Rapid and sensitive determination of donepezil in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of donepezil in human plasma samples. Diphenhydramine was used as the internal standard. The collision-induced transition m/z 380 --> 91 was used to analyze donepezil in selected reaction monitoring mode. The signal intensity of the m/z 380 --> 91 transition was found to relate linearly with donepezil concentrations in plasma from 0.1-20.0 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification of the LC/MS/MS method was 0.1 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions were below 10.2% and the accuracy was between -2.3% and +2.8%. The validated LC/MS/MS method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in which healthy Chinese volunteers each received a single oral dose of 5 mg donepezil hydrochloride. The non-compartmental pharmacokinetic model was used to fit the donepezil plasma concentration-time curve. Maximum plasma concentration was 12.3 +/- 2.73 ng/mL which occurred at 3.50 +/- 1.61 h post-dosing. The apparent elimination half-life and the area under the curve were, respectively, 60.86 +/- 12.05 h and 609.3 +/- 122.2 ng . h/mL. LC/MS/MS is a rapid, sensitive and specific method for determining donepezil in human plasma samples.     

Rapid quantification of HIV protease inhibitors in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

HIV protease inhibitors are important antiretroviral drugs which have substantially reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV-1 infection. Recent data have shown relationships between plasma concentrations of the protease inhibitors and clinical response, which makes therapeutic drug monitoring valuable. We have developed and validated an assay, using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), for the routine quantification of the six licensed protease inhibitors (amprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir) and the pharmacologically active nelfinavir metabolite M8 in plasma. The sample pretreatment consisted of protein precipitation with a mixture of methanol and acetronitrile using only 100 microl of plasma. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Inertsil ODS3 column (50 x 2.0 mm i.d., particle size 5 microm), with a quick stepwise gradient using an acetate buffer (pH 5) and methanol, at a flow rate of 0.5 ml min(-1). The analytical run time was 5.5 min. The use of a 96-well plate autosampler allowed batch sizes up to 150 patient samples. The triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in the positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring was used for drug quantification. The method was validated over the concentration ranges 0.01-10 microg ml(-1) for indinavir and saquinavir, 0.1-10 microg ml(-1) for amprenavir, 0.05-10 microg ml(-1) for nelfinavir and ritonavir, 0.1-20 microg ml(-1) for lopinavir and 0.01-5 microg ml(-1) for M8. Saquinavir-d(5) and indinavir-d(6) were used as internal standards. The coefficients of variation were always <10% for both intra-day and inter-day precisions for each compound. Mean accuracies were also between the designated limits (+/-15%). The validated concentration ranges proved to be adequate in daily practice. This robust and fast LC/MS/MS assay is now successfully applied for routine therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies in our hospital.     

Screening,library-assisted identification and validated quantification of fifteen neuroleptics and three of their metabolites in plasma by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

A liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric assay with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI-LC/MS) is presented for the fast and reliable screening and identification and for the precise and sensitive quantification of 15 neuroleptic (antipsychotic) drugs and three of their relevant metabolites in plasma. It allows confirmation of the diagnosis of a neuroleptic overdose and monitoring of psychiatric patients' compliance. The neuroleptics amisulpride, bromperidol, clozapine, droperidol, flupenthixol, fluphenazine, haloperidol, melperone, olanzapine, perazine, pimozide, risperidone, sulpiride, zotepine and zuclopenthixol and the pharmacologically active metabolites norclozapine, clozapine N-oxide and 9-hydroxyrisperidone were extracted from plasma using solid-phase extraction and were separated on a Merck LiChroCART column with Superspher 60 RP Select B as the stationary phase. Gradient elution was performed using aqueous ammonium formate and acetonitrile. After screening and identification in the scan mode using the authors' new LC/MS library, the neuroleptics were quantified in the selected-ion mode. The quantification assay was fully validated. It was found to be selective and proved to be linear from sub-therapeutic to over therapeutic concentrations for all analytes. The corresponding reference levels are listed. The accuracy and precision data were within the required limits. The analytes were stable in frozen plasma for at least 1 month. The method was successfully applied to several authentic plasma samples from patients treated or intoxicated with various neuroleptics. The validated LC/MS assay has proved to be appropriate for the isolation, separation, screening, identification and quantification of various neuroleptics in plasma for clinical toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring purposes.     

Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric bioanalysis of a modified gamma-cyclodextrin (Org 25969) and Rocuronium bromide (Org 9426) in guinea pig plasma and urine: its application to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics of Org 25969

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantification of the modified gamma-cyclodextrin Org 25969 and Rocuronium bromide (Roc or Org 9426) in the plasma and urine of guinea pigs. The assay was linear and reproducible over the range 25-10000 ng/mL for both compounds. The lowest limit of quantification (LLOQ) for both compounds in urine was 25 ng/mL. In plasma, the LLOQ was 25 ng/mL for Org 9426 and 50 ng/mL for Org 25969. The inter- and intra-day variation was lower than 20%. The physicochemical properties of both compounds imposed different modes of extraction from plasma. The modified gamma-cyclodextrin was extracted by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) precipitation while Rocuronium was extracted by acetonitrile precipitation. Both compounds were quantified in urine by direct injection onto the column. The LC/MS analyses of Org 25969 and Org 9426 were performed using two different assay conditions. It was not possible to quantify the complex of cyclodextrin and Roc as it dissociated on the LC column. The use of LC/MS conferred great advantage to the quantification of both Org 25969 and Org 9426, as they were not chromogenic enough to afford the sensitivity and specificity required for the assay.     

Determination of roxatidine in human plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry and application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of roxatidine in human plasma. Roxatidine was extracted by single liquid-liquid extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether, and the chromatographic separation was performed on a C8 column. The total analytical run time was relatively short (5 min), and the limit of assay quantification was 2 ng/mL using 0.1 mL of human plasma. Roxatidine and the internal standard, propranolol, were monitored in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode at m/z 307.3 and 260.3, respectively. The standard curve was linear over a concentration range from 2-500 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficients were >0.999. The mean intra- and inter-day assay accuracy ranged from 103.4-108.8% and 102.3-110.0%, respectively, and the mean intra- and inter-day precision was between 3.3-8.8% and 5.3-6.2%, respectively. The developed assay method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers after oral administration of roxatidine acetate hydrochloride at a dose of 75 mg.     

Quantification and pharmacokinetics of crizotinib in rats by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Crizotinib is a small molecule inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and can be used to treat ALK‐positive nonsmall‐cell lung cancer. A rapid and simple high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of crizotinib in rat plasma using a chemical synthetic compound buspirone as the internal standard (IS). The plasma samples were pretreated by a simple protein precipitation with methanol–acetonitrile (1:1, v/v). Chromatographic separation was successfully achieved on an Agilent Zorbax XDB C₁₈ column (2.1 × 50 mm, 3.5 µm). The gradient elution system was composed of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and 0.1% formic acid in methanol solution. The flow rate was set at 0.50 mL/min. The multiple reaction monitoring was based on the transitions of m/z = 450.3 → 177.1 for crizotinib and 386.2 → 122.2 for buspirone (IS). The assay was successfully validated to demonstrate the selectivity, matrix effect, linearity, lower limit of quantification, accuracy, precision, recovery and stability according to the international guidelines. The lower limit of quantification was 1.00 ng/mL in 50 μL of rat plasma. This LC‐MS/MS assay was successfully applied to the quantification and pharmacokinetic study of crizotinib in rats after intravenous and oral administration of crizotinib. The oral absolute bioavailability of crizotinib in rats was 68.6 ± 9.63%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantification and pharmacokinetics of Taiwanin E methyl ether in rats by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

This study firstly describes the development of an accurate and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) assay for the quantification of Taiwanin E methyl ether (TEME) in rat plasma. The assay involved a simple liquid–liquid extraction step with ethyl acetate and a gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of water containing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid. Chromatographic separation was successfully achieved on an Agilent Zorbax‐C₁₈ column (2.1 × 50 mm, 3.5 µm) with a flow rate of 0.40 mL/min. The multiple reaction monitoring was based on the transitions of m/z = 379.1 → 320.1 for TEME and 386.1 → 122.0 for buspirone (internal standard). The assay was validated to demonstrate the specificity, linearity, recovery, accuracy, precision and stability. The lower limit of quantification was 0.50 ng/mL in 50 μL of rat plasma. The developed and validated method was successfully applied to the quantification and pharmacokinetic study of TEME in rats after intravenous and oral administration of 1.45 mg/kg TEME. The oral absolute bioavailability of TEME was estimated to be 5.85 ± 1.41% with an elimination half‐life value of 2.61 ± 0.55 h, suggesting its poor absorption and/or strong metabolism in vivo. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of glufosfamide in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and selective high-performance analytical method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS/MS) was developed for the quantification of glufosfamide in rat plasma. Zidovudine was employed as internal standard. Glufosfamide was determined after methanol-mediated plasma protein precipitation using LC/MS/MS with an electrospray ionization interface in negative ion mode. Two sets of standard curves were developed, from 0.005 to 1.0 microg/mL and from 1.0 to 50.0 microg/mL. The assay was accurate (% deviations from nominal concentrations < 5%), precise and reproducible (intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation < 10%). Glufosfamide in rat plasma was stable over three freeze/thaw cycles, and at ambient temperatures, for at least 2 h. The validated method was successfully applied to the determination of glufosfamide plasma concentrations in rats for 24 h following an intravenous administration of 25 mg/kg.     

Development and full validation of an LC–MS/MS methodology to quantify capmatinib (INC280) following intragastric administration to rats

A highly sensitive, specific and simple LC–MS/MS method for quantification of capmatinib (INC280) in rat plasma was presented. The LC–MS/MS method was validated in terms of specificity and selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision, matrix effect, extraction recovery, dilution integrity, carryover and stability as per the US Food and Drug Administration's bioanalytical method validation guideline. The validated assay was applied for quantification of capmatinib from a pharmacokinetic study in rats following oral administration at the doses of 1.0, 3.0 and 9.0 mg/kg. The calibration curve ranges from 1 to 2000 ng/ml with desirable linearity and r² > 0.99. The intra- and inter-batch accuracies were within 99.24–103.59 and 97.76–102.83% with coefficients of variation 5.08–7.36 and 3.18–4.99%, respectively. No significant interference was observed by endogenous peak at the retention time of capmatinib and IS. The assay was free from any matrix effect and showed precise recovery across the calibration curve range, and samples were stable under all experimental conditions. The validated assay was successfully applied to analyze plasma samples of pharmacokinetic study in rat to determine the concentration of capmatinib. In summary, a novel method for analyzing capmatinib in rat plasma has been successfully validated and is now being utilized for quantification of capmatinib from pre-clinical studies.     

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay for the analysis of atomoxetine in human plasma and in vitro cellular samples

A simple, rapid and sensitive method for quantification of atomoxetine by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) was developed. This assay represents the first LC‐MS/MS quantification method for atomoxetine utilizing electrospray ionization. Deuterated atomoxetine (d3‐atomoxetine) was adopted as the internal standard. Direct protein precipitation was utilized for sample preparation. This method was validated for both human plasma and in vitro cellular samples. The lower limit of quantification was 3 ng/mL and 10 nm for human plasma and cellular samples, respectively. The calibration curves were linear within the ranges of 3–900 ng/mL and 10 nm to 10 µm for human plasma and cellular samples, respectively (r² > 0.999). The intra‐ and inter‐day assay accuracy and precision were evaluated using quality control samples at three different concentrations in both human plasma and cellular lysate. Sample run stability, assay selectivity, matrix effect and recovery were also successfully demonstrated. The present assay is superior to previously published LC‐MS and LC‐MS/MS methods in terms of sensitivity or the simplicity of sample preparation. This assay is applicable to the analysis of atomoxetine in both human plasma and in vitro cellular samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An inter‐laboratory cross‐validation study for the determination of perampanel in human plasma by liquid chromatography assays

For sample assay to support global clinical studies of perampanel, a novel AMPA receptor antagonist, six chromatographic assay methods in human plasma were developed and fully validated at each laboratory using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) or LC with fluorescence detection (LC‐FL). In this study, samples fortified with known perampanel concentrations were assayed at six laboratories to find whether assay data are comparable. Perampanel was extracted by protein precipitation or liquid–liquid extraction, chromatographed on a reverse‐phase column then detected by MS/MS or FL to achieve the limit of quantification of 0.25 or 1 ng/mL. Cross‐validation samples at four concentrations prepared at a central laboratory were determined at six laboratories and the mean accuracy at each concentration was within ±15% except the low concentration at one laboratory (relative error ?17.4%), suggesting that plasma concentrations of perampanel in clinical trials can be compared across laboratories.     

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of amisulpride with LLOQ of 100 pg/mL using 100 microL of plasma

A sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography-positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of amisulpride in 100 microL of human plasma. Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reverse-phase column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective (M + H)(+) ions, m/z 370-242 for amisulpride and m/z 341-112 for the internal standard. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range with a lower range of 0.1-100 ng/mL and a higher range of 1-500 ng/mL of amisulpride in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 10%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for both linearity ranges. A run time of 2.0 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 275 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic studies.     

LC–MS–MS Simultaneous Determination of Paracetamol, Pseudoephedrine and Chlorpheniramine in Human Plasma: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine in human plasma. Diphenhydramine was used as the internal standard. Analytes were extracted from alkalized human plasma by liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) using ethyl acetate. After electrospray ionization positive ion fragments were detected in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. The method was linear in the concentration range of 20.0–10000.0 ng mL^?1 for paracetamol, 1.0–500.0 ng mL^?1 for pseudoephedrine and 0.1–50.0 ng mL^?1 for chlorpheniramine. The intra- and inter-day precisions were below 14.5% and the bias was between ?7.3 and +2.8% for all analytes. The validated LC–MS–MS method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in which each healthy Chinese volunteer received a tablet containing 300 mg benorylate, 30 mg pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and 2 mg chlorpheniramine maleate. This is the first assay method described for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine in human plasma samples.     

High-throughput determination of carbocysteine in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a bioequivalence study of two formulations in healthy volunteers

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method to determine carbocysteine in human plasma was developed and fully validated. After methanol-induced protein precipitation of the plasma samples, carbocysteine was subjected to LC/MS/MS analysis using electrospray ionization (ESI). The MS system was operated in the selected ion monitoring (SRM) mode. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Hypurity C18 column (i.d. 2.1 mm x 50 mm, particle size 5 microm). The method had a chromatographic running time of 2.0 min and linear calibration curves over the concentration ranges of 0.1-20 microg/mL for carbocysteine. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of the method was 0.1 microg/mL for carbocysteine. The intra- and inter-day precision was less than 7% for all quality control samples at concentrations of 0.5, 2.0, and 10.0 microg/mL. These results indicate that the method was efficient with a simple preparation procedure and a very short running time (2.0 min) for carbocysteine compared with methods reported in the literature and had high selectivity, acceptable accuracy, precision and sensitivity. The validated LC/MS/MS method has been successfully used to a bioequivalence study of two tablet formulations of carbocysteine in healthy volunteers.     

Quantification of micafungin in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Micafungin (MCF) is an antifungal agent of the echinocandin class approved in Europe both in adults and in children for the treatment of invasive candidiasis. Few analytical methods for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of this drug have been described so far. In this paper, we describe a rapid and validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for the measurement of MCF in plasma. MCF was analyzed in 100-μL plasma samples over a wide range of concentrations (0.1–20 μg/mL) by LC-MS/MS after protein precipitation. The suitability of the assay for TDM was evaluated by using plasma samples from pediatric patients who received MCF for the treatment of invasive candidiasis. The overall turnaround time for the assay was 20 min. The lower limit of quantification of the method was 0.1 ng/mL. No ion suppression due to matrix effects was found with different pre-analytical conditions, such as hemolysis, lipemia, and hyperuricemia. A simple and rapid LC-MS/MS method which provides high specificity, precision, and accuracy for quantification of MCF in plasma has been developed and validated.     

Stereoselective determination of ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2 epimers in rat plasma by LC‐MS/MS: Application to a pharmacokinetic study

We developed and validated an accurate and sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantitation of ginsenoside Rg3 and Rh2 epimers (R‐Rg3, S‐Rg3, R‐Rh2, and S‐Rh2) in rat plasma. Analytes were extracted from 0.1 mL aliquots of rat plasma by liquid–liquid extraction, using 2 mL of ethyl acetate. In this assay, dioscin (500 ng/mL) was used as an internal standard. Chromatographic separation was conducted using an Acclaim RSLC C₁₈ column (150 × 2.1 mm, 2.2 μm) at 40°C, with a gradient mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in distilled water and in acetonitrile, a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min, and a total run time of 20 min. Detection and quantification were performed using a mass spectrometer in selected reaction‐monitoring mode with negative electrospray ionization at m/z 783.4 → 161.1 for R‐Rg3 and S‐Rg3, m/z 621.3 → 161.1 for R‐Rh2 and S‐Rh2, and m/z 867.2 → 761.5 for the internal standard. For R‐Rg3 and S‐Rg3, the lower limit of quantification was 5 ng/mL, with a linear range up to 500 ng/mL; for R‐Rh2 and S‐Rh2, the lower limit of quantification was 150 ng/mL, with a linear range up to 6000 ng/mL. The coefficient of variation for assay precision was less than 10.5%, with an accuracy of 86.4–112%. No relevant cross‐talk or matrix effect was observed. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of 400 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg of BST204, a fermented ginseng extract, to rats. We found that the S epimers exhibited significantly higher plasma concentrations and area under curve values for both Rg3 and Rh2. This is the first report on the separation and simultaneous quantification of R‐Rg3, S‐Rg3, R‐Rh2, and S‐Rh2 in rat plasma by LC‐MS/MS. The method should be useful in the clinical use of ginseng or its derivatives.     

Development of a liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of apicidin, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, in rat serum: application to a pharmacokinetic study

Apicidin, a fungal metabolite isolated from Fusarium pallidoroseum, is a cyclic tetrapeptide that exhibits potent anti-protozoal and anti-angiogenic activities. Although extensive studies have been recently conducted to examine the biological and pharmacological action, no information is available on the quantitative analysis of apicidin. To our knowledge, this study is the first to describe a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay method for the quantification of apicidin in rat serum. The method was validated to demonstrate the specificity, linearity, recovery, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), accuracy, and precision. The multiple reaction monitoring was based on the transitions m/z 624.7 --> 84.3 and 372.1 --> 176.1 for apicidin and trazodone, respectively. The assay utilized a single liquid-liquid extraction and isocratic elution, and the LLOQ was 0.5 ng/mL using 0.1 mL of rat serum. The assay was linear over a range from 0.5-1000 ng/mL, with correlation coefficients >0.9994. The mean intra- and inter-day assay accuracy ranged from 99.9-101.5% and 94.8-102.1%, respectively, and the mean intra- and inter-day precision was between 2.7-5.9% and 1.6-11.5%, respectively. The developed assay method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study after intravenous injection of apicidin in rats at a dose of 1 mg/kg.     

Determination of 3-hydroxy pterocarpan, a novel osteogenic compound in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: application to pharmacokinetics study

A rapid, sensitive and selective LC‐MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of 3‐hydroxy pterocarpan (S006‐1709) in female rat plasma has been developed and validated. A Discovery RP₁₈ column was used for the chromatographic elution using acetonitrile and 0.1% acetic acid in water as mobile phase (80:20 v/v) at the flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. MS/MS analysis was performed using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization in negative ion mode using biochanin as an internal standard (IS). Extraction of S006‐1709 and IS from rat plasma was done by liquid–liquid extraction method using diethyl ether. The LC‐MS/MS method was sensitive with 1.95 ng/mL as the limit of detection and 3.9 ng/mL as the lower limit of quantification. The method was linear in the concentration range of 3.9–1000 ng/mL. The percentage bias for intraday and interday accuracy was not greater than 4.2 and the %RSD for intraday and interday precision was not greater than 13.2. The recoveries of S006‐1709 and IS were 73.9–79.3 and 85.7%, respectively. S006‐1709 was found to be stable in various stability studies. The validated LC‐MS/MS method was successfully applied for the oral pharmacokinetics study of S006‐1709 at 10 mg/kg in female Sprague–Dawley rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of apomorphine in canine plasma

A sensitive, rapid and specific quantitative liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of apomorphine (APO) in canine plasma. The analytes were prepared using one-step liquid-liquid extraction, and analyzed on a Waters Symmetry C(18) column interfaced with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. A mixture of methanol/0.1% formic acid in water (70: 30, v/v) was employed as the isocratic mobile phase. Positive electrospray ionization was utilized as the ionization source. The analyte and clenbuterol (internal standard) were both detected using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The limit of detection (LOD) obtained was 0.03 ng/mL. The assay was linear over the concentration range of 0.1-100 ng/mL, and provided good precision (RSD) and good accuracy (RE). The analyte was stable by using antioxidants throughout the whole study. The experimental results show that LC/MS/MS is a rapid and sensitive method to analyze APO in plasma. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of APO after intranasal administration of 0.5 mg apomorphine to 10 healthy beagle dogs.     

Determination of adefovir in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated to determine the concentrations of adefovir [9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine, PMEA] in human plasma. After one-step protein precipitation of plasma samples by methanol, adefovir was analyzed by LC/MS/MS using positive electrospray ionization. Chromatography was performed on a C18 column. The extraction recoveries of adefovir were found to be 85.1-89.3%. Adefovir was stable under routine laboratory conditions. A minimal matrix effect resulting in a slight ionization enhancement of adefovir (<10.9%) was observed, which did not markedly affect the behavior of the calibrations curves and accuracy and precision data. The method had a chromatographic run time of 7.8 min and a linear calibration curve over the concentration range 1.5-90 ng/mL for adefovir. The lower limit of quantification of the method was 1.5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision was less than 8.4%. These results indicated that this LC/MS/MS method has high selectivity and efficiency, and acceptable accuracy, precision and sensitivity. The validated LC/MS/MS method has been successfully used in a pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers treated with oral adefovir dipivoxil at 10 and 20 mg.