Summary
A sensitive and precise dexamethasone radioimmunoassay method was applied to the determination of dexamethasone levels in the plasma and urine of human subjects who had received small doses of the drug by mouth. While the method can be applied directly to plasma, urine has to be diluted before assay. Very little cross-reaction was observed with two possible metabolites of dexamethasone. Both in the healthy subjects and in the group of patients investigated rapid absorption of dexamethasone from the gastrointestinal tract was observed. However, there appeared to be a large individual variation in the plasma concentration of the drug obtained after doses of the same size.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Araki, Y., Yokata, O., Kato, T., Kashima, M., Miyazaki, T.: Dynamics of synthetic corticosteroids in man. In: Steroid dynamics (eds. Pincus, G., Nakao, T., Tait, J.F.), pp. 463–480. New York: Academic Press 1966
Brooks, S.M., Werk, E.E., Ackerman, S.J., Sullivan, I., Thrasher, K.: Adverse effects of phenobarbital on corticosteroid metabolism in patients with bronchial asthma. New Engl. J. Med.286, 1125–1128 (1972)
Dumasia, M.C., Chapman, D.I., Moss, M.S., O'Connor, C.: Production and properties of antisera to dexamethasone-protein conjugates. Biochem. J.133, 401–404 (1973)
English, J., Chakraborty, J., Marks, V.: A competitive protein binding method for plasma prednisolone assay. Ann. Clin. Biochem.11, 11–14 (1974)
English, J., Chakraborty, J., Marks, V.: Prednisolone levels in the plasma and urine: A study of two preparations in man. Brit. J. Clin. Pharmacol.2, 327–332 (1975)
Haque, N., Thrasher, K., Werk, E.E., Knowles, H.C., Sholiton, L.J.: Studies on dexamethasone metabolism in man: effect of diphenylhydantoin. J. clin. Endocr.34, 44–50 (1972)
Hichens, M., Hogans, A.F.: Radioimmunoassay for dexamethasone in plasma. Clin. Chem.20, 266–271 (1974)
Mattingly, D.: A simple fluorimetric method for the estimation of free 11-hydroxy-corticoids in human plasma. J. clin. Path.15, 374–379 (1962)
Meikle, A.W., Lagerquist, L.G., Tyler, F.H.: A plasma dexamethasone radioimmunoassay. Steroids,22, 193–202 (1973)
Noujaim, A.A., Jeffery, D.A.: Analysis of corticosteroids in biological samples. II. Radioisotopic methods. Canad. J. pharm. Sci.6, 1–8 (1971)
Tulchinsky, D., Abrahm, G.E.: Radioimmunoassay of plasma estriol. J. clin. Endocr.33, 775–782 (1971)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
English, J., Chakraborty, J., Marks, V. et al. A radioimmunoassay procedure for dexamethasone. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 9, 239–244 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00614024
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00614024