Development and validation of a rapid LC-ESI-MS/MS method for quantification of fluoxetine and its application to MS binding assays

In the present study, a rapid and sensitive LC-ESI-MS/MS method for quantification of (S)-fluoxetine as a native marker in mass spectrometry (MS) binding assays addressing the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) was developed and validated. The concept of MS binding assays based on mass spectrometric quantification of a nonlabeled marker recently introduced by us represents a promising alternative to conventional radioligand binding without the drawbacks inherently connected with radioisotope labeling. For high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a 20 × 2-mm RP-18 column with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and ammonium bicarbonate buffer (5 mmol L⁻¹, pH 9.5) at a ratio of 80:20 (v/v) and a flow rate of 800 μL min⁻¹ in an isocratic mode were used, resulting in a chromatographic cycle time of 60 s. Employing [²H₅]fluoxetine as internal standard enabled ESI-MS/MS quantification of (S)-fluoxetine between 3 nmol L⁻¹ and 50 pmol L⁻¹ (LLOQ) in matrix obtained from binding experiments without the need of any sample preparation. Validation of the method showed that linearity, intra-, and inter-batch accuracy as well as precision meet the requirements of the FDA guidance for bioanalytical method validation. Considering sensitivity and speed, the established method is clearly superior to those published for biological matrices so far. Furthermore, the method was transferred to other RP-18 columns of different lengths and respective validation experiments demonstrated its versatility and chromatographic robustness. Finally, the newly developed method was successfully applied to MS binding assays for hSERT. The affinity determined for (S)-fluoxetine in saturation experiments was in good agreement with literature data obtained in respective radioligand binding assays.     

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Intensitätsverhalten von Molekülanionen organischer Substanzen unter verschiedenen Versuchsbedingungen

A modified commercial mass spectrometer was used to perform quantitative measurements on negative ions of selected organic compounds at about 10^?4 Torr source pressure. The pressure dependency of the molecular ion intensity on pure compounds and binary mixtures shows up two different sources of slow secondary electrons. At low total source pressures a log-log plot of the ion intensity against the sample amount is linear and slow electrons are produced predominantly by wall effects, whereas at high pressures plasma effects arise with a non-linear pressure dependency.     

Mass spectrometry of onium compounds—II. Carnitine and O-acyl derivatives

Carnitine and its O-acyl derivatives undergo two major pyrolytic reactions in the mass spectrometer. Firstly elimination of water from carnitine or acid from acylcarnitine takes place followed by intramolecular displacement and formation of crotonyl lactone and trimethylamine. Secondly intramolecular displacement occurs with formation of a substituted γ-lactone and trimethylamine. For the lower acid derivatives only the elimination pathway is important. For carnitine and higher derivatives both processes are important. The electron induced fragmentations of the major pyrolysis products are relatively simple. The most important pathways for the major components are discussed. The pyrolytic composition and mode of fragmentation are characteristic and can be used for identification purposes.     

Molecular Structure of Phosphinidene Phosphates

Abstract

Alkalimetal diphenylphosphinites degrade (Ph-P)₅ and P₄ to give anions containing a chain of 2, 3 or 4 four- and two-coordinated phosphorus atoms. Representatives of the chain with two four-coordinated and one two-coordinated P atoms became first available from the aminolysis of tris (phosphoryl)phosphides¹.