Determination of diazepam and its metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry using a hydrophilic polymer column

Diazepam and its major metabolites, nordazepam, temazepam and oxazepam, in human urine samples, were analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using a hydrophilic polymer column (MSpak GF-310 4B), which enables direct injection of crude biological samples. Matrix compounds in urine were eluted first from the column, while the target compounds were retained on the polymer stationary phase. The analytes retained on the column were then eluted into an acetonitrile-rich mobile phase using a gradient separation technique. All compounds showed base-peak ions due to [M+H]+ ions on LC/MS with positive ion electrospray ionization, and product ions were produced from each [M+H]+ ion by LC/MS/MS. Quantification was performed by selected reaction monitoring. All compounds spiked into urine showed method recoveries of 50.1-82.0%. The regression equations for all compounds showed excellent linearity in the range of 0.5-500 ng/mL of urine. The limits of detection and quantification for each compound were 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mL of urine, respectively. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation for all compounds in urine were not greater than 9.6%. The data obtained from actual determination of diazepam and its three metabolites, oxazepam, nordazepam and temazepam, in human urine after oral administration of diazepam, are also presented.     

Direct determination of dialkyl phosphates by strong anion-exchange liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry using a quadrupole ion trap instrument

The direct determination of dialkyl phosphates (DAPs) in water by strong anion-exchange (SAX) liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry was investigated. The SAX high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column was eluted with methanol/water gradients containing ammonium formate (AF) separating the DAPs which included six dimethyl- and diethyl-substituted phosphates, thiophosphates, and dithiophosphates. The high buffer concentrations required for separation were compatible with -ve APCI, but in +ve APCI the DAPs were unstable giving anomalous ions such as [M+15]+ and [M+29]+. These ions are believed to result from ion molecule reactions with CH3OH2+ in the plasma. DAPs are very stable in -ve APCI being detected as abundant [M-H](-) ions, even with 200 mM AF. At higher AF concentration formate clusters ([M+45](-) and [M+91](-)) were seen. Fragmentation by collision-activated dissociation (CAD) was more efficient for deprotonated ethyl-substituted DAPs which lost ethylene followed by ethanol. APCI instrument detection limits were in the low ng/mL range and the response was highly linear. Isotope dilution quantitation using d10-diethyl dithiophosphate (DEDTP) as an internal standard produced an instrument detection limit of 2 ng DEDTP/mL and method detection limit (MDL) of 9.3 ng/mL with accuracy of 99% (spike concentration, 25 ng/mL). DAP mixtures required storage in cold, dry conditions and alcohol solvents should be avoided because of solvolysis reactions.     

On-line coupling of sequential injection extraction with restricted-access materials and post-column derivatization for sample clean-up and determination of propranolol in human plasma

The presented paper deals with a new methodology for direct determination of propranolol in human plasma. The methodology described is based on sequential injection analysis technique (SIA) coupled with solid phase extraction (SPE) column based on restricted access materials (RAM). Special RAM column containing 30 μm polymeric material—N-vinylacetamide copolymer was integrated into the sequential injection manifold. SIA–RAM system was used for selective retention of propranolol, while the plasma matrix components were eluted with two weak organic solutions to waste.

Due to the acid–basic and polarity properties of propranolol molecule and principles of reversed-phase chromatography, it was possible to retain propranolol on the N-vinylacetamide copolymer sorbent (Shodex MSpak PK-2A 30 μm (2 mm × 10 mm)). Centrifuged plasma samples were aspirated into the system and loaded onto the column using acetonitrile–water (5:95, v/v), pH 11.00, adjusted by triethylamine. The analyte was retained on the column while proteins contained in the sample were removed to waste. Interfering endogenous substances complicating detection were washed out by acetonitrile–water (15:85), pH 11.00 in the next step. The extracted analyte was eluted by means of tetrahydrofuran–water (25:75), pH 11.00 to the fluorescence detector (emission filter 385 nm). The whole procedure comprising sample pre-treatment, analyte detection and column reconditioning took about 15 min. The recoveries of propranolol from undiluted plasma were in the range 96.2–97.8% for three concentration levels of analyte. The proposed SIA–RAM method has been applied for direct determination of propranolol in human plasma.     

Simultaneous quantification of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor emtricitabine and a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor tenofovir in plasma by liquid chromatography positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatography/positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir was developed and validated with 100 microL human plasma. Following solid-phase extraction, the analytes were separated using a gradient mobile phase on a reverse-phase column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M + H]+ ions, m/z 316 to 168 for efavirenz, m/z 248-130 for emtricitabine and m/z 288-176 for tenofovir, m/z 482-258 for rosuvastatin (IS), m/z 260-116 for propranolol (IS). The method exhibited a 100-fold linear dynamic range for all the three analytes in human plasma (20-2000, 2-200 and 20-2000 ng/mL for efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir respectively). The lower limit of quantification was 2 ng/mL for emtricitabine and 20 ng/mL for both efavirenz and tenofovir with a relative standard deviation of less than 11%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The total chromatographic run time of 4 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 250 human plasma samples per day. The method is precise and sensitive enough for its intended purpose. The method is also successfully applied to quantify efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir concentrations in a rodent pharmacokinetic study.     

Quantitative determination of chemical constituents from seeds of Nigella sativa L. using HPLC-UV and identification by LC-ESI-TOF

An HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of nine compounds of Nigella sativa L. The separation was achieved within 23 min by using C18 column material, a water-acetonitrile mobile phase, both containing 0.1% acetic acid gradient system and a temperature of 35 degrees C. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, LOD, and LOQ. The LOD and LOQ of nine compounds were in the range of 0.09-10 and 0.3-25 microg/mL, respectively. The wavelength used for quantification with the diode array detector was 205 and 260 nm. LC/MS coupled with electrospray ionization interface method is described for the identification of compounds in N. sativa L. samples. This method involved the use of [M+H]+ and [M+Na]+ ions in the positive ion mode with extracted ion chromatogram.     

Simultaneous quantification of fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization: method development, validation and application to a clinical study

To support the pharmacokinetic and bioavailability study of a once-daily fexofenadine/pseudoephedrine combination, a high-performance liquid chromatography/positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine was developed and validated with 500 microL human plasma using mosapride as an internal standard (IS). Following solid-phase extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]+ ions, m/z 502/466 for fexofenadine, m/z 166/148 for pseuoephedrine and m/z 422/198 for the IS. The method exhibited linear dynamic ranges of 1-500 ng/mL and 2-1000 ng/mL for fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine, respectively, in human plasma. The lower limits of quantification were 1 and 2 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 10% for fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine, respectively. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The total chromatographic run time was 2 min and more than 400 human plasma samples could be analyzed in one day by running the system overnight. The method is precise and sensitive enough for its intended purpose.     

Sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of Quetiapine in plasma

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of quetiapine in rat plasma. Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analyte was separated using a gradient mobile phase on a reverse-phase column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M + H]+ ions, m/z 384 to m/z 221 for quetiapine and m/z 327 to m/z 270 for the internal standard. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.25-500 ng/mL for quetiapine in rat plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 0.25 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 7%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The validated method was successfully used to analyze rat plasma samples for application in pre-clinical pharmacokinetic studies. This method in rodent plasma could be adapted for quetiapine assay in human plasma.     

Quantification of fexofenadine in human plasma by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry using mosapride as internal standard

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography/positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of fexofenadine in human plasma using mosapride as internal standard. Following solid-phase extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reverse-phase column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]+ ions, m/z 502/466 for fexofenadine and m/z 422/198 for the IS. The method exhibited a linear dynamic range of 1-500 ng/mL for fexofenadine in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 5% for fexofenadine. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The total chromatographic run time of 2 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 400 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.     

Analysis of neutral drugs in human plasma by fluoride attachment in liquid chromatography/negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

The analysis of several neutral drugs, mephenesin, guaifenesin, simvastatin, podophyllotoxin and inositol, was accomplished by negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) using adduct formation with three different halide ions. The fluoride, chloride and bromide adducts of the selected drugs exhibited intense signals in negative ion ESI. Under collision-induced dissociation, the major product ions of bromide and chloride adducts were the nonspecific bromide and chloride anions, respectively. In contrast, fluoride adducts produced strong [M--H](-) ions as well as product ions with good intensity. Fluoride attachment liquid chromatography/negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) was applied to the analysis of the selected neutral drugs in human plasma. Detection limits in the range of 0.025-0.05 ng/mL were achieved using 0.5 mL plasma. Good linearity was observed for each of the drugs examined in human plasma over the range of 0.05-50 ng/mL.     

Determination of bergenin in human plasma after oral administration by HPLC-MS/MS method and its pharmacokinetic study

A highly sensitive, simple and selective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and applied to the determination of bergenin concentration in human plasma. Bergenin and the internal standard (IS) thiamphenicol in plasma were extracted with ethyl acetate, separated on a C(18 )reversed-phase column, eluted with mobile phase of acetonitrile-water, ionized by negative ion pneumatically assisted electrospray and detected in the multi-reaction monitoring mode using precursor --> product ions of m/z 327.1 --> 192 for bergenin and 354 --> 185.1 for the IS, respectively. The linear range of the calibration curve for bergenin was 0.25-60 ng mL(-1), with the lowest limit of quantification of 0.25 ng mL(-1), and the intra/inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 10%. The method is suitable for the determination of low bergenin concentration in human plasma after therapeutic oral doses, and has been first and successfully used for its pharmacokinetic studies in healthy Chinese volunteers.     

Use of 2-(tert-butoxy)-N-(3-carbamothioylphenyl)acetamide and graphene oxide for separation and preconcentration of Fe(Ⅲ),Ni(Ⅱ),Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) ions in different samples

A simple and selective method using a column packed with graphene oxide(GO) as a solid phase extractant has been developed for the multi-element preconcentration of Fe(Ⅲ),Ni(Ⅱ),Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ)ions prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations.The method is based on the sorption of mentioned ions on synthesized GO using 2-(tert-butoxy)-N-(3-carbamothioylphenyl)acetamide as a chelating agent.Several parameters on the extraction and complex formation were optimized.Under the optimized conditions(pH 6,flow rate 9 mL/min),metal ions were retained on the column,then quantitatively eluted by HNO3solution(5 mL,3.0 mol/L).The preconcentration factor was calculated as250.The detection limits for the analyte ions of interest were found in the range of 0.11 ng/mL(Ni2+) to0.63 ng/mL(Cu2+).The column packed with GO was adequate for metal ions separation in matrixes containing alkali,alkaline earth,transition and heavy metal ions.     

Simultaneous determination of ten antihistamine drugs in human plasma using pipette tip solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Ten antihistamine drugs, diphenhydramine, orphenadrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenylpyraline, triprolidine, promethazine, homochlorcyclizine, cyproheptadine, cloperastine and clemastine, have been found to be extractable from human plasma samples using MonoTip C18 tips, inside which C18- bonded monolithic silica gel was fixed. Human plasma (0.1 mL) containing the ten antihistamines was mixed with 0.4 mL of distilled water and 25 microL of a 1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 8.0). After centrifugation of the mixture, the supernatant fraction was extracted to the C18 phase of the tip by 25 repeated aspirating/dispensing cycles using a manual micropipettor. The analytes retained on the C18 phase were then eluted with methanol by five repeated aspirating/dispensing cycles. The eluate was injected into a gas chromatography (GC) injector without evaporation and reconstitution steps, and was detected by a mass spectrometer with selected ion monitoring in the positive-ion electron impact mode. The separation of the ten drugs from each other and from impurities was generally satisfactory using a DB-1MS column (30 m x 0.32 mm i.d., film thickness 0.25 microm). The recoveries of the ten antihistamines spiked into plasma were 73.8-105%. The regression equations for the ten antihistamines showed excellent linearity with detection limits of 0.02-5.0 ng/0.1 mL. The within-day and day-to-day coefficients of variation for plasma were not greater than 9.9%. The data obtained from determination of diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine in human plasma after oral administration of the drugs are also presented.     

Ion Chromatographic determination of trace anions and cations in high-purity water

An ion chromatographic measuring system for the off-line and on-line determination of some trace anions and cations in high-purity water is presented. The ng/L level of anions and cations in 20-130 mL high-purity water can be analyzed after preconcentration on ion exchange columns. The concentrated solutes are eluted by eluents from the trap column and separated using a Dionex analytical column. The quantification of each ion is achieved using the suppressor technique and conductivity detector. The influence of various parameters on the results is discussed. The detection limits of cations and anions are between 10 and 30 ng/L for chloride, bromide, nitrate, phosphate, sulphate, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium and calcium ions.     

Quantification of granisetron in human plasma by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, sensitive and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the assay of granisetron in human plasma. Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase C18 column and analyzed by MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]+ ions, m/z 313/138 for granisetron and m/z 409/228 for the IS. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.1-20 ng/mL for granisetron in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 100 pg/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 5%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. A run time of 2.0 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 400 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.     

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry determination of amphetamine-related drugs and ephedrines in plasma, urine and hair samples after derivatization with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate

A new analytical approach, based on derivatization with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), was investigated for qualitative and quantitative analyses of a large range of amphetamine-related drugs and ephedrines in plasma, urine and hair samples. Sample preparation involved alkaline extraction of analytes from biological samples using Extrelut columns, after addition of the internal standard 3,4-methylenedioxypropylamphetamine (MDPA), and subsequent derivatization to produce 2,2,2-trichloroethylcarbamates. GC/MS analyses, in splitless mode using a slightly polar 30-m capillary column, were performed with quadrupole or ion trap instruments. MS acquisition modes were electron ionization (EI) in full-scan or selected ion monitoring (SIM) modes (quadrupole), and full-scan MS or MS/MS modes with chemical ionization (CI) conditions (ion trap). EI spectra of 2,2,2-trichloroethylcarbamates showed variably abundant molecular ions as well as abundant diagnostic fragment ions, both characterized by ion clusters reflecting the isotope distribution of three chlorine atoms in the derivatized molecules. CI spectra showed abundant protonated molecules. Quantitative studies using EI SIM conditions gave recoveries in the range 74-89%, linear response over ranges of 10-2000 ng/mL (plasma and urine) and 0.20-20 ng/mg (hair), with corresponding limits of detection in the ranges 2-5 ng/mL and 0.1-0.2 ng/mg. Potential applications (following full method validation) include clinical and forensic toxicology, as well as doping control.     

Development,validation and analytical error function of two chromatographic methods with fluorimetric detection for the determination of bisoprolol and metoprolol in human plasma

This work describes two high-performance liquid chromatographic methods for the individual determination of bisoprolol and metoprolol in human plasma. Analytical methods involve two different liquid-liquid extractions of human plasma, with diethyl ether for bisoprolol and with dichloromethane for metoprolol, coupled with a similar Nucleosil C(18) reversed-phase HPLC column. Fluorimetric detection was used to identify both beta-blockers. Retention times for bisoprolol and metoprolol were 8.7 and 3.2 min, respectively. Linear regressions for the calibration curves were linear at a concentration range of 6.25-200 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precision coefficients of variations and accuracy bias were acceptable (within 15%) over the entire range for both drugs. Average recovery was 89% for metoprolol and 98% for bisoprolol. Once the methods had been validated, analytical error functions were established as standard deviation (SD; ng/mL) = 2.216 + 3.608 x 10(-4)C(2) (C = theoretical concentration value) and SD-(ng/mL) = 0.408 + 0.378 x 10(-1)C for bisoprolol and metoprolol, respectively. The methods developed and their associated analytical error functions will be suitable for pharmacokinetic studies and for determination of plasma concentration if posology individualization of these drugs is needed.     

液相色谱-质谱法测定人体血浆中非那雄胺含量

建立了测定人体血浆中非那雄胺药物浓度的液相色谱-质谱分析方法。色谱柱为Hypersil-Keystone C_(18)柱,流动相为乙腈∶水(含0.2%三氯乙酸)=55∶45(V/V),质谱选择电喷雾正离子源(ESI+),选择离子模式(SIM)监测,非那雄胺和内标卡马西平质荷比分别为m/z373和m/z237。血浆样品经乙腈去蛋白、离心和吹干后,残渣用流动相溶解。当非那雄胺的浓度在0.5~120ng·mL~(-1)范围时线性关系良好(r=0.999),检测限(S/N=3)为0.02ng·mL~(-1);日间和日内测定的精密度(RSD)分别在6.4%~2.2%和5.5%~1.7%之间;加标0.5ng·mL~(-1)、40ng·mL~(-1)和80ng·mL~(-1)非那雄胺的平均回收率(n=6)分别为108.5%、101.2%和98.7%。方法快速、准确和灵敏,已成功用于人血浆中非那雄胺浓度的测定和人体药代动力学研究。     

Automated on-line in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with HPLC/MS/MS for the determination of butyrophenone derivatives in human plasma

This paper describes a fully automated on-line method combining in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in which sample clean-up and enrichment are conducted through an open tubular fused-silica capillary column and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) detection for the determination of six butyrophenone derivatives (moperone, floropipamide, haloperidol, spiroperidol, bromperidol, and pimozide) in human plasma samples. The six butyrophenones were extracted by repeatedly aspirating and dispensing plasma sample solutions on a DB-17 capillary column (60 cm × 0.32 mm i.d., film thickness 0.25 μm). The analytes retained on the inner surface of the capillary column were then eluted into an acetonitrile-rich mobile phase using a gradient separation technique. Extraction efficiencies ranged from 12.7% to 31.8% for moperone, spiroperidol, and pimozide, and from 1.08% to 4.86% for floropipamide, haloperidol, and bromperidol. The regression equations for all compounds showed excellent linearity, ranging from 0.05 to 50 ng/0.1 mL of plasma, except for moperone and spiroperidol (0.01 to 50 ng/0.1 mL). The limits of detection and quantification in plasma for each drug were 0.03–0.2 and 0.1–0.5 ng/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation for all compounds in plasma were not greater than 13.7%.     

Determination of drugs by direct injection of plasma into a biocompatible extraction column based on a protein-entrapped hydrophobic phase

Drugs were determined by direct injection of plasma samples into a biocompatible extraction column. The column is based on particles with a biocompatible external surface and a hydrophobic internal surface. The pores of the particles are small enough to exclude the protein molecules; the drug molecules can penetrate the porous particle and are retained on the hydrophobic internal surface. Biocompatibility of the particles was obtained by reaction of the external surface with the human plasma protein ₁-acid glycoprotein. The surface within the pores of the particles contains hydrophobic C₈ or C₁₈ groups. The biocompatible extraction column was used in a fully automated system for the determination of ibuprofen, naproxen, propranolol, carbamazepine and phenytoin in plasma. No pressure increase was observed during the analysis of several hundred plasma samples. Plasma concentrations of propranolol in the range 4.5–125 ng/ml were determined with a precision (R.S.D.) of 0.75–1.8%. Linear calibration graphs were observed for the five drugs, and correlation coefficients of 1.0000 were obtained for four of the five model compounds.     

Rapid and simple liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of zidovudine in rat plasma

A high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of zidovudine in rat plasma. Following solid-phase extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reverse phase column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]+ ions, m/z 268/127 for zidovudine and m/z 230/112 for the internal standard. The method exhibited a linear dynamic range of 5-500 ng/mL for zidovudine in rat plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 5 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 8%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. A run time of 1.5 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 400 plasma samples per day. The validated method was applied for pharmacokinetic studies of the novel drug delivery systems of zidovudine in rats.