Ultrafast liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry bioanalysis of polar analytes using packed silica columns

Ultrafast liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) bioanalysis was demonstrated with the use of packed silica columns operated under elevated flow rates. A special effort has been made to achieve ultrafast analysis without sacrificing chromatographic resolution. Two multiple analyte/metabolites assays, (1) morphine/morphine-6-glucuronide(M6G)/morphine-3-glucuronide(M3G) and (2) midazolam/1'-hydroxymidazolam/4-hydroxymidazolam, were used to demonstrate the speed, sensitivity, peak shape and separation of the ultrafast methods utilizing silica columns. In both methods adequate chromatographic separation was a necessity because quantitation results would be otherwise compromised due to cross interference between different selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions. Baseline resolutions between morphine, M6G and M3G in human plasma extracts were achieved within 30 s on a 50 x 3 mm Betasil silica column operated at 4 mL/min of isocratic acetonitrile/water mobile phase. The total injection-to-injection cycle time was 48 s with a simple, single-autosampler/single-column setup, when a Shimadzu SIL-HT autosampler was used. Baseline resolution between 1'-hydroxymidazolam and 4-hydroxymidalolam in monkey plasma extracts was achieved within 33 s using similar conditions. Due to the absence of carry-over in this case, no rinsing of the injection needle was necessary, resulting in a cycle time of only 39 s/sample. These ultrafast methods were successfully used to analyze extracted biological samples and proved to be reproducible, reliable and generated equivalent pharmaco-kinetic (PK) results to those obtained by regular flow LC/MS/MS analysis to support discovery PK studies.     

Determination of gabapentin in human plasma using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and selective method for the determination of gabapentin in human plasma was developed using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC/MS/MS). The devised method involved protein precipitation with acetonitrile followed by separation on an Atlantis HILIC silica column using an acetonitrile/ammonium formate mobile phase (100 mM, pH 3.0) (85:15, v/v). Analytes were detected using an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer in the multiple-reaction monitoring mode. The standard curve was linear (r = 1.000) over the concentration range of 50.0-10000 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification for gabapentin was 50.0 ng/mL (ca. 20 pg gabapentin) using a 10-microL plasma sample. The coefficients of variation and relative errors for intra- and inter-assay at four QC levels (i.e., 50.0, 125, 750, and 7500 ng/mL) were 4.7 to 9.4% and -4.1 to 1.6%, respectively. Absolute and relative matrix effects for gabapentin and metformin were practically absent. Gabapentin and metformin recoveries were 98.5% and 99.0%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of gabapentin in humans.     

Quantification of doxazosin in human plasma using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Hydrophilic interaction LC with MS/MS (HILIC-MS/MS) was described as a rapid, sensitive, and selective method for the quantification of doxazosin in human plasma. Doxazosin and cisapride (internal standard) were extracted from human plasma with ethyl acetate at alkaline pH and analyzed on an Atlantis HILIC Silica column with the mobile phase of ACN/ammonium formate (100 mM, pH 4.5) (93:7 v/v). The analytes were detected using an ESI MS/MS in the selective-reaction-monitoring mode. The standard curve was linear (r = 0.9994) over the concentration range of 0.2-50 ng/mL. The LOQ for doxazosin was 0.2 ng/mL using 100 microL plasma sample. The CV and relative error for intra- and interassay at four QC levels were 3.7-8.7% and 0.0-9.8%, respectively. The matrix effect for doxazosin and cisapride were practically absent. The recoveries of doxazosin and cisapride were 67.4 and 61.7%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of doxazosin in humans.     

Direct injection versus liquid-liquid extraction for plasma sample analysis by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

Direct injection versus liquid-liquid extraction for post-dose human plasma sample analysis by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) have been studied using a drug candidate compound. For the direct-injection method, an Oasis(R) HLB column (1 x 50 mm, 30 micrometer) was used as the on-line extraction column and a conventional Waters symmetry C18 column (3.9 x 50 mm, 5 micrometer) was used as the analytical column. Each plasma sample (100 microL) was mixed with 100 microL of a working solution of the internal standard in aqueous 0.05 M ammonium acetate (pH 6.9), and portions (10 microL) of these samples were then injected into the LC/MS/MS system. For the liquid-liquid extraction method, a YMC Basic C18 column (2.0 x 50 mm, 5 micrometer) was used as the analytical column. Each sample (0.5 mL) was extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether and the extract was reconstituted and injected into the LC/MS/MS system. The total analysis time for both methods was 2.0 min per sample. The accuracy, inter-day precision and intra-day precision obtained from the quality control samples were within 8% for both methods. The analysis results of post-dose human plasma samples showed that the deviations of 91% of the concentrations obtained using the direct-injection method were within +/-20% from the concentrations obtained using the liquid-liquid extraction method, and the overall average percentage deviation was -1.5%. The results showed that the two methods were equivalent in terms of total chromatographic run time, accuracy and precision. However, for a batch of 100 samples, the sample preparation time for the direct-injection method was only about 25% of the time required for liquid-liquid extraction. This decrease in sample preparation time resulted in the doubling of the overall sample analysis throughput.     

Direct analysis of plasma samples for drug discovery compounds using mixed-function column liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, efficient, high throughput, direct injection bioanalytical method based on a single column and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed for pharmacokinetic analysis of early drug discovery compounds in plasma samples. After mixing with a working solution containing an internal standard each plasma sample was directly injected into a polymer-coated mixed-function column for sample cleanup, enrichment and chromatographic separation. The stationary phase incorporates hydrophilic polyoxyethylene groups and hydrophobic groups to the polymer-coated silica. This allows proteins and macromolecules to pass through the column due to restricted access to the surface of the packing while retaining the drug molecules on the bonded hydrophobic phase. The analytes retained in the column with a largely aqueous liquid mobile phase were then chemically separated by switching to a strong organic mobile phase. The column effluent was diverted from waste to the mass spectrometer for analyte detection. Within 200 plasma sample injections the response ratio (analyte vs. internal standard, %CV = 4.6) and the retention times for analyte and internal standard were found consistent and no column deterioration was observed. The recoveries of test compound in various plasma samples were greater than 90%. The total analysis time was 相似文献   

Fast quantification of endogenous carbohydrates in plasma using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Endogenous carbohydrates in biosamples are frequently highlighted as the most differential metabolites in many metabolomics studies. A simple, fast, simultaneous quantitative method for 16 endogenous carbohydrates in plasma has been developed using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. In order to quantify 16 endogenous carbohydrates in plasma, various conditions, including columns, chromatographic conditions, mass spectrometry conditions, and plasma preparation methods, were investigated. Different conditions in this quantified analysis were performed and optimized. The reproducibility, precision, recovery, matrix effect, and stability of the method were verified. The results indicated that a methanol/acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) mixture could effectively and reproducibly precipitate rat plasma proteins. Cold organic solvents coupled with vortex for 1 min and incubated at –20°C for 20 min were the most optimal conditions for protein precipitation and extraction. The results, according to the linearity, recovery, precision, matrix effect, and stability, showed that the method was satisfactory in the quantification of endogenous carbohydrates in rat plasma. The quantified analysis of endogenous carbohydrates in rat plasma performed excellently in terms of sensitivity, high throughput, and simple sample preparation, which met the requirement of quantification in specific expanded metabolomic studies after the global metabolic profiling research.     

Determination of polar organophosphorus pesticides in water samples by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A method combining hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed for the determination of polar organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs; acephate, methamidophos, monocrotophos, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, and vamidothion) in water samples. To extract the polar OPPs and minimize matrix effects from the water sample, an activated carbon cartridge was used for pretreatment. After pretreatment of the water sample, the eluate from the activated carbon cartridge was directly injected into the HILIC/MS/MS system. The OPPs were separated on an Atlantis HILIC silica column by isocratic elution with a mixture of acetonitrile, isopropanol, and ammonium formate buffer as a mobile phase, and they were detected by positive electrospray ionization MS/MS in the selected reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated at 0.05, 0.5, and 5 microg/L levels in water samples, and the recoveries of polar OPPs were between 76.4 and 98.6%. The limits of detection were between 0.13 and 1.0 pg on-column, and the limits of quantification were between 0.43 and 3.4 pg on-column. The method can be applied to the determination of trace amounts of OPPs in environmental water samples.     

Quantification of plasma homocitrulline using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Homocitrulline (HCit), an amino acid formed by the carbamylation of ε-amino groups of lysine residues, is considered a promising biomarker for monitoring diseases such as chronic renal failure and atherosclerosis. This paper describes a tandem mass spectrometric method for total, protein-bound and free HCit measurement in plasma samples. HCit was separated from other plasma components by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. Detection was achieved by monitoring transitions of 190.1 > 127.1 and 190.1 > 173.1 for HCit, and 183.1 > 120.2 for d₇-citrulline used as internal standard. This method allowed HCit quantification within 5.2 min and was precise (inter-assay CV < 5.85%), accurate (mean recoveries ranging from 97% to 106%), and exhibited a good linearity from 10 nmol/L to 1.6 μmol/L. Plasma samples from control and uremic mice (n = 10) were analyzed. In control mice, mean total plasma HCit concentration was 0.78 ± 0.12 μmol/mol amino acids, whereas it was increased 2.7-fold in uremic mice plasma, reaching 2.10 ± 0.50 μmol/mol amino acids (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this method exhibits good analytical performances and meets the criteria of sensitivity suitable for HCit concentration assessment in plasma samples.     

On-line solid-phase extraction coupled to hydrophilic interaction chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of polar drugs

The present study describes the first fully automated method based on on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled to hydrophilic interaction chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry (HILIC-(ESI)MS) to determine a group of polar drugs that includes illicit drugs (such as cocaine, morphine, codeine and metabolites) and pharmaceuticals in environmental water samples. The SPE was performed using a highly retentive polymeric sorbent. The HILIC separation was optimised and the initial high organic content of the chromatographic mobile phase, was also suitable for the proper on-line elution of the analytes retained in the SPE column and for enhancing the ESI ionisation efficiency. This method allows the loading of samples of up to 250ml of ultrapure water or 10ml of environmental water samples spiked at low ngl(-1) levels of the analytes. The method yields near 100% recoveries for all the analytes. The method was also validated with environmental water samples with linear ranges from 5 to 1000ngl(-1) and limits of detection ≤2ngl(-1) for most of the compounds.     

Plasma lipid analysis by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A novel method for the analysis of endogenous lipids and related compounds was developed employing hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with carbamoyl stationary phase achieved clear separation of phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, ceramide, and mono‐hexsosyl ceramide groups with good peak area repeatability (RSD% < 10) and linearity (R² > 0.99). The established method was applied to human plasma assays and a total of 117 endogenous lipids were successfully detected and reproducibly identified. In addition, we investigated the simultaneous detection of small polar metabolites such as amino and organic acids co‐existing in the same biological samples processed in a single analytical run with lipids. Our results show that hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography is a useful tool for human plasma lipidome analysis and offers more comprehensive metabolome coverage.     

Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of inositol hexaphosphate after solid-phase extraction

Inositol hexaphosphate, a naturally occurring component in cereals and plants, is the main reserve and principal carrier of phosphate. Inositol hexaphosphate is also found in biological fluids such as urine, plasma, or whole blood. Moreover, inositol hexaphosphate is studied for its pharmaceutical applications. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is now the reference method for small analyte determination. However, the specific quantitation of polyanionic molecules in the biological matrix is still challenging.

In this article, a bioanalytical method for the extraction and determination of inositol hexaphosphate in whole blood is described by using solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry using selected reaction monitoring mode for its specificity.

Using pentylamine in excess, an ion pair is created, enhancing sensitivity by avoiding the presence of many Na adducts on the phosphate functions of inositol hexaphosphate. Moreover, hexafluoroisopropanol was added to stabilize the ion pairs that were created. Then, a specific extraction of inositol hexaphosphate by anion-exchange solid-phase extraction was developed, resulting in an extraction recovery of 89%. The linearity of the method was verified between 0.78 and 100 µg/mL, and both accuracy and precision were greater than 85%. Finally, the endogenous rate of inositol hexaphosphate was measured in the whole blood of mice and was estimated at 2 µg/mL.     

Simultaneous determination of nicotinic acid and its metabolites using hydrophilic interaction chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A hydrophilic interaction chromatographic (HILIC) system interfaced with atmospheric pressure ionization (API) sources and a tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of nicotinic acid (NiAc) and its metabolites in dog plasma in support of a pharmacokinetic study. A silica column was adapted for separation of NiAc and its two metabolites, nicotinamide (NiNH2) and nicotinuric acid (NiUAc), under HILIC conditions. The influence of experimental factors such as the composition of mobile phase on ionization efficiency and chromatographic performance of all analytes was investigated. The feasibility of the proposed HILIC/MS/MS methods was explored by comparing the plasma levels of NiAc, NiNH2, and NiUAc in dog obtained by using either electrospray ionization or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interfaces in positive ion mode. The methods were partially validated in terms of inter-day accuracy and precision, extraction recovery, benchtop and freeze/thaw stability. Further, the potential of ionization suppression resulting from endogenous components of the biological matrixes on the HILIC/API-MS/MS methods were investigated using the post-column infusion technique.     

Characterization of carboxylic acids in atmospheric aerosols using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HILIC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for determination of selected aliphatic (i.e. malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, azelaic, maleic, fumaric, glycolic and pyruvic acid), alicyclic (i.e. cis-pinonic and pinic acid) and aromatic (i.e. trimesic, phthalic acid and its isomers) carboxylic acids. Analytes were separated on an amide column using a gradient elution with a 10mM constant ionic strength mobile phase containing acetonitrile and aqueous ammonium acetate buffer (pH 5.0). The influence of the buffer type, pH, polar modifier and temperature on analyte retention under HILIC was studied. Static sonication-assisted solvent extraction was optimized for sample preparation prior to analysis. The recoveries obtained were higher than 90% for most analytes. The method was proven to be sensitive with limits of detection ranged from 0.03 to 16.0 μg/L in selected reaction monitoring mode (SRM). The repeatability and intermediate precision of the method, expressed as RSD (%) of the peak area ratio between analytes and their internal standards were generally lower than 5%. The method was successfully applied for determination of the studied acids in samples of ambient aerosol particles. A big advantage of the new method is also its ability to detect and separate the isobaric compounds of the selected carboxylic acids. Our results demonstrate that the method is specific and sensitive for the determination of a wider range of polar carboxylic acids at low concentrations in complex samples of aerosol particles.     

Tandem mass spectrometry with online high-flow reversed-phase extraction and normal-phase chromatography on silica columns with aqueous-organic mobile phase for quantitation of polar compounds in biological fluids

In this work, high-flow online reversed-phase extraction was coupled with normal phase on silica columns with aqueous-organic mobile phase liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to quantify drug candidates in biological fluids. The orthogonal separation effect obtained from this configuration considerably reduced matrix effects and increased sensitivity for highly polar compounds as detected by selected reaction monitoring. This approach also significantly improved the robustness and limit of detection of the assays. An evaluation of this system was performed using a mixture of albuterol and bamethan in rat plasma. Assay validation demonstrated acceptable accuracy (< 8% difference) and precision (< 6% CV) for these model compounds. The system has been used for the quantitation of polar ionic compounds in biological fluids in support of drug discovery programs. This assay was used to analyze samples for a BMS proprietary compound (A) in a rat pharmacokinetic study and is shown as an example to demonstrate the precision, accuracy, and sufficient sensitivity of this system.     

Screening method for the analysis of antiviral drugs in poultry tissues using zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A screening method for the analysis of seven anti-viral drugs in poultry tissue has been developed. These include anti-influenza drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir and oseltamivir and its carboxylate metabolite), anti-herpes drugs (acyclovir and ganciclovir) and an immunomodulator (imiquimod). Poultry tissue was extracted in acetonitrile:water:acetic acid. After sample purification, using a strong cation exchange column, the eluate was split into two fractions. The first portion was dissolved in methanol:water and the second in acetonitrile:methanol:water. Both fractions were analysed on a zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The screening method was successfully validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC in three different laboratories with CCβ concentrations of ≤10 μg kg(-1).     

Quantification of trandolapril and its metabolite trandolaprilat in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry using solid-phase extraction

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of trandolapril and its metabolite trandolaprilat in human plasma using ramipril as an internal standard. Following solid-phase extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M-H]- ions, m/z 429/168 for trandolapril, m/z 401/168 for trandolaprilat and m/z 415/166 for the internal standard. The method exhibited a linear dynamic range of 20-10,000 pg/mL for both trandolapril and trandolaprilat in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 20 pg/mL for both trandolapril and its metabolite. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. A run time of 2.0 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 400 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.     

Determination of histamine in seafood by hydrophilic interaction chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A simple method was developed to determine histamine, an important compound in chemical food poisoning, by extraction followed by hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using a hydrophilic column with sulfobetaine-type zwitterion groups. The quantitation range in seafood products was from 0.4 to 200 mg kg(-1) for 5 g food samples. Quantitative recoveries were obtained with four types of seafood product. These results agreed well with those from the more complex, conventional HPLC method, which requires sample derivatization with dansyl chloride.     

Quantitative determination of buprenorphine,naloxone and their metabolites in rat plasma using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive LC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of buprenorphine and its three metabolites (buprenorphine glucuronide, norbuprenorphine and norbuprenorphine glucuronide) as well as naloxone and its metabolite naloxone glucuronide in the rat plasma. A hydrophilic interaction chromatography column and a mobile phase containing acetonitrile and ammonium formate buffer (pH 3.5) were used for the chromatographic separation. Mass spectrometric detection was achieved by an electrospray ionization source in the positive mode coupled to a triple quadrupole mass analyzer. The calibration curves for the six analytes displayed good linearity over the concentration range 1.0 or 5.0–1000 ng/mL. The intra and inter‐day precision (CV) ranged from 2.68 to 16.4% and from 9.02 to 14.5%, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy (bias) ranged from −14.2 to 15.2% and from −9.00 to 4.80%, respectively. The extraction recoveries for all the analytes ranged from 55 to 86.9%. The LC–MS/MS method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of buprenorphine–naloxone combination in rats.     

Quantification of total and free carnitine in human plasma by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Carnitine is an endogenous quaternary amine whose primary function is to shuttle long chain fatty acids to the mitochondrial matrix, where they subsequently undergo beta oxidation. Accurate quantification of total and free carnitine is essential for the accurate diagnosis of a number of inborn errors of metabolism, including disorders of fatty acid oxidation as well as various organic acidurias. Early methods for carnitine measurement were enzyme based. Recently, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry has become the method of choice for carnitine measurement. Typically, carnitine is derivitized to from a butyl ester, thus improving its ionization and retention characteristics. A potential problem with this approach is that the acidic conditions used to carry out the reaction may hydrolyze other acyl esters, resulting in ex-vivo artifacts. Consequently, we developed a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HILIC) tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of carnitine. The use of HILIC allows for the derivitization step to be circumvented, while still allowing for favorable chromatographic performance. The method was shown to be accurate, precise, and robust.