Determination of flumazenil in plasma by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A gas chromatographic-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric (GC-NCI-MS) method for the determination of flumazenil in plasma is described. The GC of flumazenil (M_r 303) is considered to be difficult as it is readily adsorbed in the GC column. Therefore, preconditioning the GC column with reconstituted extract from plasma and Silyl-8 was required to cover the active sites on the column. Monitoring the maximum mass peak (m/z 275) of the flumazenil resulted in a tenfold enhancement of sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (concentration = 1 ng/ml). Isotopically labeled flumazenil-d₃ (M_r 306, m/z 278) was used as the internal standard. The detection limit for flumazenil was found to be 0.1 ng/ml with an injection volume of 2 μl. The signal-to-noise ratio was about 10. The routine quantification limit was set at 2 ng/ml for dog plasma and 1 ng/ml for human plasma. The sample volumes in both instances were 1 ml.     

Quantitative determination of clonazepam in plasma by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A gas chromatographic-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric (GC-NCI-MS) method for the quantitative analysis of clonazepam in human plasma is described. Clonazepam (M_r = 315) was derivatized by N,O-bis-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide with 1% trimethylchlorosilane. A pre-conditioning procedure involving injection of a silyl-8 and ethyl acetate extraction solution from plasma reduces the interaction between clonazepam-TMS and the analytical system. The routine limit of quantification was set to be 0.25 ng/ml with an injection volume of 2 μl and a sample volume of 1 ml. The signal-to-noise ratio was greater than five. The detection limit for clonazepam can reach 0.1 ng/ml. The isotope clonazepam-d₅ was used as the internal standard.     

Determination of bile acids in biological fluids by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, sensitive, and specific liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of bile acids in human bile has been developed. The bile acids were extracted with a C(18) (octadecyl) reversed-phase column and identified and quantified by simultaneous monitoring of their parent and daughter ions, using the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Identification and quantification of conjugated bile acids in bile was achieved in 5 min. The detection limit was 1 ng, and the determination was linear for concentrations up to 100 ng. The percent recovery of standards made of single conjugated (glycine and taurine) bile acid or of mixture of glycine- or taurine-conjugated cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, and lithocholic acid averaged 71.73% to 95.92%. The percent recovery of the same standard bile acids was also determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), using the selected ion monitoring mode, and averaged 66% to 96%. A biliary bile acid profile of human gallbladder bile was obtained by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS.The results showed a good correlation between the two techniques and no significant differences between the two methods were observed. The LC-MS/MS method was also used for the analysis of serum, urine, and fecal bile acids. In conclusion, LC-MS/MS is a simple, sensitive, and rapid technique for the analysis of conjugated bile acids in bile and other biological samples. - Perwaiz, S., B. Tuchweber, D. Mignault, T. Gilat, and I. M. Yousef. Determination of bile acids in biological fluids by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 114;-119.     

Determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in human tissues by capillary gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry analysis

We describe an analytical method that allows the determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in different human tissues. It involves an extraction procedure with ethanol-ethyl acetate, followed by gel permeation chromatography clean-up step and analysis by capillary gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode. The method was tested for 37 OPs and the recoveries obtained vary between 60 and 106% with standard deviations ranging between +/-2 and +/-10. These values are independent of the analyzed tissue. Peak area repeatability as RSD for some OPs was < or =4.8% while a good linear relationship in the range 1.0-500 pg microl(-1) with r(2)> or =0.9878 was obtained. The limit of detection for the 37 OPs falls between 0.01 and 0.09 ng g(-1) with an RSD< or =9.5%. The analytical set up in this paper has been used to analyze different samples of human tissues (liver, healthy kidney, cancer kidney and adipose tissue) of 24 patients. The number of the identified OPs in the tissue samples is different (max. 20) according to the sample while their concentration ranges between the limit of detection and 28.0 ng g(-1). The highest concentrations have been determined in liver samples without any pathology (0.4-28.0 ng g(-1)) while the lowest concentrations have been determined in healthy kidney samples (0.01-1.50 ng g(-1)). In the cancer kidney samples OP concentrations vary between 0.03 and 4.6 ng g(-1): these concentrations are more elevated than those determined in healthy kidney samples. The comparison between the concentration of OPs determined in the healthy part, when possible, and those determined in the cancer part of the same kidney sample are very interesting: in fact, in the latter the OP concentration is generally 1-2-times higher than that in the former, an index of lower enzymatic activity in the cancer tissue.     

Cortisol production rate measurement by stable isotope dilution using gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

Presented here is a stable isotope dilution technique for determining cortisol production rate (CPR). The method involves extraction and derivatization of cortisol isoforms from serum (0.5 ml), separation of derivatives by gas chromatography, and detection by using negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. This method provides 50-100-fold greater sensitivity than positive ion mass spectrometry and allows for estimations of cortisol production rate with the use of small amounts of pooled serum, even in the presence of high concentrations of lipophilic contaminants. The area under the curve for the total selected ion chromatogram of fluoroacyl derivatives of cortisol (d0, m/z 782) and deuterated cortisol (d3, m/z 785) were used to determine the isotopic dilution ratio in three types of samples: 1) standards: d0/d3 ratios ranging from 1 to 8%; 2) controls: d3-cortisol added to serum with known cortisol concentration; 3) subjects: 24-h pooled serum samples (q 30 min over 24 h) from healthy children (male 10-13 years; female 7-11 years) receiving continuous infusions of d3-cortisol at 2-4% of their estimated CPR. Recovery after the solid phase extraction and derivatization process was >90%, as determined by thin-layer chromatography. Expected versus measured ratios for d3/d0 in standards and serum controls were highly correlated (r2(standard) = 0.99; r2(control) = 0.99) over a wide range of d3-cortisol enrichment (1.0-10.0%). Mean 24-h CPRs were 4.8 +/- 0.6 mg/m2/24 h (mean +/- SEM, n = 7) in male children and 4.4 +/- 0.5 mg/m2/24 h in female children (n = 4). These CPR values are lower than those derived by radio tracer methods, but are in agreement with previous isotopic dilution studies. This technique is an important tool for assessing CPRs in a wide range of disease states affecting cortisol production.     

Quantitative analysis of 6-hydroxymelatonin in human urine by gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A method for assay of urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin, the major metabolite of the pineal hormone melatonin is described. After addition of an internal standard of deuterated 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate, human urine was hydrolyzed enzymatically and free 6-hydroxymelatonin extracted, reacted to form a stable t-butyldimethylsilylpentafluoropropionyl derivative which was separated on silica gel column chromatography, and quantified using electron capture negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Intrassay variability over an 18-h period was 5.4% [53.8 ng/3 ml urine ± 2.94 (SD)] and interassay variability over a 2-week period was 2.1% [51.8 ng/3 ml urine ± 1.08 (SD)].     

Determination of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in human milk by gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry after sample clean-up by solid-phase extraction

This paper describes a simple and efficient procedure for measuring 25 congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls in human milk. The limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng/ml for five less chlorinated congeners (PCB 70, 74, 87, 99,101), and 0.01 ng/ml for the remaining 20 congeners (PCB 77, 105, 118, 126, 128, 138, 151, 153, 156, 169, 170, 180, 183, 187, 191, 194, 205, 206, 208 and 209). Solid phase extraction technology was applied to extract the analytes from the matrix and to remove lipids. Three columns were used sequentially, and they were a Bond Elut C(18), a Sep-Pak Plus NH2 and a Bond Elut PCB cartridge. The instrumental method was gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionization, and selected ion monitoring mode was used.     

Characterization of a novel diclofenac metabolite in human urine by capillary gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A sensitive analytical method was developed to characterize diclofenac metabolites in small amounts of body fluids. Desalted and lyophilized urine samples were extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide directly or after acidic hydrolysis. The extracts were derivatized with N-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide. The derivatives were separated by capillary gas chromatography and identified by negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Full mass spectra were obtained at a level of 1·10⁻⁹ g/ml. With direct extraction, the metabolites could be analysed in one step as open-chained acids and as (cyclic) oxindoles. By acidic hydrolysis the conjugates were transformed to the oxindoles. With both methods, a new main metabolite, [2-[(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)amino]phenyl]acetic acid, was identified. The mechanism of its formation is discussed.     

Enantiospecific quantification of hexobarbital and its metabolites in biological fluids by gas chromatography/electron capture negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A highly sensitive and specific assay based on gas chromatography/electron capture negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry has been developed for the analysis of the enantiomers of hexobarbital and its major metabolites in human urine and plasma. S-(+)-(5-2H3)hexobarbital and R-(-)-(5-2H3)hexobarbital were synthesized for clinical studies along with (+/-)-(1,5-2H6)hexobarbital and the deuterated major metabolites for use as internal and reference standards. Hexobarbital enantiomers and their metabolites were analyzed after pentafluorobenzyl and trimethylsilyl derivatization, following solid-phase extraction from plasma and urine. Intense negative ion spectra were observed for all of the derivatives. The base peak in the spectra corresponded to the M-pentafluorobenzyl anion [M-PFB]- except for 1,5-dimethylbarbituric acid, where M-. was the most abundant ion. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by following the plasma concentration-time profiles and urinary excretion in a male extensive metabolizer of mephenytoin who was given a pseudoracemic oral dose of hexobarbital containing equal 50 mg amounts of S-(+)-2(H0)hexobarbital and R-(-)-(2H3)hexobarbital. Marked stereoselective disposition was observed, with the R-(-)-enantiomer being more efficiently metabolized, primarily by alicyclic oxidation and ring cleavage.     

Profiling of prostaglandin biosynthesis in biopsy fragments of human lung carcinomas and normal human lung by capillary gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Methods for the profiling of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6KPGF1 alpha) biosynthesis in tissue samples of clinical origin by capillary gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CGC-NICIMS) are detailed. Aliquots (25 microliter 1) of incubates (1 ml volume) of human lung carcinoma and normal human lung tissue fragments (total protein content = 0.2 to 2.0 mg) were derivatized for vapor phase analysis in the presence of 0.75 to 1.60 ng of tetradeuterated analogs of PGE2, PGF2 alpha and 6KPGF1 alpha without prior extraction and/or chromatography. The derivatized analytes and internal standards were detected by simultaneous monitoring of ions at six different masses characteristic for each of the derivatized prostanoids. The inter-sample and intra-sample coefficients of variation for the assay method were typically less than 12%. The analysis of biological samples was completed with less than 2.5% of each derivatized sample per injection. The samples were of adequate purity for the identification and quantitation of each of the eicosanoids. The methods described in this report are highly selective and highly sensitive with detection limits of 0.1 to 0.2 picograms per injection. The analytical procedures provide the basis for comparisons of the qualitative and quantitative profiles of prostaglandin biosynthesis and should be adaptable for use in a variety of biological and clinical studies.     

Analysis of histamine and N tau-methylhistamine in plasma by gas chromatography-negative ion-chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Current methods of quantitation of histamine and its major metabolite N tau-methylhistamine are inaccurate and insensitive to the very low concentrations that exist in plasma samples. Therefore, an accurate and sensitive method for quantification in plasma has been developed using the stable isotope dilution assay with negative ion-chemical ionization mass spectrometry. For histamine, after the addition of [2H4]histamine to 2 ml of plasma, the plasma sample is deproteinized, extracted into butanol, back extracted into HCl, derivatized to the pentafluorobenzyl derivative (CH2C6F5)3-histamine, purified on silica gel columns, and then quantified with negative ion-chemical ionization mass spectrometry by selected ion monitoring of the ratio of ions m/z 430/434. For N tau-methylhistamine, after the addition of N tau-[2H3]methylhistamine to 2 ml of plasma, the plasma sample is deproteinized, extracted into butanol, back extracted into HCl, derivatized to the heptafluorobutyryl derivative (C3F7CO2)2-N tau-methylhistamine, purified on silica gel columns, and then quantified with negative ion-chemical ionization mass spectrometry by selected ion monitoring of the ratio of ions m/z 497/500. The precision of the histamine assay is 3.1% and the accuracy is 95.5 +/- 2.5% while the precision of the N tau-methylhistamine assay is 1.9% and the accuracy is 106.8 +/- 1.9%. The lower limits of sensitivity are 1 pg for histamine and 6 pg for N tau-methylhistamine injected on column. Using the assay in three normal human volunteers, plasma concentrations of histamine were 130, 92, and 85 pg/ml, and of N tau-methylhistamine were 229, 228, and 216 pg/ml. This assay provides a very sensitive and accurate method of quantitation of histamine and N tau-methylhistamine in plasma samples.     

Determination of geometrical and positional isomers in octadecenoic acids by chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Chemical ionization mass spectra of trimethylsilylated methyl esters of octadecenoic acids were investigated. The position of the original double bond could be deduced from the recognizable fragment ions produced by cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between the two trimethylsilyl alcohols. The cis- and trans-isomers could be also distinguished from each other by comparing the abundance of the fragment ions given by subsequent loss of the trimethylsilyl residue and/or methoxy group from the characteristic peaks.     

Determination of dexamethasone in urine by gas chromatography with negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Dexamethasone, as some other synthetic corticosteroids, is licensed for therapy in veterinary practice, but its misuse as a growth promotor, often in combination with beta-agonists, is forbidden. In this report an analytical method is described for the detection and confirmation of very low concentrations of dexamethasone in urine. The influence of enzymatic hydrolysis time of samples with glucuronidase was studied. The proposed method consisted of the enzymatic hydrolysis of urine samples, which were then extracted and concentrated using solid-phase cartridges with mixed reversed-phase materials (OASIS). No further clean-up step was found to be necessary. Eluates were derivatized following a previously described method [Analyst 119 (1994) 2557]. Detection, identification and quantification of residues of this compound was carried out by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in the negative chemical ionization mode. The proposed procedure permits the determination of dexamethasone in urine at levels as low as 0.2 ng ml(-1)     

Screening for forensically relevant benzodiazepines in human hair by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

A procedure is presented for the detection in human hair of forensically relevant benzodiazepines, i.e. nordiazepam, oxazepem, bromazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, flunitrazepam, alprazolam and triazolam. The method involves decontamination of hair with methylene chloride, pulverization in a ball mill, incubation of 50 mg powdered hair in Soerensen buffer (pH 7.6) in the presence of prazepam-d₅ used as internal standard, liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether-chloroform (80:20, v/v) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using negative chemical ionization after derivatization with, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide plus 1% trimethylchlorosilane. The limits of detection for all benzodiazepines ranged from 1 to 20 pg/mg using a 50-mg hair sample. Coefficients of variation and extraction recoveries, ranging from 7.4 to 25.4% and 47.6 to 90%, respectively, were found suitable for a screening procedure. One hundred and fifteen samples were submitted to this screening procedure, and specimens tested positive for nordiazepam (0.20-18.87 ng/mg, n = 42) and its major metabolite oxazepam (0.10-0.50 ng/mg, n = 14), flunitrazepam (19–148 pg/mg, n = 31), lorazepam (31–49 pg/mg, n = 4) and alprazolam (0.3-1.24 ng/mg, n = 2). Bromazepam, diazepam and triazolam were not detected.     

Determination of plasma bile acids by capillary gas-liquid chromatography-electron capture negative chemical ionization mass fragmentography

Combined capillary gas-liquid chromatography-electron capture negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry of pentafluorobenzyl ester-TMSi ether derivatives of bile acids and isotope dilution using deuterated internal standards are introduced as a sensitive and selective analysis technique for plasma bile acids. As a result of the high ionization efficiency of pentafluorobenzyl derivatives under electron capturing conditions and minimal fragmentation, the detection limit of this technique is low: 1 pg for each bile acid. The high sensitivity enabled the detection and quantitation of atypical bile acids in 200-microliters aliquots of plasma from fasting healthy adults as exemplified by trihydroxycoprostanic acid (0.002 +/- 0.001 mumol/l) and dihydroxycoprostanic acid (0.013 +/- 0.002 mumol/l).     

Determination of chloramphenicol,thiamphenicol, florfenicol,and florfenicol amine in poultry and porcine muscle and liver by gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable method using gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol (CAP), thiamphenicol (TAP), florfenicol (FF), and florfenicol amine (FFA) at trace levels in muscle and liver. Before extraction with ethyl acetate, CAP-d₅ was added to tissue samples as internal standard. The organic extracts were frozen to remove lipid and further purified by liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) with hexane and solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB cartridges. The target compounds were derivatized with BSTFA + 1% TMCS prior to GC-NCI/MS determination in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The recovery values ranged from 78.5 to 105.5%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) <17%. The limits of detections (LODs) of 0.1 μg/kg for CAP and 0.5 μg/kg for TAP, FF, and FFA were obtain. Incurred sample and samples from local market were successfully analyzed using this method.     

Quantitative determination of nitroglycerin in human plasma by capillary gas chromatography negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A quantitative method for determination of nitroglycerin in human plasma was developed. Nitroglycerin and the internal standard (butane-1,2,4-triyl trinitrate) were extracted from plasma with pentane. The extracts were analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry using fused silica capillary columns and electron capture negative ion chemical ionization. The quantitation limit of the method was about 50 pg ml-1. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the range of 50-1600 pg ml-1. Precision at the level of 100 pg ml-1 was 4%.