Assay of nicergoline and three metabolites in human plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry.

A method for the simultaneous determination of nicergoline and three of its metabolites in human plasma and urine has been developed using high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry. Nicergoline and its metabolites were extracted from the plasma and urine samples with chloroform and separated on a reversed-phase ODS column. The eluents were led to the atmospheric pressure ionization interface and then analysed in the selected-ion monitoring mode. The detection limits of nicergoline and three of its metabolites were ca. 2 ng/ml in plasma and ca. 10 ng/ml in urine, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 4.     

Determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine in urine by solid phase extraction and ion-pair liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry

A method using a solid phase extraction (SPE) and ion-pair liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ES-MS/MS) was developed for determination of amphetamine (Amp) and methamphetamine (mAmp) in urine samples. A reversed phase C₁₈ column was utilized for LC separation and MS/MS was used for detection. Trifluoroacetic acid was added to the mobile phase as an ion-pairing reagent. MS² was employed for quantitative determination. In addition, d₈-amphetamine and d₈-methamphetamine were used as internal standards. An Oasis HLB SPE cartridge, which has hydrophilic and lipophilic functions, was utilized for sample pre-treatment. Recoveries ranging from 97.3 to 102.1% were measured. Good linear ranges, 5-500 ng/ml, for Amp and mAmp were determined. The detection limit of each analytical compound, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, was approximately 1 ng/ml. The applicability of this newly developed method was examined by analyzing several urine samples from drug users.     

Analysis of blood and urine samples from Macaca mulata for pyronaridine by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

We describe a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection for quantifying pyronaridine in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulata) blood and urine samples. The detection limit is 20 ng/ml at a signal-to-noise ratio of 4 in 0.5-ml samples of blood or urine. Blood analysis includes a liquid-liquid extraction and a subsequent solid-phase extraction that removes an interferent present in blood. For urine, a back-extraction is substituted for the solid-phase extraction step. The method uses an analogue of amodiaquine as internal standard, a 10-microns rigid macroporous styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer column and a mobile phase of 1% (v/v) triethylamine in methanol-water (34:66, v/v). The method was applied to samples of blood and urine from a monkey after a single intramuscular dose of pyronaridine tetraphosphate (160 mg as base).     

Direct determination of estriol 3- and 16-glucuronides in pregnancy urine by column-switching liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Using column-switching liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we developed an improved analytical method of urinary estriol glucuronides. This new method is derived predominantly from maternal and fetal precursors in pregnancy. We used in the following procedure: first, we filtered urine samples with a membrane filter. Next, we directly injected the 50 microL aliquot of urine samples onto a pre-column. Then, after activating the column-switching valve, we backflushed the loaded samples onto the C(18) analytical column. Urine samples can be assayed within 20 min without any sample preparation steps. We monitored separated estriol glucuronides by negative electrospray ionization (ESI) and selected-reaction monitoring (SRM). The calibration range of estriol-3-glucuronide (E3-3G) and estriol-16-glucuronide (E3-16G) was 0.1-20 microg/mL and the linearity of the method was 0.9984 for E3-3G and 0.9987 for E3-16G. The limits of detection at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 3 were 10 ng/mL (E3-3G) and 5 ng/mL (E3-16G). The analytical recovery was over 85% and, in general, inter-day and intra-day variability for precision and accuracy were less than 10%. When applied to a pregnancy urine sample to biomedical monitoring of the function of the maternal/fetal unit, the proposed method allowed rapid and sensitive screening for the detection of E3-3G and E3-16G.     

Determination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in urine by online solid-phase extraction and ion-pairing liquid chromatography with detection by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A method using an online solid-phase extraction (SPE) and ion-pairing liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ES-MS/MS) was developed for determination of amphetamine (Amp), methamphetamine (mAmp), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in urine samples. A SPE cartridge column with both hydrophilic and lipophilic functions was utilized for online extraction. A reversed-phase C18 LC column was employed for LC separation and MS/MS was used for detection. Trifluoroacetic acid was added to the mobile phase as an ion-pairing reagent. This method was fully automated and the extraction and analysis procedures were controlled by a six-port switch valve. Recoveries ranging from 85-101% were measured. Good linear ranges (10-500 ng/mL) for Amp and mAmp were determined. For MDA, MDMA and MDEA, dual linear ranges were obtained from 5-100 and 100-500 ng/mL, respectively. The detection limit of each analytical compound, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, ranged from 1-3 ng/mL. The applicability of this newly developed method was examined by analyzing several urine samples from drug users. Good agreement was obtained between the results from this method and a literature GC/MS method.     

Determination of flunitrazepam and 7-aminoflunitrazepam in human urine by on-line solid phase extraction liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry

A method using an on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography with electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ES-MS/MS) for the determination of flunitrazepam (FM2) and 7-aminoflunitrazepam (7-aminoFM2) in urine was developed. A mixed mode Oasis HLB SPE cartridge column was utilized for on-line extraction. A reversed phase C₁₈ LC column was employed for LC separation and MS/MS was used for detection. Sample extraction, clean-up and elution were performed automatically and controlled by a six-port valve. Recoveries ranging from 94.8 to 101.3% were measured. For both 7-aminoFM2 and FM2, dual linear ranges were determined from 20 to 200 and 200-2000 ng/ml, respectively. The detection limit for each analyte based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 ranged from 1 to 3 ng/ml. The intra-day and inter-day precision showed coefficients of variance (CV) ranging from 4.6 to 8.5 and 2.6-9.2%, respectively. The applicability of this newly developed method was examined by analyzing several urine samples.     

Mass fragmentographic determination of prostaglandin F2 alpha in human and rabbit urine

Analysis of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in urine is a useful indicator of renal prostaglandin synthesis. A mass fragmentographic method for PGF2 alpha analysis in human urine was developed using [3,3,4,4-2H4]PGF2 alpha as an internal standard and carrier. PGF2 alpha was extracted from urine (20 ml) with chloroform, purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography and converted to the methyl ester trimethylsilyl ether before analysis by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. The specificity of the urine analysis was demonstrated by retention time and the use of two pairs of fragments m/e 494/498 and 513/517 with the same results. The coefficient of variation for duplicate analysis averaged 12.6%, n = 17. Urine from recumbent women contained 4.9 +/- 2.6 (S.D.) ng/ml or 4.1 +/- 1.0 ng PGF2 alpha per mg creatinine (n = 10) with little diurnal variation. Male urine contained 5.0 +/- 2.7 (S.D.) ng/ml or 3.7 +/- 2.1 ng/mg creatinine (n = 10). Similar concentrations were found in boys and in girls. These observations indicate that urinary PGF2 alpha originates from the kidneys with little contribution from the male accessory sexual glands. This method can also be applied to analysis of PGF2 alpha in rabbit urine.     

Simultaneous analysis of urinary 4,4'-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) and N-acetyl 4,4'-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Analysis of 4,4'-methylenebis(2-cholroaniline) (MOCA) or its metabolites in urine has been considered as the appropriate method to assess MOCA exposures through inhalation and skin absorption. MOCA and its metabolite, N-acetyl 4,4'-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (acetyl-MOCA), are analyzed using methods either limited by sensitivity or sample preparation. Therefore, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously analyze MOCA and acetyl-MOCA in urine to serve as biomarkers for MOCA exposure. Protein was precipitated by using acetonitrile, and SPE were applied to clean up samples to eliminate the matrix effect and to improve the recovery. The limit of quantitation of this method was at 1.0 ng/mL for MOCA and 0.03 ng/mL for acetyl-MOCA (signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio = 10). Urinary MOCA and acetyl-MOCA levels in MOCA-exposed workers were analyzed and quantitated to be 191.9 +/- 373.2 (mean +/- standard deviation (SD)) and 11.79 +/- 23.8 ng/mL (N = 54) with the median values 38.6 and 1.8 ng/mL, respectively. MOCA concentrations are significantly correlated with their corresponding acetyl-MOCA levels in urine (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.916, p < 0.001). These results show that this method has been successfully developed and provides high-throughput potential to analyze MOCA and acetyl-MOCA to serve as exposure biomarkers for future study of the potential health effects associated with MOCA exposures.     

Determination of theophylline in serum by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical-ionization (APCI HPLC/MS)

 A method for the determination of theophylline (TH), without derivatization, in serum by isotope dilution mass spectrometry using labelled [1, 3-¹⁵N₂-2-¹³C]theophylline (LTH) as internal standard is described. After deproteinization, the analyte is directly injected into a high performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometer operating with atmospheric-pressure chemical-ionization (APCI HPLC/MS). The concentrations of TH in sera measured by APCI HPLC/MS are compared with results from gas chromatography – isotope dilution mass spectrometry (GC-ID/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). The accuracy, precision and recovery of the APCI HPLC/MS and GC-ID/MS methods are discussed. The coefficient of variation (CV) determined from duplicate samples was less than 2%. The detection limit was 10 ng/ml at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. Received: 17 January 1996/Revised: 26 March 1996/Accepted: 5 April 1996     

Simultaneous determination of ampicillin and sulbactam by liquid chromatography: post-column reaction with sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite using an active hollow-fibre membrane reactor

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of ampicillin (ABPC) and sulbactam (SBT) in serum and urine. The method involves separation of ABPC and SBT from the background components of serum and urine on a C18 column, post-column reaction with sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite using an active hollow-fibre membrane reactor, and detection at 270 nm. At ABPC and SBT concentrations of 10 and 5 micrograms/ml in urine and serum samples, the precisions (relative standard deviations) were 0.9-2.5% (n = 8). The detection limits were 20 and 5 ng for ABPC and SBT, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.     

Identification of the aromatase inhibitors anastrozole and exemestane in human urine using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Anastrozole (2,2'-[5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1.3-phenylene]bis(2-methylpropionitrile)) and exemestane (6-methylenandrostan-1,4-diene-3,17-dione) are therapeutically used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. For doping purposes they may be used to counteract adverse effects of an extensive abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (gynaecomastia) and to increase plasma testosterone concentrations. Excretion study urine samples and spot urine samples from women suffering from metastatic breast cancer, being treated with anastrozole or exemestane, were collected and analyzed to develop/optimize a detection system for anastrozole and exemestane to allow the identification of athletes who do not comply with the internationally prohibited use of these cancer drugs. The assay was based on liquid-liquid extraction after enzymatic hydrolysis following liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Anastrozole, exemestane and its main metabolite (17-dihydroexemestane) were identified in urine by comparison of mass spectra and retention times with respective reference substances. An assay validation for the analysis of anastrozole and exemestane was performed regarding lower limits of detection (anastrozole: 0.02 ng/mL; exemestane: 3.1 ng/mL; dihydroexemestane: 0.5 ng/mL), interday precisions (6.6-11.1%, 4.9-9.1% and 5.6-8.3% for low [10 ng/mL], medium [50 ng/mL] and high [100 ng/mL] concentration) and recoveries (ranged from 85-97%).     

Determination of clenbuterol residues in bovine urine by optical immunobiosensor assay

Clenbuterol (CBL) is an orally active beta2-adrenoceptor agonist which has been used in veterinary medicine as a broncodilator and an agent of uterine relaxation. It has however become better known as a drug used illegally to promote growth in farm animals. A rapid and sensitive biosensor assay was developed to detect CBL residues in bovine urine. The method involved a simple extraction procedure using tert-butyl methyl ether followed by analysis on the biosensor with results obtained against a buffer calibration curve. The assay allowed up to 88 samples to be analyzed per working day, with each cycle on the biosensor taking approximately 7 min to complete. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined as 0.27 ng/mL using 20 EU reference blank urine samples. The intra-assay Sr ranged from 4.7-7.6% for 3 control samples while the interassay Sr ranged from 9.2-12.7%. The recovery was found to be approximately 95%. A series of incurred urine samples were assayed and the results compared by Enzyme immunoassay (EIA), radio-immunoassay (RIA), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Urine samples taken from local abattoirs were also analyzed by the biosensor method and by EIA analysis. The antibody used in the biosensor test exhibited high cross reactivity with at least 7 other beta-agonists allowing detection of these compounds at less than 1 ng/mL in bovine urine.     

LC-ESI/MS/MS method for rapid screening and confirmation of 44 exogenous anabolic steroids in human urine

A sensitive and rapid method based on liquid chromatography-triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) has been developed and validated for the screening and confirmation of 44 exogenous anabolic steroids (29 parent steroids and 15 metabolites) in human urine. The method involves an enzymatic hydrolysis, liquid-liquid extraction, and detection by LC-MS/MS. A triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in positive ESI mode with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode for the screening and product ion scan mode for the confirmation. The protonated molecular ions were used as precursor ions for the SRM analysis and product ion scan. The intraday and interday precisions of the target analytes at concentrations of the minimum required performance levels for the screening were 2-14% and 2-15%, respectively. The limits of detection for the screening and confirmation method were 0.1-10 ng/mL and 0.2-10 ng/mL, respectively, for 44 steroids. This method was successfully applied to analysis of urine samples from suspected anabolic steroid abusers.     

Quantitative analysis of veralipride in plasma and urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection

A highly sensitive and selective quantitative assay for unchanged veralipride has been developed. The compound is extracted from alkalized samples (plasma or urine) with dichloromethane and converted to its trimethylated derivative by reaction with trimethylanilinium hydroxide. The reaction mixture is then chromatographed on a 3% OV-1 column. Trimethylated derivatives of plasma samples were assayed by selected-ion monitoring in the chemical-ionization mode and quantified by comparing the intensity of the quasi-molecular ion m/z 426 (M + H) with the intensity of the corresponding ion from trideuterated internal standard, m/z 429 (M + H). Flame-ionization detection was used for the assay of urine samples. The peak height ratio of trimethylated veralipride over trimethylated sulpiride, the internal standard, was used for quantitation of urine samples. A relative standard deviation of less than 10% was found when quantifying 10 ng/ml veralipride in plasma or 1 microgram/ml in urine.     

Quantitation of anabolic hormones and their metabolites in bovine serum and urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A specific and sensitive method based on tandem mass spectrometry with on-line high-performance liquid chromatography using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (LC–APCI-MS–MS) for the quantitation of anabolic hormone residues (17β-19-nortestosterone, 17β-testosterone and progesterone) and their major metabolites (17-19-nortestosterone and 17-testosterone) in bovine serum and urine is reported. [²H₂]17β-Testosterone was used as internal standard. The analytes were extracted from urine (following enzymatic hydrolysis) and serum samples by liquid–liquid extraction and purified by C₁₈ solid-phase extraction. Ionisation was performed in a heated nebulizer interface operating in the positive ion mode, where only the protonated molecule, [M+H]⁺, was generated for each analyte. This served as precursor ion for collision-induced dissociation and two diagnostic product ions for each analyte were identified for the unambiguous hormone confirmation by selected reaction monitoring LC–MS–MS. The overall inter-day precision (relative standard deviation) ranged from 6.37 to 2.10% and from 6.25 to 2.01%, for the bovine serum and urine samples, respectively, while the inter-day accuracy (relative error) ranged from −5.90 to −3.18% and from −6.40 to −2.97%, for the bovine serum and urine samples, respectively. The limit of quantitation of the method was 0.1 ng/ml for all the hormones in bovine serum and urine. On account of its high sensitivity and specificity the method has been successfully used to confirm illegal hormone administration for regulatory purposes.     

Analysis of a new H2 receptor antagonist, 3-amino-5-[3-[4-(1-piperidinoindanyloxy)]propylamino]-1-methyl-1 H-1,2,4-triazole, in human plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of a new H2 receptor antagonist, 3-amino-5-[3-[4-(piperidinoindanyloxy)]propylamino] -1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole (I), in human plasma and urine was developed. The method employs liquid-liquid extraction of the analyte and an internal standard and chromatographic separation using an alkylphenyl-bonded HPLC column. The total time of chromatography was less than 10 min. Sensitivity was 10 ng/ml for the plasma analysis and 1 microgram/ml for the analysis of I from urine. The coefficients of variation, based on interpolated concentrations, were less than 10%. The method was used for more than 5000 samples during clinical pharmacokinetic studies.     

Direct determination of nucleosides in the urine of patients with breast cancer using column-switching liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

We developed an analytical method for a simple, sensitive and simultaneous determination of oxidized nucleosides in urine using column-switching liquid chromatography-electrospray/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS). We connected two columns through a six-way switching valve and effectively separated nucleosides in the urine from the interference by column-switching liquid chromatography. We monitored separated nucleosides using positive ionization tandem mass spectrometry in selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The calibration ranges of nucleosides were 0.2-100 nmol/mL. The linearity of the method was 0.994-0.999, and the limits-of-detection (LOD) at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 3 were 0.1-0.2 nmol/mL. The coefficients of variation were in the range 2.28-11.74% for within-day variation and 4.36-11.15% for day-to-day variation, respectively. To explore the relationship between breast cancer and the nucleosides level in human urine, we measured the concentrations of nucleosides in female patients with breast cancer (n = 30) and in normal female subjects (n = 30). The concentration of nucleosides was significantly increased in patients with breast cancer when compared with the normal controls (1-methyladenosine; p < 0.005, N(2),N(2)-dimethylguanosine; p < 0.01, 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine; p < 0.001, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine; p < 0.001). Therefore, the elevated levels of nucleosides could be used as an important biomarker for breast-cancer research.     

Determination of phenoxyacid herbicides and their phenolic metabolites in surface and drinking water.

An evaluation was made of the feasibility of using reversed-phase liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with an electrospray interface (LC/ESI-MS/MS) to measure traces of phenoxyacid herbicides and their metabolites in surface and drinking water samples. The procedure involved passing 0.5 L of river and drinking water samples through a 0.5 g graphitized carbon black (GCB) extraction cartridge. Recovery was higher than 85% irrespective of the aqueous matrix in which the analytes were dissolved. A conventional 4.6-mm i.d. reversed-phase LC C-18 column operating with a mobile phase flow rate of 1 mL/min was used to chromatograph the analytes. A flow of 200 microL/min of the column effluent was diverted to the ESI source. The limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of the method for the pesticides considered in drinking and surface water samples are less than 0.1 ng/L for phenoxyacid herbicides, and about 5-10 ng/L for their metabolites (2,4-dichlorophenol and 4-chloro-2-methylphenol).     

电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法测定地球化学样品中的痕量金

采用王水体系对地球化学样品进行水浴消解,聚氨酯泡塑吸附富集,硫脲解脱,电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法测定地球化学样品中的金元素。采用调谐液调节ICP-MS仪器至最佳化,以GAu-11b为标准,单点校正直接测定。对痕量金标准物质(GAu-12、GAu-13、GAu-11b、GAu-10a、GAu-2b、GAu-7b、GAu-8a)的分析结果与标准值相一致,方法相对标准偏差(RSD,n=12)为4.8%~6.7%。方法检出限为0.015ng/g,加标回收率为85.5%~100%。与常规石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定方法相比较,ICP-MS法操作简单快捷、试剂用量少、信背比高,有利于大批量地球化学样品快速测定。     

Validation and application of a method for the determination of nicotine and five major metabolites in smokers' urine by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An SPE-LC-MS/MS method was developed, validated and applied to the determination of nicotine and five major metabolites in human urine: cotinine, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine, nicotine-N-glucuronide, cotinine-N-glucuronide and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine-O-glucuronide. A 500 microL urine sample was pH-adjusted with phosphate buffer (1.5 mL) containing nicotine-methyl-d3, cotinine-methyl-d3 and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine-methyl-d3 internal standards. For the unconjugated metabolites, an aliquot (800 microL) of the buffered solution was applied to a 30 mg Oasis HLB-SPE column, rinsed with 2% NH4OH/H2O (3.0 mL) and H2O (3.0 mL) and eluted with methanol (500 microL). The eluate was analyzed isocratically (100% methanol) by LC-MS/MS on a diol column (50 x 2.1 mm). For the total metabolites, a beta-glucuronidase/buffer preparation (100 microL) was added to the remaining buffered solution and incubated at 37 degrees C (20 h). An aliquot (800 microL) of the enzymatically treated buffered solution was extracted and analyzed in the same manner. The conjugated metabolites were determined indirectly by subtraction. The quantitation range of the method (ng/mL) was 14-10,320 for nicotine, 15-9800 for cotinine and 32-19,220 for trans-3'-hydroxycotinine. The validated method was used to observe diurnal variations from a smoker's spot urine samples, elimination half-lives from a smoker's 24 h urine samples and metabolite distribution profiles in the spot and 24 h urine samples.