Improved method to quantify intracellular zidovudine mono- and triphosphate in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The determination of intracellular triphosphate metabolites of nucleoside analogs used in anti-HIV therapy is very challenging. Despite the well-known sensitivity and selectivity of LC-MS/MS, the measurement of the triphosphate metabolite of zidovudine (AZT-TP) remains difficult because of the interferences induced by endogenous nucleotides triphosphates. We describe a new approach that allows improved determination of AZT-TP simultaneously with AZT-monophosphate (MP). This was obtained, first, by monitoring a transition from the molecular ion of AZT-TP to a minor but very specific product ion. Then, the spiking of samples with a constant amount of AZT-TP allowed the signal to emerge from background, leading to increased sensitivity. Finally, the analytical run time was reduced to less than 10 min. The low limits of quantification were at 150 and 300 fmol per sample for AZT-TP and AZT-MP, respectively. Recoveries were higher than 85%. Inaccuracy and precision were lower than 10% and 15% (17% at the limit of quantification), respectively. The new method offers the possibility of determining simultaneously other nucleotide phosphates, as shown here for d4T-TP (the triphosphate metabolite of another nucleoside analog, stavudine or d4T) and 2'-deoxythymidine-5'-triphosphate or dTTP (the corresponding natural nucleotide triphosphate).