Determination of four thiophenethylamine designer drugs (2C‐T‐4, 2C‐T‐8, 2C‐T‐13, 2C‐T‐17) in human urine by capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry

An analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination in human urine of four thiophenethylamine designer drugs (2C‐T series) is reported. The quantitative analysis was performed by capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometric detection (CE/MS), using 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐methylthiophenethylamine‐D₄ (2C‐T‐D₄) as internal standard. In order to minimize interferences with matrix components and to preconcentrate target analytes, solid‐phase extraction (SPE) was introduced in the method as a clean‐up step. The method was validated according to international guidelines. The data for accuracy and precision were within required limits. Calibration curves were generated over the range from 10 to 500 ng mL^?1 and correlation coefficients always exceeded 0.997. The method was demonstrated to be specific, sensitive, and reliable for the analysis of these derivatives in urine samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous chiral separation and determination of carvedilol and 5′-hydroxyphenyl carvedilol enantiomers from human urine by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescent detection

A sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescent detection (HPLC-FL) and tandem mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-MS/MS) methods for separation and determination of carvedilol (CAR) enantiomers and 5′-hydroxyphenyl carvedilol (5′-HCAR) enantiomers has been developed and validated. The analysed compounds were extracted from human urine by solid phase extraction. Good enantioseparation of the studied enantiomers was achieved on CHIRALCEL® OD-RH column using 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid and 0.05% diethylamine in water and acetonitrile in a gradient elution. The mass spectrometric data were acquired using the multiple reaction monitoring mode by positive electrospray ionisation. The method was validated over the concentration range from 25.0 ng mL^?1 to 200 ng mL^?1 for the analysed compounds. The limit of quantification varied from 14.2 ng mL^?1 to 24.2 ng mL^?1. Both the repeatability and inter-day precisions were below 10.0%, and the accuracy varied from ?13.2% to 3.77%. The extraction recoveries ranged from 79.2% to 108%. The present paper reports the method for the simultaneous determination of CAR enantiomers and their metabolite enantiomers (5′-HCAR) in human urine samples. This newly developed method was successfully used to analyse the aforementioned analytes in human urine samples obtained from patients suffering from cardiovascular disease.      

Validated method for occupational cyclophosphamide monitoring using LC-MS/MS and a Poroshell 120 column

Pharmacy staff and health care workers in hospitals may be exposed to antineoplastic drugs during cancer chemotherapy. Sensitive methods should be used to monitor the occupational exposure in biofluids such as urine. In this study, a sensitive method for cyclophosphamide determination in urine with high recovery was developed and validated for monitoring occupational exposure. Triple liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate/dichloromethane (φ_r= 3:1; 6.0 mL) was applied. Good separation of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide was achieved in a 9.0 min analysis, using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.07 ng mL^?1 and 0.11 ng mL^?1, respectively. Repeatability (RSD, %) was ≤ 12.74%. Inter-day and inter-analyst precision values (RSD, %) were ≤ 13.94% and 12.59%. Mean recovery for three different concentrations was (101.62 ± 6.05) %. The validation results were fitted for the purpose of routine monitoring of occupational cyclophosphamide exposure in hospital staff.     

Development of a Carbon Nanotube Modified Ionic Liquid Electrode for the Voltammetric Determination of Methyldopa Levels in Urine

A glassy carbon electrode was modified with carbon nanotubes and the ionic liquid N‐butyl pyridinium trifluoromethyl methanesulfonate for the determination of methyldopa in urine samples. Methyldopa exhibited a well‐defined anodic signal over a broad pH range of 2–10 and the peak current increased approximately 100 fold over that of the unmodified electrode. Accordingly, a novel method for the determination of methyldopa was proposed using differential pulse voltammetry. The peak current was linear over a methyldopa concentration range from 21 to 2111 ng mL^?1 with a LOD of 6.9 ng mL^?1 and a LOQ of 7.4 ng mL^?1. The method was applied to determine the excretion profile of methyldopa in urine without sample pretreatment.     

Selective extraction of catecholamines by packed fiber solid‐phase using composite nanofibers composing of polymeric crown ether with polystyrene

For the first time, electrospun composite nanofibers comprising polymeric crown ether with polystyrene (PCE‐PS) have been used for the selective extraction of catecholamines – dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) – prior to their analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrochemical detection. Using a minicartridge packed with PCE‐PS composite nanofibers, the target compounds were extracted effectively from urine samples to which diphenylborinic acid 2‐aminoethyl ester was added as a complexing reagent. The extracted catecholamines could be liberated from the fiber by the addition of acetic acid. A good linearity was observed for catecholamines in the range of 2.0–200 ng mL^?1 (NE, E and DA). The detection limits of catecholamines (signal‐to‐noise ratio = 3) were 0.5 ng mL^?1 (NE), 0.2 ng mL^?1 (E) and 0.2 ng mL^?1 (DA), respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the absolute recoveries of the above three catecholamines were 90.6% (NE), 88.5% (E) and 94.5% (DA). The repeatability of extraction performance was from 5.4 to 9.2% (expressed as relative standard deviation). Our results indicate that the proposed method could be used for the determination of NE, E and DA in urine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fabrication of Immunosensor Based on Polyaniline,Fullerene‐C60 and Palladium Nanoparticles Nanocomposite: An Electrochemical Detection Tool for Prostate Cancer

Present work demonstrates the fabrication of new and facile sandwich‐type electrochemical immunosensor based on palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs), polyaniline (PANI) and fullerene‐C₆₀ nanocomposite film modified glassy carbon electrode (PdNP@PANI‐C₆₀/GCE) for ultrasensitive detection of Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) biomarker. PdNP@PANI‐C₆₀ was electrochemically synthesized on GCE and used as an electroactive substrate. PdNP@PANI‐C₆₀ was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Primary antibody anti‐PSA (Ab1) was covalently immobilized on PdNP@PANI‐C₆₀/GCE using NHS/EDC linkers. In the presence of PSA antigen, horseradish peroxidase secondary antibody (HRP‐Ab2) was brought into the surface of the electrode, developing stable amplified signals of H₂O₂ reduction. Under the optimal conditions, a linear curve for determination of PSA at the proposed immunosensor was 1.6×10^?4 ng.mL^?1 to 38 ng.mL^?1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.95×10^?5 ng.mL^?1. The proposed immunosensor was successfully validated in serum and urine samples towards PSA detection with satisfactory and acceptable results.     

An Indirect Competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Simultaneous Determination of Florfenicol and Thiamphenicol in Animal Meat and Urine

A high-affinity polyclonal antibody was prepared by immunizing animals with haptens FFD and FFM. Under the optimal combination of coating antigen and antibody, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) for simultaneous detection of florfenicol and thiamphenicol residues in animal meat and urine samples was developed. The icELISA showed an IC₅₀ value of 1.32 ng mL^?1 for florfenicol and 2.13 ng mL^?1 for thiamphenicol, respectively. The linear ranges were from 0.31 to 5.61 ng mL^?1 with a limit of detection of 0.12 ng mL^?1 for florfenicol, and 0.41 to 11.2 ng mL^?1 with a limit of detection of 0.15 ng mL^?1 for thiamphenicol, respectively. The average recoveries of florfenicol and thiamphenicol in spiked samples ranged from 77.2% to 116.0% with a relative standard deviation of less than 15%. Therefore, this proposed icELISA provided a valid detection method for florfenicol and thiamphenicol residues in animal tissue and urine samples.     

Determination of Fluoxetine in Human Plasma by Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Its Application

Abstract

A rapid, simple, and specific liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometric method has been developed and validated for the determination of fluoxetine in human plasma. The method was validated with a linear range of 0.5–100 ng mL^?1, and the lowest limits of quantification were 0.5 ng mL^?1 for fluoxetine. The extraction efficiencies were about 65% and recoveries of method were in the range of 94.0–97.5%. The intraday relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 11% and interday RSD was within 12%. The method has been successfully applied to the evaluation of pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of fluoxetine.     

Simultaneous Determination of Atenolol and Chlorthalidone by LC–MS–MS in Human Plasma

A simple, sensitive, selective and rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous separation and quantitation of atenolol and chlorthalidone in human plasma using metoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide as internal standard. Following solid phase extraction, the analytes were separated by an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column and analyzed by MS in the multiple reaction-monitoring mode (atenolol in positive and chlorthalidone in the negative ion mode). The limit of quantitation for this method was 10 and 15 ng mL^?1 and the linear dynamic range was generally 10–2,050 ng mL^?1 and 15–3,035 ng mL^?1 for atenolol and chlorthalidone, respectively.     

Simultaneous Determination of β-Artemether and its Metabolite Dihydroartemisinin in Human Plasma and Urine by a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Assay Using Electrospray Ionisation

A sensitive and selective method is described for the determination of β-artemether (AM) and its metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in human plasma and urine using artemisinin (IS) as internal standard. The method consists of a liquid-liquid extraction using 2,2,4-trimethylpentane – ethyl acetate (7:3 v/v) with subsequent evaporation of the supernatant to dryness followed by the analysis of the reconstituted sample by liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using positive electrospray ionisation (ESI). The acquisition was performed using a mass range scan and the ions (MH+?CH3OH) m/z 267.2, (MH+?H2O) m/z 267.2 and (MH+) m/z 283.2 for AM, DHA and IS respectively were used for compound quantifications. Chromatography was performed on a C18 reversed-phase column using a gradient of acetonitrile – ammonium acetate 10 mM, glacial acetic acid 0.1% as a mobile phase. The method was validated over a concentration range of 10–1000 ng mL^?1 using 1 mL of human plasma per assay and over a concentration range of 5–500 ng mL^?1 using 2 mL of human urine per assay. The method was applied to the quantitation of β-artemether and dihydroartemisinin in human plasma and urine of volunteers participating in a drug pharmacokinetic study.     

Determination of three antidepressants in urine using simultaneous derivatization and temperature‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection

This paper presents a fast and simple method for the extraction, preconcentration and determination of fluvoxamine, nortriptyline and maprotiline in urine using simultaneous derivatization and temperature‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (TA‐DLLME) followed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC‐FID). An appropriate mixture of dimethylformamide (disperser solvent), 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane (extraction solvent) and acetic anhydride (derivatization agent) was rapidly injected into the heated sample. Then the solution was cooled to room temperature and cloudy solution formed was centrifuged. Finally a portion of the sedimented phase was injected into the GC‐FID. The effect of several factors affecting the performance of the method, including the selection of suitable extraction and disperser solvents and their volumes, volume of derivatization agent, temperature, salt addition, pH and centrifugation time and speed were investigated and optimized. Figures of merit of the proposed method, such as linearity (r² > 0.993), enrichment factors (820–1070), limits of detection (2–4 ng mL^?1) and quantification (8–12 ng mL^?1), and relative standard deviations (3–6%) for both intraday and interday precisions (concentration = 50 ng mL^?1) were satisfactory for determination of the selected antidepressants. Finally the method was successfully applied to determine the target pharmaceuticals in urine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct injection liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometric horse urine analysis for the quantification and confirmation of threshold substances for doping control. II. Determination of theobromine

In equine sport, theobromine is prohibited with a threshold level of 2 µg mL^?1 in urine, hence doping control laboratories have to establish quantitative and qualitative methods for its determination. Two simple liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods for the identification and quantification of theobromine were developed and validated using the same sample preparation procedure but different mass spectrometric systems: ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). Particle‐free diluted urine samples were directly injected into the LC/MS systems, avoiding the time‐consuming extraction step. 3‐Propylxanthine was used as the internal standard. The tested linear range was 0.75–15 µg mL^?1. Matrix effects were evaluated analyzing calibration curves in water and different fortified horse urine samples. A great variation in the signal of theobromine and the internal standard was observed in different matrices. To overcome matrix effects, a standard additions calibration method was applied. The relative standard deviations of intra‐ and inter‐day analysis were lower than 8.6 and 7.2%, respectively, for the LC/ITMS method and lower than 5.7 and 5.8%, respectively, for the LC/TOFMS method. The bias was less than 8.7% for both methods. The methods were applied to two case samples, demonstrating simplicity, accuracy and selectivity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Potentiometric detection in UPLC as an easy alternative to determine cocaine in biological samples

The analytical methods which are often used for the determination of cocaine in complex biological matrices are a prescreening immunoassay and confirmation by chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. We suggest an ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography combined with a potentiometric detector, as a fast and practical method to detect and quantify cocaine in biological samples. An adsorption/desorption model was used to investigate the usefulness of the potentiometric detector to determine cocaine in complex matrices. Detection limits of 6.3 ng mL^?1 were obtained in plasma and urine, which is below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 25 ng mL^?1. A set of seven plasma samples and 10 urine samples were classified identically by both methods as exceeding the MRL or being inferior to it. The results obtained with the UPLC/potentiometric detection method were compared with the results obtained with the UPLC/MS method for samples spiked with varying cocaine concentrations. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.997 for serum (n =7) and 0.977 for urine (n =8). As liquid chromatography is an established technique, and as potentiometry is very simple and cost‐effective in terms of equipment, we believe that this method is potentially easy, inexpensive, fast and reliable. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cloud point extraction of disulfiram for its HPLC-MS/MS determination in synthetic urine

A new simple cloud point extraction/preconcentration method was developed for the HPLCMS/MS determination of disulfiram in synthetic urine. Some parameters with an effect on the extraction, such as the concentration of Triton X-114, pH influence, incubation time, equilibration temperature and centrifuging parameters, were studied and optimised. The method proposed for the HPLC-MS/MS determination of disulfiram in synthetic urine with preliminary cloud point extraction was validated. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.025–15.4 ng mL?1. The limits of detection (3σ) and quantification (10σ) were 0.008 ng mL^?1 and 0.025 ng mL^?1, respectively. The matrix effect (96 %), recovery of the extraction procedure (95 %) and overall “process efficiency” (91 %) were also estimated. The results show that the sensitivity, metrological characteristics, ecological safety, simplicity and convenience of the suggested procedure exceed its analogues based on extraction using organic solvents.     

Detection of Anti-Ulcer Drugs and Their Metabolites in Horse Urine by Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry

This paper describes a convenient method for the extraction and detection of eight anti-ulcer drugs simultaneously in horse urine, a relatively complex and viscous matrix, using a single-step liquid-liquid extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Anti-ulcer drugs were isolated from horse urine by salting out and liquid-liquid extraction. Detection of these drugs at concentrations below 1 ng mL^?1 could be achieved using LC-MS-MS in the positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) mode. The above analysis was also extended to elimination studies of horses administered with ranitidine and omeprazole. The urinary elimination data of these two drugs suggest that ranitidine was eliminated from horse urine at a much slower rate than omeprazole. In addition, three ranitidine metabolites and six omeprazole metabolites were identified for the first time in equine urine samples.     

Highly sensitive UHPLC–DAD method for simultaneous determination of two synergistically acting antiepileptic drugs; levetiracetam and lacosamide: Application to pharmaceutical tablets and human urine

A simple and highly sensitive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatographic–diode array (UHPLC‐DAD) detection method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of levetiracetam (LEV) and lacosamide (LAC). It was clinically proven that the combination of LEV and LAC exhibits a synergistic effect against refractory seizures in mice, which was the motivation for the analysis of this binary mixture both in bulk and in human urine samples. The binary mixture was resolved on a Hypersil BDS C₁₈ analytical column, utilizing a mobile phase of 0.050 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer (pH 5.60), methanol and acetonitrile in the ratio (80:10:10 v/v/v) using catechol as an internal standard. The mobile phase was pumped at a flow rate of 1.2 mL min^?1 with diode array detection at 205 nm for both drugs and 270 nm for IS. Calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficient >0.9990 over the studied concentration range of 0.1–70.0 μg mL^?1 for both drugs. The developed method was reproducible with low relative standard deviation values for intra‐ and inter‐day precision (<2.0%). Both drugs were determined in bulk, pharmaceutical formulations and human urine samples without any interference from complex matrices.     

Trace analysis of tetracycline antibiotics in human urine using UPLC–QToF mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and specific ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–QToF-MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of three tetracyclines (TCs) including oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline in human urine. Human urine sample preparation involves pH adjustment to 4 with hydrochloric acid, pre-concentration, and cleanup by solid phase extraction (SPE) process. The chromatographic separation of all TCs was achieved in less than 5 min using UPLC and ESI-QToF-MS was successfully employed for the identification and quantification. The accurate masses of the product ions were calculated using lock mass correction, and were deviated from the theoretical masses by 0.5–1.9 mDa and 1.1–4.5 ppm, respectively. The developed method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, selectivity, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation for all TCs were estimated in the range of 0.089–0.138 ng mL^{− 1} and 0.294–0.455 ng mL^{− 1}, respectively. High overall recoveries of greater than 90% were achieved with linear responses over the 0.5–2 ng mL^{− 1} range for all TCs in urine samples.     

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.     

Simultaneous Quantitation of Captopril and NSAID's in API,Dosage Formulations and Human Serum by RP‐HPLC

An accurate, sensitive and least time consuming reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP‐HPLC) method for the estimation of captopril in the presence of non steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in formulation and human serum has been developed and validated. Chromatographic separation was conducted on prepacked Purospher star C18 (5 μm, 25 × 0.46 cm) column at room temperature using methanol:water (80:20 v/v) as a mobile phase, pH adjusted at 2.8 with o‐phosphoric acid and at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹, while UV detection was performed at 227 nm. The limit of detection and quantification for captopril were 1 and 0.35 ng mL⁻¹, while that for (NSAID's) i.e. flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium and mefenamic acid LOD were 0.2, 1, 2 and 0.4 ng mL⁻¹ respectively and LOQ were 0.9, 2.9, 8 and 1 ng mL⁻¹ Analytical recovery was > 98.1%. The method used for the quantitative analysis of commonly administered non steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) i.e. ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, diclofenac sodium and mefenamic acid alone or in combination with captopril from API (active pharmaceutical ingredients), dosage formulations and in human serum. The established method is rapid (RT < 12 min), accurate (recovery > 98.1%), selective (no interference of excepients and other commonly used drugs and food) and sensitive (LOQ 3.5 ng mL^;‐1) and reproducible (SD ± 0.003).     

Simultaneous quantitation of IC87114, roflumilast and its active metabolite roflumilast N‐oxide in plasma by LC‐MS/MS: application for a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and reliable high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification IC87114, roflumilast (RFM), and its active metabolite roflumilast N‐oxide (RFN) using tolbutamide as an internal standard. The analytes were extracted by using liquid–liquid extraction and separated on a reverse phase C₁₈ column (50 mm × 3 mm i.d., 4.6 µ) using methanol: 2 mM ammonium acetate buffer, pH 4.0 as mobile phase at a flow rate 1 mL/min in gradient mode. Selective reaction monitoring was performed using the transitions m/z 398.3 > 145.9, 403.1 >186.9, 419.1 > 187.0 and 271.1 > 155.0 to quantify quantification IC87114, RFM, RFN and tolbutamide, respectively. The method was validated over the concentration range of 0.1–60 ng.mL^?1 for RFM and RFN and 6 to 2980 ng.mL^?1 for IC87114. Intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision of validated method were within the acceptable limits of <15% at all concentrations. Coefficients of correlation (r²) for the calibration curves were >0.99 for all analytes. The quantitation method was successfully applied for simultaneous estimation of IC87114, RFM and RFN in a pharmacokinetic drug–drug interaction study in Wistar rats. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.