Chromatographic analysis of methylmercaptopurine riboside in human plasma and urine.

An isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of methylmercaptopurine riboside (MMPR) in human plasma and urine is reported. Plasma samples were prepared for analysis by addition of internal standard (6-dimethylaminopurine 9-riboside) followed by extraction using disposable C18 cartridges. Urine samples were filtered through a 0.22-micron membrane prior to HPLC separation. The column effluent was monitored at 289 nm and quantitation performed using peak heights. The linear range for MMPR determination was from 10 to 500 ng/ml in plasma and from 0.25 to 50 micrograms/ml in urine. The reported method is convenient, sensitive, and reproducible, illustrating its usefulness for application in pharmacokinetic studies.