Liquid chromatographic determination of fluvastatin and its enantiomers in blood plasma by automated solid-phase extraction

Liquid chromatographic methods for determination of fluvastatin, as racemate and asseparated enantiomers, are described. Fluvastatin is an anticholesterolemic agent that inhibits the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. The sample clean-up was fully automated, using solid-phase extraction. Plasma samples were injected onto disposable C2 cartridges, connected on-line with the analytical column. After washing, the analytes were eluted and transferred to a C8-analytical column for racemate determination or to a Chiralcel OD-R column for enantiomer separation. Analytes were monitored by fluorescence detection after post-column exposure of the eluate to UV light, which enhanced the sensitivity 20-fold for fluvastatin and 10-fold for the enantiomers. Absolute recoveries were >90% both for the recemate and enantiomers. Limits of quantitation were 0.5 nM for the racemente and 1 nM for enantiomers, using 200 μL plasma sample.