Sparteine oxidation polymorphism: phenotyping by measurement of sparteine and its dehydrometabolites in plasma.

Phenotyping of the ability to oxidize sparteine was markedly facilitated by analyzing sparteine and dehydrosparteines in a single plasma sample by gas chromatography. The definitive identification of extensive and poor metabolizers was possible only 90 min after ingestion of 100 mg sparteine sulphate. In 121 healthy volunteers determination of the plasma level ratio was compared to the established determination of the metabolic ratio in urine. In each subject the alloted phenotype was the same by both methods. Plasma and urine analysis showed 9.9% of poor metabolizers.