Selective and rapid liquid chromatography/negative-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the quantification of valacyclovir and its metabolite in human plasma

A rapid, sensitive and specific method was developed for the quantification of valacyclovir and acyclovir in human plasma. Sample preparation was performed by protein precipitation with acetonitrile followed by filtration. Valacyclovir, acyclovir and ganciclovir (internal standard) were separated isocratically on a reversed-phase porous graphitized carbon analytical column (2.1 mm x 125.0 mm i.d., particle size 5 microm), using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/water with 0.05% (v/v) diethylamine (50:50, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.15 mL min(-1) in 4.0 min. Detection was performed by negative electrospray ionization using the selected ion monitoring mode of the deprotonated molecular ions at m/z 323.0 for valacyclovir, 224.0 for acyclovir and 254.0 for ganciclovir. The assay had linear calibration curves over the range 0.020-0.800 microg mL(-1) for valacyclovir and 0.100-20.00 microg mL(-1) for acyclovir. Accuracy and precision were within the acceptance limit of 15%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of plasma samples obtained from patients after oral administration of valacyclovir.     

Simultaneous quantitation of five flavonoid glycosides in Herba Epimedii by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and accurate reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantitative determination of five flavonoid glycosides, icariin, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C and hyperin in Herba Epimedii. Chromatographic separations were performed using a C(18) narrow-bore HPLC column; a mixture of an aqueous solution of ammonium formate (pH 4.0) and acetonitrile was used as the mobile phase, with compounds detected in the positive ion mode with multiple-reaction monitoring using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionisation interface. This method for the determination of the reported flavonoid glycosides was accurate and reproducible, with a lower limit of quantication of 0.5 microg/mL. The standard calibration curves for the above-mentioned compounds were linear (r(2) > 0.998) over the concentration range 0.5-10.0 microg/mL. The relative standard deviations for intra- and inter-day precision over the concentration range for the flavonoid glycosides were lower than 7.8% with accuracy between 90.1 and 111.0%. The established method was successfully applied to the quality assessment of samples of Herba Epimedii collected from Korea and China.     

Determination of ginsenoside Rd in dog plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction and its application in dog pharmacokinetics studies

A sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (LC/MS) method for the quantification of ginsenoside Rd in dog plasma was developed and validated after solid-phase extraction (SPE).Chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed-phase Cromosil C(18) column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-ammonium chloride (500 micromol/L) and step gradient elution resulted in a total run time of about 5.5 min. The analytes were detected by using an electrospray negative ionization mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. A good linear relationship was obtained in the concentration range studied (0.005-2.500 microg/mL) (r=0.9998). Lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 5 ng/mL by using 500 microL plasma sample. Average recoveries ranged from 70.71 to 75.89% in plasma at the concentrations of 0.010, 0.100 and 2.500 microg/mL. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were 8.49-11.71 and 5.71-16.48%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies on dogs. The absolute bioavailability of Rd in dogs was 0.26%.     

Determination of schizandrin in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and its application in rat pharmacokinetic studies

A sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (LC/MS) method for the quantification of schizandrin in rat plasma was developed and validated after solid-phase extraction (SPE). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed-phase Shimadzu C(18) column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-sodium acetate (10 micromol/L) and step gradient elution resulted in a total run time of about 11.7 min. The analytes were detected using an electrospray positive ionization mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. A good linear relationship was obtained in the concentration range studied (0.005-2.000 microg/mL) (r=0.9999). Lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 5 ng/mL and the lower limit of detection (LLOD) was 2 ng/mL using 100 microL plasma sample. Average recoveries ranged from 75.85 to 88.51% in plasma at the concentrations of 0.005, 0.100 and 1.000 microg/mL. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were 5.95-12.93% and 3.87-14.53%, respectively. This method was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic studies in rats.     

Determination of colistin in human plasma, urine and other biological samples using LC-MS/MS

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to quantify colistin in human plasma and urine, and perfusate and urine from the isolated perfused rat kidney (IPK). Solid phase extraction (SPE) preceded chromatography on a Synergi Fusion-RP column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile, water and acetic acid (80/19/1) at 0.2mL/min. Ions were generated using electrospray ionization and detected in the positive-ion mode. Multiple reaction monitoring was performed using precursor-product ion combinations. Calibration curves were linear from 0.028microg/mL (human plasma, IPK perfusate and urine)/0.056microg/mL (human urine) to 1.78microg/mL (all four media) for colistin A sulfate; corresponding values for colistin B sulfate were 0.016/0.032 to 1.01microg/mL. Accuracy and precision were within 10%. The LLOQ for colistin A sulfate was 0.028microg/mL in human plasma, IPK perfusate and urine and 0.056microg/mL in human urine; corresponding values for colistin B sulfate were 0.016 and 0.032microg/mL. The low sample volume, short analysis time and low LLOQ are ideal for pre-clinical and human pharmacokinetic studies of colistin.     

Rapid determination of protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine in fruits of Macleaya cordata by microwave-assisted solvent extraction and HPLC-ESI/MS

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry was developed to determine protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine in fruits of Macleaya cordata. The sample was extracted with hydrochloric acid aqueous solution using microwave-assisted extraction method. The extracts were separated on a C8 reversed-phase HPLC column with acetonitrile:acetate buffer as mobile phase, and full elution of all analytes was realized isocratically within 10 min. The abundance of pseudomolecule ions was recorded using selected ion recording at m/z 354.4, 370.1, 332.5, 348.5 and 338.5 for protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine, chelerythrine and the internal standard, jatrorrhizine, respectively. Internal standard curves were used for the quantification of protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, which showed a linear range of 0.745-74.5, 0.610-61.0, 0.525-105 and 0.375-75 microg/mL, respectively, with correlation coefficients of 0.9995, 0.9992, 0.9993 and 0.9989, and limits of detection of 3.73, 3.05, 1.60 and 1.11 ng/mL, respectively.     

Ultra-sensitive determination of Formoterol in human serum by high performance liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical method was developed and validated to determine Formoterol in human serum in the range from 0.40 to 100.24 pg/mL by high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) due to the lack of efficient methods to determine very low levels of Formoterol in serum and plasma. Serum was diluted by water and mixed with the internal standard (d6-Formoterol). Formoterol and internal standard were extracted using a cation-exchange solid phase column (SCX-3). After eliminating endogenous serum constituents through washing steps with water and methanol, elution took place using methanol/ammonia. After evaporation of the elution liquid the residue was redissolved and analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS with electrospray ionisation (ESI) in positive mode. A gradient between 10 mM ammonium formate and acetonitrile was used. The inter-batch precision of the calibration standards ranged from 1.55% to 9.01%. The inter-batch accuracy of the calibration standards ranged from 93.37% to 107.30%. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ, 0.40 pg/mL) had a precision of 19.67% and an accuracy of 96.78%. Comparable results were obtained for quality control samples. Stability in human serum was given over three freeze/thaw cycles and 2h at room temperature. Formoterol in human serum was stable for at least 6 months below -20 degrees C. This method has been used widely for quantifying Formoterol after inhalation of 9-36 microg of the drug by volunteers. A cross validation with human plasma versus serum was performed after this method was successfully validated in human serum.     

Determination of tetrabromobisphenol A in human serum by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in human serum utilizing solid-phase extractions (SPEs) and liquid chromatography (LC) with electrospray ionization tandem MS (MS/MS) has been developed. After purification and concentration of TBBPA using consecutive SPEs on reversed-phase and normal-phase cartridges, the serum sample was subjected to LC. TBBPA was separated on a C18 reversed-phase column by gradient elution with a mixture of water, methanol, and acetonitrile as the mobile phase, and then detected with electrospray ionization MS/MS in negative ion mode. 13C12-TBBPA was suitable as an internal standard for the reproducible determination of TBBPA in human serum samples (5 g). The method has been validated in TBBPA concentration range of 5-100 pg per g serum, and the recoveries in the concentration range were higher than 83.3%. The repeatabilities of the proposed method of non-spiked control serum (6.3 pg per g serum) and spiked serum (added 5-100 pg per g serum) were within 10.0% as relative standard deviations. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for TBBPA was 4.1 pg per g serum, which was corresponded to 0.63 fmol on column.     

Quantitative determination of saccharide surfactants in protein samples by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A direct and highly selective method, combining liquid chromatography (LC) with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), has been developed for quantifying saccharide surfactants. Saccharide surfactants, such as n-octyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside (NOG), are widely used to solubilize or refold membrane-bound or lipophilic proteins. In the present study, we have developed an LC-MS method to quantify NOG in protein samples. Protein-bound NOG was completely dissociated from proteins by reversed-phase LC, allowing the total amount of saccharide surfactant in protein samples to be quantified by MS. A chemical analog of NOG was used as an internal standard for improving the reproducibility of the method. Linearity was found in the range of 10 microg/mL-1.0 mg/mL NOG concentrations. Seven major surfactant oligomeric ions were detected under the ionization conditions applied and their relative abundance was essentially unchanged over the range of 0.05-1.0 mg/mL NOG concentrations. Consequently, ions with characteristic mass-to-charge ratios could be used for quantification of NOG. Analytical accuracy of the method was examined by determining the amounts of NOG recovered from apolipoprotein A-I and myoglobin samples spiked with NOG.     

Determination of soyasaponins Ba and Bb in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method (HPLC-MS-MS) has been developed and validated for the determination of soyasaponins Ba and Bb in human serum using glycyrrhizin as internal standard (I.S.). Soyasaponins Ba and Bb were extracted from human serum by liquid-liquid extraction and cleaned up by C(18) solid-phase extraction (SPE), followed by separation on a C(18) reversed-phase column using acetonitrile/water containing 0.025% acetic acid as a mobile phase for gradient elution. Soyasaponins Ba and Bb, and I.S. were ionized by negative ion pneumatically assisted electrospray and detected by HPLC-MS-MS in the multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using precursor-->product ion combinations at m/z 958-->940, 942-->924 and 822-->351, respectively. The calibration curves were linear (r(2)>0.991) in the concentration range of 0.5-100.0 ng/mL, with lower limits of quantification of 0.5 and 0.3 ng/mL for soyasaponins Ba and Bb, respectively, in human serum. Intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) were less than 7.9 and 11.3%, respectively. The mean recoveries of soyasaponins Ba and Bb ranged from 92 to 101% and from 85 to 94%, respectively.     

Simultaneous determination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in human plasma by HPLC-ESI mass spectrometry

A simple, fast and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-mass spectrometric (MS) method has been developed for simultaneous determination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in human plasma using terbutaline as internal standard. After precipitation of the plasma proteins with acetonitrile, the analytes were separated on a C(8) reversed-phase column with formic acid-water-acetonirile (2:1000:100) and detected using electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry in negative selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The method was validated and successfully applied to analysis of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in clinical studies. The limit of quantitation, 0.12 microg/ml for amoxicillin and 0.062 microg/ml for clavulanic acid, was five times lower than that of the published HPLC-UV method.     

Flow-injection resonance light scattering detection of proteins at the nanogram level.

A resonance light scattering (RLS) detection method for protein was developed, using a flow-injection system based on the enhancement of RLS signals from Biebrich scarlet (BS) by protein. The enhanced RLS intensities at 286.0 nm, in acidic aqueous medium, were proportional to the protein concentration over the range 0.005-18 microg/mL and 0.008-16 microg/mL for human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), respectively, with corresponding limits of detection (3sigma) of 5.00 ng/mL for HSA, and 7.80 ng/mL for BSA. The method was successfully applied to the quantification of total proteins in human serum samples.     

SPE-HPLC method for the determination of four flavonols in rat plasma and urine after oral administration of Abelmoschus manihot extract

A SPE-HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of flavonols, isoquercitrin (1), hibifolin (2), myricetin (3), quercetin-3'-O-d-glucoside (4) and quercetin (5) in rat plasma and urine after oral administration of the total flavonoids from Abelmoschus manihot (TFA). The astragalin (6) and kaempferol (7) were used as internal standards (IS). Plasma and urine samples were pretreated by solid-phase extraction using Winchem C(18) reversed-phase cartridges. Analysis of the plasma and urinary extract was performed on YMC-Pack ODS-A C(18) and Thermo ODS-2HYEPRSIL C(18) reversed-phase column, respectively and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid was employed. HPLC analysis was conducted with different elution gradients. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detection wavelength was set at 370 nm. Calibration ranges in plasma for flavonols 2-5 were at 0.011-2.220, 0.014-2.856, 0.022-4.320, and 0.028-5.600 microg/mL, respectively. In urine calibration ranges for flavonols 1, 2, 4 and 5 were at 2.00-16.00, 8.56-102.72, 2.70-21.60, and 3.00-24.00 microg/mL, respectively. The RSD of intra- and inter-day was less than 5.40% and 4.89% in plasma, and less than 3.96% and 6.85% in urine for all the analyses. A preliminary experiment to investigate the plasma concentration and urinary excretion of the flavonols after oral administration of TFA to rats demonstrated that the present method was suitable for determining the flavonols in rat plasma and urine.     

Determination of chlorhexidine (CHD) and nonylphenolethoxylates (NPEOn) using LC-ESI-MS method and application to hemolyzed blood

Rapid and reliable methods for identification of chlorhexidine (CHD) and nonylphenolethoxylates (NPEOn) in antiseptic and hemolyzed blood using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) were developed. Fragmental analysis provides accurate evidence for the presence of CHD in the samples. For the determination of CHD in hemolyzed blood, the method was also developed using LC-ESI-MS. Linearity of calibration curve was obtained over the concentration range of 0.1-11 microg/mL with residuals from -4.3 to 6.7%. We applied the methods to the case of suicidal injection of antiseptic and successfully detected CHD and NPEOn from hemolyzed blood. The CHD concentration was 352 microg/mL.     

Direct measurement of the glucuronide conjugate of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

To evaluate human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we developed a rapid, simple and sensitive method for determining 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide (1-OHP-G) in human urine. To improve precision, a deuterated glucuronide was used as an internal standard. The method requires only 1 mL of urine. The urine was treated with a mixed-mode anion-exchange and reversed-phase solid-phase extraction cartridge (Oasis MAX). The analytes were analyzed with a C(18) reversed-phase column with a gradient elution, followed by tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in negative ion mode. The detection limit of 1-OHP-G (corresponding to a signal-to-noise ratio of 3) was 0.13 fmol/injection. Urinary concentrations of 1-OHP-G determined by this method were strongly correlated (r(2)=0.961) with concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene by conventional HPLC with fluorescence detection.     

Determination of helicidum and its metabolites in dog plasma by LC/UV/MS/MS and its application to pharmacokinetic studies

A simple, rapid and reliable method was developed for the identification and quantification of helicidum and its metabolites in beagle dog plasma by liquid chromatography/ultra-violet/electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/UV/ESI-ITMS). Two metabolites were identified by MS: formylphenyl-O-beta-d-pyranosyl alloside (I) and hydroxylmethylphenyl-O-beta-d-pyranosyl alloside (II). UV was used for concentration determination with the wavelength of 270 nm. Liquid-liquid extraction was used and the extraction recovery exceeded 90%. Kromacil C(18) column (5 microm, 4.6mm i.d. x 250 mm) was used as the analytical column. Linear detection responses were obtained for helicidum concentration ranging from 1.76 x 10(-4) to 70.4 x 10(-4) micromol/mL (0.050-2.00 microg/mL). The precision and accuracy data, based on intra- and inter-day variations over 3 days, were less than 5%. The limit of determination and quantitation (LOD, LOQ) for helicidum was 0.010 and 0.030 microg/mL, respectively. Pharmacokinetic data of helicidum and the two metabolites were obtained with this method after administration of intravenous injection and a single oral dose of tablets to six beagle dogs, respectively.     

Quantitative analysis of a synthetic peptide, NR58-3.14.3, in serum by LC-MS with inclusion of a diastereomer as internal standard

A method for quantifying an intramolecularly linked all-d-amino acid peptide, NR58-3.14.3, in rat serum by LC-MS using selected ion monitoring with inclusion of a diastereomer as internal standard was developed. The reproducible quantitation of multiply charged compounds by LC-MS using single ion or selective reaction monitoring is often a challenge as the intensity ratio of the ions in a series of different charge states can vary. Good precision was obtained in the selected ion monitoring mode by integrating the summed ion currents of the singly, doubly, and triply charged molecular ions. Since stable isotope analogs are costly and integration of residual unlabeled material can be of concern, a diastereomer of NR58-3.14.3, NR58-3.14.5, was used as internal standard. The diastereomers were indistinguishable by electrospray MS, but fully separated by reversed-phase LC. Consequently, interference due to isotopic impurities or coelution was not encountered. The calibration plot was linear throughout a concentration range of 0.2 to 200.0 microg/ml (r(2) = 0.9996). Intraday precision of the standards analyzed was less than 12% RSD over the calibration range and the accuracy within +/-11% RE. Serum pharmacokinetics were in good agreement with the pharmacokinetic profiles of small, ionic, and polar molecules.     

Simultaneous quantification of four active schisandra lignans from a traditional Chinese medicine Schisandra chinensis(Wuweizi) in rat plasma using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A simple, rapid and sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of four active schisandra lignans (schisandrin, schisantherin A, deoxyshisandrin and gamma-schisandrin) from a traditional Chinese medicine Schisandra chinensis(Wuweizi) in rat plasma using a high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to a positive ion electrospray mass spectrometric analysis. The plasma sample preparation was a simple deproteinization by the addition of three volumes of methanol followed by centrifugation. The analytes and internal standard (IS) bicyclol were separated on a Zorbax SB-C18 column (3.5 microm, 2.1 mm x 100 mm) with mobile phase of methanol/water (70:30, v/v) containing 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min with an operating temperature of 25 degrees C. Detection was performed on a Trap XCT mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Positive ion ESI was used to form sodium adduct molecular ions at m/z 455 for schisandrin, m/z 559 for schisantherin A, m/z 439 for deoxyshisandrin, m/z 423 for gamma-schisandrin, and m/z 413 for the internal standard bicyclol. Linear detection responses were obtained for the four test compounds ranging from 0.010 to 2.0 microg/mL and the lower limits of quantitation (LLOQs) for four lignans were 0.010 microg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions (R.S.D.%) were within 12.5% for all analytes, while the deviation of assay accuracies was within +/-13.0%. The average recoveries of analytes were greater than 80.0%. All analytes were proved to be stable during all sample storage, preparation and analytic procedures. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of the four lignans after oral administration of Schisandra chinensis extraction to rats.     

Bioanalysis and pharmacokinetics of the p38 MAPkinase inhibitor SB202190 in rats

We have developed a sensitive and reproducible high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV method for the quantification of the p38 MAPkinase inhibitor SB202190 in serum, kidney homogenates and urine samples. Liquid-liquid extraction of SB202190 from the samples was performed using diethylether after adding a derivative of SB202190 as internal standard (I.S.). Chromatography was carried out using a C8 reversed-phase column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water-trifluoroacetic acid (30:70:0.1, v/v/v; pH 2.0). Both drug and I.S. were measured at 350 nm and eluted at 5.0 and 10.6 min, respectively. Peak-height ratios of the drug and the I.S. were used for the quantification of SB202190 from the different matrixes. The limit of quantitation of SB202190 in serum, kidney and urine were 0.25 microg/ml, 1 microg/g and 1 microg/ml, respectively. The average recoveries were 74, 75 and 92% in serum, kidney and urine, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precision (% CV) and accuracy (% bias) were below 15% for all concentrations. The method was successfully applied for a pharmacokinetic study of SB202190 in rats.     

Improvement and validation of a liquid chromatographic method for the determination of levosulpiride in human serum and urine

A rapid, selective and highly sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of levosulpiride, 5-(aminosulfonyl)-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]-2-methoxy benzamide, in human serum and urine. The method involved the extraction with a dichloromethane followed by back-extraction into 0.025 M sulfuric acid. HPLC analysis was carried out using reversed-phase isocratic elution with a Luna C(18)(2) 5 microm column, a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.01 M potassium hydrogen phosphate (30:70, v/v, adjusted to pH 8.5 with triethylamine), and a fluorescence detector with excitation at 300 nm and emission at 365 nm. The chromatograms showed good resolution and sensitivity and no interference of human serum and urine. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range 0.25-200 ng/ml for serum and 0.2-20 microg/ml for urine with correlation coefficients greater than 0.997. Intra- and inter-day assay precision and accuracy fulfilled the international requirements. The mean absolute recovery for human serum was 89.8+/-3.7%. The lower limits of quantitation in human serum and urine were 0.25 ng/ml and 0.2 microg/ml, respectively, which were sensitive enough for pharmacokinetic studies. Stability studies showed that levosulpiride in human serum and urine was stable during storage, or during the assay procedure. This method was successfully applied to the study of pharmacokinetics of levosulpiride in human volunteers following a single oral administration of levosulpiride (25 mg) tablet.