A validated liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of phencyclidine in microliter samples of rat serum

A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method is described for the determination of phencyclidine (PCP) in small volumes of rat serum (e.g. 50 microl). Samples were extracted using a mixed-mode strong cation-exchange column and then separated isocratically using a narrow-bore (2.1 mm i.d.) 3 microm Hypersil phenyl column and a mobile phase consisting of an ammonium formate buffer (pH 2.7) with 60% (v/v) methanol. Detection was accomplished using positive ion electrospray ionization in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Mass spectra were obtained and peaks were observed at an m/z (% abundance) of 244 (100), 159 (25), and 86 (89). Tandem mass spectra were also obtained from the m/z 244 precursor ion with peaks observed at m/z 159 (100), 86 (96), and 91 (11). Optimum serum PCP sensitivity and precision were obtained at a transition of m/z 244 --> 159. Matrix-associated ion suppression did not significantly affect the accuracy (100-112%) or precision (CV < or =8%) of the assay. The lower limit of quantitation was 1 ng ml(-1) in 50 microl of serum. The method was used to study the serum pharmacokinetics of PCP in rats after an intravenous bolus dose of PCP.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic mass spectrometric identification of the photoproducts of cymoxanil

The photochemical degradation of the fungicide cymoxanil {2-cyano-N-[(ethylamino)carbonyl]-2-(methoxyimino) acetamide} was studied in aqueous buffer solution (pH 5.9+/- 0.1) under UV light and in laboratory conditions. The degradation followed a pseudo- first-order kinetic with significant correlation coefficient. The main photoproducts were separated and tentatively identified by HPLC/UV and HPLC/MS data, as 3-ethyl-4-(methoxyamino)-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinecarbonitrile, 1-ethyl-5-(methoxyimino)-2,4-imidazolidin-2,4-dione, ethylimidazolidinetrione and {[(ethylamino)carbonyl]-amino}oxoacetic acid. A photolysis pathway of cymoxanil is proposed.     

Ion trap tandem mass spectrometric identification of thiabendazole phototransformation products on titanium dioxide

The purpose of this study is to artificially produce degradation intermediates of thiabendazole, which could be reasonably similar to those really present in the environment. The formation of by-products from thiabendazole transformation has been evaluated by adopting irradiated titanium dioxide as a photocatalyst. Several species more hydrophilic than the thiabendazole have been identified and characterized by HPLC-multiple MS. A pattern of reactions accounting for the observed intermediates is proposed. Two different parallel pathways are operating (and through these pathways the transformation of the molecule proceeds) leading to several intermediate compounds. The main steps involved are: (1) the hydroxylation of the molecule on the aromatic ring with the formation of a species having [M+H]+ 218; a further oxidation leads to the ring-opening and to the formation of aldehydic and alcoholic structures ([M+H]+ 270, 268 and 152); and (2) the cleavage of a C-C bond and the formation of a species having [M+H]+ 119.     

Liquid chromatographic/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric study of the phenolic composition of cocoa (Theobroma cacao)

Liquid chromatography coupled with ionspray mass spectrometry in the tandem mode (LC/MS/MS) with negative ion detection was used for the identification of a variety of phenolic compounds in a cocoa sample. Gradient elution with water and acetonitrile, both containing 0.1% HCOOH, was used. Standard solutions of 31 phenolic compounds, including benzoic and cinnamic acids and flavonoid compounds, were studied in the negative ion mode using MS/MS product ion scans. At low collisional activation, the deprotonated molecule [M - H](-) was observed for all the compounds studied. For cinnamic and benzoic acids, losses of CO(2) or formation of [M - CH(3)](-*) in the case of methoxylated compounds were observed. However, for flavonol and flavone glycosides, the spectra present both the deprotonated molecule [M - H](-) of the glycoside and the ion corresponding to the deprotonated aglycone [A - H](-). The latter ion is formed by loss of the rhamnose, glucose, galactose or arabinose residue from the glycosides. Different fragmentation patterns were observed in MS/MS experiments for flavone-C-glycosides which showed fragmentation in the sugar part. Fragmentation of aglycones provided characteristic ions for each family of flavonoids. The optimum LC/MS/MS conditions were applied to the characterization of a cocoa sample that had been subjected to an extraction/clean-up procedure which involved chromatography on Sephadex LH20 and thin-layer chromatographic monitoring. In addition to compounds described in the literature, such as epicatechin and catechin, quercetin, isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-O-glucoside) and quercetin-3-O-arabinose, other compounds were identified for the first time in cocoa samples, such as hyperoside (quercetin-3-O-galactoside), naringenin, luteolin, apigenin and some O-glucosides and C-glucosides of these compounds.     

Nevirapine quantification in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Application to bioequivalence study

A rapid, sensitive and specific method to quantify nevirapine in human plasma using dibenzepine as the internal standard (IS) was developed and validated. The method employed a liquid-liquid extraction. The analyte and the IS were chromatographed on a C(18) analytical column, (150 x 4.6 mm i.d. 4 microm) and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method had a chromatographic run time of 5.0 min and a linear calibration curve over the range 10-5000 ng ml(-1) (r(2) > 0.9970). The between-run precision, based on the relative standard deviation for replicate quality controls was 1.3% (30 ng ml(-1)), 2.8% (300 ng ml(-1)) and 3.6% (3000 ng ml(-1)). The between-run accuracy was 4.0, 7.0 and 6.2% for the above-mentioned concentrations, respectively. This method was employed in a bioequivalence study of two nevirapine tablet formulations (Nevirapina from Far-Manguinhos, Brazil, as a test formulation, and Viramune from Boehringer Ingelheim do Brasil Química e Farmacêutica, as a reference formulation) in 25 healthy volunteers of both sexes who received a single 200 mg dose of each formulation. The study was conducted using an open, randomized, two-period crossover design with a 3 week washout interval. The 90% confidence interval (CI) of the individual ratio geometric mean for Nevirapina/Viramune was 96.4-104.5% for AUC((0-last)), 91.4-105.1% for AUC((0-infinity)) and 95.3-111.6% for C(max) (AUC = area under the curve; C(max) = peak plasma concentration). Since both 90% CI for AUC((0-last)) and AUC((0-infinity)) and C(max) were included in the 80-125% interval proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration, Nevirapina was considered bioequivalent to Viramune according to both the rate and extent of absorption.     

Liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine metabolite NNAL in smokers' urine

A specific and rapid liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for NNAL, a metabolite of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine metabolite NNK. The metabolite was detected in smokers' urine with a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 20 pg ml(-1) and a linear range up to 1000 pg ml(-1). The method features a single solid-phase extraction step and MS/MS monitoring following electrospray ionization. Fragmentation pathways for the protonated molecular ion are proposed. The sample preparation is simpler than that for gas chromatographic methods reported in the literature and maintains sensitivity adequate for determining NNAL in smokers' urine. By using enzyme hydrolysis to determine total NNAL in urine, the amount of NNAL-glucuronide was calculated. A standard pooled smokers' urine sample used for development gave values of 176 +/- 8 pg ml(-1) free NNAL and 675 +/- 26 pg ml(-1) total NNAL following enzyme hydrolysis. The method was applied to a group of seven smokers; the free NNAL level for the group was 101-256 pg ml(-1) with NNAL-glucuronides at 247-566 pg ml(-1). The ratio of conjugated to free NNAL was in the range 0.98-2.95. The variability in total daily amount of NNAL excreted (ng per 24 h) had RSDs of 6-21% for free NNAL, 7-22% for conjugated NNAL and 6-20% for total NNAL excreted. When normalized to the number of cigarettes smoked, the amounts of NNAL excreted per cigarette smoked were in the range of amounts of NNK yields reported for cigarettes in the literature.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric assay for the quantitation of nucleoside HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors in biological matrices

Besides liquid chromatographic (LC)/UV methods adapted to therapeutic drug monitoring, there is still a need for more powerful techniques that can be used for pharmacological research and clinical purposes. We developed an LC method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to separate, detect and quantify with high sensitivity the nucleoside analogues used in multitherapies (zidovudine, stavudine, zalcitabine, didanosine, lamivudine and abacavir) in plasma and in the intracellular medium. We worked on two essential issues: (i) the need to use two ionization modes in order to achieve the best sensitivity, which leads to the optimization of the chromatographic separation of drugs detected in the positive ionization mode and drugs detected in the negative ionization mode, and (ii) the need to optimize the extraction step in order to enhance sample recovery. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were lysed in Tris buffer-MeOH. A clean-up procedure was performed by solid-phase extraction only for plasma samples. The LC separation was carried out on a Zorbax Stable Bond C(18) column followed by MS/MS analysis after electrospray ionization in either the negative or positive mode. The positive ionization mode was applied at the beginning of the run to detect zalcitabine and lamivudine, then the ionization mode was changed to negative for the detection of didanosine, stavudine, internal standard and zidovudine. The calibration range for all the analytes was 0.5-200 ng ml(-1). The recoveries were between 64 and 90%, with coefficients of variation (CVs) lower than 15%. The inaccuracy (bias) was +/-15% with CVs always lower than 12%. The analytes were stable at room temperature and in the extraction solvent for at least 24 h, after storage at -80 degrees C for 3 months, after three freeze-thaw cycles and in the injection solvent after 48 h at 4 degrees C. Together with the measurement of intracellular triphosphorylated metabolites thanks to the powerful plasma and intracellular assay method for intact drugs, it is possible to describe the behaviour of nucleoside analogues against HIV through plasma pharmacokinetics, cell membrane diffusion including drug transport involvement, and also the intracellular metabolism.     

Simple, sensitive and rapid liquid chromatographic/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric method for the quantification of lacidipine in human plasma

A simple, sensitive and rapid liquid chromatographic/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the quantification of lacidipine in human plasma using its structural analogue, amlodipine, as internal standard (IS). The method involves a simple single-step liquid-liquid extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether. The analyte was chromatographed on an Xterra MS C(18) reversed-phase chromatographic column by isocratic elution with 20 mM ammonium acetate buffer-acetonitrile (10:90, v/v; pH 6) and analyzed by mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 456.4 --> 354.4 and m/z 409.3 --> 238.3 were used to measure the analyte and the I.S., respectively. The chromatographic run time was 1.5 min and the weighted (1/x(2)) calibration curves were linear over the range 0.1-25 ng ml(-1). Lacidipine was sensitive to temperature in addition to light. The method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision, absolute recovery, freeze-thaw stability, bench-top stability and re-injection reproducibility. The limit of detection and lower limit of quantification in human plasma were 50 and 100 pg ml(-1), respectively. The within- and between-batch accuracy and precision were found to be well within acceptable limits (<15%). The analyte was stable after three freeze-thaw cycles (deviation <15%). The average absolute recoveries of lacidipine and amlodipine (IS) from spiked plasma samples were 51.1 +/- 1.3 and 50.3 +/- 4.9%, respectively. The assay method described here could be applied to study the pharmacokinetics of lacidipine.     

Fast analysis of 19 anabolic steroids in bovine tissues by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

For the detection of 19 steroid hormones in bovine muscle, a fast and sensitive liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method was developed using both positive and negative ionization mode. Chromatographic separation on Poroshell 120‐EC C18 column was achieved in less than 10 min using isocratic elution of mobile phase of acetonitrile/methanol/water. The compounds were extracted from muscle tissue using ethyl acetate and quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe technique. The purification of the obtained extract was performed by dispersive solid‐phase extraction with sorbents C18, primary secondary amine and magnesium sulphate. The method was validated in accordance with the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. For all steroids tested good recoveries were obtained (from 51.2 to 121.4%) in the concentration range from decision limits until 5 µg/kg. The values of decision limits and the detection capabilities for individual compounds were in the range 0.10–0.48 and 0.17–0.95 µg/kg, respectively. The method was characterized by satisfactory linearity for most compounds (correlation coefficients  > 0.99) and the reproducibility was lower than 35%. The elaborated procedure has met the criteria for confirmatory methods and is currently used in the official control of hormones.     

Investigations on the degradation of aspartame using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Aspartame is a widely used sweetener,the long-term safety of which has been controversial ever since it was accepted for human consumption.It is unstable and can produce some harmful degradation products under certain storage conditions.A high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of aspartame and its four degradation products,including aspartic acid,phenylalanine,aspartyl-phenylalanine and 5-benzyl-3,6-dioxo-2-piperazieacetic acid in water and in diet soft drinks.Aspartame and its four degradation products were quantified by a matrix matched external standard calibration curve with excellent correlation coefficients.The limits of detection were 0.16–5.8 mg/L,which exhibited higher sensitivity than common methods.This method was rapid,sensitive,specific and capable of eliminating matrix interferences.It was also applied to the study of the degradation of aspartame at various pH and temperatures.The results indicated that aspartame was partly degraded under strong acidic or basic conditions and the extent of degradation increased with increasing temperature.     

Identification of degradation products of indigoids by tandem mass spectrometry

The study concerns identification of photodegradation products of indigotin, indirubin and isoindigo. Experimental methodology consists of degradation of standard solutions of indigoids in a solar box and analysis of samples taken at different aging time by using capillary high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric and spectrophotometric detectors. Identification of the formed compounds was based on careful interpretation of the electrospray ionization MS/MS spectra. Apart from the well‐known degradation products of indigoids: isatin, isatoic anhydride and anthranilic acid, another seven species were also identified, and their proposed structures were confirmed by high‐resolution molecular masses measurements; according to the best knowledge of authors, they have not been reported so far. The obtained results formed the basis for postulating mechanism of the process. Moreover, the MRM (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) method was developed for the identification of natural dyes and their degradation products in textiles of historical value. Apart from such colorants as indigotin and flavonoids, also presence of degradation products of indigoids was confirmed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of capecitabine and its metabolite 5-fluorouracil by column switching and liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the quantitation of capecitabine and its metabolite 5-fluorouracil in human plasma. The simultaneous determination of both analytes was achieved by a column switching method using a trapping column and two analytical columns with different stationary phases. Isocratic elution was used for the separation of capecitabine on a C18 column whereas 5-fluorouracil was separated using gradient elution on an non-polar carbon phase. The calibration curves were linear for both compounds with a correlation factor (R2) > 0.9993 for 5-fluorouracil and >0.9942 for capecitabine. The assay was validated in the concentration range 5.00-1000 ng ml(-1) for both compounds. The intra-day precision was better than 10% for 5-fluorouracil and better than 11% for capecitabine whereas the inter-day precision was better than 8% for 5-fluorouracil and better than 14% for capecitabine.     

Metabolite identification of the antimalarial piperaquine in vivo using liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry in combination with multiple data‐mining tools in tandem

Artemisinin‐based combination therapy is widely used for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and piperaquine (PQ) is one of important partner drugs. The pharmacokinetics of PQ is characterized by a low clearance and a large volume of distribution; however, metabolism of PQ has not been thoroughly investigated. In this work, the metabolite profiling of PQ in human and rat was studied using liquid chromatography tandem high‐resolution LTQ‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry (HRMS). The biological samples were pretreated by solid‐phase extraction. Data processes were carried out using multiple data‐mining techniques in tandem, i.e., isotope pattern filter followed by mass defect filter. A total of six metabolites (M1–M6) were identified for PQ in human (plasma and urine) and rat (plasma, urine and bile). Three reported metabolites were also found in this study, which included N‐oxidation (M1, M2) and carboxylic products (M3). The subsequent N‐oxidation of M3 resulted in a new metabolite M4 detected in urine and bile samples. A new metabolic pathway N‐dealkylation was found for PQ in human and rat, leading to two new metabolites (M5 and M6). This study demonstrated that LC‐HRMSⁿ in combination with multiple data‐mining techniques in tandem can be a valuable analytical strategy for rapid metabolite profiling of drugs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

固相萃取-高效液相色谱/串联质谱法测定食醋中的3种甜味剂

建立了食醋中3种甜味剂的固相萃取-高效液相色谱/串联质谱分析方法。样品经酸性水稀释,弱阴离子固相萃取柱净化,Pursuit C18色谱柱分离,10 mmol/L醋酸铵(含0.1%氨水)和乙腈为流动相梯度洗脱,电喷雾负离子模式下多反应监测(MRM)模式检测。糖精钠、安赛蜜、甜蜜素的定量限分别为10、5、5 μg/kg,回收率为72.1%～96.8%,相对标准偏差小于15%。该方法准确、灵敏度高,可用于食醋中甜味剂的定性定量检验。     

Combination of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the detection of 21 anabolic steroid residues in bovine urine

For the detection of anabolic steroid residues in bovine urine, a highly sensitive liquid chromatographic/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed using both positive and negative ionization. For four compounds the ESI mode was not sensitive enough and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric GC/MS detection was therefore still necessary as a complementary method. The sample clean-up consisted of solid-phase extraction (SPE) on a C(18) column followed by enzymatic hydrolysis and a second solid-phase extraction on a combination of a C(18) and a NH(2) column. After this last SPE clean-up, the eluate was split into two equal aliquots. One aliquot was further purified and after derivatization used for GC/MS analysis. The other aliquot was analyzed with LC/MS/MS in both ESI+ and ESI- modes. The method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Decision limits (CCalpha) were between 0.16 and 1 ng ml(-1) for the compounds detected with the LC/MS/MS method. The developed method is used in routine analysis in our laboratory.     

Feasibility of a liquid-phase microextraction sample clean-up and liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric screening method for selected anabolic steroid glucuronides in biological samples

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are metabolized extensively in the human body, resulting mainly in the formation of glucuronide conjugates. Current detection methods for AAS are based on gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis of the hydrolyzed steroid aglycones. These analyses require laborious sample preparation steps and are therefore time consuming. Our interest was to develop a rapid and straightforward method for intact steroid glucuronides in biological samples, using liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) sample clean-up and concentration method combined with liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) analysis. The applicability of LPME was optimized for 13 steroid glucuronides, and compared with conventional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures. An LC/MS/MS method was developed for the quantitative detection of AAS glucuronides, using a deuterium-labeled steroid glucuronide as the internal standard. LPME, owing to its high specificity, was shown to be better suited than conventional LLE and SPE for the clean-up of urinary AAS glucuronides. The LPME/LC/MS/MS method was fast and reliable, offering acceptable reproducibility and linearity with detection limits in the range 2-20 ng ml(-1) for most of the selected AAS glucuronides. The method was successfully applied to in vitro metabolic studies, and also tested with an authentic forensic urine sample. For a urine matrix the method still has some unsolved problems with specificity, which should be overcome before the method can be reliably used for doping analysis, but still offering additional and complementary data for current GC/MS analyses.     

Determination of a metabolite of nifursol in foodstuffs of animal origin by liquid–liquid extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical method has been developed for the detection of a metabolite of nifursol, 3,5‐dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide, in foodstuffs of animal origin (chicken liver, pork liver, lobster, shrimp, eel, sausage, and honey). The method combines liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry with liquid–liquid extraction. Samples were hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid and derivatized with 2‐nitrobenzaldehyde at 37°C for 16 h. The solutions of derivatives were adjusted to pH 7.0−7.5, and the metabolite was extracted with ethyl acetate. 3,5‐Dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide determination was performed in the negative electrospray ionization method. Both isotope‐labeled internal standard and matrix‐matched calibration solutions were used to correct the matrix effects. Limits of quantification were 0.5 μg/kg for all samples. The average recoveries, measured at three concentration levels (0.5, 2.0, and 10 μg/kg) were in the range of 75.8–108.4% with relative standard deviations below 9.8%. The developed method exhibits a high sensitivity and selectivity for the routine determination and confirmation of the presence of a metabolite of nifursol in foodstuffs of animal origin.     

Quantification of bisphenol A and its selected analogs in serum using pre‐column derivatization with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

Due to regulation of the use of bisphenol A, several analogs serving as bisphenol A replacements have drawn substantial attention for their adverse health effects. To investigate their occurrence in humans and identify possible pollution sources, it is necessary to develop a sensitive method for total bisphenols detection. Thus, a method based on enzymolysis and liquid‐liquid extraction followed by molecularly imprinted polymer solid‐phase extraction and pre‐column derivatization with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was proposed. The developed method exhibited superior selectivity and sensitivity. The matrix effect can be eliminated to a great extent. The method detection limits for eight bisphenols were 0.05～0.19 ng/mL. Satisfactory recoveries (71～119%) were obtained by spiking bovine serum at three levels (0.8, 8 and, 20 ng/mL). The method was successfully applied to determine total bisphenols in the serum samples of children. Bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, bisphenol B and bisphenol F were detected with concentrations from below the method detection limit to 1.65, 0.45, 0.79, 2.04 and 0.17 ng/mL, respectively. These results indicate that bisphenol A remains the major pollutant among the studied bisphenols in children, whereas threats from bisphenol A analogs should also be monitored.     

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.     

Application of 1-alkylamines to a liquid chromatographic/turbo ionspray tandem mass spectrometric method for quantifying metabolites of a new bone anabolic agent,TAK-778, in human serum

We investigated the application of alkylamines, as additives to the mobile phase, to a quantification method for the metabolites, M-III and M-IV, of TAK-778, which is a new bone anabolic agent, in human serum using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Prior to setting up the analytical method, we found that 1-alkylamines co-existing with M-III and M-IV in the turbo ionsprayed solution formed 1-alkylammonium adduct molecules of these metabolites during the ionization process, and the abundance of the adduct ions was considerably higher than that of protonated molecules ([M + H](+)s) of these metabolites. Based on these findings, we investigated a variety of 1-alkylamines and their spiked concentrations in the mobile phase for LC/MS/MS analysis to obtain higher sensitivities for the quantification of these metabolites. After these examinations, we found that 1-hexylamine at a final concentration of 0.05 mmol l(-1) was the most suitable additive for the mobile phase, and set the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) ions for the 1-hexylammonium adduct molecule and [M + H](+), allowing about a fivefold gain in the SRM chromatographic peak compared with that without 1-hexylamine. The adduct ion was considered to be formed by interaction between the amino group of 1-hexylamine and the phosphoryl group of M-III and M-IV. The internal standard (I.S.) used was deuterated M-III for each metabolite. The analytes and I.S. were extracted with diethyl ether from serum samples at neutral pH and injected into the LC/MS/MS system with a turbo ionspray interface. The limit of quantification for both analytes was 0.5 ng ml(-1) when 0.1 ml of serum was used, and the calibration curves were linear in the range 0.5-100 ng ml(-1). The method was precise; the intra- and inter-day precisions of the method were not more than 5.6%. The accuracy of the method was good, with deviations between added and calculated concentrations of M-III and M-IV being typically within 16.6%. This method provided reliable pharmacokinetic data for M-III and M-IV after the intramuscular administration of TAK-778 sustained-release formulation in humans.