Simultaneous determination of beta-blockers in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A detailed procedure for the analysis of four beta-blockers, acebutolol, labetalol, metoprolol and propranolol, in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) using an MSpak GF column, which enables direct injection of crude plasma samples, is presented. Protein and/or macromolecule matrix compounds were eluted first from the column, while the drugs were retained on the polymer stationary phase of the MSpak GF column. The analytes retained on the column were then eluted into an acetonitrile-rich mobile phase using a gradient separation technique. All drugs showed base peak ions due to [M + H]+ ions by LC-MS with positive ion electrospray ionization, and the product ions were produced from each [M + H]+ ion by LC-MS-MS. Quantification was performed by selected reaction monitoring. The recoveries of the four beta-blockers spiked into plasma were 73.5-89.9%. The regression equations for all compounds showed excellent linearity in the range 10-1000 ng/mL of plasma, with the exception of propranolol (10-800 ng/mL). The limits of detection and quantification for each drug were 1-3 and 10 ng/mL, respectively, of plasma. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation for all drugs in plasma were not greater than 10.9%.     

Simultaneous determination of salidroside and its aglycone metabolite p-tyrosol in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Salidroside and its aglycone p-tyrosol are two major phenols in the genus Rhodiola and have been confirmed to possess various pharmacological properties. In our present study, p-tyrosol was identified as the deglycosylation metabolite of salidroside after intravenous (i.v.) administration to rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg, but was not detectable after intragastric gavage (i.g.) administration through HPLC-photodiode array detection (PDA) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Next, an accurate and precise LC-MS/MS method was developed to quantitatively determine salidroside and p-tyrosol in rat plasma samples. Samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS on a reverse-phase xTerra MS C18 column which was equilibrated and eluted with an isocratic mixture of acetonitrile-water (1:9, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The analytes were monitored by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) under the negative electrospray ionization mode. The precursor/product transitions (m/z) were 299.0 → 118.8 for salidroside, 137.0 → 118.9 for p-tyrosol and 150.1 → 106.9 for the internal standard (IS), paracetamol, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration ranges of 50-2,000 ng/mL for salidroside and 20-200 ng/mL for p-tyrosol. The inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision were within ± 15%. The method has been successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study and the oral bioavailability was calculated.     

Simple and sensitive determination of nisoldipine in plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple and rapid quantification method was developed for determining nisoldipine in plasma. After a simple protein precipitation with a mixture of 10% of zinc sulfate and methanol, the analytes were chromatographed on a reversed-phase C(18) column, and detected by MS/MS. The assay precision was less than 10.7%, and the accuracy ranged from 86 to 112%. The limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/ml. This method was used to measure the plasma concentration of nisoldipine from healthy subjects after a single 5-mg oral dose of nisoldipine.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物残留

建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱（UPLC-MS/MS）快速测定鸡蛋中氟虫腈及其代谢物的方法。在2 g鸡蛋中加入2 mL水后,用4 mL乙腈提取,然后加入1 g NaCl,于4℃以9000 r/min离心10 min,稀释后过有机膜。采用C18色谱柱（100 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μm）分离,在电喷雾电离源、负离子模式下进行多反应监测（MRM）采集。结果表明,氟虫腈及其代谢物在3个添加水平下的回收率为77.4%~112.1%,相对标准偏差为4.0%~13.6%,检出限为0.10~0.43 μg/kg。该法简单、高效,可用于实际样品检测。     

Quantitative determination of galantamine in human plasma by sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using loratadine as an internal standard

A simple, rapid, sensitive, and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method is developed and validated for the quantitation of galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in human plasma, using a commercially available compound, loratadine, as the internal standard. Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes are separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reverse-phase C18 column and analyzed by mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective (M+H)+ ions, m/z 288 to 213 for galantamine and m/z 383 and 337 for the internal standard. The assay exhibit a linear dynamic range of 0.5-100 ng/mL for galantamine in human plasma. The lower limit of quantitation is 0.5 ng/mL, with a relative standard deviation of less than 8%. Acceptable precision and accuracy are obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. A run time of 2.5 min for each sample makes it possible to analyze more than 400 human plasma samples per day. The validated method is successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability, or bioequivalence studies.     

Sensitive determination of phloroglucinol in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Summary A sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) was developed for the quantification of phloroglucinol in human plasma. Resorcinol was used as internal standard, with plasma samples extracted using ethyl acetate. A centrifuged upper layer was then evaporated and reconstituted with mobile phase. The reconsituted samples were injected into a C₁₈ XTerra MS column (2.1×100 mm) with 3.5 μm particle size. The analytical column lasted for at least 500 injections. The mobile phase was 15% acetonitrile (pH 3.0), with a flow rate at 100 μL min¹. The mass spectrometer was operated in positive ion mode using electrospray ionization. Using MS-MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, phloroglucinol was detected without severe interferences from the plasma matrix. Phloroglucinol produced a parent molecule ([M+H]⁺) atm/z 127 and a corresponding product ion atm/z 8l. Detection of phloroglucinol in human plasma was accurate and precise, with quantification on limit at 0.5 ng mL¹. The method has been successfully applied to a study of phloroglucinol in human specimens.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法检测蜂蜜中杀虫脒及其代谢产物残留

建立了液相色谱-串联质谱分析洋槐蜜、荆条蜜、蜂巢蜜、杂花蜜、野蜂蜜中杀虫脒及其代谢产物残留的方法。样品经氢氧化钠水溶液稀释溶解后,采用Waters Oasis HLB固相萃取柱净化。样品提取液经Agilent XDB-C18色谱柱分离,以0.1%甲酸水溶液和乙腈为流动相进行梯度洗脱。以电喷雾正离子(ESI+)模式电离,多反应监测(MRM)模式检测,基质匹配标准溶液外标法定量。杀虫脒及其代谢产物(4-氯邻甲苯胺)在2.5～250 μg/L范围内呈线性相关,相关系数(r)均大于0.999;定量限(S/N＞10)为5 μg/kg,检出限(S/N＞3)为2.5 μg/kg。各种蜂蜜基质样品在5、10和20 μg/kg添加水平时,杀虫脒及其代谢产物的回收率范围分别为75.8%～113.8%和85.6%～114.3%,相对标准偏差(RSD)分别为4.8%～10.2%和4.7%～9.1%,可以满足蜂蜜中杀虫脒及其代谢产物残留量的检测需要。     

Quantitative determination of lisinopril in human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid, selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to determine lisinopril in human plasma. Sample pretreatment involved a one-step protein precipitation with methanol of 0.1 mL plasma. Analysis was performed on an Inertsil ODS-3 column (2.1 × 50 mm i.d., 3 μm) with mobile phase consisting of methanol-water (containing 0.2% formic acid; 55:45, v/v). The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode via an electrospray ionization source. Each plasma sample was chromatographed within 2.5 min. The linear calibration curves for lisinopril were obtained in the concentration range of 1.03-206 ng/mL (r(2) ≥ 0.99) with a lower limit of quantification of 1.03 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions (relative standard deviation) were not higher than 11%, and accuracy (relative error) was within ±6.8%, determined from quality control samples for lisinopril, which corresponded to the guidance of the Food and Drug Administration. The method described herein was fully validated and successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of lisinopril tablets in healthy male volunteers after oral administration.     

Simultaneous determination of paracetamol and chlorpheniramine in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical method for the determination of paracetamol and chlorpheniramine in human plasma has been developed, validated and applied to the analysis of samples from a phase I clinical trial. The analytical method consists in the extraction of paracetamol and chlorpheniramine with diethyl ether, followed by the determination of both drugs by an LC–MS–MS method, using 2-acetamidophenol as internal standard. The intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy of this technique were good and the limit of quantitation was 0.5 μg/ml of plasma for paracetamol and 0.2 ng/ml for chlorpheniramine. The concentration working range was established between 0.5 μg/ml and 25 μg/ml for paracetamol and between 0.2 ng/ml and 50 ng/ml for chlorpheniramine. This method has been used for analyzing more than 1200 human plasma samples from a clinical study with 24 volunteers.     

Simultaneous determination of chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific procedure for simultaneous quantitation of chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine in human plasma has been developed and validated. Analytes were extracted from plasma samples by liquid-liquid extraction, separated on a Diamonsil C18 column (250 x 4.6 mm i.d.) and detected by tandem mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface. Diphenhydramine was used as the internal standard. The method has a lower limit of quantitation of 0.2 and 2.0 ng/mL for chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine, respectively. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation, calculated from quality control (QC) samples were below 4.3% for chlorpheniramine and below 9.5% for pseudoephedrine. The inter-day relative error as determined from QC samples was within 4.7% for each analyte. The overall extraction recoveries of chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine were 77 and 61% on average, respectively. The method was successfully applied to pharmaockinetic study of chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine in volunteers receiving formulations containing 4 mg of chlorpheniramine maleate and 60 mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.     

Simultaneous determination of metformin and glipizide in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of metformin (I) and glipizide (II) in human plasma. It is based on high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass (LC-ESI-MS/MS) spectrometric detection in positive ionization mode. Phenformin (III) and gliclazide (IV) were used as internal standards for I and II, respectively. The MS/MS detection was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The precursor-product ion combinations of m/z 130 --> 71, 446 --> 321, 206 --> 60 and 324 --> 127 were used to quantify I, II, III and IV, respectively. This method was validated in the concentration ranges of 0.02-4 microg/mL for I and 0.004-0.8 microg/mL for II. It was utilized to support a clinical pharmacokinetic study after single dose oral administration of a combination of I and II.     

Noninvasive determination of human cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for measurements of steroids in human saliva has garnered increased interest in the area of clinical psychoneuroendocrinological research. However, performance characteristics of LC-MS/MS methods for the analysis of steroids in saliva are limited. Human saliva samples were collected via passive drool. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in the samples were extracted together, resolved on a C18-A column, and analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry. The LC-MS/MS method had limits of quantitation of 0.03 and 0.06 ng/mL for DHEA-S and cortisol, respectively. Method evaluations showed coefficient variation (%CV) of inter-assay ranging 4.6–17.9% for DHEA-S and cortisol, recoveries of 102.4–109.5% for DHEA-S and 94.6–98.3% for cortisol, and assay linearity with R² = 0.9964 for DHEA-S (1.0–25.0 ng/mL) and R² = 0.997 (1.0–25.0 ng/mL) for cortisol. No cross contamination among samples was observed. Human saliva showed 20% and 18% ion enhancement effect for DHEA-S and cortisol assay, respectively. No interference by ten common steroids was detected. Regression analysis of method comparisons with laboratory-developed test (LDT) method revealed R² = 0.9688 (LC-MS/MS = 0.9665 LDT-LC-MS/MS − 0.7355) for cortisol, and R² = 0.9039 (LC-MS/MS = 1.0173 LDT-LC-MS/MS + 3.6797) for DHEA-S. Reference ranges for young adults were determined to be 0.3–5.9 ng/mL for females and 0.1–5.6 ng/mL for males for salivary cortisol, and 0.6–7.4 ng/mL for females and 0.6–10.1 ng/mL for males for salivary DHEA-S. An LC-MS/MS method for quantifying cortisol and DHEA-S in human saliva was developed and validated for clinical and psychoneuroendocrinological research that require noninvasive means of measuring these hormones.

     

Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of epirubicin in human plasma

A novel method has been developed for the determination of epirubicin in human plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Epirubicin and internal standard epidaunorubicin were achieved from plasma via solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB cartridge. The analysis was performed on an AcQuity UPLC™ BEH C₁₈ column (1.7 μm, 50 mm × 1 mm i.d.) utilizing a gradient elution profile and a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. The analytes were detected using an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). This method combines both advantages of UPLC and MS/MS, producing superior reliability, sensitivity and accuracy to previously published methods. The calibration curve was linear (r² = 0.998) over the concentration range of 0.50-100.0 ng/ml. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for epirubicin were 0.10 and 0.50 ng/ml using 0.2 ml plasma sample, respectively. Recoveries of greater than 89% with intra- and inter-day precision (R.S.D.) less than 12% were obtained at concentrations above the LOQ. The present method has been successfully applied to analyze human plasma samples taken from patients administered epirubicin intravenously. Also, the principal metabolite epirubicinol was detected in all the patient plasma samples under investigation. The proposed method is very rapid, reliable and sensitive, and can be applicable to therapeutical drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies of epirubicin.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定牛奶中螺虫乙酯及其代谢物残留

建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱快速测定牛奶中螺虫乙酯及其代谢物残留的分析方法。牛奶经乙腈沉淀蛋白质,正己烷脱脂后,采用ESI源,在MRM模式下测定螺虫乙酯及其代谢物。结果表明,在0.5~50μg/L范围内,待测物色谱峰面积与其质量浓度间的线性关系良好(相关系数均大于0.998),检出限(LODs,S/N=3)和定量限(LOQs,S/N=10)分别为0.05~0.30μg/L和0.17~1.00μg/L。当添加水平为1.0、2.0和10μg/L时,方法的加标回收率为80.0%~108.8%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为4.8%~15.2%(n=6)。该法快速,灵敏,准确,能够满足牛奶中螺虫乙酯及其代谢物残留限量的检测要求。     

Assessment of matrix effects and determination of niacin in human plasma using liquid-liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, sensitive and rapid liquid-liquid extraction method for the analysis of nicotinic acid (niacin) and its labeled internal standard nicotinic acid-d4 (niacin-d4) in human plasma was developed and validated. The analyte and its internal standard were isolated from acidified plasma using a single liquid-liquid extraction procedure with methyl-t-butyl ether. The extracted samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in positive electrospray ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring. The calibration curves were linear in the measured range between 5 and 1000 ng/mL and the limit of detection was calculated as 122 pg/mL. The method required 250 microL of human plasma and the total run time between injections was 3.5 min. Matrix effects were assessed by post-column infusion experiments, phospholipids monitoring and post-extraction addition experiments. The extraction of phospholipids and niacin from plasma was studied under acidic, neutral and basic conditions. Acidic conditions were optimal for both the recovery of niacin and the removal of phospholipids; the degree of matrix effects for niacin was determined to be 2.5%. It was concluded that effective removal of matrix components can overcome low recovery issues associated with liquid-liquid extractions of polar analytes.     

Simultaneous determination of pyflubumide and its metabolite in vegetables and fruits by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and cost-effective analytical method based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was designed and verified for simultaneously monitoring the novel acaricide pyflubumide and its metabolite (pyflubumide-des(2-methyl-1oxopropyl)) in vegetables and fruits. After the extraction with acetonitrile, the samples were purified by dispersive solid-phase extraction with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Detection of the two target analytes was achieved within 3.0 min using a positive electrospray ionization mode. The average recovery, intra-day precision, and inter-day precision of the two analytes at three spiked levels (2, 20, and 100 μg/kg) were 75.0–101.0, 0.4–4.4, and 0.6–5.3%, respectively. The limit of quantification of two compounds was 2 μg/kg, which was far below the maximum residue limits of pyflubumide in foods established by Japan and South Korea. Finally, the concentrations of pyflubumide and its metabolite in the samples were 16.6 and 7.8 μg/kg respectively, which verified the practicability and reliability of the method. The method was used to efficiently detect pyflubumide and its metabolite in real samples and was confirmed to be robust and effective for routinely analyzing both pyflubumide and its metabolite in vegetable and fruit samples.     

Quantitative determination of rocuronium in human plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) was used for the quantification of the neuromuscular blocking agent rocuronium in human plasma. Verapamil was used as internal standard. The samples were subjected to a dichloromethane liquid-liquid extraction after ion pairing of the positively charged ammonium compound with iodide prior to LC-MS. Optimized conditions involved separation on a Symmetry Shield RP-18 column (50 x 2.1 mm, 3.5 microm) using a 15-min gradient from 10 to 90% acetonitrile in water containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid at 250 microl/min. Linear detector responses for standards were observed from 25 to 2,000 ng/ml. The extraction recovery averaged 59% for rocuronium and 83% for the internal standard. The limit of quantification (LOQ), using 500 microl of plasma, was 25 ng/ml. Precision ranged from 1.3 to 19% (LOQ), and accuracy was between 92 and 112%. In plasma samples, at 20 and 4 degrees C, rocuronium was stable at physiological pH for 4 h; frozen at -30 degrees C it was stable for at least 75 days. The method was found suitable for the analysis of samples collected during pharmacokinetic investigations in humans.     

Confirmatory analysis of acetylgestagens in plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A confirmatory method has been developed and validated for the determination of chlormadinone acetate (CMA), megestrol acetate (MGA), melengestrol acetate (MLA) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in bovine and porcine plasma. Analytes are extracted from plasma samples using matrix-assisted liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) on Extrelut NT columns followed by C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE). Analytes were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and quantification was performed using matrix-matched calibration standards in combination with deuterated internal standards. In accordance with Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, two ion transitions were monitored for each analyte. Decision limits (CCalpha) were estimated by analysing 20 blank plasma samples and ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 ng mL(-1). Detection capabilities (CCbeta) were estimated using 20 plasma samples fortified at 0.5 ng mL(-1) and were <0.5 ng mL(-1). In the range 0.5-2 ng mL(-1), the mean intra-laboratory reproducibility of the analytes ranged from 6 to 18% (%R.S.D.). Analytes were shown to be stable in fortified plasma samples for >8 months when stored at -20 degrees C.     

Quantification of micafungin in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Micafungin (MCF) is an antifungal agent of the echinocandin class approved in Europe both in adults and in children for the treatment of invasive candidiasis. Few analytical methods for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of this drug have been described so far. In this paper, we describe a rapid and validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for the measurement of MCF in plasma. MCF was analyzed in 100-μL plasma samples over a wide range of concentrations (0.1–20 μg/mL) by LC-MS/MS after protein precipitation. The suitability of the assay for TDM was evaluated by using plasma samples from pediatric patients who received MCF for the treatment of invasive candidiasis. The overall turnaround time for the assay was 20 min. The lower limit of quantification of the method was 0.1 ng/mL. No ion suppression due to matrix effects was found with different pre-analytical conditions, such as hemolysis, lipemia, and hyperuricemia. A simple and rapid LC-MS/MS method which provides high specificity, precision, and accuracy for quantification of MCF in plasma has been developed and validated.     

Simultaneous determination of udenafil and its active metabolite, DA-8164, in human plasma and urine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid, sensitive, and simple ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method for the determination of udenafil and its active metabolite, DA-8164, in human plasma and urine using sildenafil as an internal standard (IS) was developed and validated. Udenafil, DA-8164 and IS from a 100 microL aliquot of biological samples were extracted by protein precipitation using acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was carried on an Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column (50 x 2.1 mm, i.d., 1.7 microm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and containing 0.1% formic acid (75:25, v/v) at flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, and total run time was within 1 min. Detection and quantification was performed by the mass spectrometer using multiple reaction-monitoring mode at m/z 517 --> 283 for udenafil, m/z 406 --> 364 for DA-8164 and m/z 475 --> 100 for IS. The assay was linear over a concentration range of 1-600 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 1 ng/mL in both human plasma and urine. The coefficient of variation of this assay precision was less than 13.7%, and the accuracy exceeded 92.0%. This method was successfully applied for pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of udenafil 100 mg to healthy Korean male volunteers.