smaller body weight increments and adipocyte size were observed in rats of the (n-3) diet group after feeding for 1 wk. Rats fed the (n-3) diet also had significantly lower concentrations of serum triglycerides, cholesterol and insulin compared with those fed the (n-6) diet, although levels of serum glucose and free fatty acids did not differ in the two dietary groups. In the (n-6) diet group, the (n-6) and (n-3) PUFA contents of plasma triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids were 30-60% higher and 60-80% lower, respectively, than in the (n-3) diet group, whereas adipocyte plasma membrane phospholipids showed a significantly higher unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio and greater fluidity. Glycerol release in response to noradrenaline was significantly higher in the adipocytes of rats fed the (n-3) diet, whereas the antilipolytic effect of insulin generally did not differ in the two groups. Finally, insulin stimulated the transport of glucose and its incorporation into fatty acids to a lesser extent in adipocytes of (n-3) diet fed rats compared with (n-6) diet fed rats. This reduction in the metabolic effects of insulin in rats fed a (n-3) diet for 1 wk could be related to smaller numbers and a lower binding capacity of the insulin receptors on adipocytes and/or to a lesser degree of phosphorylation of the 95 kDa beta subunit of the receptor. In conclusion, dietary intake for 1 wk of (n-3) rather than (n-6) PUFA is sufficient to induce significant differences in the lipid composition and metabolic responses to insulin of rat adipocytes.

Radiolabeling of the lipids of chinese hamster ovary cells with the probe [3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine]

[125I]TID [3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine] is a commercially available, hydrophobic, photoactivatable, gamma-emitting reagent mostly used to label protein hydrophobic domains. It has also been used to radiolabel the phospholipids of lung surfactant (Gilliard et al., Anal. Biochem. 193, 310-315, 1991). Since a nonspecific, highly sensitive, lipid-labeling probe would be a very useful tool to investigate lipid-protein interactions in biological membranes, we characterized further the [125I]TID-labeling products of lipids from cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells (IR-CHO). After labeling of whole cells, TLC analysis followed by autoradiography enabled detection of sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, cardiolipin, diglycerides, cholesterol and its esters, and triglycerides. Analysis of the radioactivity associated with the saponification products of different lipids showed that [125I]TID was mostly (80%) extracted with the fatty acid moiety of the lipids whereas 20% remained associated with the hydrosoluble moiety. Similar radioactivity profiles were observed after labeling of whole cells or extracted and liposome-reconstituted lipids; the [125I]TID probe was able to diffuse in all intracellular organelles. Labeling was not equivalent between the different lipid classes, and it appeared that the amount of associated radioactivity correlated well with the degree of lipid unsaturation. This was confirmed by studying [125I]TID incorporation in phosphatidylcholines of different chain length and unsaturation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that [125I]TID can be used as a radiolabel for lipids in cultured cells. It is rapidly incorporated in the hydrophobic part of membranes, diffuses into all cellular compartments, and labels all lipid classes, including phospholipids, cholesterol, and glycerides, with a sensitivity in the nanomolar range.

Automated determination of tramadol enantiomers in human plasma using solid-phase extraction in combination with chiral liquid chromatography

A sensitive and automated method for the separation and individual determination of tramadol enantiomers in plasma has been developed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) on disposable extraction cartridges (DECs) in combination with chiral liquid chromatography (LC). The SPE operations were performed automatically by means of a sample processor equipped with a robotic arm (ASPEC system). The DEC filled with ethyl silica (50 mg) was first conditioned with methanol and phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. A 1.0-ml volume of plasma was then applied on the DEC. The washing step was performed with the same buffer. The analytes were eluted with 0.15 ml of methanol, and 0.35 ml of phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, containing sodium perchlorate (0.2 M) were added to the extract before injection into the LC system. The enantiomeric separation of tramadol was achieved using a Chiralcel OD-R column containing cellulose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) as chiral stationary phase. The mobile phase was a mixture of phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, containing sodium perchlorate (0.2 M) and acetonitrile (75:25). The mobile-phase pH and the NaClO4 concentration were optimized with respect to enantiomeric resolution. The method developed was validated. Recoveries for both enantiomers of tramadol were about 100%. The method was found to be linear in the 2.5-150 ng/ml concentration range [r2=0.999 for (+)- and (-)-tramadol]. The repeatability and intermediate precision at a concentration of 50 ng/ml were 6.5 and 8.7% for (+)-tramadol and 6.1 and 7.6% for (-)-tramadol, respectively.

Analysis by flow cytometry of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in activated T-cell subsets on whole blood samples

Tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins is a critical early event in the T-cell activation process induced by the antigenic peptide or monoclonal antibodies specific for the CD3 T-cell receptor (TCR) complex. Phosphoproteins are currently detected by Western blotting experiments or, recently, by labelling intracellular proteins with an antiphosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody and flow cytometric analysis (Farahi Far et al.: Cytometry 15:327-334, 1994; Vuillier et al.: J Immunol Methods 185:43-56, 1995). Here, we describe improvements of these latter methods in order to study selectively the CD3-TCR signaling pathway of patients with immunodeficiency diseases or lymphopenia. This new technique quantifies tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in in vitro-activated T-cell subsets directly on whole blood samples. The stimulation of the CD3-TCR complex induces a specific and significant increase in the phosphotyrosine fluorescence intensity in both CD4 and CD8 subpopulations. The simplicity and the good reproducibility of this method make it particularly convenient for laboratory routine evaluation, and the use of very small volumes of blood is well adapted to the study of immunodepressed patients. Moreover, this technique allows the detection of early molecular defects of the CD3-TCR signal-transduction pathway.

Continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration in the acute phase of neonatal maple syrup urine disease

Maple syrup urine disease results in accumulation of leucine and its metabolites, which may lead in the long term to neurological dysfunction. In acute neonatal crises, large amounts of leucine may be removed by continuous venovenous haemofiltration. This extracorporeal technique has its risks and hazards, which increase with duration of treatment. We report three neonates in life-threatening conditions due to maple syrup urine disease, treated for not more than 12 h with various continuous venovenous techniques: continuous haemofiltration, haemodiafiltration and haemodialysis. The efficiency of and tolerance to these techniques was evaluated. For all three patients, plasma leucine levels decreased dramatically from 2186, 3818 and 2536 mumol/L to 1131, 1275 and 488 mumol/L, respectively. Leucine clearance obtained was 4.28 ml/min in haemodiafiltration. Their patients' neurological status improved rapidly and they have a normal developmental quotient at 22 months, 13 months, and 11 months of age, respectively. Tolerance was good except for hypothermia and drop in haematocrit in all cases. Haemodiafiltration management was more cumbersome and time consuming because it required continual adjustment of the substitution fluid flow rate to precisely balance inflow and outflow rates. We recommend continuous venovenous haemodialysis as the therapy of choice. It might be anticipated that improvement of this technique, by increasing dialysate flow rate and blood flow rate, will allow leucine concentration to be decreased below 1000 mumol/L within 6-8 h, whatever the initial level.

Enantioselective determination of oxprenolol in human plasma using dialysis coupled on-line to reversed-phase chiral liquid chromatography

A fully automated method for the determination of the enantiomers of oxprenolol in human plasma was developed, involving dialysis through a cellulose acetate membrane, clean-up and enrichment of the dialysate on a short precolumn and subsequent chiral liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis. All sample handling operations were executed automatically by a sample processor equipped with a robotic arm (ASTED system). The trace enrichment column (TEC) was packed with octadecylsilica. After conditioning of the TEC with the LC mobile phase and pH 3.0 acetate buffer. After the enrichment step, the analyte was transferred by the LC mobile phase to the analytical column by means of a switching valve. The influence of different parameters of the dialysis process on the recovery of oxprenolol was first investigated using achiral LC conditions. The volume as well as the aspirating and dispensing flow rates of the acceptor solution were the main parameters studied. Oxprenolol was separated on a C18 stationary phase used for the enantioseparation of oxprenolol was a Chiralcel OD-R column which contained cellulose tris (3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) coated on silica as chiral selector. The corresponding mobile phase consisted of a mixture of pH 6.0 phosphate buffer containing NaClO4 at 0.45 M concentration and acetonitrile (70:30 v/v). UV detection was performed at 273 nm. The method developed was validated. Recoveries for each enantiomer of oxprenolol were about 80%. The method was found to be linear in the 50-2500 ng ml-1 concentration range (r2 = 0.999 for both enantiomers) and good results with respect to intra- and inter-day reproducibility as well as accuracy were obtained.