Sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma

A simple, rapid, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for quantification of hydrochlorothiazide (I), a common diuretic and anti-hypertensive agent. The analyte and internal standard, tamsulosin (II) were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether-dichloromethane (70:30, v/v) using a Glas-Col Multi-Pulse Vortexer. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase column (Waters symmetry C18) with a mobile phase of 10 mm ammonium acetate-methanol (15:85, v/v). The protonated analyte was quantitated in negative ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The mass transitions m/z 296.1 solidus in circle 205.0 and m/z 407.2 solidus in circle 184.9 were used to measure I and II, respectively. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.5-200 ng/mL for hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma. The lower limit of quantitation was 500 pg/mL, with a relative standard deviation of less than 9%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve ranges. A run time of 2.5 min for each sample made it possible to analyze a throughput of 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.     

Rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of ziprasidone in human plasma

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of ziprasidone (ZIP) in human plasma was developed. ZIP and N-methyl ziprasidone as internal standard (IS) were extracted from alkalinized plasma using tert- butyl methyl ether. Separation was performed isocratically on a C8 column with 90% acetonitrile containing 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate as a mobile phase with a total run time of 2.5 min. MS/MS transitions of m/z 413 --> 194 and m/z 427 --> 177 of the analyte and internal standard were used for quantification. Confirmatory ions of m/z 413 --> 177 and m/z 427 --> 180 were collected as well. The calibration curve based on peak-area ratio was linear up to at least 200 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL. The method showed satisfactory reproducibility with a coefficient of variation of less than 5%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of ZIP in spiked human plasma.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法筛查原多甲藻酸毒素及其代谢产物

建立了原多甲藻酸毒素(azaspiracids,AZAs)及其代谢产物的液相色谱-串联质谱检测方法,考察了目标代谢产物检测方法和非目标多离子检测方法,将二级质谱图与标准品谱库进行比对,从而获得高精准定性。通过对产毒藻、蓄积代谢实验样品和实际阳性样品综合分析,共检出11种AZAs,其中包括AZA-2,3,6,11,12,16,17,28和36,以及AZAs的谷胱甘肽结合型代谢产物。结果发现,目标代谢产物检测法可无偏差地筛出常规代谢物,而且对低浓度代谢产物表现出更佳的响应。本方法重现性好,数据分析简单,对操作人员的专业要求不高,更适合AZAs的监控要求。     

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of troxerutin in human plasma

A simple, rapid, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to quantify troxerutin in human plasma. The analyte and rutin, used as the internal standard, were analyzed on a Phenomenex Synergi Fusion RP column interfaced with a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer using positive electrospray ionization. Acetonitrile/water (20:80 v/v) was used as the isocratic mobile phase, with 0.1% formic acid in water. A simple sample preparation method of protein precipitation with perchloric acid was employed. The assay was linear over the concentration range 31.25-4000 pg/mL. Correlation coefficients generated by linear regression with a 1/x(2) weighting factor ranged from 0.9991 to 0.9996. The intra- and inter-day precision over the entire concentration range were less than 12.28%. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of a 300 mg troxerutin drop pill to 18 healthy volunteers.     

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the estimation of amlodipine in human plasma

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the estimation of amlodipine in human plasma. Amlodipine was extracted from human plasma by using a solid-phase extraction technique. Imipramine was used as the internal standard. A Hypersil BDS C18 column provided chromatographic separation of analytes followed by detection with mass spectrometry. The method involves a rapid solid-phase extraction from plasma, simple isocratic chromatography conditions and mass spectrometric detection that enables detection at sub-nanogram levels. The proposed method has been validated for a linear range of 0.1-10.0 ng/mL with correlation coefficient >or=0.9990. The intrarun and interrun precision and accuracy were within 10.0%. The overall recovery for amlodipine was 63.67%. Total run time was 3.2 min only.     

Development and validation of bioanalytical methods for imidafenacin (KRP-197/ONO-8025) and its metabolites in human urine by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

New bioanalytical methods have been developed for the determination of imidafenacin (KRP-197/ONO-8025, IM), a novel antimuscarinic drug developed for the treatment of overactive bladder, and its metabolites, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-6 and M-8 (method 1), M-5 and M-9 (method 2) in human urine by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In each method, the urine sample was extracted by solid-phase extraction, separated on a semi-micro high-performance liquid chromatography column using gradient elution and detected by tandem mass spectrometer with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization or ionspray interface. Extraction recoveries of IM and metabolites were 81.4% or more. Calibration curves had good linearity in the concentration ranges 0.2-50 ng/mL for IM, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-6 and M-8 (method 1) and 1-250 ng/mL for M-5 and M-9 (method 2), respectively. The accuracy and precision in the intra-day and inter-day reproducibility tests were within +/-17.0 and 16.1% at the lowest concentrations, and within +/-12.8 and 11.1% at higher concentrations, respectively. Using these analytical methods, excretion profiles of IM and its metabolites in human urine were successfully determined after oral administration of IM at the therapeutic dosage of 0.1 mg.     

Determination of faropenem in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantitative detection method, using cefalexin as internal standard, was developed for the analysis of faropenem in human plasma and urine. After precipitation of the plasma proteins with acetonitrile, the analytes were separated on a C18 reversed-phase column with 0.1% formic acid-methanol (45:55, v/v) and detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode. Calibration curves with good linearities (r=0.9991 for plasma sample and r=0.9993 for urine sample) were obtained in the range 5-4000 ng/mL for faropenem. The limit of detection was 5 ng/mL. Recoveries were around 90% for the extraction from human plasma, and good precision and accuracy were achieved. This method is feasible for the evaluation of pharmacokinetic profiles of faropenem in humans, and to our knowledge, it is the first time the pharmacokinetic of faropenem has been elucidated in vivo using LC-MS/MS.     

Quantification of ropivacaine and its major metabolites in human urine samples utilizing microextraction in a packed syringe automated with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MEPS-LC-MS/MS)

The determination of ropivacaine and its major metabolites in urine was performed using microextraction in a packed syringe as an on-line sample preparation method with LC and MS/MS. The sampling sorbent utilized was polystyrene polymer. [2H7]ropivacaine was used as the internal standard. The lower LOQ was 5.0 nmol/L. The calibration curves were obtained within the concentration range 5-2000 nmol/ L in urine. The regression correlation coefficients for urine samples were > or = 0.999 for all runs. The between-batch accuracy and precision values were determined from six replicates of quality control (QC) samples at three different concentrations in human urine. The mean accuracy values for the QC samples, reported as the percentage difference from the nominal value, were in the range of 99-115%. The precisions, given as the RSDs, were in the range 1.9-11%. The present method is miniaturized and fully automated and can be used for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies.     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method of urine analysis for determining human variation in carcinogen metabolism

We developed a solid-phase extraction LC-MS-MS method for the analysis of the four major metabolites of PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine) in human urine after a meal of well-done chicken. Ten volunteers each ate either 150 or 200 g of well-done chicken breast containing 9-21 microg of PhIP. Among the individual volunteers there is 8-fold variation in the total amount of metabolites and 20-fold variation in the relative amounts of individual metabolites, showing individual differences in carcinogen metabolism. PhIP metabolites were also detected in urine from a subject consuming chicken in a restaurant meal, demonstrating the method's sensitivity after real-life exposures.     

Identification and quantification of the plasma volume expander dextran in human urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of enzymatically derived isomaltose

Plasma volume expanders are used in sports in order to control haematological parameters and/or to mask erythropoietin (EPO) misuse. A reliable method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for doping control purposes, enabling the identification and quantification of the plasma volume expander dextran in human urine. The dextran polymer was enzymatically hydrolysed by alpha-1,6-glucosidase (dextranase) followed by acetylation of the generated isomaltose subunits, allowing the chromatographic separation of different disaccharides, such as lactose, saccharose and isomaltose, as well as the identification and quantification of the analyte in human urine. The method was used to determine the basal concentration of isomaltose resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of polymeric 1,6-linked glucose in 238 routine doping control samples. In addition the concentration of dextran measured as isomaltose was estimated in seven urine specimens obtained from patients treated with dextran. Calibration curves for dextran were linear and reproducible. The inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation for dextran ranged from 4.9 to 7.3% at three concentration levels between 53 and 1186 microg/mL. Recovery ranged from 97 to 112% (mean 106.9%). The assay limit of detection was 3.8 microg/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 12.5 microg/mL. In 96% of the investigated doping control samples, the concentrations of isomaltose were below the LLOQ of 12.5 microg/mL. Even the highest concentrations were approximately 100-300-fold lower than concentrations found in urine samples of patients after intravenous application of dextran. The presented results demonstrate the capability and reliability of the developed LC-MS/MS method for the identification and quantification of dextran in human urine and can be regarded as a method revealing the misuse of dextran in sports.     

Simultaneous quantification of atorvastatin and active metabolites in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using rosuvastatin as internal standard

A simple, sensitive, selective and rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of atorvastatin and its active metabolites ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin and para-hydroxyatorvastatin in human plasma using rosuvastatin as internal standard (IS). Following simple liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase C18 column and analyzed by MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]+ ions, m/z 559/440 for atorvastatin, m/z 575/466 for ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin, m/z 575/440 for para-hydroxyatorvastatin and m/z 482/258 for the IS. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.1-20 ng/mL for atorvastatin and its two metabolites in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 100 pg/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 8%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The average absolute recoveries of atorvastatin, ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin, para-hydroxyatorvastatin and the IS from spiked plasma samples were 54.2 +/- 3.2, 50.1 +/- 3.8, 65.2 +/- 3.6 and 71.7 +/- 2.7%, respectively. A run time of 2.5 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 300 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.     

Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the quantification of valproic acid in human plasma

A simple, sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of valproic acid, an antiepileptic drug, in human plasma using benzoic acid as internal standard (IS). Following solid-phase extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase C18 column and analyzed by MS in the single ion monitoring mode using the respective [M-H]- ions, m/z 143 for valproic acid and m/z 121 for the IS. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.5-60 microg/mL for valproic acid in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 500 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 10%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The average absolute recoveries of valproic acid and the IS from spiked plasma samples were 96.1+/-4.2 and 95.6+/-2.7%, respectively. A run time of 4.5 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 250 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability and bioequivalence studies.     

Identification of major metabolites in rat urine and plasma of N(6) -(4-hydroxybenzyl) adenine riboside by LC/MS/MS

N(6) -(4-hydroxybenzyl) adenine riboside, a novel neuroprotective compound found in Gastrodia elata at trace level, is regarded as a potential drug for the treatment of neural degenerative disease. To understand the metabolism of this compound, the metabolites in rat urine and plasma of N(6) -(4-hydroxybenzyl) adenine riboside were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS after oral administration of this compound. Beside the parent compound, six phase I metabolites and four phase II metabolites in urine were detected by scanning all possible metabolites in extracted ion chromatograms mode. By comparing their product ion spectra and retention times with those of parent compound, these metabolites were identified and proved to be mainly formed via hydrolysis or hydroxylation in phase I, N-sulfation or N-glucuronidation in phase II or their combinations. Similarly, the parent compound, one phase I metabolite and two phase II metabolites were also identified in rat plasma. Therefore, the in vivo metabolic pathways of N(6) -(4-hydroxybenzyl) adenine riboside in rat were proposed.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定人尿液中7种邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物

建立了同时检测人尿液中7种邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物的高效液相色谱-串联三重四极杆质谱法。尿液经酶水解后,采用萃取柱净化,以2%(v/v)甲酸甲醇溶液为洗脱剂,经苯基柱分离,以0.1%(v/v)乙酸水溶液和0.1%(v/v)乙酸乙腈溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,采用电喷雾离子源负离子模式和多反应监测模式采集信号,用同位素内标法进行定量分析。尿液中7种邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物在0.2~200.0 μg/L范围内定量离子的相对峰面积比值与质量浓度均呈良好线性关系(r≥0.99976);检出限(LOD)为13.43~80.21 ng/L,定量限为44.77~267.37 ng/L; 3个水平的加标回收率为88.8%~108.9%,日内和日间精密度均不大于17.05%。该方法可同时准确、灵敏、简便地测定人尿液中7种邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物的暴露水平。     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the identification of L-tetrahydropalmatine metabolites in Penicillium janthinellum and rats

L-tetrahydropalmatine (L-THP) is an active alkaloid from Stephania ainiaca Diels. In order to compare the similarities and differences of microbial and mammalian metabolisms of L-THP, the microbial transformation by Penicillium janthinellum and metabolism in rats were investigated. Biotransformation of L-THP by Penicillium janthinellum AS 3.510 resulted in the formation of three metabolites. Their structures were identified as L-corydalmine, L-corypalmine and 9-O-desmethyl-L-THP, respectively, by comprehensive nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Six metabolites (M1-M6) were detected from the in vivo study in rats and three of which (L-corydalmine, L-corypalmine and 9-O-desmethyl-L-THP) were identified as the same compounds as those obtained from microbial metabolism by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis and comparison with reference standards obtained from microbial metabolism. The structures of the additional three metabolites were tentatively deduced as 2-O-desmethyl-L-THP and two di-O-demethylated L-THP by LC-MS/MS analysis. Time courses of microbial and rat metabolisms of L-THP were also investigated.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时快速确证检测血浆和尿液中的42种精神药物及其代谢产物

针对公共卫生突发事件和临床毒物学检测实践中亟待解决的问题,建立了血浆和尿液中42种精神药物及其代谢产物的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)快速确证分析方法。样品经乙腈沉淀后,以乙酸铵和甲醇-乙腈(1:1, v/v)混合液作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,在Acquity UPLC BEH C18色谱柱上分离后用电喷雾串联质谱法检测,采用正、负离子快速切换多反应监测模式监测,基质标准同位素内标法定量。血浆样品中待测组分的加标回收率除了奋乃静、硫利哒嗪和氯丙嗪的分别为37.6%～57.5%, 36.3%～48.3%和52.4%～67.4%外,尿液样品中待测组分的加标回收率除了曲唑酮和地西泮的分别为100%～142%和108%～177%外,血浆和尿液中其余待测组分的加标回收率分别为60.2%～125%和64.5%～126%,相对标准偏差分别为0.8%～26%和2.6%～18%(n=6);除了巴比妥类药物的检出限为20～100 mg/L外,其余药物的检出限均为0.05～2.0 mg/L。该方法简单、快速、特异性强、灵敏度高。     

Development and validation of a high-sensitivity liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method with chemical derivatization for the determination of ethinyl estradiol in human plasma

An ultra-sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for the analysis of oral contraceptive ethinyl estradiol (EE) was developed and validated over the curve range of 2.5-500 pg/mL using 1 mL of human plasma sample. Ethinyl estradiol and the internal standard, ethinyl estradiol tetra-deuterated (EE-d4), were extracted from the plasma matrix with methyl t-butyl ether, derivatized with dansyl chloride and then back-extracted into hexane. The hexane phase was evaporated to dryness, reconstituted and injected onto the LC/MS/MS system. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Luna C(18) column (50 x 2 mm, 5 micro m) with an isocratic mobile phase of 20:80 (v/v) water:acetonitrile with 1% formic acid. The offline derivatization procedure introduced the easily ionizable tertiary amine function group to EE. This greatly improved analyte sensitivity in electrospray ionization and enabled us to achieve the desired lower limit of quantitation at 2.5 pg/mL. This high sensitivity method can be used for therapeutic drug monitoring or supporting bio-equivalence and drug-drug interaction studies in human subjects.     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of a new oxazolidinone antibiotic DA-7867 in human plasma

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method for the determination of a new ox-azolidinone antibiotic DA-7867, (S)-[N-3-(4-(2-(1-methyl-5-tetrazolyl)-pyridine-5-yl)-3- fl uorophenyl)-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl acetamide, in human plasma was developed. DA-7867 and internal standard, linezolid, were extracted from human plasma with ethyl acetate at acidic pH. A reverse-phase LC separation was performed on Luna C(8) column with the mixture of acetonitrile-ammonium formate (10 mm, pH 4.5; 35:65, v/v) as mobile phase. The analytes were determined using an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple-reaction-monitoring mode. The lower limits of quanti fi cation for DA-7867 was 2.5 ng/mL. The single liquid-liquid extraction quantitatively recovered DA-7867 and internal standard from plasma samples at the ranges of 82.2-86.7%. DA-7867 was stable in blank human plasma at room temperature for 24 h and following three freeze-thaw cycles.     

Determination of denaverine and its metabolites in urine samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS-MS) method was developed for the determination of the neurotropic-musculotropic spasmolytic agent denaverine and five of its metabolites in urine. In a first step beta-glucuronidase was used to cleave glucuronides in the human urine. After that samples containing denaverine and its phase I metabolites were extracted and cleaned up using an automated solid phase extraction method. An external calibration was used. The analytes were measured employing the multiple reaction-monitoring mode (MRM). The linear dynamic range for denaverine and its five metabolites determination was demonstrated from lower limit of quantification (8.0 ng/ml) to at least 500 ng/ml. The presented method is suitable for pharmacokinetic or toxicokinetic studies. With the help of reference substances some additional potential metabolites could be excluded in the urine samples. To look for additional unknown metabolites the LC-MS-MS system operated on one hand in the precursor ion mode using typical product ions of denaverine and of its metabolites and on the other hand in the product ion mode using postulated protonated molecules [M+H](+). With the help of the chromatographic behaviour and typical fragment ions of the unknown metabolites it was possible to elucidate their structures. Nine until now unknown metabolites were found in the urine samples. However, without reference substances a quantification of these analytes was not possible.