Improved liquid-chromatography of aspirin, salicylate, and salicyluric acid in plasma, with a modification for determining aspirin metabolites in urine.

Detailed performance specifications are given for a specific and sensitive liquid-chromatographic assay for aspirin, salicylic acid, and salicyluric acid in plasma. The sensitivity of this method for aspirin (50 micrograms/L) is 10-fold that of previous methods, so that concentrations of aspirin in plasma can now be followed for about four or five half-lives after the peak plasma concentration arising from a single 650-mg dose. In addition, this assay is as sensitive for salicylic and salicyluric acid in plasma as any hitherto. A modification permits measurement of gentisic acid, salicylic acid, and salicyluric acid in urine; further modifications allow indirect measurement of conjugated gentisate and salicylate in urine.