Modern bioanalytical methods for the rapid detection of antidepressants: SNRIs and SSRIs in human biological samples

Serotonin–norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) belong to a new generation of antidepressants used in the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. SSRIs act as reuptake inhibitors primarily via the inhibition of the neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) in the CNS. SNRIs have additional inhibitory activity at noradrenaline-reuptake sites. Different analytical methods for the routine monitoring and toxicological screening of SNRIs and SSRIs have been developed. Rapid quantification is a necessity for clinical use, allowing the possibility of diagnostics. This review focuses on recent advances of the methods that concern the determination of SSRIs and SNRIs in human biological samples. Sample preparation methodologies are discussed, because sample pretreatment is the most limiting and crucial step in analysis of biological matrices. Furthermore, information concerning the mechanism of action, side effects and toxicity are also given.

Determination of fluoxetine in plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using stir bar sorptive extraction

This article presents a method employing stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) with in situ derivatization, in combination with either thermal or liquid desorption on-line coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of fluoxetine in plasma samples. Ethyl chloroformate was employed as derivatizing agent producing symmetrical peaks. Parameters such as solvent polarity, time for analyte desorption, and extraction time, were evaluated. During the validation process, the developed method presented specificity, linearity (R(2)>0.99), precision (R.S.D.<15%), and limits of quantification (LOQ) of 30 and 1.37 pg mL(-1), when liquid and thermal desorption were employed, respectively. This simple and highly sensitive method showed to be adequate for the measurement of fluoxetine in typical and trace concentration levels.

Solid-phase microextraction–liquid chromatography (SPME–LC) determination of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in plasma using a heated liquid flow through interface

A simple and sensitive procedure using solid-phase microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze fluoxetine (FLU) and its metabolite norfluoxetine (nor-FLU) in plasma samples was developed and validated. SPME conditions were optimized employing a factorial design. The sampling step was performed using a PDMS-DVB fiber and desorption was carried out in a novel homemade heated interface. Fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were analyzed by HPLC, using a C18 Phase Sep column (150mmx4.6mm, 3microm) packed "in house", and acetonitrile:acetate buffer 25mmoll(-1) with triethylamine 25mmoll(-1) pH 4.6 (70:30) as the mobile phase. The developed method has shown precision, linearity, specificity, and limit of quantification (LOQ) adequate to assay fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in plasma. Furthermore, the results obtained using the homemade interface has shown an improvement in the desorption process when compared with the results obtained using the off-line mode.