Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometric characterization of Harpagophytum in equine urine and plasma

A method has been developed for the analysis and characterization in equine urine and plasma of iridoid glycosides: harpagide, harpagoside and 8-para-coumaroyl harpagide, which are the main active principles of Harpagophytum, a plant with antiinflammatory properties. The method involves liquid chromatography coupled with positive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The addition of sodium or lithium chloride instead of formic acid in the eluting solvent has been studied in order to enhance the signal and to modify the ion's internal energy. Fragmentation pathways and associated patterns are proposed for each analyte. A comparison of three types of mass spectrometer: a 3D ion trap, a triple quadrupole and a linear ion trap, has been conducted. The 3D ion trap was selected for drug screening analysis whereas the linear ion trap was retained for identification and quantitation analysis.     

Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometric method for determination of E121 in mouse plasma and its application to pharmacokinetics

A rapid LC‐MS/MS method for quantification of an enaminone analog, E121 in mouse plasma using E118 as an internal standard (IS) has been developed and validated. The analyte was analyzed on C₁₈ column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/methanol/ammonium acetate/formic acid (60:20:20:0.025, v/v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. Quantitation was achieved using ESI+ interface, employing MRM mode at m/z 308>262 and 222>194 for E121 and IS, respectively. The calibration standards were linear over a range of 0.10–20 μg/mL (r²>0.99) with an LLOQ of 0.1 μg/mL (RSD%; 11.4% and bias%; 9.5%). Intra‐ and inter‐run precision of E121 assay ranged from 3.7 to 10.9% with accuracy (bias) that varied between ?10.0 and 12.0%, demonstrating good precision and accuracy. Recoveries of E121 and the IS from plasma were above 80%. Stability of E121 in plasma showed that the analyte was stable under various conditions. The matrix effect study showed a lack of effect. The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated by measuring E121 in mouse plasma samples following intraperitoneal administration of various doses ranging from 10 to 100 mg/kg and this study demonstrates that E121 exhibits linear kinetics in the dose range studied.     

Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric studies on atorvastatin and its stress degradation products

A comprehensive mass fragmentation pathway of atorvastatin, which has not been reported so far, was established by subjecting the drug to multi-stage mass spectrometric (MSn) studies. It was used along with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric (LC/MS) and liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometric (LC/TOFMS) analyses to identify the drug degradation products formed under stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation and photolysis. Other than lactone, which is a reported hydrolysis product, six unknown hydrolytic products could be identified, viz., dehydrated drug, dehydrated drug lactone, and diastereomers of the drug, drug lactone, dehydrated drug, and dehydrated drug lactone. Among the two products separated under oxidative conditions, one was lactone, again formed as a result of drug hydrolysis in an acidic environment of peroxide solution. The other was similar to a reported oxidative product. Under photolytic conditions in solution, one new product could be identified, while most of the others matched with those known from the literature. Hence overall a more complete degradation pathway of the drug was established than known at present, by using a stress testing approach and employing LC/MS techniques.     

Liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometric method for the quantification of monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) and its preclinical pharmacokinetics

MMAE is a potent antimitotic drug used as payload of an antibody-drug conjugate which shows potent activity in preclinical and clinical studies against a range of lymphomas, leukemia and solid tumors. Liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometric method was developed for the quantification of MMAE and its preclinical pharmacokinetics. The method consisted of protein precipitation using acetonitrile (ACN) for sample preparation and liquid chromatography – quadrupole – time-of-flight – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-qTOF-MS/MS) analysis in the positive ion mode. A quadratic regression (weighted 1/concentration²), with an equation y = ax² + bx + c, was used to fit calibration curves over the concentration range of 1.01–2,200 ng/mL for MMAE. The qualification run met the acceptance criteria of ±25% accuracy and precision values for QC samples. Recovery was 42.84%. The dilution integrity was determined for 5-fold dilution and the accuracy and precision ranged within ±25%. The stability results indicated that MMAE was stable for the following conditions: short-term (4 h), long-term (4 weeks), freeze/thaw (3 cycles) and post-preparative stability (12 h). This qualified method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of MMAE in rat as a preclinical animal model. The PK results suggest that MMAE has moderate CL and low BA.Also, these results would be helpful in having a comprehensive understanding of the PK characteristics of MMAE and developing ADC in future.     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopic method for the determination of zerumbone in human plasma and its application to pharmacokinetics

A rapid, sensitive, specific and selective LC-MS/MS method for the determination of zerumbone (ZER) in human plasma using 2,4-diamino-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (DMTZ) as an internal standard (IS) has been developed and validated. ZER was chromatographed on C8 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/water (80:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 ml min(-1) . Quantitation was achieved using ESI+ interface, employing multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode at m/z 219 > 81 and 218 > 134 for ZER and IS, respectively. The calibration standards were linear over a range of 5-3000 ng ml(-1) (r(2)=0.9994) with an LLOQ of 5 ng ml(-1) (RSD %; 11.4% and bias%; 9.5%). Intra- and inter-day precision of ZER assay ranged from 0.18 to 3.56% with accuracy (bias) that varied between -5.09 and 4.3%, demonstrating good precision and accuracy. Recoveries of ZER and the IS from human plasma were above 85%. The developed method was validated for the determination of ZER in rat plasma. Linearity, stability of ZER and the ME on rat plasma were discussed. The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated by measuring ZER in rat plasma samples following intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of ZER prepared in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), respectively, in 20 mg kg(-1) and this study indicated a clear significant difference (p<0.05) in pharmacokinetic parameters of ZER in ZER/HPβCD complex compared with ZER in CMC preparation.     

Use of ion and ion-pair chromatography with mass spectrometric detection to determine unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and its transformation products

The conditions of the simultaneous determination of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and products of its transformation in aqueous solutions with ion and ion-pair chromatography and mass-spectrometric detection in the electrospray ionization mode have been selected. It has been shown that up to seven components may be determined within the limits of detection at the ??g/L level. The application of the developed methods to the analysis of solutions with an initial UDMH concentration of 500 mg/L that had undergone spontaneous oxidation by atmospheric oxygen has been demonstrated. The accumulation of formic acid dimethylhydrazide, 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole and dimethylamine has been found.     

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of trans-stilbene glycoside in rat plasma and its pharmacokinetic application

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of trans‐stilbene glycoside (SG) in rat plasma. As trans‐SG can be rapidly isomerized under light exposure, trans‐SG plasma samples were prepared in the dark and assayed immediately. Trans‐SG and internal standard were extracted by protein precipitation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column with a gradient elution program. The detection of analytes was performed by negative ion via multiple reaction monitoring mode. The precursor‐to‐product ions of m/z 405.1 → 242.9 for trans‐SG and m/z 389.1 → 226.9 for polydatin (internal standard) were monitored. No interference of endogenous components was observed for any plasma samples that we studied.The method was linear over the concentration range of 1.0–1000.0 ng/mL with a good correlation coefficient. The lower limit of quantification was 1.0 ng/mL for trans‐SG. The intra and inter‐batch accuracy for trans‐SG in stable rat plasma samples ranged from 93.3 to 102.7% and the variation was less than 8.1%. The extraction recoveries of trans‐SG in rat plasma were from 102.8 to 112.4% and the matrix effects were also acceptable. This method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of trans‐SG in rats after intravenous administration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of antibacterial agent tilmicosin in pig plasma by LC/MS/MS and its application to pharmacokinetics

A rapid and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated to quantify tilmicosin in pig plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by liquid–liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column (2.1 × 30 mm, 3.5 μm) using acetonitrile–water (90:10, v /v; water included 0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phase. Mass detection was carried out using positive electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The calibration curve was linear from 0.5 to 2000 ng/mL (r ² = 0.9998). The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision were within the acceptable limits of ±10% for all tilmicosin concentrations. The recoveries ranged from 95 to 99% for the three tested concentrations. The LC–MS/MS method described herein was simple, fast and less laborious than other methods, achieved high sensitivity using a small sample volume, and was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of tilmicosin enteric granules after oral delivery to pigs. In comparison with tilmicosin premix, tilmicosin enteric granules slowed the elimination rate of tilmicosin, prolonged its period of action and significantly improved its bioavailability.     

Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric screening and confirmation methods for beta2-agonists in human or equine urine

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of 19 common beta(2)-agonists were investigated in terms of fragmentation pattern and dissociation behavior of the analytes, proving the origin of fragment ions and indicating mechanisms of charge-driven and charge-remote fragmentation. Based on these data, liquid chromatographic/ESI tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) screening and confirmation methods were developed for doping control purposes. These procedures employ established sample preparation steps including either acidic or enzymatic hydrolysis, alkaline extraction and, in the case of equine urine specimens, acidic re-extraction of the analytes. In addition, a degradation product of formoterol caused by acidic hydrolysis during sample preparation could be identified and utilized as target compound in screening and also confirmation methods. The screening procedures cover 18 or 19beta(2)-agonists, the estimated limits of detection of which for equine and human urine samples vary between 2 and 100 ng ml(-1) and between 2 and 50 ng ml(-1), respectively. A single LC/MS/MS analysis can be performed in 9 min.     

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric quantitation of sulfamethazine and its metabolites: direct analysis of swine urine by triple quadrupole and by ion trap mass spectrometry

This work describes a new method for the quantitation of trace amounts of sulfamethazine (SMZ) and its main metabolite, N4-acetylsulfamethazine (Ac-SMZ), in swine urine, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tandem mass spectrometric analysis of crude urine after addition of internal standard and simple dilution with water. The aim was to determine whether residues of this sulfamidic drug, normally administered to swine in order to prevent infectious diseases, were present in urine at levels lower than those permitted by regulatory authorities before human consumption (EU Project SMT, contract number CT 96-2092). A 10 microL volume of diluted urine was injected into a very short, narrow-bore chromatographic column (Zorbax SB-C18 2.1 i. d. x30 mm length, 3.5 microm pore size). Elution of the analytes of interest was achieved in less than seven minutes using a rapid gradient (from 20 to 80% methanol in 3 minutes). Either a PE Sciex API 365 triple quadrupole (QqQ), operated in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, or a Finnigan LCQ ion trap (IT) mass spectrometer, operated in narrow-range product ion scan, was used as the final detector. Electrospray (ESI) was used as the ionization technique. A comparison of the two tandem mass spectrometers was performed by analyzing the same set of test samples, at three concentration levels, on three different days. Linearity of responses of the calibration standards, intra- and inter-assay precision of the samples, specificity and limits of detection were evaluated for both systems. Both the QqQ and the IT instrument was suitable for rapid, sensitive and specific determination of the analytes, although the overall performance of the QqQ was slightly superior in terms of linearity, precision and sensitivity.     

Liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometry assay of bromotetrandrine in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method (LC‐MS/MS) for the determination of bromotetrandrine in rat plasma has been developed and applied to pharmacokinetic study in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats after a single oral administration. Sample preparation involves a liquid–liquid extraction with n‐hexane–dichlormethane (65:35, containing 1% 2‐propanol isopropyl alcohol, v/v). Bromotetrandrine and brodimoprim (internal standard, IS) were well separated by LC with a Dikma C₁₈ column using methanol–ammonium formate aqueous solution (20 mm ) containing 0.5% formic acid (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The ionization was optimized using ESI(+) and selectivity was achieved using MS/MS analysis, m/z 703.0 → 461.0 and m/z 339.0 → 281.0 for bromotetrandrine and IS, respectively. The present method exhibited good linearity over the concentration range of 20–5000 ng/mL for bromotetrandrine in rat plasma with a lower limit of quantification of 20 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were 2.8–7.5% and 3.2–8.1%, and the intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy ranged from ?4.8 to 8.2% and ?5.6 to 6.2%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after a single oral administration to SD rats with bromotetrandrine of 50 mg/kg. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry simultaneous determination of vindoline and catharanthine in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

Vinblastine and vincristine, both of which are bisindole alkaloids derived from vindoline and catharanthine, have been used for cancer chemotherapy; their monomeric precursor molecules are vindoline and catharanthine. A simple and selective liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of vindoline and catharanthine in rat plasma was developed. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ (2.1 × 50 mm, 3.5 µm) column with acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase with gradient elution. The flow rate was set at 0.4 mL/min. An electrospray ionization source was applied and operated in positive ion mode; selective ion monitoring mode was used for quantification. Mean recoveries were in the range of 87.3–92.6% for vindoline in rat plasma and 88.5–96.5% for catharanthine. Matrix effects for vindoline and catharanthine were measured to be between 95.3 and 104.7%. Coefficients of variation of intra‐day and inter‐day precision were both <15%. The accuracy of the method ranged from 93.8 to 108.1%. The method was successfully applied in a pharmacokinetic study of vindoline and catharanthine in rats. The bioavailability of vindoline and catharanthine were 5.4 and 4.7%, respectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of metacavir and its metabolites in rat plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS)

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of metacavir and its two metabolites in rat plasma was developed and validated. Tinidazole was used as an internal standard and plasma samples were pretreated with one‐step liquid–liquid extraction. In addition, these analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reverse‐phase C₁₈ column and analyzed by MS in the selected reaction monitoring mode. The monitored precursor to product‐ion transitions for metacavir, 2′,3′‐dideoxyguanosine, O‐methylguanine and the internal standard were m/z 266.0 → 166.0, m/z 252.0 → 152.0, m/z 166.0 → 149.0 and m/z 248.0 → 202.0, respectively. The standard curves were found to be linear in the range of 1–1000 ng/mL for metacavir, 5–5000 ng/mL for 2′,3′‐dideoxyguanosine and 1–1000 ng/mL for O‐methylguanine in rat plasma. The precision and accuracy for both within‐ and between‐batch determination of all analytes ranged from 2.83 to 9.19% and from 95.86 to 111.27%, respectively. No significant matrix effect was observed. This developed method was successfully applied to an in vivo pharmacokinetic study after a single intravenous dose of 20 mg/kg metacavir in rats. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous determination of tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK and its five metabolites

A sensitive and robust high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method to analyze 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and its five metabolites in one passage was developed and validated. The method achieved excellent reproducibility and accuracy. Linearity was observed for all six compounds (R² = 0.999) with detection limits (S/N ≥ 3) ranging from 0.2 to 2.4 pg on column and 0.01-0.12 ng ml⁻¹ in samples injected. Average intra-day and inter-day variations (% R.S.D.) were 1.2 and 3.5%, respectively. A sample preparation method involving C8 and C18 solid phase extraction provided satisfactory recovery of the analytes in mouse urine. Each NNK metabolite was identified by its chromatographic retention time and specific fragmentation pattern. Since the carcinogenicity of NNK is related to its metabolism, the method described in this report should facilitate toxicological investigations into the carcinogenesis due to NNK exposure in the environment.     

Quantitative bioanalysis of bavachalcone in rat plasma by LC–MS/MS and its application in a pharmacokinetics study

This study aims to develop and validate a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for investigating the pharmacokinetic characteristics of bavachalcone. Liquid–liquid extraction was used to prepare plasma sample. Chromatographic separation of bavachalcone and IS was achieved using a Venusil ASB C₁₈ (2.1 × 50 mm, 5 μm) column with a mobile phase of methanol (A)–water (B) (70:30, v /v). The detection and quantification of analytes was performed in selected‐reaction monitoring mode using precursor → product ion combinations of m/z 323.1 → 203.2 for bavachalcone, and m/z 373.0 → 179.0 for IS. Linear calibration plots were achieved in the range of 1–1000 ng/mL for bavachalcone (r ² > 0.99) in rat plasma. The recovery of bavachalcone ranged from 84.1 to 87.0%. The method was precise, accurate and reliable. It was fully validated and successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of bavachalcone.     

The determination of biperiden in plasma using gas chromatography mass spectrometry: pharmacokinetics after intramuscular administration to guinea pigs

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method has been developed for the analysis of the biperiden from plasma. The method utilizes 290 microl of plasma and a simple hexane extraction/clean-up procedure. Standard curves were linear over the range of 1.9-250 ng/mL. The range of correlation coefficients for the individual standard curves was 0.9984-0.9999; the largest coefficient of variation expressed as a percentage (% CV) was 11.5%. Precision and accuracy were examined by assessing between-day and within-day variability. For between-day precision, the % CVs ranged from 2.86 to 5.17%. Accuracy as expressed by percentage error ranging from -2.16 to 5.83%. The study for within-day precision demonstrated % CVs from 0.95 to 5.55% with accuracy from -3.37 to 2.45%. Applicability of the method was demonstrated by examining the pharmacokinetics of intramuscular (i.m.) biperiden as an anticonvulsant treatment in a guinea pig model for organophosphate (OP)-induced seizure activity. Mean pharmacokinetic parameter estimates were similar to literature values; selected mean pharmacokinetic parameter estimates were: apparent volume of distribution, 13.9 L/kg; half-life of elimination, 93 min; time to maximal plasma concentration, 27.4 min; and maximal plasma concentration, 32.22 eta g/mL. The time to maximal plasma concentration was found to be similar to the onset time for terminating OP-induced seizure activity in guinea pigs receiving biperiden as an anticonvulsant treatment. The studies indicate that the method affords the required precision, accuracy and sensitivity to assay biperiden at the doses utilized for these pharmacokinetic studies after i.m. administration to guinea pigs.     

A rapid method to determine plasma homocysteine concentration and enrichment by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardio- and/or cerebrovascular diseases. Many methods are used to measure plasma homocysteine levels in physiological fluids. Current gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) methods allow determination not only of plasma homocysteine concentration, but also of its turnover. However, they have some methodological limitations due to the reduction of disulfide bonds between homocysteine and other thiols or proteins often requiring the use of several very toxic compounds or multi-step procedures that are particularly time-consuming, and/or utilize expensive instruments. Herein is described a rapid and precise GS/MS method to determine homocysteine turnover from a relatively low volume of plasma (200 microL). First disulfide bonds were reduced by 2-mercaptoethanol, which allows the maintenance of the reduced status preventing the rebuilding of the disulfide bond. Then the sample was derivatized to form the bis-tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivative. A deuterated internal standard, DL-[3,3,3',3',4,4,4',4'-2H8]-homocystine, was employed to account for losses associated with each analytical step. To evaluate the 'in vivo' homocysteine metabolic turnover, [1-13C]-methionine was infused and the derived [1-13C]-homocysteine quantitated. So a standard curve of [1-13C]-homocysteine was prepared by the decomposition of the [1-13C] methionine. The ions at m/z 325 and 326 were monitored, corresponding to the unlabeled [12C]-homocysteine and to labeled [13C]-homocysteine, respectively. The ion at m/z 325 ([M-114)]+) probably resulted from the loss of one derivatizing group to regenerate a free amino group. The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV-intra%) was consistently less than 1.06%, the inter-assay (CV-inter%) less than 1.05%. The method described here seems to be simpler, more rapid, and less toxic than those published so far. In particular, its main strength appears to be the degree of precision obtained. We suggest applying this method to the measurement of the 'in vivo' rate of production of homocysteine (by the plasma 13C-homocysteine enrichment) from its precursor (13C-methionine).     

Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of mitiglinide in human plasma: validation and its application to pharmacokinetic studies

A sensitive and specific method was developed and validated for the determination of mitiglinide in human plasma using liquid chromatographic separation with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric detection. Acidified plasma samples were extracted with ethyl acetate. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C(18) column with a mobile phase of methanol-10 mm ammonium acetate solution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Analytes were detected with an Agilent 6410 Triple qudrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode: m/z 316.2 (precursor ion) to 298.2 (product ion) for mitiglinide and m/z 318.2 (precursor ion) to 120.2 (product ion) for the internal standard. This method was validated over a linear range of 0.5-4000 ng/mL for mitiglinide in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.5 ng/mL, while a relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 3.9%. The intra- and inter-run precision (as RSD, %) obtained from three validation runs were all less than 15%. The validated method was successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic studies.