A highly automated 96-well solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of fentanyl in human plasma

A high-throughput bioanalytical method based on automated sample transfer, automated solid phase extraction, and fast liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis, has been developed for the determination of the analgesic fentanyl in human plasma. Samples were transferred into 96-well plates using an automated sample handling system. Automated solid phase extraction (SPE) was carried out using a 96-channel programmable liquid-handling workstation using a mixed-mode sorbent. The extracted samples were then dried down, reconstituted and injected onto a silica column using an aqueous/organic mobile phase with tandem mass spectrometric detection. The method has been validated over the concentration range 0.05-100 ng/mL fentanyl in human plasma, based on a 0.25-mL sample size. The assay is sensitive, specific and robust. More than 2000 samples have been analyzed using this method. The automation of the sample preparation steps not only increased the analysis throughput, but also facilitated the transfer of the method between different bioanalytical laboratories of the same organization.     

Simultaneous analysis of indaziflam and its metabolites in pitaya using dispersive solid phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and efficient multiresidue method using dispersive solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the targeted analysis of indaziflam and its five metabolites (indaziflam‐diaminotriazine, indaziflam‐carboxylic acid, indaziflam‐triazine indanone, indaziflam‐hydroxyethyl, and indaziflam‐olefin) in pitaya samples (including roots, plants, flowers, peels, pulp, and whole fruit). The analytes were extracted with acetonitrile, and the extracts were purified using multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The method was validated using pitaya samples spiked at 0.5, 5, and 50 µg/kg, and the average recoveries varied from 61.1 to 103.7% with relative standard deviations lower than 12.7% (n = 5). This method exhibited sufficient linearity within the concentration range of 0.1–100 µg/L. The limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.001–0.1 and 0.003–0.3 µg/kg, respectively. The method was successfully applied to analyze pitaya samples in Nanning, and no indaziflam or its metabolites were detected in the samples analyzed.     

Fully automated determination of eserine N-oxide in human plasma using on-line solid-phase extraction with liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and entirely automated solid-phase extraction/liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (SPE/LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of eserine N-oxide (ENO), a cholinesterase inhibitor-like physostigmine in human plasma, for use in pharmacokinetic studies. ENO is light-sensitive and the use of a fully on-line process increased the reliability of the assay. Plasma samples previously mixed with neostigmine bromide to prevent in vitro degradation, and tacrine as internal standard (IS), were directly injected into the SPE/LC/ESI-MS/MS system. MS software piloted the overall system. MS/MS detection of ENO and the IS was performed in the positive ion ESI mode using multiple reaction monitoring. The linear calibration curve for ENO ranged from 25 pg ml(-1) to 12.5 ng ml(-1). The limit of quantitation was 25 pg ml(-1) with 250 microl of plasma injected. Precision, accuracy and stability tests were within the acceptable range and just one analyst is required to analyze 50 unknown samples a day five days per week, from the preparation of the samples (i.e. thawing and centrifugation) to data processing. A pilot pharmacokinetic study in three healthy volunteers treated with 4.5 mg of ENO (Génésérine3((R))) showed that the method was suitable for pharmacokinetic studies in humans.     

On-line extraction coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for quantitation of pravastatin and its metabolite in human serum

A high-throughput bioanalytical method for simultaneous quantitation of pravastatin and its metabolite (M1) in human serum was developed and validated using on-line extraction following liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The on-line extraction was accomplished by the direct injection of a 50 microL serum sample, mixed 4:1 with an aqueous internal standard solution, into one of the extraction columns with aqueous 1 mm formic acid at flow rate of 3 mL/min. The separation and analysis were achieved by back-eluting the analytes from the extraction column and the analytical column to the mass spectrometer with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 62% aqueous 1 mm formic acid and 38% acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The second extraction column was being equilibrated while the first column was being used for analysis, and vice versa. The standard curve range was 0.500-100 ng/mL for pravastatin and M1. The lower limit of quantitation, 0.500 ng/mL for all the analytes, was achieved when 50 microL of human serum was used. The intra- and inter-day precisions were within 7.4%, and the accuracy was between 95 and 103%. The on-line extraction was finished in 0.5 min and total analysis time was 2.5 min per sample.     

On-line solid phase extraction coupled to capillary LC-ESI-MS for determination of fluoxetine in human blood plasma

An instrumental setup including on-line solid phased extraction coupled to capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SPE-capLC-ESI-MS) has been constructed to improve the sensitivity for quantification of fluoxetine hydrochloride in human plasma. Prior to injection, 0.5 mL of plasma spiked with metronidazole (internal standard) was mixed with ammonium formate buffer for effective chloroform liquid-liquid extraction. The method was validated in the range 5-60 ng mL⁻¹ fluoxetine, yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.999 (r²). The within-assay and between-assay precisions were between (8.5 and 11%) and (6.6 and 7.5%), respectively. The method was used to determine the amount of fluoxetine in a healthy male 14 h after an intake of one capsule of the antidepressant and anorectic Flutin^®, which contains 20 mg fluoxetine per each capsule. Fluoxetine was detected, and the concentration was calculated to 9.0 ng mL⁻¹ plasma. In the preliminary experiments, conventional LC-UV instrumentation was employed. However, it was found that employing a capillary column with an inner diameter of (0.3 mm I.D. × 50 mm, Zorbax C₁₈) increased the sensitivity by a factor of ∼100, when injecting the same mass of analyte. Incorporating an easily automated C₁₈ reversed phase column switching system with SPE (1.0 mm I.D. × 5.0 mm, 5 μm) made it possible to inject up to 100 μL of solution, and the total analysis time was 5.5 min.     

Quantitative analysis of docetaxel in human plasma using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

An assay for the quantitative determination of docetaxel in human plasma is described. Docetaxel was extracted from the matrix using liquid-liquid extraction with ter-butylmethylether, followed by high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis using an alkaline eluent. Paclitaxel was used as internal standard. Positive ionization electrospray tandem mass spectrometry was performed for selective and sensitive detection. The method was validated according to the FDA guidelines on bioanalytical method validation. The validated range for docetaxel was from 0.25--1000 ng/mL using 200 microL plasma aliquots. The method requires only a limited volume (200 microL) of human plasma and the method can be applied in studies requiring a low lower limit of quantitation of 0.25 ng/mL. The assay was applied successfully in several clinical and pharmacological studies with docetaxel.     

适用于质谱分析的在线固相萃取除盐方法

建立了一个简单、快速、有效的适用于质谱或液相色谱-质谱联用的在线固相萃取(SPE)高通量除盐方法。方法分为单柱和双柱模式,借助于包含双梯度泵(上样泵/分析泵)、自动进样器和配有十通切换阀的柱温箱的高效液相色谱系统,完成样品的自动化在线除盐。单柱模式通过上样泵实现在SPE柱上进样和除盐,被分析物则保留在SPE柱上;除盐完成后,通过阀切换利用分析泵洗脱富集在SPE柱上的被分析物。双柱模式则在单柱模式基础上增加了1根SPE柱,在色谱管理软件控制下2根SPE柱轮流工作,高效率完成样品的在线除盐。该方法在结合质谱分析蛋白质、多肽等领域具有较好的应用前景。     

Multi-residue determination of the sorption of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals to wastewater suspended particulate matter using pressurised liquid extraction, solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Presented is the first comprehensive study of drugs of abuse on suspended particulate matter (SPM) in wastewater. Analysis of SPM is crucial to prevent the under-reporting of the levels of analyte that may be present in wastewater. Analytical methods to date analyse the aqueous part of wastewater samples only, removing SPM through the use of filtration or centrifugation. The development of an analytical method to determine 60 compounds on SPM using a combination of pressurised liquid extraction, solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (PLE-SPE-LC-MS/MS) is reported. The range of compounds monitored included stimulants, opioid and morphine derivatives, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, dissociative anaesthetics, drug precursors, and their metabolites. The method was successfully validated (parameters studied: linearity and range, recovery, accuracy, reproducibility, repeatability, matrix effects, and limits of detection and quantification). The developed methodology was applied to SPM samples collected at three wastewater treatment plants in the UK. The average proportion of analyte on SPM as opposed to in the aqueous phase was <5% for several compounds including cocaine, benzoylecgonine, MDMA, and ketamine; whereas the proportion was >10% with regard to methadone, EDDP, EMDP, BZP, fentanyl, nortramadol, norpropoxyphene, sildenafil and all antidepressants (dosulepin, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, fluoxetine and norfluoxetine). Consequently, the lack of SPM analysis in wastewater sampling protocol could lead to the under-reporting of the measured concentration of some compounds.     

Determination of 2-methoxyestradiol in human plasma, using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) assay was developed for the quantitative determination of 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) in human plasma. Sample pretreatment involved liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate of 0.3-mL aliquots of plasma spiked with the internal standard, deuterated 2ME2 (2ME2-d5). Separation was achieved on a Zorbax Eclipse C18 column (2.1 x 50 mm, i.d., 5 microm) at room temperature using a gradient elution with methanol and water at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. Detection was performed using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization MS/MS by monitoring the ion transitions from m/z 303.1 --> 136.8 (2ME2) and m/z 308.1 --> 138.8 (2ME2-d5). Calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 1-100 ng/mL. The accuracy and precision values, obtained from three different sets of quality control samples analyzed in quintuplicate on four separate occasions, ranged from 105-108% and from 3.62-5.68%, respectively. This assay was subsequently used for the determination of 2ME2 concentration in plasma of a patient with cancer after a single oral administration of 2ME2 at a dose of 2200 mg.     

Simultaneous quantitative analysis of dextromethorphan,dextrorphan and chlorphenamine in human plasma by liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and accurate HPLC‐MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of dextromethorphan, dextrorphan and chlorphenamine in human plasma. Three analytes were extracted from plasma by liquid–liquid extraction using ethyl acetate and separated on a Kromasil 60‐5CN column (3 µm, 2.1 × 150 mm) with mobile phase of acetonitrile–water (containing 0.1% formic acid; 50:50, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Quantification was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode using positive electrospray ionization. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.01–5 ng/mL for dextromethorphan, 0.02–5 ng/mL for dextrorphan and 0.025–20 ng/mL for chlorphenamine. The lower limits of quantification for dextromethorphan, dextrorphan and chlorphenamine were 0.01, 0.02 and 0.025 ng/mL, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were within 11% and accuracies were in the range of 92.9–102.5%. All analytes were proved to be stable during sample storage, preparation and analytic procedures. This method was first applied to the pharmacokinetic study in healthy Chinese volunteers after a single oral dose of the formulation containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide (18 mg) and chlorpheniramine malaeate (8 mg). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of fungicides in wine by mixed-mode solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A novel procedure for the determination of nine selected fungicides (metalaxyl-M, azoxystrobin, myclobutanil, flusilazole, penconazole, tebuconazole, propiconazole, diniconazole and difenoconazole) in wine samples is presented. Sample enrichment and purification is simultaneously performed using mixed-mode, anion exchange and reversed-phase, OASIS MAX solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. Analytes were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Parameters affecting the chromatographic determination and the extraction-purification processes were thoroughly investigated. Under optimized conditions, 10 mL of wine were firstly diluted 1:1 with ultrapure water and then passed through the mixed-mode SPE cartridge at a flow of ca. 5 mLmin(-1). After a washing step with 5 mL of an aqueous NH(4)OH solution (5%, w:v), analytes were recovered with just 1 mL of methanol and injected in the LC-MS/MS system without any additional purification. The selective extraction process avoided significant changes in the ionization efficiency for red and white wine extracts in comparison with pure standards in methanol. Performance of the method was good in terms of precision (RSDs<11%) and accuracy (absolute recoveries>72%, determined against pure standards in methanol) reporting method LOQs in the range of 0.01-0.79 ngmL(-1) for target compounds, which are far below the EU maxima residue levels (MRLs) for fungicides in vinification grapes and wine. Several commercial wines from different geographic areas in Spain were analyzed. In most samples, metalaxyl-M and azoxystrobin were found at concentrations up to several ngmL(-1).     

Shotgun proteomic analysis of microdissected postmortem human pituitary using complementary two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometer

The pituitary is responsible for multiple homeostatic functions including metabolism, growth and reproduction. Proteome analysis offers an efficient approach for a comprehensive analysis of pituitary protein expression. The pituitary is usually acquired from postmortem specimens, which may potentially affect the proteome profile by proteolysis. The aim of this study was to determine whether the postmortem pituitary could be used in proteomic analysis combining with Laser capture microdissection (LCM). Digested peptides from LCM captured prolactin (PRL) cells were separated by two dimensional-nanoscale liquid chromatography (2D-nanoLC/MS) and characterized by tandem mass spectrometry (MS). All MS/MS spectrums were searched by SEQUEST and a proteome of 1660 proteins was identified. Category analysis of the proteome revealed an extensive unbiased access to cell component proteins with diverse functional characteristics. The results demonstrated the ability of using 2D-nanoLC/MS to perform sensitive proteomic analysis on limited protein quantities through microdissection. Detailed comparisons between the proteome in question and the one derived from the prolactinoma controls at peptide and protein levels indicated that the two proteomes had similar characters. Overall, our results revealed for the first time the possibility of use of postmortem human pituitary for proteomic research which is important for further studies on disease biomarker identification and molecular mechanisms of prolactinoma tumorigenesis.     

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of lercanidipine in human plasma

A simple, sensitive and rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography/positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of lercanidipine in human plasma. Lercanidipine and the internal standard, nicardipine, were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using tert-butyl methyl ether as the extraction solvent. UPLC analysis was performed isocratically on an AcQuity UPLC BEH C18 analytical column (2.1 x 50.0 mm i.d., particle size 1.7 microm). The mobile phase consisted of 70% acetonitrile in water containing 0.2% v/v formic acid and pumped at a flow rate of 0.30 mL/min. ESI in positive ion mode, with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), was chosen for the detection of the analytes. The assay was linear over a concentration range of 0.05-30 ng/mL for lercanidipine with a limit of quantitation of 0.05 ng/mL. Quality control samples (0.05, 0.15, 15 and 25 ng/mL) in five replicates from five of analytical runs demonstrated intra-assay precision (% CV < or =7.3%), inter-assay precision (% CV < or =6.1%) and an overall accuracy (% relative error) of less than 6.2%. A run time of less than 1.0 min for each sample made it possible to analyze a large number of human plasma samples per day. The method can be used to quantify lercanidipine in human plasma covering a variety of pharmacokinetic or bioequivalence studies.     

High-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of arbidol in human plasma

An HPLC/MS/MS method for the determination of arbidol in human plasma was developed. Arbidol and internal standard (loratadine) were extracted from alkaline plasma with tert-butyl methyl ether and analyzed on a Zorbax SB C18 column (30 x 2.1 mm id, 3.5 microm particle size). The detection was by monitoring arbidol at m/z 479.1 --> 434.1 and the internal standard at m/z 383.2 --> 337.2. The method was validated according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.5-500 ng/mL using a 100 microL sample volume. The intraday and interday precisions were less than 6.5%, and acceptable values were obtained for accuracy, recovery, and sensitivity. The developed method was selective, simple, sensitive, and easily applicable.     

High-throughput determination of atrasentan in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Atrasentan (A-147627) is an endothelin antagonist receptor being developed at Abbott Laboratories for the treatment of prostate cancer. A quick and sensitive method for the determination of atrasentan in human plasma has been developed and validated using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A dual-column, single mass spectrometer system is used to provide a reliable and routine means to increase sample throughput. The analytical method involves liquid-liquid extraction and internal standard (A-166790). The plasma samples and internal standard are acidified with 0.3 M hydrochloric acid prior to being extracted into 1:1 (v/v) hexanes--methyl t-butyl ether. The organic extract was evaporated to dryness using heated nitrogen stream and reconstituted with mobile phase. Atrasentan and internal standard were separated with no interference in a Zorbax SB-C(18) analytical column with 2.1 x 50 mm, 5 microm, and a Zorbax C(8) guard column using a mobile phase consisting of 50:50 (v:v) acetonitrile--0.05 M ammonium acetate, pH 4.5, at a flow rate of 0.30 mL/min to provide 4 min chromatograms. For a 250 microL plasma sample volume, the limit of quantitation was approximately 0.3 ng/mL. The calibration was linear from 0.30 to 98.0 ng/mL (r(2) > 0.995). A significant advantage of the method is the ability to employ parallel HPLC separations with detection by a single MS/MS system to provide sensitivity and selectivity sufficient to achieve robust analytical results with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.30 ng/mL and high throughput.     

Quantitative high-throughput determination of endogenous retinoids in human plasma using triple-stage liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A high-throughput ultrasensitive analytical method based on liquid chromatography with positive ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) coupled to tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS/MS) was developed for the determination of all-trans-4-oxo-retinoic acid (at4oxoRA), 13-cis-4-oxo-retinoic acid (13c4oxoRA), 13-cis-retinoic acid (13cRA), all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) and all-trans-retinol (atROH) in human plasma. A stable isotope of atRA was used as internal standard (IS). The analytes and IS were isolated from 100 microL plasma by acetonitrile mono-phase extraction (MPE) performed in black 96-well microtiterplates. A 100 microL injection was focused on-column and chromatographed on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 rapid-resolution high-throughput (RRHT) column with 1.8-microm particles (4.6 mmx50 mm) maintained at 60 degrees C. The initial mobile phase composition was acetonitrile/water/formic acid (10:90:0.1, v/v/v) delivered at 1.8 mL/min. Elution was accomplished by a fast gradient to acetonitrile/methanol/formic acid (90:10:0.1, v/v/v). The method had a chromatographic total run time of 7 min. An Applied Biosystems 4000 Q TRAP linear tandem mass spectrometer equipped with a heated nebulizer (APCI) ionization source was operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with the precursor-to-product ion transitions m/z 315.4-->297 (4-oxo-retinoic acids), 301.2-->205 (retinoic acids), 305.0-->209 (IS) and 269.2-->93 (retinol) used for quantification. The assay was fully validated and found to have acceptable accuracy, precision, linearity, sensitivity and selectivity. The mean extraction recoveries from spiked plasma samples were 80-105% for the various retinoids at three different levels. The intra-day accuracy of the assay was within 8% of nominal and intra-day precision was better than 8% coefficient of variance (CV) for retinoic acids. Inter-day precision results for quality control samples run over a 12-day period alongside clinical samples showed mean precision better than 12.5% CV. The limit of quantification was in the range of 0.1-0.2 ng/mL and the mass limit of detection (mLOD) was in the range 1-4 pg on column for the retinoic acids. The assay has been successfully applied to the analysis of 1700 plasma samples.     

固相萃取-超高压液相色谱-串联质谱同时分析环境水样中四环素类和喹诺酮类抗生素

应用固相萃取及超高压液相色谱-质谱联用技术,建立了环境水样中4种四环素类和6种喹诺酮类抗生素的同时分析方法。样品经HLB固相萃取柱富集、净化后用甲醇洗脱,以超高压液相色谱-串联质谱仪多反应监测(MRM)离子模式定性、定量分析。以河水和海水为基质,卡巴氧为替代物进行回收率评价,4种四环素类抗生素在加标质量浓度分别为20.0 ng/L和100.0 ng/L时的回收率为94.0%～117.0%,相对标准偏差为2.0%～9.7%(n=4),方法的检出限均为20.0 ng/L;6种喹诺酮类抗生素在加标质量浓度分别为5.0 ng/L和20.0 ng/L时的回收率为63.6%～93.9%,相对标准偏差为1.6%～8.1%(n=4),方法的检出限为0.4 ng/L。结果表明,所建立的方法可成功地应用于近岸海域表层环境水样中目标抗生素残留的分析。     

Fast determination of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls in human plasma by online solid phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) have been shown to be strongly retained in human blood causing endocrine-related toxicity, particularly on the thyroid system. Traditionally, analytical methods for the determination of OH-PCBs require labor-intensive and long-time consuming sample preparation with several extraction, evaporation and cleanup procedures steps and, in some cases, derivatization prior to the analysis by gas or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS or LC-MS). The present study developed and validated a novel, sensitive and high throughput online solid phase extraction (SPE) method coupled to LC-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for the separation and quantitation of relevant congeners of OH-PCBs in human plasma. The developed method presented limits of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 0.02 to 0.5 ng mL⁻¹ and extraction recoveries from 71 to 134% for all congeners, requiring small amount of sample (only 100 μL) and minimal sample preparation. In order to evaluate the applicability of the method, preliminary tests (N = 93) were conducted in plasma from individuals occupationally exposed to very high levels of PCBs in a German cohort. Penta-through hepta-chlorinated OH-PCBs were the predominant congeners in human plasma with concentrations up to 44.5 ng mL⁻¹, while lower chlorinated OH-PCBs were occasionally detected. In addition, a new PCB 28 metabolite has been synthesized and identified for the first time in human plasma and associations between OH-PCBs and their parent compounds in the studied cohort were also assessed.     

Simultaneous determination of ramipril, ramiprilat and telmisartan in human plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of ramipril, ramiprilat and telmisartan in human plasma. The solid-phase extraction technique was used for the extraction of ramipril, ramiprilat and telmisartan from human plasma. Trandolaprilat and hydrochlorothiazide were used as the internal standards (ISs). Chromatography was performed on a Hypurity C18, 5 μm, 50 mm × 4.6 mm column, with the mobile phase consisting of ammonium acetate and acetonitrile (in a 20:80 ratio), followed by detection using mass spectrometry. The method involves a simple reversed isocratic chromatography condition and mass spectrometry detection, which enables detection at sub-nanogram levels. The method was validated and the lower limit of quantification for ramipril, ramiprilat and telmisartan was found to be 0.1 ng mL⁻¹, 0.1 ng mL⁻¹ and 2 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The mean recovery for ramipril, ramiprilat and telmisartan ranged from 90.1 to 104.1%. This method increased the sensitivity and selectivity; resulting in high-throughput analysis of ramipril, ramiprilat and telmisartan using two different ISs in a single experiment for bioequivalence studies, with a chromatographic run time of 1.5 min only.     

Determination of anethole trithione in human plasma using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A rapid, sensitive and reliable high performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry via electrospray ionization (ESI) source (HPLC-MS/MS) has been developed and validated for the determination of anethole trithione (ATT) in human plasma. Diazepam was employed as the internal standard (IS). Sample extracts following liquid-liquid extraction were injected into the HPLC-MS/MS system. The analyte and IS were eluted isocratically on a C₁₈ column, with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and aqueous ammonium acetate solution (5 mM) (80:20, v/v) .The ions were detected by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometric detector in the positive mode. Quantification was performed using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) of the transitions m/z 240.88 → 197.91 and m/z 285.01 → 193.02 for ATT and for the IS, respectively. The analysis time for each run was 5.0 min. The calibration curve fitted well over the concentration range of 0.02-5 ng mL⁻¹, with the regression equation y = 1.1014x + 0.0003631, r = 0.9992. The intra-batch and inter-batch R.S.D.% were less than 15% at all concentration levels within the calibration range. The recoveries were more than 80%. The present method provides a modern, rapid and robust procedure for the pharmacokinetic study of ATT. Some important pharmacokinetic parameters of ATT in healthy Chinese volunteers are also given for the first time.