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.     

Determination of quinolones in water samples by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

A method is reported for the determination, in water samples, of 10 quinolones which are used as veterinary drugs. Analytes are isolated from samples by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using fluorimetric detection. A solid-phase extraction procedure based on retention on HBL OASIS cartridges and elution with a mixture of acetonitrile-water in basic medium is suitable for pre-concentration of the analytes. Pre-concentration factors up to 250 can be obtained. The quinolones are separated with an octyl silica-based column and mobile phases consisting of aqueous oxalic acid solutions and acetonitrile mixtures. The attained detection limits of the whole process are in the ng l(-1) level when 250 ml of water sample is processed. Recovery rates, from natural water samples spiked at 2060 ng l(-1) level, range from 70 to 100% and common standard deviation are about 6-12%.     

Quantitative and pharmacokinetic analysis of naloxone in plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and solid-phase extraction

In this study we present a method for measuring naloxone in plasma after intravenous and oral administration of naloxone to humans, in order to study its pharmacokinetic profile. The method consists of a solid-phase extraction step followed by detection on a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system equipped with an electrochemical dual-electrode detector. The extraction step employs cyanopropyl columns optimized for naloxone extraction to allow for elution of naloxone by the HPLC mobile phase; this eluate is then directly injected in the HPLC instrument. The HPLC system employs a radial compression phenyl column with a mobile phase containing 18% (v/v) acetonitrile and pentanesulfonic acid as ion-pairing agent; this system shows extraordinary high plate counts for naloxone. The detection limit is 3 ng (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) free naloxone per ml plasma. Following intravenous injection of 30 mg naloxone hydrochloride in two subjects, it was possible to determine the free naloxone concentration in the plasma for 8 h, more than four times the half-life of naloxone in plasma in humans.     

Determination of fungicides in natural waters using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture and mass spectrometric detection

This study develops a method for the analysis of seven fungicides in environmental waters, using solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The analyzed compounds--dicloran, chlorothalonil, vinclozolin, dichlofluanid, captan, folpet and captafol--belong to different classes of chemical compound (chloroanilines, sulphamides, phthalimides and oxazolidines) and are used mainly in agriculture and as antifouling paints. Their determination was carried out by gas chromatography with electron-capture and mass spectrometric detection. To perform SPME, four types of fibre have been assayed and compared: polyacrylate (85 microm), polydimethylsiloxane (100 and 30 microm), carbowax-divinylbenzene (CW-DVB 65 microm) and polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene (65 microm). The main parameters affecting the SPME process such as pH, salt additives, methanol content, memory effect, stirring rate and adsorption-time profile were studied. The method was developed using spiked natural waters such as ground water, sea water, river water and lake water in a concentration range of 0.1-10 microg/l. Limits of detection of studied compounds were determined in the range of 1-60 ng/l, by using electron-capture and mass spectrometric detectors. The recoveries of all fungicides were in relatively high levels (70.0-124.4%) and the average R2 values of the calibration curves were above 0.990 for all the analytes. The SPME conditions were finally optimized in order to obtain the maximum sensitivity. The potential of the proposed method was realized by applying it to the trace-level screening determination of fungicides and antifouling compounds in sea water samples originating from various Greek marinas.     

Determination of didanosine in human serum by on-line solid-phase extraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric detection: application to a bioequivalence study

A method based on solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography with positive ion electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometric detection was developed for the determination of didanosine in human serum, using lamivudine as internal standard. The acquisition was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode, monitoring the transitions m/z 237 --> 136.7 for didanosine and m/z 230 --> 111.7 for lamivudine. The method was linear over the range studied (10-1500 ng ml(-1)), with r(2) > 0.98, and the run time was 5 min. The intra- and inter-assay precisions were < or =10% and the intra- and inter-assay accuracies were >95%. The absolute recoveries were 99.8% (10 ng ml(-1)), 98.4% (30 ng ml(-1)), 91.5% (700 ng ml(-1)) and 94.7% (1200 ng ml(-1)). The limits of detection and quantitation were 5 and 10 ng ml(-1), respectively. The method was applied to a bioequivalence study, in which 24 healthy adult volunteers (12 men) received single oral doses (200 mg) of reference and test didanosine formulations (buffered powder for oral solutions), in an open, two-way, randomized, crossover protocol. The 90% confidence interval of the individual ratios (test formulation/reference formulation) for C(max) (peak serum concentration) and AUC(0-inf) (area under the serum concentration versus time curve from time zero to infinity) were within the range 80-125%, which supports the conclusion that the two formulations are bioequivalent regarding the rate and extent of didanosine absorption.     

Determination of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in plasma using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A method for the determination of nanogram amounts of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in plasma and serum is described. THC was quantitatively isolated by solid-phase extraction after addition of an aqueous solution of urea and methanol to the sample. The extracts were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in the oxidizing mode. The detection limit of THC is ca. 100 pg for a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. With this method, levels of 2 ng/ml of THC in plasma can be measured.     

Determination of itopride in human plasma by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometric detection: application to a bioequivalence study

A simple method using a one-step liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with butyl acetate followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with positive ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-MS/MS) detection was developed for the determination of itopride in human plasma, using sulpiride as an internal standard (IS). Acquisition was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, by monitoring the transitions: m/z 359.5 > 166.1 for itopride and m/z 342.3 > 111.6 for IS, respectively. Analytes were chromatographed on an YMC C₁₈ reverse-phase chromatographic column by isocratic elution with 1 mM ammonium acetate buffer-methanol (20: 80, v/v; pH 4.0 adjusted with acetic acid). Results were linear (r² = 0.9999) over the studied range (0.5-1000 ng mL⁻¹) with a total analysis time per run of 2 min for LC-MS/MS. The developed method was validated and successfully applied to bioequivalence studies of itopride hydrochloride in healthy male volunteers.     

Determination of ketorolac enantiomers in plasma using enantioselective liquid chromatography. Application to pharmacokinetic studies

Summary Residual synthetic adsorbent, cross-linked polystyrene, used in drug purification has been analyzed quantitatively by Curie-point pyrolysis gas chromatography. The peaks of intact polystyrene adsorbent in the pyrogram were used as key peaks for quantitative measurement of residues of the adsorbent in vitamin B₁ and streptomycin sulfate. It was shown that them-ethylstyrene orp-ethylstyrene peaks in the pyrolyzates were suitable for determination of polystyrene adsorbent content. The levels of residual adsorbent in the drugs were found to be <0.1 %, the value stipulated by the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH). In quantitative evaluation of an adsorbent content of 0.1 % the precision was 3.6 % and 2.7 % for vitamin B₁ and streptomycin sulfate, respectively.     

Minoxidil analysis in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Application to pharmacokinetic studies

A method is described for determination of minoxidil in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The method is specific and sensitive (500 pg/ml), however, minoxidil and minoxidil sulfate cannot be differentiated due to rapid autohydrolysis of minoxidil sulfate to minoxidil. The extraction procedure employs a C18 preparatory column to remove endogenous plasma constituents which would interfere with the assays. The calibration curves are linear for concentrations from 500 pg to 10 ng/ml. Within-day and between-day reproducibility are satisfactory with coefficient of variation less than 5.7% for all concentrations. Sample recovery from extraction is consistent at 45 to 55% at low and high concentrations, respectively. A pharmacokinetic study in a hypertensive volunteer receiving two different oral doses of minoxidil (1.25 and 2.5 mg) on different occasions demonstrates the utility of the method.     

Determination of clozapine in human plasma by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

Summary A sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for monitoring clozapine levels in human plasma. Chromatography was performed on a reversed-phase column (C₈, 150 mm×4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) with acetonitrile-aqueous sodium acetate solution, 88∶12 (v/v), as mobile phase; the flow rate was 1 mL min⁻¹. Clozapine oxidation at +800 mV was detected amperometrically. Response was linearly dependent on concentration over the range 50–1500 ng mL⁻¹ clozapine in plasma. Sample preparation by solid-phase extraction before HPLC analysis gave high extraction yield (94%). The accuracy and precision of the method were both very good (recovery: 97%;RSD<3.3%).     

Determination of afloqualone in human plasma using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: Application to pharmacokinetic studies in humans

Two methods for determining the central-acting muscle relaxant afloqualone in human plasma were developed and compared using API2000 and API4000 liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) systems. In the API2000 LC/MS/MS system, afloqualone and the internal standard methaqualone were extracted from plasma using a methyl-tertiary ether. After drying the organic layer, the residue was reconstituted in a mobile phase (0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile:0.1% formic acid buffer, 80:20 v/v) and injected onto a reversed-phase C₁₈ column. The isocratic mobile phase was eluted at 0.2 ml/min. The ion transitions monitored in multiple reaction-monitoring mode were m/z 284 → 146 and 251 → 117 for afloqualone and methaqualone, respectively.Sample preparation for the API4000 LC/MS/MS system involved simple protein precipitation with an organic mixture (methanol:10% ZnSO₄ = 8:2). The ion transitions monitored in multiple reaction-monitoring mode were m/z 284 → 146 and 251 → 131 for afloqualone and methaqualone, respectively.In both assays, the coefficient of variation of the precision was less than 11.8%, the accuracy exceeded 91.5%, the limit of quantification was 0.5 ng/ml, and the limit of detection was 0.1 ng/ml for afloqualone. Two methods were used to measure the plasma afloqualone concentration in healthy subjects after a single oral 20-mg dose of afloqualone. During subsequent application of the methods, we observed that high-concentration plasma samples (>7 ng/ml) prepared using the protein precipitation method resulted in about 20% higher afloqualone concentrations than with plasma samples prepared using the liquid-liquid extraction method. We believe that this phenomenon was related to the cleanness of the sample and its chemical nature.     

New extraction procedure to improve the determination of quinolones in poultry muscle by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection

The present article aims to develop a new extraction procedure to improve the determination of quinolones in chicken muscle. This new determination method was validated using liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detection (LC–UV) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry detection (LC–MS), which has special bearing on stability studies. The results obtained by using the method were compared with the results obtained with a previous methodology. The new extraction procedure presents a sensitivity low enough to determine concentration of these drugs below the permissible maximum residue limits (MRL) in chicken muscle and is less time consuming than the previous methodology.     

Determination of paeoniflorin in rat plasma by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method coupled with solid-phase extraction

A rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem spectrometry method was developed and validated for determination of paeoniflorin in rat plasma using geniposide as the internal standard. The samples were pretreated with solid-phase extraction using Extract-Clean cartridges. Separation of paeoniflorin and IS was achieved on a reversed-phase C18 column (50x4.6 mm i.d.) with a mobile phase made up of acetonitrile and 0.05% formic acid (25:75, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Detection was carried out on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple-reaction monitoring and an electrospray ionization source was employed as the ionization source. The lower limit of quantification obtained was 4 ng/mL (n=6) using 200 microL plasma with an accuracy of -3.67% (relative error) and a precision of 4.13% (relative standard deviation). A good linearity was found in the range of 4-1000 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations in the measurement of quality control samples 10, 150 and 800 ng/mL ranged from 3.73 to 4.94% and from 4.31 to 6.56%, respectively. The accuracy was from -3.93 to -1.11% in terms of relative error. The analyte and IS were stable in the battery of stability studies. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of paeoniflorin after a single oral administration of 53.36 mg/kg paeoniflorin to rats.     

Determination of thiodyglycol in groundwater using solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection in the selected-ion mode

A highly sensitive analytical procedure is described for determining thiodiglycol in groundwater. Samples are initially fortified with 3,3'-thiodipropanol (surrogate), then both species are extracted using sequential solid-phase extraction with both C18 and Ambersorb 572 columns. The C18 column, which removes extraneous groundwater components, is discarded; the Ambersorb 572 column is dried thoroughly before eluting polar components with a small volume of dichloromethane. The extract is taken to dryness using dry flowing nitrogen, and the resulting residue is derivatized using N-(tert.-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide and pyridine. The derivatized products are diluted to a final volume with toluene, chromatographed using a fused-silica capillary column, and detected with a quadrupole mass spectrometric detector in its selected-ion mode. Two independent, statistically unbiased, procedures were used to evaluate the detection limits for thiodiglycol; the values ranged between 4 and 16 microg(-1) groundwater.     

Determination of salbutamol in human plasma and urine using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and its pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination of salbutamol in human plasma and urine, and successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of salbutamol in Chinese healthy volunteers after inhalation of salbutamol sulfate aerosol. Salbutamol and the internal standard (IS) acetaminophen in plasma and urine were extracted with ethyl acetate, separated on a C₁₈ reversed‐phase column, eluted with mobile phase of acetonitrile–ammonium acetate (5 m m ; 30:70, v/v), ionized by positive ion pneumatically assisted electrospray and detected in the multi‐reaction monitoring mode using precursor → product ions of m/z 240.2 → 148.1 for salbutamol and 152 → 110 for the IS. The lower limits of quantitation of salbutamol in human plasma and urine by this method were 0.02 and 1 ng/mL, respectively. The specificity, matrix effect, recovery, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and several stabilities were validated for salbutamol in human plasma and urine. In conclusion, the validation results showed that this method is robust, specific and sensitive, and can successfully fulfill the requirement of clinical pharmacokinetic study of salbutamol in healthy Chinese volunteers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of sunitinib in human plasma using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

An original method based on liquid chromatography with single quadrupole electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of sunitinib in human plasma. The quantitation limit of the method at 0.10 ng/mL is comparable to that of tandem mass spectrometry assays. The handling of all solutions containing sunitinib was performed under low‐intensity red light to avoid the isomerization of sunitinib and enable quantitation using a single peak. Liquid–liquid extraction with a mixture of n‐hexane/isopropanol (90:10 v/v) allowed recoveries at the level of 70%. Measurements were performed using a Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ column (3.0 mm × 150 mm, 3.5 μm) and isocratic elution with (A) 0.1% aqueous formic acid and (B) acetonitrile/methanol (80:20 v/v) in an A/B ratio of 55:45 at 35°C. Under these conditions, sunitinib is eluted at 3.8 min in 6 min of the total run time. The linearity of the calibration curve ranges from 0.10 to 150 ng/mL. The baseline separation of sunitinib and its primary metabolite, N‐des‐ethyl sunitinib (SU12662), as well as sharp peak shapes, suggest a possibility of extending the applied methodology to the quantitative determination of both compounds. Isotopically labeled sunitinib was used as the internal standard. All required validation tests met the acceptance criteria and proved the method's reliability and robustness. The method may be conveniently applied to study the pharmacokinetics of sunitinib in humans.     

Gas chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection in speciation analysis

The state-of-the-art of gas chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP MS) is comprehensively reviewed. Particular attention is given to the recent advances in ICP MS detection including: GC-ICP interface designs; low power plasmas; and alternative mass analyzers (time-of-flight, double-focussing single collector, double-focussing and collision cell single-focussing multicollectors). On the level of sample preparation for speciation analysis by GC-ICP MS, new derivatization reagents and advances in extraction techniques, such as capillary purge-and-trap, solid phase microextraction and stirbar solid phase extraction are discussed. The increasing role of organometallic species labeled with stable isotopes for the detection of sources of errors during sample preparation and for isotope dilution quantification is highlighted. Applications of GC-ICP MS to the analysis of real-world samples are summarized with a focus on the areas which particularly benefit from the high ICP MS detection sensitivity and tolerance to sample matrix.     

Determination of selected phenothiazines in human plasma by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography with coulometric detection

A new analytical method, based on liquid chromatography with coulometric detection, has been developed and applied to the determination of selected phenothiazines (chlorpromazine, promazine, fluphenazine and levomepromazine) in human plasma. The drugs were separated on a Discovery pentafluorophenylpropyl column, using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile (32%) and a pH 1.9 phosphate buffer (68%). Promethazine was used as the internal standard. Detection was carried out at an oxidation potential of +0.500 V. A novel clean-up procedure was developed by means of solid-phase extraction, using cyanopropyl cartridges, which gave good extraction yield for all the analytes, with absolute recovery values higher than 91.0%. The detector response was linear over a plasma concentration range of 0.5-250.0 ng mL⁻¹ for chlorpromazine, promazine and levomepromazine and of 0.2-4.0 ng mL⁻¹ for fluphenazine. Precision results, expressed by the intra-day and the inter-day relative standard deviation values, were good, being lower than 3.9%. Accuracy data were satisfactory as well.The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of drug plasma levels of psychiatric patients undergoing therapy with selected phenothiazines.     

Determination of minor and trace volatile compounds in wine by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection

A new method for the quantitative determination of important wine odorants has been developed. The wine (50 ml) is extracted in a 200 mg solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge filled with Lichrolut-EN resins from Merck. The elution is carried out with 1.3 ml of dichloromethane. These extracts are directly analyzed by GC-Ion Trap-MS without further concentration. Twenty-seven important wine odorants, such as volatile phenols, vanillin derivatives, aliphatic lactones, nor-isoprenoids, minor esters and terpenols, can be quantitatively determined in a single gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) run. The recoveries in the SPE isolation are in good agreement with those expected from the calculation of breakthrough volumes from solid-liquid distribution coefficients and are higher than 90%, except for guaiacol, vanillin, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and 4-vinylphenol. In most cases, precision is below 10%. Method linearity is satisfactory, with r2 higher than 0.99 in all cases. The analysis of spiked samples has shown that there is good agreement between the real mass of compound added to the wine and that determined by analysis. In all cases detection limits are below the odor detection threshold of the compounds, and the calibrated interval covers the natural range of occurrence of the compounds in wine.     

Speciation of seleno compounds in yeast aqueous extracts by three-dimensional liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric and electrospray mass spectrometric detection

A three-dimensional liquid chromatographic purification protocol based on sequential size-exclusion, anion-exchange and cation-exchange separation mechanisms was developed for the mapping of seleno compounds in aqueous yeast extracts. The method allowed the demonstration of the presence of more than 30 different seleno compounds. Semi-preparative size-exclusion and anion-exchange chromatography were optimized for maximum resolution using electrospray-compatible buffers in order to purify the compounds for mass spectrometric analysis. Molecular masses were attributed to many of the compounds on the basis of the selenium isotopic pattern in the electrospray mass spectra and of the collision-induced fragmentation patterns. Limitations preventing the ultimate identification of the selenium species detected are discussed.