Liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ticlopidine in human plasma

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of ticlopidine in human plasma using ultra violet detection was developed. The separation of the investigated compound and internal standard was achieved on a C₁₈ BD column with a 0.01 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 4)–acetonitrile–methanol (20:40:40, v/v) mobile phase. The detection was performed at 215 nm. The compounds were isolated from plasma by Bond Elut C₁₈ solid-phase extraction, the mean absolute recovery was 84.9%. The limit of quantitation was 10 ng ml⁻¹, the limit of detection was 5 ng ml⁻¹. The bioanalytical method was validated with respect to linearity, within- and between-day accuracy and precision, system suitability and stability. All validated parameters were found to be within the internationally required limits. The developed analytical method for ticlopidine was found to be suitable for application in pharmacokinetic studies and human drug monitoring.     

Use of ion trap gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for detection and confirmation of anabolic substances at trace levels in doping analysis

A procedure for detecting and confirming 23 anabolic substances and/or metabolites has been developed using a GC–MS–MS ion trap system in full-scan mode. The process used to select the precursor ion, and the optimization of the system parameters used to obtain the daughter ion spectra, are explained. Urine samples were prepared using solid-phase extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis, and after TMS derivatives had been formed, they were injected into the mass spectrometer. This method permits confirmation of the presence of anabolic substances at low ng ml⁻¹ levels without the need of further purification procedures on the samples. This procedure has been used on more than 2000 urine samples collected from sporting competitions and has made it possible to confirm more than 45 true positive cases which could not have been confirmed using routine GC–MS methods.     

Fast quantification of the urinary marker of oxidative stress 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with triple-stage quadrupole mass detection

Exogenous and endogenous oxidants constantly cause oxidative damage to DNA. Since the reactive oxidants itself are not suitable for analysis, oxidized bases like 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) are used as biomarkers for oxidative stress, either in cellular DNA or as elimination product in urine. A simple, fast and robust analytical procedure is described for urinary 8OHdG as an indicator of oxidative damage in humans. The adduct was purified from human urine by applying a single solid-phase extraction step on LiChrolut EN^®. After evaporation of the eluate, the residue was resolved and an aliquote was injected into a HPLC system with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The limit of detection was 0.2 ng ml⁻¹ (7 fmol absolute) when using one product ion as quantifier and two further product ions as qualifier. The coefficient of variation was 10.1% (n=5 at 2.8 ng ml⁻¹ urine). The sample throughput was about 50 samples a day. Thus, this method is more sensitive and much faster than the common method using HPLC with electrochemical detection. The results of a study with nine volunteers investigated at six time-points each over 5 days are presented. The mean excretion of 8OHdG was 2.1 ng mg⁻¹ creatinine (range 0.17–5.9 ng mg⁻¹ creatinine; 4 of 53 samples were below the LOD). A relatively large intra- (relative SD 66%) and inter-individual (relative SD 71%) variation in urinary 8OHdG excretion rates was found.     

Quantitation of entacapone glucuronide in rat plasma by on-line coupled restricted access media column and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A column-switching liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric (LC–ESI-MS–MS) method was developed for the direct analysis of entacapone glucuronide in plasma. The plasma samples (5 μl) were injected onto a C₁₈-alkyl-diol silica (ADS) column and the matrix compounds were washed to waste with a mixture of 20 mM ammonium acetate solution at pH 4.0–acetonitrile (97:3). The retained analyte fraction containing (E)- and (Z)-isomers of glucuronides of entacapone and tolcapone glucuronide (internal standard) was backflushed to the analytical C₁₈ column, with a mixture of 20 mM ammonium acetate–acetonitrile (85:15) for the final separation at pH 7.0. The eluate was directed to the mass spectrometer after splitting (1:100). The mass spectrometer was operated in the negative ion mode and the deprotonated molecules [M−H]⁻ were chosen as precursor ions for the analytes and internal standard. Collisionally induced dissociation of [M−H]⁻ in MS–MS resulted in loss of the neutral glucuronide moiety and in the appearance of intensive negatively charged aglycones [M−H−Glu]⁻, which were chosen as the product ions for single reaction monitoring. Quantitative studies showed a wide dynamic range (0.0025–100 μg/ml) with correlation coefficients better than 0.995. The method was repeatable within-day (relative standard deviation, RSD<7%) and between-day (RSD<14%) and the recovery (78–103%) was better than with the traditional, laborious pretreatment method. The use of tandem mass spectrometry permitted low limits of detection (1 ng/ml of entacapone glucuronide). The method was applied for the quantitation of (E)- and (Z)-isomers of entacapone glucuronide in plasma of rats used in absorption studies.     

A Novel Geometry Mass Spectrometer, the Q-TOF, for Low-Femtomole/Attomole-Range Biopolymer Sequencing

Ultra-high-sensitivity, biopolymer sequencing is a goal in many fields of molecular biology, and collisionally activated decomposition electrospray mass spectrometry (CAD ES MS/MS) using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer has become a method of choice for work in the high- to mid-femtomole range. However, when the detection of ions becomes statistical, as it may in that range, the mass assignment of fragment ions is inaccurate and either sequencing becomes impossible or ambiguities result due, for example, to the closeness in amino acid residue masses (I/L, N or K/Q, E). Some ambiguities may be resolved by synthesizing possible sequences, but this is unsatisfactory. In considering the limitations of triple quadrupole MS/MS with respect to scanning ion detection, resolution, transmission, and mass accuracy, we reasoned that a novel geometry quadrupole orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (Q-TOF) instrument would have special merit for ultra-high-sensitivity MS/MS sequencing, and suggested its construction for this purpose some three years ago. A prototype Q-TOF has now been built by Micromass [Morris et al. (1996), Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 10, 889–896], and in the first research on the instrument, including MHC antigen and filarial nematode glycoprotein studies, we demonstrate low-femtomole- and attomole-range sequencing with mass accuracy of better than 0.1 Da throughout the daughter-ion spectrum, thus removing sequencing ambiguities in some of the most challenging work demanding the highest sensitivity.     

P202-S Expanding the Capabilities of Peptide MRM-Based Assays in Plasma Using a Hybrid Triple-Quadrupole Linear Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer

As the study of protein biomarkers increases in importance, technical limitations to the detection of low-abundance proteins and high-throughput, high-precision quantitation remain to be overcome. The complexity and dynamic range of the plasma proteome makes the task of specific, quantitative detection even more challenging. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) capabilities of triple quadrupole MS systems have been explored as solutions to this challenge due to their well-known sensitivity and selectivity for components in complex matrices such as plasma. Recently, a suite of >100 MRMs representing ~50 plasma protein markers were monitored quantitatively in a single assay using the MRM-based technique showing detection of proteins down to the level of L-selectin (~1μg/mL) with minimal sample preparation and no peptide or protein standards for most of the plasma protein markers.¹As more extensive candidate biomarker panels are being identified, MRM assays will need to be more rapidly developed to verify the expression changes of these proteins across larger clinical sample sets. To do this, the unique combination of triple-quadrupole and ion-trapping capabilities of the hybrid triple quadrupole–linear ion trap mass spectrometer have been utilized. A strategy for rapid MRM assay development for larger-scale profiling and qualification of biomarker candidates without having to first prepare synthetic peptide standards is currently being investigated and involves a chemical labeling strategy to create global reference standards to enable quantitative comparisons between clinical samples. Single assays consisting of ~500s of MRM transitions have been developed for this rapid qualification phase, facilitated by intelligent use of retention time windows during an LC analysis, while maintaining an optimum number of data points for improved precision of peak area and quantitative profiling. This presentation will demonstrate the details of this workflow with human plasma examples.     

Determination of the GABAB receptor agonist CGP 44532 (3-amino-2-hydroxypropylmethylphosphinic acid) in rat plasma after pre-column derivatization by micro-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with negative electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

An assay, based on pre-column derivatization and micro-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, was developed for the determination of the GABA_B agonist CGP 44532 in rat plasma. CGP 44532, a highly polar 3-amino-2(S)-hydroxypropylmethylphosphinic acid, presented difficulties in developing a chromatographic method for the analysis of the compound in rat plasma. Instead of analyzing the target compound directly, it was derivatized prior to separation to a 4-nitrobenzylcarbamate isopropyliden derivative. In order to reach the required quantitation limit, on-line solid-phase extraction was utilized for sample clean-up and reversed-phase micro-column high-performance liquid chromatography, for separation of the plasma samples. The separated compounds were detected by negative electrospray tandem mass spectrometry in selected reaction monitoring mode. The derivatives show good chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties and both the target compound and the internal standard, could be eluted as symmetrical peaks with good signal/noise ratio. The MS–MS detection was selective and sensitive due to the straight fragmentation pattern. After injection of 200-μl sample aliquots, the limit of quantification was 10 ng ml⁻¹. The analytical assay is useable in the range of 10–500 ng ml⁻¹.     

Application of negative-ion chemical ionization isotope dilution gas chromatography—mass spectrometry to single-dose bioavailability studies of mefloquine

An electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric assay for mefloquine, an antimalarial drug used in the treatment of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria, is described. The method, developed in support of bioavailability studies involving the co-administration of different tableted formulations of the drug and an aqueous solution of its ¹³C₃-labeled analog, enables quantification of both dosage forms. Quantitative analysis of extracted plasma samples was performed on the O-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl (t-BDMS) derivative of the drug by selected-ion monitoring, using a VG Trio 2000 quadrupole mass spectrometer and monitoring the [M — t-BDMSOH]^−√ ions of the analytes. The method, incorporating [²H₆]mefloquine as an internal standard, demonstrated good accuracy and precision over the 1–200 ng ml⁻¹ range, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.990 for all standard curves and a detection level of 50 fg on-column. Replicate analysis of plasma samples over a 90-day period exhibited a mean intra-day and inter-day variation of less than 4.5% and 5.5%, respectively. The high stability and sensitivity of the assay, combined with the inherent selectivity of mass spectrometric detection, make the method well-suited for such studies.     

Unique scanning capabilities of a new hybrid linear ion trap mass spectrometer (Q TRAP) used for high sensitivity proteomics applications

The unique scanning capabilities of a hybrid linear ion trap (Q TRAP) mass spectrometer are described with an emphasis on proteomics applications. The combination of the very selective triple quadrupole based tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) scans with the very sensitive ion trap product ion scans allows rapid identification of peptides at low concentrations derived from post-translationally modified proteins on chromatographic time scales. The Q TRAP instrument also offers the opportunity to conduct a variety of ion processing steps prior to performing a mass scan. For example, the enhancement of the multiple-charge ion contents of the ion trap can be performed resulting in a survey mass spectrum dominated by double- and triple-charge peptides. This facilitates the identification of relevant biological species in both separated and unseparated peptide mixtures for further MS/MS experiments.     

Use of short high-performance liquid chromatography columns and tandem-mass spectrometry for the rapid analysis of a prostaglandin analog, fluprostenol, in rat plasma

A short reversed-phase HPLC column and a tandem mass spectrometer were used to develop a stable-isotope-dilution assay for the rapid and sensitive analysis of fluprostenol, a prostaglandin analog, in rat plasma. A Waters Symmetry ODS column (2.1×10 mm) afforded rapid isocratic elution of fluprostenol (t_R=40 s) but still provided a relatively large k′ value of 4. The use of tandem mass spectrometry allowed the interference-free detection of fluprostenol under the rapid elution conditions, with a limit of quantitation of 25 pg ml⁻¹ fluprostenol, using 0.2 ml plasma sample volumes. The method was linear over three orders of magnitude, yielded accurate and precise results and allowed the pharmacokinetic profile of fluprostenol to be defined following intravenous administration in rats.     

Determination of clindamycin in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography using coupled columns

A rapid automated method has been developed for the determination of clindamycin, a lincosamide antibiotic, in human plasma. Coupled column HPLC was used after precipitation of plasma proteins with a saturated ammonium sulfate solution. As a first step, the drug and internal standard were trapped on a precolumn of LiChrospher 60RP-select B. A reversed-phase Nucleosil 100 C18 HD column then separated drug and internal standard from each other and from remaining plasma components. The assay was validated in the range 0.2–10.0 μg ml⁻¹ plasma. The results obtained for accuracy, intra- and inter-day precision complied very well with the generally accepted criteria for bioanalytical assays.     

Validation of an analytical method for a potent antitumor agent, TZT-1027, in plasma using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific analytical method for a potent antitumor agent, TZT-1027, in plasma has been developed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) with [²H₄]TZT-1027 as an internal standard (I.S.). A plasma sample was purified by solid-phase extraction on a C₁₈ cartridge, followed by solvent extraction with diethyl ether. The extract was then injected into the LC–MS system. Chromatography was carried out on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column using acetonitrile–0.05% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) (55:45) as a mobile phase. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mode with positive ion detection, and the protonated molecular ions ([M+H]⁺) of TZT-1027 and I.S. were monitored to allow quantitation. The method was applied to the determination of TZT-1027 in human, monkey, dog, rat and mouse plasma. As far as the sample preparation was concerned, good recoveries (73.5–99.1%) were obtained. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 0.25–100 ng per 1 ml of human, dog and rat plasma, per 0.5 ml of monkey plasma, and per 0.1 ml of mouse plasma. From the intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision, the present method satisfies the accepted criteria for bioanalytical method validation. TZT-1027 was stable when stored below −15°C for 6 months in human plasma and for 3 weeks in plasma from other species. TZT-1027 was also stable in plasma through at least three freeze–thaw cycles.     

Quantitative measurement of a new synthetic hetrazepine derivative, BN50730, in human plasma and urine by combined liquid chromatography—negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry using a particle beam interface

A new simple and sensitive assay has been developed for the quantitative measurement of BN50730 at the picomole level in human plasma and urine. The drug and the internal standard (BN50765) were measured by combined liquid chromatography—negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry with methane as the reagent gas. A simple solid—liquid extraction procedure was used to isolate BN50730 from complex biological matrices. Mild operating conditions were required to assay the parent drug with a particle beam interface from Hewlett-Packard. The mass spectrometer was tuned to monitor the intense ion m/z 333, which was generated in the ion source by a dissociative capture process. This assay was performed with 1 ml of plasma or 0.1 ml of urine, and the quantification limit of the method was statistically calculated as 1 ng ml⁻¹. The very low relative standard deviation and mean percentage of error calculated during the different within-day or between-day repeatability assays clearly demonstrate the ruggedness of the technique for the routine determination of BN50730 in the biological fluids. Some preliminary results on the pharmacokinetics of the drug are presented to illustrate the applicability of this new powerful LC—MS method.     

Determination of paroxetine in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography for bioequivalence studies

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of paroxetine in human plasma. Dibucaine was used as the internal standard. Paroxetine was isolated by solid phase extraction using a Bond-Elut C₁₈ extraction column. Separation was obtained using a reversed-phase column under isocratic conditions with fluorescence detection. The sample volume was 500 μl of plasma. The intra- and inter-assay accuracy and precision, determined as relative error and relative standard deviation, respectively, were less than 10%. The lower limit of quantitation, based on standards with acceptable relative error and relative standard deviation, was 10 ng ml⁻¹. No endogenous compounds were found to interfere. The linearity was assessed in the range 5–100 ng ml⁻¹. Stability of paroxetine during processing (autosampler) and in plasma was checked. This method proved suitable for bioequivalence studies following multiple doses in healthy volunteers.     

Determination of lorazepam in plasma and urine as trimethylsilyl derivative using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A procedure based on gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for identification and quantitation of lorazepam in plasma and urine is presented. The analyte was extracted from biological fluids under alkaline conditions using solid-phase extraction with an Extrelut-1 column in the presence of oxazepam-d₅ as the internal standard. Both compounds were then converted to their trimethylsilyl derivatives and the reaction products were identified and quantitated by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using the product ions of the two compounds (m/z 341, 306 and 267 for lorazepam derivative and m/z 346, 309 and 271 for oxazepam-d₅ derivative) formed from the parent ions by collision-induced dissociation in the ion trap spectrometer. Limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng/ml. This method was validated for urine and plasma samples of individuals in treatment with the drug.     

Prostacyclin is not a circulating hormone in man

A highly specific stabel isotope dilution assay for plasma 6-oxo-prostaglandin F_1α has been developed. The method employs capillary column gas chromatography coupled with negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry. The limit of sensitivity of the assay is 0.5 pg.ml⁻¹. Concentrations of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F_1α in the plasma of 20 healthy volunteers determined by this assay were all below 3 pg.ml⁻¹. The levels were much lower than any previously reported and confirms that prostacyclin is not a circulating hormone in man under normal physiological conditions.     

Determination of an antisecretory trimethyl prostaglandin E2 analog in human plasma by combined capillary column gas chromatography—negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A method is described for measuring a trimethyl prostaglandin E₂ analog, TM-PGE₂, in human plasma. Trideuterated and monofluorinated analogs of TM-PGE₂ are added to plasma as internal standard and carrier, respectively. The plasma is adjusted to pH 3.0 and is extracted with a mixture of benzene—dichloromethane (9:1). The residue, following removal of the extracting solvent, is reacted consecutively with pentafluorobenzyl bromide and bistrimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide. The excess derivatizing reagents are removed by evaporation, and an aliquot of the reconstituted residue is analyzed by capillary column gas chromatography using methane as the carrier gas. A quadrupole mass spectrometer is set to monitor in the gas chromatographic effluent the (M − C₇H₂F₅)⁻ fragmention of TM-PGE₂ (m/e 449) and trideuterated TM-PGE₂ (m/e 452) generated by methane negative chemical ionization. Quantitation of unknowns is based on a comparison of the m/e 449 to m/e 452 ion ratio in each unknown to that obtained from the analysis of control plasma spiked with known amounts of TM-PGE₂ and fixed amounts of internal standard and carrier. The sensitivity limit of the assay is approximately 100 pg ml⁻¹, which is equivalent to 1 pg injected. The assay was used to measure the concentration of TM-PGE₂ in the plasma of two subjects following a single 10 μg kg⁻¹ oral dose of the drug.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent gadobenate ion in plasma, urine, faeces, bile and tissues

The gadobenate ion is an intravascular paramagnetic contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. An HPLC method for assaying gadobenate ion in plasma, urine, faeces, bile and tissue samples is described. The analysis is based on the reversed-phase chromatographic separation of gadobenate ion from the endogenous components of biological matrices and detection by UV absorption at 210 nm. The selectivity of the method was satisfactory. The mean absolute recovery was greater than 95%. The precision and accuracy of the analytical methods were in the range 0.1–6.5% and −12 to +9.3%, respectively. The detection limits in plasma (0.1 ml), urine (0.05 ml), dried faeces (200 mg suspended in 4 ml water), bile (0.5 ml), and dried liver tissue (100 mg suspended in 1 ml water) were, respectively, 0.24, 0.47, 2.6, 0.63 and 2.8 nmol ml⁻¹ (corresponding to 0.16, 0.31, 1.7, 0.42 and 1.9 μg ml⁻¹).     

Simultaneous determination of flupirtine and its major active metabolite in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, selective and sensitive HPLC–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of flupirtine and its active metabolite D-13223 in human plasma. The analytes and internal standard diphenhydramine were extracted from plasma samples by liquid–liquid extraction, and chromatographed on a C₁₈ column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile–water–formic acid (60:40:1, v/v/v), at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode via atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). The method has a limit of quantitation of 10 ng/ml for flupirtine and 2 ng/ml for D-13223, using 0.5-ml plasma sample. The linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 10.0–1500.0 ng/ml for flupirtine and 2.0–300.0 ng/ml for D-13223. The intra- and inter-run precision (RSD), calculated from quality control (QC) samples was less than 7.2% for flupirtine and D-13223. The accuracy as determined from QC samples was less than 5% for the analytes. The overall extraction recoveries of flupirtine and D-13223 were determined to be about 66% and 78% on average, respectively. The method was applied for the evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of flupirtine and active metabolite D-13223 in volunteers following peroral administration.     

Determination of 22-oxacalcitriol, a new analog of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, in human serum by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric assay has been developed for the determination of 22-oxacalcitriol (OCT), which is a new analog of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃. The analyte was isolated from serum by two solid-phase extraction steps on a C₁₈ cartridge and NH₂ cartridge. The recovery of OCT through two extraction steps was more than 90%. A related substance (ED-94), i.e. OCT with the side-chain shortened by one carbon, was used as an internal standard. Extracts were chromatographed on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column interfaced to the electrospray ionization source. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive-ion mode of selected reaction monitoring. The chromatographic run-time for one injection was less than 6 min. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for the lowest concentration examined (30 pg ml⁻¹) were 9.83 and 10.67, respectively. And the analytical recovery of OCT added to serum was quantitative. Assay linearity was obtained in the range of 20–640 pg ml⁻¹.