Determination of picogram amounts of lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A new method for the determination of lipoxins with electrochemical detection after high-performance liquid chromatography is described. The half-wave potentials of lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 at a glassy carbon electrode and a mobile phase of methanol-water (65:35 v/v) and 1 mM trifluoroacetic acid was found to be +1.14 V versus an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The use of trifluoroacetic acid instead of sulphuric acid and lithium perchlorate led to a background current of 6-8 nA at +1.20 V. The detection limits for both lipoxins, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1 were found to be 5-10 pg (15-30 fmol). The new method was applied to an extract of human polymorphonuclear granulocytes, preincubated with 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and stimulated with Ca2+ ionophore A23187.     

Determination of free and total phenylacetic and p- and m-hydroxyphenylacetic acids in human urine by liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

A highly sensitive and rapid liquid chromatographic method for the determination of free and total phenylacetic and p- and m-hydroxyphenylacetic acids in human urine is described. After extraction of urine with diethyl ether, these acids and phenylpropionic acid (internal standard) are converted into the corresponding fluorescent derivatives by treatment with 3-bromomethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinoxalinone in the presence of potassium hydrogen carbonate and 18-crown-6 in acetonitrile. The derivatives are separated on a reversed-phase column (Radial-Pak cartridge C18) with aqueous 65% (v/v) methanol and detected fluorimetrically. The detection limits for phenylacetic and p- and m-hydroxyphenylacetic acids are 5, 30 and 100 fmol, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5 in a 20-microliter injection volume. This sensitivity permits precise determination of the free and total acids in 20 microliter of normal human urine.     

Determination of serum cholestanol by semi‐micro high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A simple and sensitive method that dose not require derivatization for determining cholestanol has been developed using HPLC with electrochemical detection (HPLC‐ECD). The current peak height was linearly related to the amount of cholestanol injected, ranging from 1 to 200 μM (r = 0.999). The detection limit (S/N = 3) of cholestanol was 0.23 μM (1.2 pmol). Total cholestanol in control human and mouse serum was determined by the present method with a recovery rate of more than 90% and an RSD (n = 5) of less than 7.3%. Further, this method was successfully applied to monitor experimental hypercholestanolemia in mice fed a high‐cholestanol diet, an animal model of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). In conclusion, we found this method to be both simple and useful for the determination of cholestanol in serum, helping in the diagnosis of CTX. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Concomitant determination of thiamin and its phosphate esters in human blood and serum by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of thiamin and thiamin phosphate esters in human blood or serum has been developed. The eluent consists of acetonitrile and phosphate buffer, in the ratios 90:10 (v/v) for the elution of thiamine and 60:40 (v/v) for the phosphate esters. The four compounds are eluted within 15 min. The detection limit is 13-16 fmol. Between-assay variation is 5-11%. Samples of whole blood and serum from 30 healthy adults were analysed. The following reference values were obtained for 15 females 15 males (nM, mean +/- S.D.). In serum: thiamin, 10.9 +/- 2.9/16.9 +/- 3.3; thiamin monophosphate, 8.3 +/- 1.5/3.7 +/- 1.5. In whole blood: thiamin, 29.6 +/- 10.0/33.4 +/- 10.4; thiamin monophosphate, 9.7 +/- 2.3/10.9 +/- 5.1; thiamin diphosphate, 121 +/- 29.6/165 +/- 40.4.     

Determination of anti-virus drug, ganciclovir, in human serum by HPLC with precolumn fluorescence derivatization using phenylglyoxal.

A selective and highly sensitive liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ganciclovir (anti-virus drug) in human serum was described. After ganciclovir and acyclovir (internal standard; IS) were extracted with solid-phase extraction cartridge from serum, they were converted into fluorescent derivatives by reaction with phenylglyoxal in a phosphate buffer (pH 5.8) at 20 degrees C for 30 min. The derivatives were separated by reversed-phase column with a mixture of acetonitrile-1 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.2) (18:82, v/v), and were then detected spectrofluorometrically at 512 nm with excitation at 365 nm. Extraction recoveries were 87.0-91.6% for ganciclovir and 86.8-92.3% for IS. The detection limit for ganciclovir spiked to serum was 5 ng ml-1 serum (306 fmol on column) at a signal-to-noise ratio of three. The accuracy and precision of this method were 7.6% and 5.0% even at low concentration (20 ng ml-1). The within- and between-day variations are lower than 7.6% and 8.1%, respectively.     

Evaluation of ammonia as diluent for serum sample preparation and determination of selenium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the determination of total selenium in serum samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was evaluated. The method involved direct introduction of 1:5 diluted serum samples (1% v/v NH₄OH+0.05% w/v Triton X-100^®) into transversely heated graphite tubes, and the use of 10 μg Pd+3 μg Mg(NO₃)₂ as chemical modifier. Optimization of the modifier mass and the atomization temperature was conducted by simultaneously varying such parameters and evaluating both the integrated absorbance and the peak height/peak area ratio. The latter allowed the selection of compromise conditions rendering good sensitivity and adequate analyte peak profiles. A characteristic mass of 49 pg and a detection limit (3s) of 6 μg 1⁻¹ Se, corresponding to 30 μg l⁻¹ Se in the serum sample, were obtained. The analyte addition technique was used for calibration. The accuracy was assessed by the determination of total selenium in Seronorm™ Trace Elements Serum Batch 116 (Nycomed Pharma AS). The method was applied for the determination of total selenium in ten serum samples taken from individuals with no known physical affection. The selenium concentration ranged between 79 and 147 μg l⁻¹, with a mean value of 114±22 μg l⁻¹.     

Temperature optimization for improved determination of phosphatidylserine species by micro liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometric detection

A sensitive method for determination of disaturated phosphatidylserine species in the presence of their monounsaturated analogs has been developed, using micro liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The hydrophobic nature of the phosphatidylserine species required a combination of low-eluting sample solvents and sub-ambient temperatures in order to focus large sample volumes up to 20 microL. The samples were dissolved in 2-propanol:hexane:water (20:10:4, v/v/v) prior to 1:9 dilution with ammonium formate buffer:2-propanol:tetrahydrofuran (30:55:15, v/v/v) and final 1:4 dilution with ammonium formate buffer (10 mM):2-propanol: tetrahydrofuran (55:37.5:7.5, v/v/v). The analytical column was a 0.5 x 150 mm stainless steel column packed with 5 microm C30 particles, while the mobile phase contained ammonium formate buffer (10 mM): 2-propanol:tetrahydrofuran (30:55:15, v/v/v). A temperature program from 5 degrees C (hold for 3 minutes) to 75 degrees C at 8 K/min provided separation of the disaturated phosphatidylserine species from their monounsaturated analogs, making available a sensitive determination of the isobaric species. The mass limit of detection for dipalmitoyl phosphatidylserine was 100 pg, corresponding to a concentration limit of detection of 5 pg/microL when using an injection volume of 20 microL. This is an improvement by a factor of 20 as compared to previously reported numbers obtained with conventional LC columns. The within-assay precision of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylserine was 11.9% RSD (n = 3), while the retention time precision was 4.1% RSD (n = 6).     

Simple and highly sensitive determination of free fatty acids in human serum by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A highly sensitive and simple reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the quantitative determination of free fatty acids in human serum is presented. The method is based on the direct derivatization of serum fatty acids with 6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinoxalinone-3-propionylcarboxylic acid hydrazide. The derivatization reaction proceeds in aqueous solution in the presence of pyridine and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide at 37 degrees C. The resulting derivatives are separated within 75 min on a reversed phase column (YMC Pack C8) with a gradient elution of aqueous acetonitrile and detected fluorimetrically. The detection limits are 2.5-5 fmol in a 10 microL injection volume. The sensitivity permits precise determination of free fatty acids in 5 microL serum. The method is simple and is without the conventional liquid-liquid extraction steps of serum fatty acids.     

Determination of misoprostol free acid in human breast milk and serum by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

To study an expected transition of misoprostol from human blood into breast milk, a novel method for the determination of its active metabolite misoprostol acid (MPA) was developed. MPA was determined in serum and breast milk samples by an isotope dilution assay using gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC/NICI-MS/MS). After addition of (15S)-15-methylprostaglandin E(2) (15-methyl-PGE(2)) as an internal standard, MPA was extracted from both matrices using a reversed-phase cartridge. The prostanoids were derivatized with O-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl bromide (PFBB) to the pentafluorobenzyl oxime (PFBO)-pentafluorobenzyl ester (PFB) derivatives. The sample was subjected to thin-layer chromatography with ethyl acetate-hexane (1 : 1 (v/v)) as the developing solvent. The corresponding zone was extracted. After derivatization to the trimethylsilyl ether, MPA was determined by GC/NICI-MS/MS using the [molecule (M) - pentafluorobenzyl (PFB)](-) ([P](-)) ions as precursor in the negative ion chemical ionization mode. The product ions used for quantification were [P - 2TMSOH - C(6)F(5)CH(2)OH](-) (MPA) and [P - 2TMSOH - C(6)F(5)CH(2)OH - CO(2)](-)(15-methyl-PGE(2)), respectively. The limit of quantification for MPA was approximately 1 pg ml(-1) in breast milk and serum samples. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves for MPA were r > 0.997 in the 0.5-2000 pg ml(-1) range for both tested matrices.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of lansoprazole and its metabolites in human serum and urine.

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection is described for the simultaneous determination of lansoprazole and its metabolites in human serum and urine. The analytes in serum or urine were extracted with diethyl ether-dichloromethane (7:3, v/v) followed by evaporation, dissolution and injection into a reversed-phase column. The recoveries of authentic analytes added to serum at 0.05-2 micrograms/ml or to urine at 1-20 micrograms/ml were greater than 88%, with the coefficients of variation less than 7.1%. The minimum determinable concentrations of all analytes were 5 ng/ml in serum and 50 ng/ml in urine. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of lansoprazole in human.     

Simultaneous determination of manganese and selenium in serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for determination of manganese and selenium in serum by simultaneous atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) is proposed. The samples (30 mul) were diluted (1+3) to 1.0% v/v HNO(3)+0.10% w/v Triton X-100 directly in the autosampler cups. A total of 20 mug Pd+10 mug Mg(NO(3))(2) was used as chemical modifier. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for the simultaneous heating program were 1200 and 2300 degrees C, respectively. The addition of an oxidant mixture (15% w/w H(2)O(2)+1.0% v/v HNO(3)) and the inclusion of a low temperature pyrolysis step (400 degrees C) attenuated the build-up of carbonaceous residues onto the integrated platform. An aliquot of 15 mul of the reference or sample solution was introduced into the graphite tube and heated at 80 degrees C; subsequently, 10 mul of oxidant mixture+10 mul of chemical modifier was introduced over that aliquot and the remaining heating program steps were executed. This strategy allowed at least 250 heating cycles for each THGA tube without analytical signal deterioration. The characteristic masses for manganese (6 pg) and selenium (46 pg) were estimated from the analytical curves. The detection limits were 6.5 pg (n=20, 3delta) for manganese and 50 pg (n=20, 3delta) for selenium. The reliability of the entire procedure was checked with the analysis of serum from Seronormtrade mark Trace Elements in Serum (Sero AS) and by addition and recovery tests (97+/-9% for manganese and 96+/-7% for selenium) using five serum samples.     

Simultaneous determination of bisphenol A, triclosan, and tetrabromobisphenol A in human serum using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-electron capture negative-ionization mass spectrometry

This study aimed at optimizing and validating a sensitive method for simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in human serum using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography coupled to electron-capture negative-ionization mass spectrometry (GC-ECNI/MS). Sample preparation involved denaturation of serum proteins with formic acid followed by SPE on an Oasis HLB cartridge. Fractionation was performed on Florisil from which the phenolic compounds were eluted with methanol-dichloromethane (DCM) (5:1, v/v). The phenolic fraction was further derivatized with pentafluoropropionic acid anhydride (30 min at 70 degrees C). Further liquid-liquid partitioning using hexane-DCM (4:1, v/v) and K(2)CO(3) 3% aqueous solution was used to eliminate excess reagent and acidic by-products formed during derivatization. The cleaned extract was injected into a GC-ECNI/MS system operated in selected ion monitoring mode. For thorough method validation, each step of the procedure was rigorously optimized. The method limits of quantitation for BPA, TCS, and TBBPA were 0.28 ng mL(-1), 0.09 ng mL(-1) and 0.05 ng mL(-1), respectively. Furthermore, the method was applied to 21 Belgian human serum samples. The median concentrations obtained for BPA (0.71 ng mL(-1)) and TCS (0.52 ng mL(-1)) in Belgian human serum samples were similar to previously reported data for human fluids. Slightly higher levels of TBBPA (0.08 ng mL(-1)) were found in Belgium samples compared to Norwegian serum.     

Simultaneous femtomole determination of cysteine, reduced and oxidized glutathione, and phytochelatin in maize (Zea mays L.) kernels using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Thiol compounds such as cysteine (Cys), reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) gluathione, and phytochelatins (PCs) play an important role in heavy metal detoxification in plants. These thiols are biological active compounds whose function is elimination of oxidative stress in plant cells. The aim of our work was to optimise sensitive and rapid method of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detector (HPLC-ED) for determination of the abovementioned thiol compounds in maize (Zea mays L.) kernels. New approach for evaluation of HPLC-ED parameters is described. The most suitable isocratic mobile phase for the separation and detection of Cys, GSH, GSSG and PC2 consisted of methanol (MeOH) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). In addition, the influence of concentrations of TFA and ratio of MeOH:TFA on chromatographic separation and detection of the thiol compounds were studied. The mobile phase consisting from methanol and 0.05% (v/v) TFA in ratio 97:3 (%; v/v) was found the most suitable for the thiol compounds determination. Optimal flow rate of the mobile phase was 0.18 ml min(-1) and the column and detector temperature 35 degrees C. Hydrodynamic voltammograms of all studied compounds was obtained due to the selection of the most effective working electrodes potentials. Two most effective detection potentials were selected: 780 mV for the GSSG and PC2 and 680 mV for determination of Cys and GSH. The optimised HPLC-ED method was capable to determine femtomole levels of studied compounds. The detection limits (3 S/N) of the studied thiol compounds were for cysteine 112.8 fmol, GSH 63.5 fmol, GSSG 112.2 fmol and PC2 2.53 pmol per injection (5 microl). The optimised HPLC-ED method was applied to study of the influence of different cadmium concentrations (0, 10 and 100 microM Cd) on content of Cys, GSH, GSSG and PC2 in maize kernels. According to the increasing time of Cd treatment, content of GSH, GSSG and PC2 in maize kernels increased but content of Cys decreased. Decreasing Cys concentration probably relates with the increasing GSH and phytochelatins synthesis.     

Assay of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase utilizing a silica cartridge column and 5 alpha-cholestane-3 beta, 7 beta-diol as an internal standard

A simplified and accurate assay of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity using 5 alpha-cholestane-3 beta,7 beta-diol as an internal standard is described. Endogenous microsomal cholesterol was used as the substrate. Following incubation and addition of the internal standard, lipids extracted from the incubation mixture were applied to Bond-Elut silica cartridge columns. 7 alpha-Hydroxycholesterol, 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol and the internal standard were quantitatively recovered by eluting the column with 6 ml of benzene-ethyl acetate (2:3, v/v) after removal of cholesterol with 6 ml of benzene-ethyl acetate (9:1, v/v). After trimethylsilylation, the mass of 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol was determined by capillary gas chromatography with selected-ion monitoring. The method permits a faster, easier and more sensitive determination of the activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase in small samples.     

Preparation of a fluorescent derivative of benzoylecgonine, and preliminary studies of its application to the analysis of urine.

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method using 3-bromomethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinoxalinone (Br-DMEQ) as a fluorescent labeling reagent is described for the determination of benzoylecgonine (BE) and ecgonine (EC). The Br-DMEQ derivatives of BE and EC were separated on a C18 column and detected at 455 nm with excitation at 370 nm. The detection limits of the proposed method were 18.7 fmol for BE and 12.5 pmol for EC at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Relative standard deviations of five replicate measurements were 1.94% (10 pmol) and 2.98% (50 pmol) for BE and 6.3% (250 pmol) and 5.62% (1.25 pmol) for EC. This method was applied to the determination of BE in human urine. BE was extracted from urine by solvent extraction with chloroform-isopropyl alcohol (9:1, v/v) solution. Levels of 2.5.10(-8) M BE in urine (25 pmol/ml) could be determined.     

固相萃取结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法及气相色谱-负化学源质谱法测定人血清中的四溴双酚A、六溴环十二烷和多溴联苯醚

建立了固相萃取同时提取、净化血清中四溴双酚A(TBBPA)、α, β, γ-六溴环十二烷(HBCD)和8种多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)同系物的样本前处理方法,并结合色谱-质谱分离分析技术检测人血清样本中该类化合物的含量。试样在加入各自的同位素内标物后以甲基叔丁基醚/正己烷(1:1, v/v)混合溶剂进行萃取,再经浓硫酸去除脂肪后,以LC-Si固相萃取柱分离HBCD/TBBPA和PBDEs。采用分步检测的方式,在50 mm长BEH C18反相色谱柱上以超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)的多反应监测模式(MRM)检测HBCD和TBBPA,在15 m长的毛细管柱上以气相色谱-负化学源质谱(GC-NCI/MS)的选择离子监测模式(SIM)检测PBDEs。以胎牛血清为空白基质,当HBCD、TBBPA和BDE-209的加标水平为0.5 ng/g和5 ng/g、三溴至七溴联苯醚的加标水平为0.05 ng/g和0.5 ng/g时,它们的平均加标回收率为80.3%～108.8%,相对标准偏差为1.02%～11.42%(n=5);以信噪比(S/N)为3计算,方法的检出限(LOD)为1.81～42.16 pg/g。采用该方法对实际样品进行测定,结果表明,本方法快速、准确、灵敏度高,能够满足血清中HBCD、TBBPA和PBDEs残留的同时提取及测定的要求。     

Simultaneous liquid chromatographic measurement of melatonin and related indoles through post-column electrochemical demethylation and fluorescence derivatization.

In this paper we describe a highly sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic method for the determination of 5-methoxyindoles (5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid, 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-methoxytryptophol, and melatonin) using a post-column technique involving electrolytic demethylation followed by fluorescence derivatization with benzylamine. We separated these compounds within 30 min by reversed-phase liquid chromatography using acetate buffer (pH 6.5)-acetonitrile-methanol [8:1:1 (v/v); isocratic elution] and then demethylated them, using a commercial coulometric system, to give the corresponding 5-hydroxyindoles. Next, we converted the 5-hydroxyindole products into fluorescent derivatives by their reactions with benzylamine in the presence of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). We detected the derivatives spectrofluorometrically at 480 nm upon excitation at 345 nm. The detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of the 5-methoxyindoles were in the range from 12 to 93 fmol per 20-microL injection.     

Formation and metabolism of pungent principle of Capsicum fruits. XV. Microdetermination of capsaicin by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A new, highly sensitive method for quantitative separation and determination of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection is elaborated. The method employs a Cosmosil 5Ph column eluted with 100 mM potassium dihydrogenphosphate containing 45% acetonitrile (pH 5.0) at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min, and an electrochemical detector (at a potential of +750 mV versus the Ag/AgCl electrode). The detection limits for both capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were 12 pg (39 fmol) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. By applying this method, the biological half-life of capsaicin in the rat was investigated.     

Determination of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in human serum by liquid chromatography after fluorescence labeling based on the Suzuki coupling reaction

A simultaneous method for the determination of haloperidol (HP) and its metabolite, reduced haloperidol (RHP), in human serum was developed by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Suzuki coupling reaction with a fluorescent arylboronic acid, 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenylboronic acid (DPA), was employed to convert HP and RHP into highly fluorescent compounds. HP and RHP were extracted from human serum by liquid-liquid extraction with a mixture of n-hexane and isoamyl alcohol (99:1, v/v) and subsequently labeled by reaction with DPA. Separation of DPA derivatives of HP and RHP was performed on a silica column with a mixture of acetonitrile and H(2)O (90:10, v/v) containing triethylamine and acetic acid as a mobile phase. The proposed method allowed sensitive detection of HP and RHP in human serum with a detection limit (at a signal to noise ratio of 3) of 0.22 and 0.20 ng/mL, respectively. The applicability of the method for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) was demonstrated by analyzing human serum samples from schizophrenic patients receiving HP.     

Development of a fast sample treatment for the analysis of free and bonded sterols in human serum by LC‐MS

The analysis of sterols in biological fluids allows the clinical study of cholesterol related diseases. This research is focused on reducing the sample processing time of the determination of free and bonded sterols in human serum. Ten sterols were studied: cholesterol precursors (desmosterol, lanosterol, and cholestanol); phytosterols (stigmasterol, campesterol, sitosterol, and sitostanol) and oxysterols (7‐α‐hydroxy‐4‐cholesten‐3‐one, 24‐hydroxycholesterol, and 27‐hydroxycholesterol). Ultrasound assistance was used to diminish the reaction time during the alkaline hydrolysis for determining total sterols. Different retention mechanisms of solid‐phase extraction were compared, two reversed‐phase sorbents DSC‐18 and polymeric Oasis‐HLB and a novel zirconia‐coated silica phase. DSC‐18 and zirconia‐coated silica were the most suitable sorbents to analyze these metabolites. The resulting extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The analytical parameters were determined and better values were observed with DSC‐18 cartridges for most sterols. LOQ were in the low ng/mL level. Recoveries were in the range 85–99%. Average intermediate precision was 15%. Accuracy for both cartridges was more than 92%. Zirconia‐coated silica showed better performance for the oxysterols, with recoveries around 90%. The procedure allows the determination of free and bonded sterol precursors, phytosterols, and oxysterols in human serum.