Simultaneous separation of 11 protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors for human immunodeficiency virus therapy by co-electroosmotic capillary zone electrophoresis

In the present investigation, a co-electroosmotic capillary zone electrophoretic method is shown for the simultaneous separation of protease inhibitors and reverse transcriptase inhibitors, which are used as antiretroviral therapy drugs against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The investigated drugs carry basic amino groups, thus the electrophoretic system takes advantage of an acidic buffer electrolyte. In order to establish a strong cathodic electroosmotic flow (EOF), a poly-anionic surfactant is added to the background electrolyte. Thus, fast migration times due to a co-directional migration of analytes and EOF (co-electroosmotic CE) are obtained. The developed separation system exhibits good selectivities for the investigated compounds and sufficient sensitivity to monitor drug levels in the low ppm range in HIV positive patients who are treated by highly active anitiretroviral therapy.