Solid-Phase Column Chromatographic and Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric Determination of Heptaminol in Human Urine and Related Pharmacokinetic Profiles

Abstract

Heptaminol is an antihypotensive drug and is one of the stimulants banned in sport competitions. When heptaminol was fortified to a drug-free urine sample and subjected to solid-phase extraction, trifluroacetic anhydride derivatization, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the results indicated three chromatographic peaks, with one major peak [peak 1 (P1) as heptaminol-2TFA], appearing at retention time 7.17 min, and two minor peaks [peak 2 (P2) and peak 3 (P3) as heptaminol-TFA], appearing at RT 5.87 and 5.81 min, respectively. The characteristic ions of peak mass spectra were m/z 322, 224, and 140 for P1, m/z 223 (molecular ion), 208, 140, and 110 for P2, and m/z 208, 140, and 110 for P3. The urine samples collected from healthy male volunteers who orally ingested a single dose (100 mg) of heptaminol were similar to the analytical results shown in the heptaminol-spiked control urine samples. This result suggested that the unchanged heptaminol was the sole form found in urine. The unchanged parent compound was completely eliminated in urine within 24 h and an average of approximately 97% of the dose was excreted through the renal pathway.