Lysophosphatidylcholine—biomarker of Metformin action: studied using UPLC/MS/MS

An UPLC/MS/MS based metabonomic method was developed and applied to the elucidation of biomarker of metformin action. The plasma metabolite profiling in healthy volunteers before and after per os metformin was determined with UPLC/MS/MS and analyzed by using multivariate statistics. Significant difference in endogenous metabolite profiles was revealed before and after administration of metformin. Four biomarkers found were lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), and their structures were tentatively identified to be 16:0 LPC, 18:0 LPC, 18:1 LPC and 18:2 LPC according to the molecular ions information and corresponding fragments of product ion scan. Lysophosphatidylcholine in blood may be involved in metformin treatment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and application of a new on-line SPE system combined with LC-MS/MS detection for high throughput direct analysis of pharmaceutical compounds in plasma

A technique using a fully automated on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) system (Symbiosis, Spark Holland) combined with liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been investigated for fast bioanalytical method development, method validation and sample analysis using both conventional C18 and monolithic columns. Online SPE LC-MS/MS methods were developed in the automated mode for the quantification of model compounds (propranolol and diclofenac) directly in rat plasma. Accuracy and precision using online SPE LC-MS/MS with conventional C18 and monolithic columns were in the range of 88-111% and 0.5-14%, respectively. Total analysis cycle time of 4 min per sample was demonstrated using the C18 column. Monolithic column allowed for 2 min total cycle time without compromising the quality and validation criteria of the method. Direct plasma sample injection without on-line SPE resulted in poor accuracy and precision in the range of 41-108% and 3-81%. Furthermore, the increase in back pressure resulted in column damage after the injection of only 60 samples.     

Simultaneous quantification of vortioxetine,fluoxetine and their metabolites in rat plasma by UPLC–MS/MS

In this study, a specific and quick ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method was fully developed and validated for simultaneous measurement of the rat plasma levels of vortioxetine (VOR), Lu AA34443 (the major metabolite of VOR), fluoxetine and its metabolite norfluoxetine with diazepam as the internal standard (IS). After a simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile for sample preparation, the separation of the analytes were performed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) column, with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase by gradient elution. The detection was achieved on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring mode via an electrospray ionization source. Good linearity was observed in the calibration curve for each analyte. The data of precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery and stability all conformed to the bioanalytical method validation of acceptance criteria of US Food and Drug Administration recommendations. The newly developed UPLC–MS/MS method allowed simultaneous quantification of VOR, fluoxetine and their metabolites for the first time and was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定食品包装材料中全氟辛烷磺酸盐

建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC- MS/MS)测定食品包装材料中全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)的方法.采用乙腈作为溶剂,加速溶剂提取法提取食品包装材料中的PFOS.色谱条件:ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈色谱柱（1.7 μm,2.1 mm×50 mm）;柱温:30 ℃;流动相:乙腈/水,梯度洗脱;流速:0.2 mL/min;经UPLC分离后用多级反应监测(MRM)方式测定.用2个子离子的相对丰度定性, 外标法定量.PFOS在0.005～0.500 μg/mL范围内线性良好(R2=0.999),PFOS的回收率为90.0%～101.6%,相对标准偏差RSD为1.5%～3.5%.方法检出限为0.1 μg/m2(S/N≥3).     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定水体中莠去津和呋喃丹的含量

水样中莠去津和呋喃丹通过C18固相萃取柱使之分离并富集。用氮气将固相萃取柱吹干后,用二氯甲烷淋洗使被测组分洗脱,所得洗脱液用氮气吹至尽干,用混合溶剂[甲醇与甲酸-水(0.1+99.9)溶液按40比60的比例混合]1 mL溶解残渣,所得溶液供超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法(UPLC-MS/MS)分析用。用Waters BEH C18色谱柱作分离柱,用不同比例的甲醇和甲酸-水(0.1+99.9)溶液的混合液作流动相进行梯度淋洗,使上述两种农药分离后进行串联质谱测定,所用质谱条件为电喷雾离子源,正离子扫描和多反应监测模式。两种农药质量浓度均在0.10~10.00μg.L-1范围内与相应的峰面积值呈线性关系,检出限(3S/N)均为0.15 ng.L-1。在3个浓度水平上(0.10,0.50,5.00μg.L-1)加入两种农药的标准溶液进行回收试验,测得其平均回收率在77.0%~102.2%之间,相对标准偏差(n=5)在2.9%~7.6%之间。     

粮食中磺酰脲类除草剂的UPLC/MS/MS测定方法

建立了多类粮食作物中15种磺酰脲类除草剂的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱联用仪(UPLC/MS/MS)多离子监测(MRM)的多残留检测方法。样品经乙腈提取,乙腈饱和的正己烷液-液分配,石墨化碳氨基小柱净化,采用UPLC-MS/MS(ESI+)测定。方法中各种磺酰脲类除草剂在5～200μg/L浓度范围内线性良好,相关系数在0.9995～0.9999。在5～100μg/kg范围内,平均加标回收率在71.6%～115.3%之间,相对标准偏差不大于15%。各种药物的定量限(S/N≥10)均可达到5μg/kg。该方法可同时满足大豆、大米、玉米等多种粮食中磺酰脲类除草剂的检测需求。     

A Comparison of Three Methods of Extraction for the Determination of Polyphenols and Organic Acids in Tobacco by UPLC–MS–MS

Matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD), ultrasonic extraction followed by a solid phase extraction (USE–SPE) and reflux extraction (REFLUX) were studied for the analysis of polyphenols and organic acids in tobacco. The analysis was by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS–MS). The multi-mode support sorbent Zirconia/AA12S50 in MSPD is more suitable for the extraction of tobacco polyphenols than conventional silica or C18 silica. Although the matrix effect of USE–SPE is slightly stronger than MSPD and REFLUX for most target compounds, it gave higher extraction capacity, recoveries and sensitivity.     

UPLC‐MS/MS based diagnostics for epithelial ovarian cancer using fully sialylated C4‐binding protein

Serum levels of fully sialylated C4‐binding protein (FS‐C4BP) are remarkably elevated in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and can be used as a marker to distinguish ovarian clear cell carcinoma from endometrioma. This study aimed to develop a stable, robust and reliable liquid chromatography–hybrid mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) based diagnostic method that would generalize FS‐C4BP as a clinical EOC biomarker. Glycopeptides derived from 20 μL of trypsin‐digested serum glycoprotein were analyzed via UPLC equipped with an electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. This UPLC‐MS/MS‐based diagnostic method was optimized for FS‐C4BP and validated using sera from 119 patients with EOC and 127 women without cancer. A1958 (C4BP peptide with two fully sialylated biantennary glycans) was selected as a marker of FS‐C4BP because its level in serum was highest among FS‐C4BP family members. Preparation and UPLC‐MS/MS were optimized for A1958, and performance and robustness were significantly improved relative to our previous method. An area under the curve analysis of the FS‐C4BP index receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the ratio between A1958 and A1813 (C4BP peptide with two partially sialylated biantennary glycans) reached 85%. A combination of the FS‐C4BP index and carbohydrate antigen‐125 levels further enhanced the sensitivity and specificity.     

A simple and sensitive assay for eflornithine quantification in rat brain using pre‐column derivatization and UPLC‐MS/MS detection

Eflornithine (α‐difluoromethylornithine) has been used to treat second‐stage (or meningoencephalitic‐stage) human African trypanosomiasis and currently is under clinical development for cancer prevention. In this study, a new ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS)‐based assay was developed and validated for the quantification of eflornithine in rat brain. To improve chromatographic retention and MS detection, eflornithine was derivatized with 6‐aminoquinolyl‐N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate for 5 min at room temperature prior to injection. Derivatized eflornithine was separated on a reverse‐phase C₁₈ UPLC column with a 6‐min gradient; elution occurred at approximately 1.5 min. Prior to derivatization, eflornithine was reproducibly extracted from rat brain homogenate by methanol protein precipitation (~70% recovery). Derivatized eflornithine was stable in the autosampler (6 °C) for at least 24 h. This new assay had acceptable intra‐ and interday accuracy and precision over a wide dynamic range (5000‐fold) and excellent sensitivity with a lower limit of quantification of 0.1 µm (18 ng/mL) using only 10 μL of rat brain homogenate. The validated eflornithine assay was applied successfully to determine eflornithine distribution in different regions of rat brain in an in situ rat brain perfusion study. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of gelsenicine in mice by UPLC–MS/MS

Gelsenicine is an indole alkaloid isolated from Gelsemium elegans Benth. In recent years, the role of G. elegans Benth preparations in anti‐tumor, analgesic, dilatation and dermatological treatment has attracted attention, and it has been applied clinically, but it is easy to cause poisoning with its use. An UPLC–MS/MS method was established to determine the gelsenicine in mouse blood, and the pharmacokinetics of gelsenicine after intravenous (0.1 mg/kg) and intragastric (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) administration was studied. Deltalin was used as internal standard; a UPLC BEH C₁₈ column was used for chromatographic separation. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate (0.1% formic acid) with a gradient elution flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for quantitative analysis of gelsenicine in electrospray ionization positive interface. Proteins from mouse blood were removed by acetonitrile precipitation. A validation of this method was performed in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. In the concentration range of 0.05–100 ng/mL, the gelsenicine in the mouse blood was linear (r > 0.995), and the lower limit of quantification was 0.05 ng/mL. In the mouse blood, the intra‐day precision RSD was <12%, the inter‐day precision RSD was <15%, the accuracy ranged from 89.8 to 112.3%, the average recovery was >76.8%, and the matrix effect was between 103.7 and 108.4%, which meet the pharmacokinetic research requirements of gelsenicine. The UPLC–MS/MS method is sensitive, rapid and selective, and has been successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of gelsenicine in mice. The absolute bioavailability of gelsenicine is 1.13%.     

Therapeutic monitoring of amphotericin B in Saudi ICU patients using UPLC MS/MS assay

Amphotericin B (AmB) is the first‐line agent for the treatment of life‐threatening invasive fungal infections. The aim of this study was to monitor AmB in critically ill Saudi patients in ICU after i.v. administration of 0.68 ± 0.1 mg/kg/day Fungizone®. A selective, sensitive and precise UPLC MS/MS method was developed to measure AmB concentrations in these patients. Seven ICU patients with creatinine clearance (ClCr) >40 mL/min were included. AmB levels were analyzed using a Waters Aquity UPLC MS/MS system, a BEH Shield RP₁₈ column and detection via electrospray ionization source with positive ionization mode. The precision and accuracy of the developed UPLC method in the concentration range of 200–4000 ng/mL show no significant difference among inter‐ and‐intra‐day analysis (p > 0.05). Linearity was observed over the investigated range with correlation coefficient, r > 0.995 (n = 6/day). The pharmacokinetics of AmB in these patients, at steady state, showed a high terminal half‐life of 124.6 ± 73.4 h, with a highest concentration of 513.9 ± 281.1 ng/mL, a lowest concentration 316.4 ± 129.0 ng/mL and a mean clearance 91.1 ± 39.2 mL/h/kg. The pharmacokinetics of AmB in critically ill Saudi patients in ICU was studied using a fully validated assay. A weak correlation (r = ?0.22) of AmB Cl with ClCr was obtained, which suggests the need for further investigation in a larger population. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A UPLC–MS/MS method for analysis of vancomycin in human cerebrospinal fluid and comparison with the chemiluminescence immunoassay

Vancomycin (VCM) is clinically used in treating patients with postoperative intracranial infections. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration of VCM varies greatly among patients. To guide the dosage regimens, monitoring of VCM in CSF is needed. However a method for analysis of VCM in human CSF is lacking. An ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) was developed and validated for analysis of VCM in human CSF, and the agreement of UPLC–MS/MS and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) in the analysis of CSF VCM was evaluated. The ion transitions were m/z 725.5 > 144.1 for VCM and m/z 455.2 > 308.2 for methotrexate (internal standard). The agreement between UPLC–MS/MS and CLIA was evaluated by Bland–Altman plot in 179 samples. The calibration range of the UPLC–MS/MS method was 1–400 mg/L. The inaccuracy and imprecision were −0.69–10.80% and <4.95%. The internal standard normalized recovery and matrix factor were 86.14–99.31 and 85.84–92.07%, respectively. The measurements of CLIA and UPLC–MS/MS were strongly correlated (r > 0.98). The 95% limit of agreement of the ratio of CLIA to UPLC‐MS/MS was 61.66–107.40%. Further studies are warranted to confirm the results.     

A novel,rapid and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method for the determination of macitentan in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Macitentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist commonly used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A novel, rapid, simple and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for pharmacokinetic study and the determination of macitentan in PAH patients. Macitentan and bosentan, which are used as internal standards, were detected using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in positive ion and multiple reaction monitoring mode by monitoring the mass transitions m/z 589.1 → 203.3 and 552.6 → 311.5, respectively. Chromatographic separation was performed on a reverse‐phase C18 column (5 μm, 4.6 × 150 mm) with an isocratic mobile phase, which consisted of water containing 0.2% acetic acid–acetonitrile (90:10, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Retention times were 1.97 and 1.72 min for macitentan and IS, respectively. The calibration curve with high correlation coefficient (0.9996) was linear in the range 1–500 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantitation and average recovery values were determined as 1 ng/mL and 89.8%, respectively. This method is the first UPLC–MS/MS method developed and validated for the determination of macitentan from human plasma. The developed analytical method was fully validated for linearity, selectivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, stability, matrix effect and recovery according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The developed method was applied successfully for pharmacokinetic study and the determination of macitentan in PAH patients.     

Automated on-line column-switching HPLC-MS/MS method for measuring environmental phenols and parabens in serum

We developed a method using on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled to high performance liquid chromatography–isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) to measure the serum concentrations of seven environmental phenols and five parabens: bisphenol A; ortho-phenylphenol; 2,4-dichlorophenol; 2,5-dichlorophenol; 2,4,5-trichlorophenol; benzophenone-3; triclosan; and methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and benzyl-parabens. The phenols and parabens present in serum were retained and concentrated on a C18 reversed-phase size-exclusion SPE column, back-eluted from the SPE column while the eluate was diluted through a mixing Tee (analyte peak focusing), separated using a pair of monolithic HPLC columns, and detected by isotope dilution-MS/MS. Sample preparation did not require protein precipitation, only dilution of the serum with 0.1 M formic acid. This method, which combines an on-line SPE with analyte peak focusing feature and the selective atmospheric pressure photoionization MS detection, resulted in limits of detection ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 ng/mL for most of the analytes. The high throughput and adequate sensitivity with yet a relative low serum volume used (100 μL) confirm that analytically it is possible to measure simultaneously these phenols and parabens with the precision and accuracy at sub-parts-per-billion levels required for biomonitoring. However, important additional factors, including validated sample collecting, handling, and storing protocols, as well as toxicokinetic data, are required if these measures are used for exposure assessment.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定食用植物油中胆固醇含量

提出了食用植物油中胆固醇的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱测定方法。食用植物油经皂化后用石油醚-乙醚(1+1)溶液提取,以Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18色谱柱(50mm×2.1mm,5μm)为分离柱,以甲酸-甲醇(0.1+99.9)溶液为流动相,以2,2,3,4,4,6-d6胆固醇为内标,采用大气压化学电离源在多反应监测负离子模式下进行测定,胆固醇和内标的定量离子对分别为m/z369.2/146.9,369.2/160.9和375.2/166.5。胆固醇在0.1～5mg·L-1范围内呈线性,测定下限(10S/N)为0.02ng。在3个浓度水平上对方法做回收试验,测得回收率在102%～110%之间。     

Quantification of amlodipine and atorvastatin in human plasma by UPLC–MS/MS method and its application to a bioequivalence study

A robust, rapid and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method has been developed, optimized and validated for the determination of amlodipine (AML) and atorvastatin (ATO) in human plasma using eplerenone as an internal standard (IS). Multiple‐reaction monitoring in positive electrospray ionization mode was utilized in Xevo TQD LC–MS/MS. Double extraction was used in sample preparation using diethyl ether and ethyl acetate. The prepared samples were analyzed using an Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column. Ammonium formate and acetonitrile, pumped isocraticaly at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min, were used as a mobile phase. Method validation was done as per the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Linearity was achieved in the range of 0.1–10 ng/mL for AML and 0.05–50 ng/mL for ATO. Intra‐day and inter‐day accuracy and precision were calculated and found to be within the acceptable range. A short run time, of <1.5 min, permits analysis of a large number of plasma samples per batch. The developed and validated method was applied to estimate AML and ATO in a bioequivalence study in healthy human volunteers.     

A quantitative determination of fluorochloridone in rat plasma by UPLC‐MS/MS method: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A precise, high‐throughput and sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method has been developed for the determination of fluorochloridone (FLC) in rat plasma. The extraction of analytes from plasma samples was carried out by protein precipitation procedure using acetonitrile prior to UPLC‐MS/MS analysis. Verapamil was proved as a proper internal standard (IS) among many candidates. The chromatographic separation based on UPLC was well optimized. Multiple reaction monitoring in positive electrospray ionization was used with the optimized MS transitions at: m/z 312.0 → 292.0 for FLC and m/z 456.4 → 165.2 for IS. This method was well validated with good linear response (r² > 0.998) observed over the investigated range of 3–3000 ng/mL and with satisfactory stability. This method was also characterized with adequate intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy (within 12%) in the quality control samples, and with high selectivity and less matrix effect observed. Total running time was only 1.5 min. This method has been successfully applied to a pilot FLC pharmacokinetic study after oral administration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pharmacokinetic studies of a novel tubulin inhibitor SK1326 in rat plasma by UPLC–MS/MS

A sensitive method for quantitation of SK1326 in rat plasma has been established using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–ESI/MS/MS). SK1326 and the internal standard (tramadol) in plasma sample were extracted using acetonitrile. A centrifuged upper layer was then evaporated and reconstituted with a mobile phase of 0.5% formic acid–acetonitrile (35:65, v/v). The reconstituted samples were injected into a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. Using MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode, SK1326 and tramadol were detected without severe interference from the rat plasma matrix. SK1326 produced a protonated precursor ion ([M + H]⁺) at m/z 432.3 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 114.4. The internal standard produced a protonated precursor ion ([M + H]⁺) at m/z 264.4 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 58.1. Detection of SK1326 in rat plasma by the UPLC–ESI/MS/MS method was accurate and precise with a quantitation limit of 1.0 ng/mL. The validation, reproducibility, stability and recovery of the method were evaluated. The method has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of SK1326 in rat plasma. The pharmacokinetic parameters of SK1326 were evaluated after intravenous (at a dose of 10 mg/kg) and oral (at a dose of 20 mg/kg) administration of SK1326 in rats. After oral administration (20 mg/kg) of SK1326, the F (fraction absorbed) value was ~77.1%.     

UPLC‐MS/MS determination of voriconazole in human plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and rapid ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method was developed to determine voriconazole in human plasma. Sample preparation was accomplished through a simple one‐step protein precipitation with methanol. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column using an isocratic mobile phase system composed of acetonitrile and water containing 1% formic acid (45:55, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed using a QTrap5500 mass spectrometer coupled with an electrospray ionization source in the positive ion mode. The multiple reaction monitoring transitions of m/z 351.0 → 281.5 and m/z 237.1 → 194.2 were used to quantify voriconazole and carbamazepine (internal standard), respectively. The linearity of this method was found to be within the concentration range of 2.0–1000 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 2.0 ng/mL. Only 1.0 min was needed for an analytical run. This fully validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of 200 mg voriconazole to 20 Chinese healthy male volunteers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid-Phase Extraction Combined with UHPLC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Remifentanil in Human Whole Blood

A sensitive and reliable method have been developed and validated using solid phase extraction (SPE) combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to determine remifentanil in human blood. Quantification was performed by external standard calibration (r = 0.9991, n = 5). Remifentanil was separated on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) and analyzed in positive-ion electrospray-ionization (ESI +) mode. The mobile phase was methanol and water with a gradient elution program. The total run time was 4.5 min and injection volume was 5 μL. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 0.20 ng/mL and 0.60 ng/mL, respectively. Remifentanil was eluted at 1.89 min. Recoveries of remifentanil ranged between 91.88%–93.79%. The intra-day and the inter-day precision (RSD) for remifentanil were 2.51%–3.48% and 2.76%–3.78%, respectively. The performance of the method was successfully verified for the determination of remifentanil in human blood.