Quantitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry: The determination of the renin inhibitor CP-80,794 in human serum

LC-MS Compatible Antiadsorption Diluent for Peptide Analysis

Analytical method development for peptides often proves challenging since these molecules can adsorb to the plastic or glass consumables used in the analysis. This adsorption causes considerable loss and unreliable results, especially in the lower concentration range. Therefore, a variety of antiadsorption strategies have previously been developed to cope with this adsorption, often however incompatible with direct liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Here, a novel antiadsorption diluent is introduced, based on controlled hydrolysis and precipitation of bovine serum albumin. This diluent considerably decreases the adsorption of certain peptides to glass. Moreover, it is LC-MS compatible and can also be used in combination with formic acid and/or acetonitrile addition.

Enhanced UHPLC-MS/MS determination of a therapeutic heptapeptide mimic for inflammatory-related diseases in rat plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study

The seven amino acid peptide, GQTYTSG (named as SP), a peptide mimic derived from hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has presented remarkable anti-inflammatory activities in previous experiments, indicating that it could be a novel therapeutic peptide candidate for different inflammation-related diseases, such as HCV infection and asthma. A heptapeptide mimic discovery study highlighted the need for the development of quantitative bioanalytical assays for measuring the levels of SP. Herein, a reliable and sensitive ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) assay was established and validated for the determination of SP in rat plasma. C-11, with two amino acid substitutions compared to SP (Glycine 1 and Glycine 7) and a disulfide, acted as an internal standard (IS). SP and C-11 were isolated from acidified plasma using protein precipitation and the extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase UHPLC-MS/MS detection. We used an SHIM-PACK GISS C18 (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.9 μm) column with water containing 0.2% acetic acid as the aqueous mobile phase and methanol as the organic mobile phase with a 0.3 mL min-1 flow rate. We used an AB SCIEX TripleQuad™ 5500 mass spectrometer equipped with a TurboIon Spray interface and operated it in positive-ion mode. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used for the quantification of the precursor to the product ion at m/z 713.3 → 432.2 for SP and m/z 803.2 → 539.1 for IS. The method was fully validated according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guideline (2018), and provided satisfactory accuracy, precision, and reproducibility for the quantification of SP in rat plasma. Excellent linearity was achieved (r > 0.9977) over a linear dynamic range of 0.1-200 ng mL-1 with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.1 ng mL-1. The validated assay was applied to gain the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and the concentration-time profile for SP after subcutaneous administration in rats.

Solvent Front Position Extraction procedure with thin-layer chromatography as a mode of multicomponent sample preparation for quantitative analysis by instrumental technique

A concept of using thin-layer chromatography to multicomponent sample preparation for quantitative determination of solutes followed by instrumental technique is presented. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is used to separate chosen substances and their internal standard from other components (matrix) and to form a single spot/zone containing them at the solvent front position. The location of the analytes and internal standard in the solvent front zone allows their easy extraction followed by quantitation by HPLC.

Bio-analytical method based on MALDI-MS analysis for the quantification of CIGB-300 anti-tumor peptide in human plasma

A fully validated bio-analytical method based on Matrix-Assisted-Laser-Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry was developed for quantitation in human plasma of the anti-tumor peptide CIGB-300. An analog of this peptide acetylated at the N-terminal, was used as internal standard for absolute quantitation. Acid treatment allowed efficient precipitation of plasma proteins as well as high recovery (approximately 80%) of the intact peptide. No other chromatographic step was required for sample processing before MALDI-MS analysis. Spectra were acquired in linear positive ion mode to ensure maximum sensitivity. The lower limit of quantitation was established at 0.5 μg/mL, which is equivalent to 160 fmol peptide. The calibration curve was linear from 0.5 to 7.5 μg/mL, with R(2)>0.98, and permitted quantitation of highly concentrated samples evaluated by dilution integrity testing. All parameters assessed for five validation batches met the FDA guidelines for industry. The method was successfully applied to analysis of clinical samples obtained in a phase I clinical trial following intravenous administration of CIGB-300 at a dose of 1.6 mg/kg body weight. With the exception of Cmax and AUC, pharmacokinetic parameters were similar for ELISA and MALDI-MS methods.

Strategies to reduce aspecific adsorption of peptides and proteins in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based bioanalyses: an overview

In the drug-discovery setting, the development of new peptide and protein-based biopharmaceuticals attracts increased attention from the pharmaceutical industry and consequently demands the development of high-throughput LC-MS methods. Regulatory guidelines require bioanalytical methods to be validated not only in terms of linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, selectivity and stability, but also in terms of carryover. Carryover results from the aspecific adsorption of analyte(s) to parts of the analytical system and thus introduces bias in both identification and quantification assays. Moreover, nonspecific binding occurs at the surface of materials used during sample preparation, such as pipette tips, sample tubes and LC-vials. Hence, linearity, sensitivity and repeatability of the analyses are negatively affected. Due to the great diversity in physicochemical properties of biomolecules, there is no general approach available to minimize adsorption phenomena. Therefore, we aim to present different strategies which can be generically applied to reduce nonspecific binding of peptides and proteins. In the first part of this review, a systematic approach is proposed to guide the reader through the different solvents which can be used to dissolve the analyte of interest. Indeed, proper solubilization is one of the most important factors for a successful analysis. In addition, alternative approaches are described to improve analyte recovery from the sample vial. The second part focuses on strategies to efficiently reduce adsorption at components of the autosampler, column and mass spectrometer. Thereby carryover is reduced while maintaining a sufficiently wide dynamic range of the assay.

Mass spectrometry for the quantification of bioactive peptides in biological fluids

The study of pharmacologically active peptides is central to the understanding of disease and development of novel therapies. It would be advantageous to monitor the fate of bioactive peptides in biological fluids and tissues following their in vivo administration (exogenous administration) or the modulation of endogenous factors (e.g., peptide hormones) affected by the administration of a pharmacological agent. Measurement of administered compounds (small molecules) in plasma is a mature field. However, measurement of pharmacologically active peptides presents particular problems for quantitative mass spectrometry, including challenges from selectivity and sensitivity perspectives. Current approaches towards peptide quantification in biological fluids include immunoassays and mass spectrometric techniques. Immunoassays, although sensitive, lack the necessary selectivity for distinction between peptide and metabolites. Modified molecules induced by metabolic transformations (e.g., N- or C-terminal truncation of the peptide) might not be differentiated by the antibody used in the assay, leading to cross-reactivity. However, although it is generally accepted that mass spectrometry is an ideal technique for the quantification of trace levels of analytes in biological fluids, immunological techniques are still characterized by better limits of peptide detection. In this review article, novel mass spectrometric approaches and strategies on peptide quantification will be described. The current capabilities and prospects for advances in this critical area of research will be examined.

Orthogonal extraction/chromatography and UPLC, two powerful new techniques for bioanalytical quantitation of desloratadine and 3-hydroxydesloratadine at 25 pg/mL

Validation of the bioanalytical method for determination of desloratadine and 3-hydroxydesloratadine was conducted using ultra high pressure liquid chromatography (UPLC) in conjunction with mix mode solid phase extraction. The dynamic range of the assay was from 0.025 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL using 96-well solid phase extraction. On an UPLC system, the inter-run accuracy was better than 94.7% for desloratadine (n = 18) and 94.0% for 3-hydroxydesloratadine (n = 18). The between-run precision (%CV) ranged from 2.6% to 9.8% for desloratadine (n = 18) and 3.1% to 11.1% for 3-hydroxydesloratadine (n = 18). The limit of quantitation represented 0.478 pg and 0.525 pg of extracted material injected on-column for desloratadine and 3-hydroxydesloratadine, respectively. The total run time was slightly over 2 min per sample. The approach of orthogonal extraction/chromatography and UPLC significantly improves assay performance while also increasing sample throughput for drug development studies.

Evolution of an open-access quantitative bioanalytical mass spectrometry service in a drug discovery environment

Increased demand for assays for compounds at the early stages of drug discovery within the pharmaceutical industry has led to the need for open-access mass spectrometry systems for performing quantitative analysis in a variety of biological matrices. The open-access mass spectrometers described here are LC/MS/MS systems operated in 'multiple reaction monitoring' (MRM) mode to obtain the sensitivity and specificity required to quantitate low levels of pharmaceutical compounds in an excess of biological matrix. Instigation of these open-access systems has resulted in mass spectrometers becoming the detectors of choice for non-expert users, drastically reducing analytical method development time and allowing drug discovery scientists to concentrate on their core expertise of pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism. Setting up an open-access facility that effectively allows a user with minimal mass spectral knowledge to exploit the MS/MS capability of triple quadrupole mass spectrometers presents a significantly different challenge from setting up qualitative single stage mass spectrometry systems. Evolution of quantitative open access mass spectrometry within a pharmaceutical drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics group, from its beginnings as a single generic system to a series of specialist fully integrated walk-up facilities, is described.

Ultra-low flow nanospray for the normalization of conventional liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry through equimolar response: standard-free quantitative estimation of metabolite levels in drug discovery

Nanospray experiments were performed on an ensemble of drug molecules and their commonly known metabolites to compare performance with conventional electrospray ionization (ESI) and to evaluate equimolar response capabilities. Codeine, dextromethorphan, tolbutamide, phenobarbital, cocaine, and morphine were analyzed along with their well-known metabolites that were formed via hydroxylation, dealkylation, hydrolysis, and glucuronidation. Nanospray exhibited a distinct trend toward equimolar response when flow rate was reduced from 25 nL/min to less than 10 nL/min. A more uniform response between the parent drug and the corresponding metabolites was obtained at flow rates of 10 nL/min or lower. The largest discrepancy was within +/-50% for plasma samples. Nanospray was used as a calibrator for conventional ESI liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and normalization factors were applied to the quantitation of an acyl-glucuronide metabolite of a proprietary compound in rat plasma. A nanospray calibration method was developed with the standard curve of the parent drug to generate quantitative results for drug metabolites within +/-20% of that obtained with reference standards and conventional ESI. The nanospray method provides a practical solution for the quantitative estimation of drug metabolites in drug discovery when reference standards are not available.

Rapid pharmacokinetic screening for the selection of new drug discovery candidates using a generic isocratic liquid chromatography--atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry method

A generic isocratic HPLC-APCI-MS-MS method has been developed for the determination of plasma concentrations of bioactive compounds for the selection of potential new drug discovery candidates. A 4.6 x 50 mm cyano phase column eluted with an acetonitrile/water mobile phase containing 20 mM ammonium acetate and 0.4% TFA produces retention times of 1 min or less for a wide range of compounds. This is a great advantage in new drug discovery where many compounds are analyzed once and eliminated. No time is consumed developing chromatographic conditions for each new compound. The mass spectrometer can be optimized and the samples can be processed and analyzed, all in the same day. Multiple assays can be run consecutively without changing the column or mobile phase between assays.

An ion exchange liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the determination of reduced and oxidized glutathione and glutathione conjugates in hepatocytes

A rugged LC-MS/MS method was developed to quantify reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG, respectively) in rat hepatocytes. In addition, GSH conjugates can be detected, characterized and measured in the same analysis. Samples were treated with acetonitrile and iodoacetic acid to precipitate proteins and trap free GSH, respectively. These highly polar analytes were separated by ion exchange chromatography using conditions that were developed to be amenable to electrospray ionization and provide baseline chromatographic resolution. A solvent gradient with a total run time of 13 min was used to elute the analytes, as well as any highly retained components in the samples that would otherwise accumulate on the HPLC column and degrade the chromatography. The analytes were detected using either selected ion monitoring (SIM) using an ion trap mass spectrometer or selected reaction monitoring (SRM) using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The ranges for quantification of GSH and GSSG using an ion trap were 0.651-488 microM and 0.817-327 microM, respectively. Using SRM with the triple quadrupole instrument, the ranges of quantification for GSH and GSSG were 0.163-163 microM and 0.0816-81.6 microM, respectively. The accuracy and precision for both methods were within 15%. The utility of the method was demonstrated by treating rat hepatocytes with model compounds menadione and precocene I. Menadione, which contains a quinone moiety that undergoes redox cycling and induces concentration- and time-dependent oxidative stress in hepatocytes, resulted in decreased GSH concentrations with concomitant increase in concentrations of GSSG, as well as a GSH-menadione conjugate. When hepatocytes were incubated with precocene I, a time-dependent decrease in GSH concentrations was observed with concomitant increase in a GSH-precocene conjugate. GSSG concentrations did not increase in the presence of precocene I, consistent with its lack of redox activity. This analytical method has general utility for simultaneously investigating the potential of test compounds to induce both oxidative stress from redox cycling in vitro and the formation of GSH conjugates.

Determination of rofecoxib (MK-0966), a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A method for the determination of 4-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-phenyl-5H-furan-2-one (Rofecoxib, Vioxx, MK-0966, I) a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in human plasma has been developed. The method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometric (APCI-MS-MS) detection in negative ionization mode using a heated nebulizer interface. Drug and internal standard (II) were isolated from basified plasma using liquid-liquid extraction. The organic extracts were dried, reconstituted in mobile phase and injected into the HPLC-MS-MS system. Compounds I and II were chromatographed on a narrow bore (100 mm x 3.0 mm) C18 analytical column, with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water (1:1, v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.4 ml/min. The MS-MS detection was performed on a PE-Sciex API III Plus tandem mass spectrometer operated in selected reaction monitoring mode. The parent-->product ion combinations of m/z 313-->257 and 327-->271 were used to quantify I and II, respectively, after chromatographic separation of the analytes. The assay was validated in the concentration range of 0.1 to 100 ng/ml of plasma. The precision of the assay (expressed as coefficient of variation) was less than 10% at all concentrations within the standard curve range, with adequate assay accuracy. The effect of HPLC mobile phase components on the ionization efficiency and sensitivity of detection in the positive and negative ionization modes, and the detailed description of all necessary steps involved in the assay for I in plasma are presented.

Narrow-bore high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with ionspray tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of the substance P receptor antagonist ezlopitant and its two active metabolites in plasma

A simple, but highly sensitive and specific, assay was developed for the quantitative determination of ezlopitant and its two active metabolites in human plasma using narrow-bore reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS-MS). Ezlopitant, its two pharmacologically active metabolites, an alkene analogue (CJ-12 458) and a benzyl alcohol analogue (CJ-12 764), and their corresponding trideuterated internal standards (I.S.), were extracted from plasma with methyl tert.-butyl ether (MTBE). The dried MTBE extracts were reconstituted and analyzed using a narrow-bore (2.1 mm I.D.) YMC basic HPLC column and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-20 mM ammonium acetate, pH 5 (60:40, v/v). Column effluent was monitored by pneumatically assisted electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using the parent to product ions was used to quantify ezlopitant and its two active metabolites. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.1-100 ng/ml. Average absolute recoveries from plasma were approximately 71, 80 and 99% for ezlopitant and its two active metabolites CJ-12 485 and CJ-12 764, respectively. The precision (RSD %) and accuracy (Deviation %) values for the method were within +/- 12% and +/- 15%, respectively, for all analytes. Sample analysis times were less than 5 min from one injection to the next. The assay proved to be suitable for pharmacokinetics studies.

LC/MS applications in drug development

The combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC/MS) has had a significant impact on drug development over the past decade. Continual improvements in LC/MS interface technologies combined with powerful features for structure analysis, qualitative and quantitative, have resulted in a widened scope of application. These improvements coincided with breakthroughs in combinatorial chemistry, molecular biology, and an overall industry trend of accelerated development. New technologies have created a situation where the rate of sample generation far exceeds the rate of sample analysis. As a result, new paradigms for the analysis of drugs and related substances have been developed. The growth in LC/MS applications has been extensive, with retention time and molecular weight emerging as essential analytical features from drug target to product. LC/MS-based methodologies that involve automation, predictive or surrogate models, and open access systems have become a permanent fixture in the drug development landscape. An iterative cycle of "what is it?" and "how much is there?" continues to fuel the tremendous growth of LC/MS in the pharmaceutical industry. During this time, LC/MS has become widely accepted as an integral part of the drug development process. This review describes the utility of LC/MS techniques for accelerated drug development and provides a perspective on the significant changes in strategies for pharmaceutical analysis. Future applications of LC/MS technologies for accelerated drug development and emerging industry trends are also discussed.

Determination of a cyclic hexapeptide, a novel antifungal agent, in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with ion spray and turbo ion spray tandem mass spectrometric detection

Methods for the determination of a semi-synthetic cyclic hexapeptide (I, MK-0991) in human plasma based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometric (MS-MS) detection using pneumatically assisted electrospray (ion spray, ISP) and turbo ion spray (TISP) interfaces were developed. Drug and internal standard (II, an isostere of I) were isolated from plasma by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The eluent from SPE was evaporated to dryness, the residue was reconstituted in mobile phase and injected into the HPLC system. The use of ISP, TISP and heated nebulizer (HN) interfaces as sample introduction systems were evaluated and showed that the heated nebulizer was not adequate for analysis due to thermal instability and/or adsorption of I and II to glass surfaces of the interface. Compounds I and II were chromatographed on a wide pore (300 A), 150x4.6 mm C8 analytical column, and the HPLC flow-rate of 1.2 ml/min was split 1:20 prior to introduction to the ISP or TISP interface of the mass spectrometric system. The MS-MS detection was performed on a PE Sciex API III Plus tandem mass spectrometer operated in selected reaction monitoring mode (SRM). The precursor-->product ion combinations of m/z 1093.7-->1033.6 and 1094.7-->1033.6 were used to quantify I and II, respectively, after chromatographic separation of the analytes. The assay was validated in the concentration range of 10-1000 ng/ml using ISP, and 2.5-500 ng/ml of plasma using TISP with good precision and adequate accuracy. The effects of HPLC mobile-phase components on the ionization efficiency and sensitivity of detection in the positive ionization mode, the evaluation of the matrix effect, and limitations in sensitivity of detection of I due to the formation of multiply charged species are presented.

Rapid determination of oral pharmacokinetics and plasma free fraction using cocktail approaches: methods and application

PURPOSE

To apply cocktail approaches for protein binding (PB) and pharmacokinetics (PK) within a discovery program as a means of providing timely systemic exposure (AUC and Cmax) data.

METHODS

For PB data, a procedure of cocktail ultrafiltration, mixed matrix sample preparation and single quadrupole atmospheric pressure ionization LC/MS analysis was used. In vivo PK studies consisted of 4 experimental compounds and a control compound dosed orally at 1 mg/kg (5 mg/kg total dose), with plasma samples obtained at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h post dose. For PB and in vivo PK analysis, a control compound was tested within each cocktail to ensure consistent reproducibility.

RESULTS

Approximately 2 weeks were spent comparing single and cocktail approaches to determine the feasibility of this method for this project. Comparisons of cocktail data with single compound data revealed no significant differences between the approaches. The oral AUC values ranged from 0.01 to 9.28 micrograms.hr/ml and the Cmax values ranged from 0.04 to 2.17 micrograms/ml. Free fractions of the 44 compounds studied ranged from 0.006 to 0.271. Using the free fraction values to correct for free AUC and Cmax results in ranges of 0.001 to 0.473 microgram.hr/ml, and 0.001 to 0.119 microgram/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

All 44 compounds tested had similar potencies in vivo. Thus, these results suggest that a respective 400 and 100-fold range in AUC and Cmax corrected for free fraction exist in the presence of comparable in vivo activity. The ability to generate this type of data in a timely manner allowed the selection of a candidate with low peripheral exposure relative to the effective dose. The free fraction and PK data on the 44 compounds described was collected within three work days by 2 lab scientists.

Depsipeptide (FR901228, NSC-630176) pharmacokinetics in the rat by LC/MS/MS

Depsipeptide, a cyclic peptide (FR), isolated from Chrombacterium violaceum strain WB968 by Fujisawa Company during a screening program for anti-oncogene agents, possesses potent antitumor activity against human tumor cell lines and xenografts. This compound has been selected for preclinical and early clinical development by the National Cancer Institute. The pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of this depsipeptide in the rat were investigated in the present study. A sensitive and specific electrospray LC-tandem mass spectrometry method was first developed and validated for the analysis of this depsipeptide in plasma using t-boc-alpha-d-glutamic acid benzyl ester as the internal standard. The routine sensitivity limit was 1 or 10 ng/ml using 1.0 or 0.1 ml of plasma sample. The within-run CV values were 11.8, 17.9, 11.0, and 5.0% at 1, 10, 100, and 500 ng/ml levels, respectively, with corresponding accuracy of 94.4, 109, 95, and 97% (all n = 6). A formulation based on ethanol, normal saline and PEG400 was then developed and Fischer rats were given this formulated drug separately by intravenous and oral route. Plasma drug concentrations were measured by this method and pharmacokinetics were analyzed by the standard techniques. Plasma concentration-time profiles were found to follow a biexponential decline with a mean terminal t1/2 of 97 min and mean total clearance (CLt) of 425.3 ml/min/kg following i.v. dosing at 10 mg/kg. Following oral dosing at 50 mg/kg, the peptide was absorbed but produced erratic drug levels also with a bioavailability of 15.6%. Thus, active plasma concentrations can be produced up to 3 hrs in the rat following a single dose at 10 mg/kg and the peptide represents one of the very few orally absorbed peptides reported.

Determination of the substance P receptor antagonist CP-122,721 in plasma by narrow-bore high-performance liquid chromatography-ionspray tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, highly sensitive and specific LC-MS-MS assay was developed for the determination of CP-122,721 (I) in rat and human plasma. I and a structural analog, CP-129,943 (II, internal standard), were extracted from plasma with methyl tert.-butyl ether (MTBE). The dried MTBE extracts were reconstituted and analyzed using a narrow-bore (2.1 mm I.D.) YMC basic HPLC column and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-20 mM ammonium acetate, pH 5 (50:50, v/v). Column effluents were monitored by ionspray tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using the parent to product ion combinations of m/z 381-->205 and 395-->219 was used to quantitate I and II, respectively. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.2-100 ng/ml. Absolute recoveries from plasma were above 80% for both I and II. The precision and accuracy values for the method were within +/-3 and +/-9%, respectively. Sample analysis times were less than 5 min from one injection to the next. The assay has proved to be applicable to the pharmacokinetic study of I in rats.

Quantitative analysis of exogenous peptides in plasma using immobilized enzyme cleavage and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative ion chemical ionization

A method is presented for the analysis of peptides in plasma at picomole to femtomole levels. Peptides are isolated from plasma by solid-phase extraction, the peptide of interest is purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and selectively digested using immobilized trypsin or chymotrypsin to yield specific di- or tripeptides. These di- and tripeptides are esterified using heptafluorobutyric anhydride, alkylated with pentafluorobenzyl bromide, then quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative ion chemical ionization. This method has been evaluated for a model synthetic heptapeptide, using a deuterium labeled analog as an internal standard. The half-life of the heptapeptide in human plasma was found to be 2 min. Extraction efficiencies of a tritiated peptide of similar size to the heptapeptide, [3H]DSLET, from plasma using either C18 or strong cation-exchange columns were 85+/-3 and 70+/-2%, respectively. Quantitation of fragments from the heptapeptide indicated that the analysis was linear from 1-50 ng of the heptapeptide per ml of plasma. This method was subsequently employed for pharmacokinetic studies of the biologically active peptide Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu, where linearity was obtained from 50 to 1000 ng/ml in rat plasma. This method demonstrated negligible side reaction by-products due to autolysis, and has potential for extensive use given the wide availability of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Determination of SR 49059 in human plasma and urine by LC-APCI/MS/MS

SR 49059 ((2S 1-[(2R 3S)-5-chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(3, 4-dimethoxybenzene-sulfonyl)-3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1 H-indole-2-carbonyl]-pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide) is an orally active non-peptide vasopressin V1a antagonist. A sensitive, selective, and robust LC-MS/MS method was developed to determine the plasma and urine concentrations of SR 49059 in support of clinical studies. Plasma samples were prepared based on a rapid extraction procedure using Chem Elut cartridges. The extracted samples were analyzed on a C18 HPLC column interfaced with a Finnigan TSQ 700 mass spectrometer. Positive atmospheric chemical ionization (APCI) was employed as the ionization source. The analyte and its internal standard (2H6-SR 49059) were detected by use of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The plasma matrix had a calibration range 0.2-20 ng ml-1, with within and between run accuracy and precision both less than 10%. The chromatographic run time was approximately 3 min. Urine samples were prepared based on a simple dilution with water, followed by analysis under the same conditions as plasma. The calibration range for urine matrix was 20-5000 ng ml-1, with within and between run accuracy and precision less than 11%. The method has been successfully applied to the clinical sample analysis. The plasma assay was also evaluated on a Finnigan TSQ 7000 mass spectrometer. The performance based on precision and accuracy was virtually identical to that on the TSQ 700, with the exception of linearity in calibration curve (the TSQ 700 was linear, the TSQ 7000 was quadratic).

Quantitative analysis of two opioid peptides in plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Quantitative analysis of two opioid peptides, DSLET [(D-Ser2)Leu-enkephalin-Thr6] and Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu, was performed using microbore liquid chromatography interfaced to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Validation of the methodology was demonstrated for each peptide in plasma. Quantitative analyses were performed through the use of a deuterium labelled peptide analog as an internal standard. Linearity was observed for the analysis of DSLET (5-1000 ng/ml) and Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu (1-1000 ng/ml) in plasma with a limit of detection of 0.25 ng/ml for Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu and 1.0 ng/ml for DSLET. In general, the observed concentrations showed good reproducibility with coefficients of variation of within 15%. In the concentration range studied, only 0.5 ml of plasma was required for optimal detection of Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu and 0.25 ml for DSLET. Application of this method was demonstrated by studying the disposition of DSLET in a rat. DSLET administered to a rat exhibited a short half-life and a high clearance value.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of Peptide T in rabbit plasma with on-line column enrichment

The present paper describes the development of a simple and sensitive analytical method for quantification of Peptide T (PT) in rabbit plasma, using standard analytical equipment and on-line column enrichment, without prior extraction, clean-up or derivatization. The analytical procedure was found to be accurate, precise and linear. The accuracy was 100% (range 97-103%) and the mean precision was 8% (range 3-14%) for all (n=6) concentrations (0, 15, 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml). The total recovery was found to be approximately 80%, and it was found to be dependent upon the injection rate onto the extraction column. The correlation between added and found concentrations was 0.9982, and the limit of detection was estimated to be around 5 ng/ml. The method is therefore found to be suitable for bioavailability studies, involving Peptide T, in rabbits.

Development of a high-performance liquid chromatographic-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometric assay for beta-tigogenin cellobioside in human serum

A specific high-performance liquid chromatographic-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometric assay for the quantitative determination of beta-tigogenin cellobioside in human serum is described. Serum cleanup and acetylation of the analyte were required to achieve the desired lower limit of quantification, 10 ng/ml. The precision of the assay was better than 13% over a serum concentration range of 10-500 ng/ml.

Use of LC-MS/MS to cross-validate a radioimmunoassay for the fibrinogen receptor antagonist, Aggrastat (tirofiban hydrochloride) in human plasma

A method based on LC-MS/MS was developed for the determination of the fibrinogen-receptor antagonist Aggrastat in human plasma. The drug is isolated from plasma by liquid extraction and converted into its N-trifluoroacetyl derivative prior to analysis by HPLC with atmospheric pressure negative chemical ionization MS/MS detection. A structural analog is used as the internal standard and the lower quantifiable limit of the assay is 0.4 ng ml-1 with a relative standard deviation of 7%. This assay was used to cross-validate the existing immunoassay by analysis of plasma from patients receiving the drug. The specificity of the immunoassay was thereby confirmed.

Effect of high-performance liquid chromatography mobile phase components on sensitivity in negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

We have investigated the effect of several common buffers (10-mM formic acid, 10-mM ammonium acetate, and 100-mM ammonium acetate) on the ionization of a series of model compounds that are amenable to negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization to determine the extent of ionization quenching that can occur. In addition, we have compared the sensitivity of these standard mobile phases to a mobile phase that does not contain an acidic buffer component, but rather a base (N-methylmorpholine). The results showed that, as expected, the sensitivity for the test analytes was greatest in the mobile phase that lacked acidic components. In general, ionization of analytes that contained a single, more weakly acidic functional group was inhibited to a greater degree by more strongly acidic buffer components. In some cases, ionization was quenched completely by acidic buffer components, Ionization of compounds that were more strongly acidic was quite good in all mobile phases tested. Differences in the ionization efficiencies of the analytes in each mobile phase were correlated with the gas-phase reagent ions present. As a point of reference, each of the analytes also was analyzed in the positive ion mode and the signal intensities were compared to those obtained in the negative ion mode. In addition, the utility of mobile phases that contained N-methylmorpholine for chromatographic separations was demonstrated.

Determination of pramipexole (U-98,528) in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A highly sensitive and selective HPLC-MS-MS method was developed for the determination of pramipexole in human plasma. The analytes, pramipexole and BHT-920 (internal standard), were extracted from plasma at basic pH with methyl tert.-butyl ether (MTBE). MTBE was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in 100 microliters of (95:5) methanol-water. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax SB-CN column with a mobile phase of (15:5:80) water-0.1 M ammonium acetate-methanol. The analytes were detected utilizing HPLC in conjunction with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). The assay was linear in the concentration ranges of 50 to 5000 pg/ml. The analysis of pooled quality controls (150, 750, and 3000 pg/ml) demonstrated excellent precision with relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) (n = 18) of 7.2%, 5.3% and 5.2%, respectively. The method is accurate with all intra-day (n = 6) and overall (n = 18) mean values being less than 11.7% from theoretical.

Rapid, solid phase extraction technique for the high-throughput assay of darifenacin in human plasma

A novel method has been developed for the rapid solid phase extraction of drugs and metabolites from biological fluids, prior to further analysis. The newly designed, 96-tube micropreparation block facilitates high throughput by enabling the extraction of 96 samples simultaneously. The system is described, linked to HPLC/APCI-MS/MS, for the determination of darifenacin in human plasma. The resulting procedure, using deuterated darifenacin as internal standard, is validated over the concentration range 25-2000 pg/mliter; accuracy (0.6-4.6%) and precision (3.6-18.8%) are considered acceptable and overall recovery was determined to be approximately 50%.

A single-bead decode strategy using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and a new photolabile linker: 3-amino-3-(2-nitrophenyl)propionic acid

A new linker that employs a photosensitive 3-amino-3-(2-nitrophenyl)propionyl functionality (ANP-resin) has been developed for the preparation of C-terminal carboxamides. A wide range of carboxamides were prepared and identified using the ANP-resin and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A single bead containing tripeptide Fmoc-Asp-Arg(Tos)-Val-NH2 was isolated, photocleaved and the peptide was characterized by tandem mass spectrometry, thereby verifying a library decode strategy that avoids complex tagging procedures.

Determination of a glycine/NMDA receptor antagonist in human plasma and urine using column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet, fluorescence and tandem mass spectrometric detection

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assays using ultraviolet (UV) and fluorescence (FL) detection were developed and compared with a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) method for determination of the glycine receptor antagonist 7-chloro-4-hydroxy-3-(3-phenoxy)phenyl-2(1H)-quinolone (L-701, 324, I) in human plasma and urine. The drug and internal standard (II) were isolated from the biological matrix through liquid-liquid extraction. In the HPLC-UV and HPLC-FL methods, the samples were initially injected onto a Cyano BDS Hypersil column, and the chromatographic region containing the peaks of interest was heart-cut onto an analytical C-18 BDS Hypersil column via a column-switching device. The analyte was quantified by monitoring either absorbance at 226 nm or fluorescence at 385 nm following 230 nm excitation. The limit of quantitation for I extracted from 1 ml of plasma or urine was 5 ng ml-1, and the assays were validated in the concentrated range of 5-200 ng ml-1. The LC/MS-MS method also utilized a column-switching protocol and was validated in the concentration range of 1-200 ng ml-1. Both assays provided data with precision and accuracy within less than 10% for all points in the standard curve range.

Determination of pirenzepine in human plasma using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A sensitive (LOQ = 1 ng ml-1) and specific method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) detection has been developed and validated for the analysis of pirenzepine (I) in plasma. Sample preparation involved liquid-liquid extraction of drug and internal standard (IS) from basified plasma. The organic extract was evaporated to dryness, and the residue was reconstituted in the mobile phase and then injected into the liquid chromatography/MS/MS system. Drug, IS, and endogenous impurities were separated using reverse-phase chromatography. A Sciex API III tandem mass spectrometer equipped with a heated nebulizer was operated in the positive ion mode. Multiple reaction monitoring using the parent-->daughter ion combinations of m/z 352-->113 and 629-->422 was used to quantify I and IS, respectively. The method was validated in the concentration range of 1-100 ng ml-1 plasma with adequate assay precision and accuracy, and was utilized to support human safety and tolerability study with I.

Picogram determination of iloperidone in human plasma by solid-phase extraction and by high-performance liquid chromatography-selected-ion monitoring electrospray mass spectrometry

A very sensitive liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method has been developed to quantitate iloperidone, 1, and its principal metabolite, 4-[3-[4-(6-fluoro-1,2- benzisoxazol-3-yl)-1-piperidinyl]propoxy]-3-methoxy-alpha- methylbenzenemethanol, 2, in human plasma. Iloperidone is currently used in clinical trials for the treatment of psychoses. The analytes were extracted from human plasma using mixed-mode Bond-Elut Certify cartridges and quantitated using selected-ion monitoring electrospray ionization mass spectrometery (SIM-ES-MS). No interference was observed from endogenous compounds following the extraction of plasma samples from six different human subjects. The limit of quantitation for 1 and 2 was 250 pg/ml of plasma. The standard curves were linear over a working range of 250 pg to 20 ng/ml. Absolute recoveries from plasma ranged from 82 to 101% and 73 to 97% for 1 and 2, respectively. Overall intra-day precision ranged from 0 to 9% and 0.9 to 12.5% for 1 and 2, respectively. The method was found to be rugged and very reliable due to the high specificity of SIM-ES-MS. The results obtained from this study confirm the application of solid-phase extraction combined with SIM-ES-MS in quantitating basic drugs in small quantities in biological extracts.

The development and cross-validation of methods based on radioimmunoassay and LC/MS-MS for the quantification of the class III antiarrhythmic agent, MK-0499, in human plasma and urine

An analytical method based on radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed for the determination of the antiarrhythmic agent, MK-0499, in plasma and urine. Owing to the potency of the drug, the specificity of this assay in human plasma could not be adequately determined using conventional RIA procedures. A highly specific procedure, based on LC/MS-MS, was developed to cross-validate the RIA. The lower quantifiable limits of the RIA and LC/MS-MS-based methods were 0.05 and 0.013 ng ml-1, respectively. Cross-validation data, compared using paired student's t-test regression analysis, showed excellent correlation between methods. The mass spectrometric assay was also used to simultaneously measure plasma concentrations of unlabeled and 14C-labeled MK-0499 following administration of the drug at high specific activity to volunteers.

Determination of xanomeline and active metabolite, N-desmethylxanomeline, in human plasma by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

We have developed a method for the determination of xanomeline and its pharmacologically active N-desmethyl metabolite. The validated method uses hexane to extract xanomeline and its N-desmethyl metabolite from basified plasma. The hexane extract is dried, reconstituted, and analyzed using a liquid chromatographic-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry system. The method was developed to support phase II clinical trials and has proven to be extremely sensitive, fast, and rugged. The method has a limit of quantitation of 75 and 200 pg/ml plasma for xanomeline and the N-desmethyl metabolite, respectively. Sample analysis times were less than 3 min from one injection to the next.

Open access atmospheric pressure chemical ionization Mass spectrometry for routine sample analysis

We report the introduction and use of an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry instrument that has been designed specifically for use by the synthetic chemist on an open access, walk-in basis. This instrument has been configured with an easy-to-use sample log-in terminal that requires the user to provide only a sample identification number and a user name. Sample analysis takes approximately 4 min and provides the synthetic and medicinal chemist with rapid and reliable mass spectrometry analysis. Since installation of the system, it has analyzed an average of about 80 samples per day and has the capacity to run over 100 samples per day without the intervention of a specialist operator. This capability has eliminated the need for an operator to analyze routine samples and allows the mass spectroscopist more time to deal with problem solving.

Development and comparison of high-performance liquid chromatographic methods with tandem mass spectrometric and ultraviolet absorbance detection for the determination of cyclobenzaprine in human plasma and urine

Sensitive assays for the determination of cyclobenzaprine (I) in human plasma and urine were developed utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometric (MS-MS) and ultraviolet (UV) absorbance detections. These two analytical techniques were evaluated for reliability and sensitivity, and applied to support pharmacokinetic studies. Both methods employed a liquid-liquid extraction of the compound from basified biological sample. The organic extract was evaporated to dryness, the residue was reconstituted in the mobile phase and injected onto the HPLC system. The HPLC assay with MS-MS detection was performed on a PE Sciex API III tandem mass spectrometer using the heated nebulizer interface. Multiple reaction monitoring using the parent-->daughter ion combinations of m/z 276 --> 215 and 296 --> 208 was used to quantitate I an internal standard (II), respectively. The HPLC-MS-MS and HPLC-UV assays were validated in human plasma in the concentration range 0.1-50 ng/ml and 0.5-50 ng/ml, respectively. In urine, both methods were validated in the concentration range 10-1000 ng/ml. The precision of the assays, as expressed as coefficients of variation (C.V.) was less than 10% over the entire concentration range, with adequate assay specificity and accuracy. In addition to better sensitivity, the HPLC-MS-MS assay was more efficient and allowed analysis of more biological fluid samples in a single working day than the HPLC-UV method.

Picogram determination of finasteride in human plasma and semen by high-performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric-pressure chemical-ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with atmospheric-pressure positive-ion chemical ionization (APCI)-tandem mass spectrometric (MS-MS) detection for the determination of finasteride (MK-906, I) in human plasma and semen has been developed. The drug and internal standard (II) were extracted from biological matrices using a single solid-phase cyano cartridge. The eluent from the cartridge was injected directly onto the a 33 x 4.6 mm I.D. C18, 3-microns column coupled with a base deactivated C18 20 x 4.6 mm I.D., 5-microns guard column. The column eluate was passed into the corona discharge APCI source by means of a heated nebulizer interface. The analyte and its internal standard were detected using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode for enhanced selectivity and sensitivity. The chromatographic run time was 3 min, and the method had sufficient sensitivity, precision, accuracy and selectivity for the analysis of clinical samples containing finasteride at concentration of 0.2 ng/ml. The assay methodology confirms the versatility of APCI-MS-MS detection, combined with HPLC, for the quantitation of selected drugs in the sub-ng/ml range in biological fluids.

A rapid and specific assay, based on liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry, for the determination of MK-434 (a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor) and its metabolites in plasma

MK-434 is a new 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor. A sensitive and specific assay based on combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been developed for the determination of this compound in plasma. The analyte was isolated from plasma by solid-phase extraction on a C18 cartridge. A related substance, L-654,066, was used as the internal standard. Extracts were separated on a 5-cm C18-reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography column interfaced via the heated nebulizer probe to a corona discharge chemical ionization source. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive ion MS-MS mode. The method had sufficient sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and selectivity for the analysis of clinical samples containing MK-434 and its two principal metabolites at concentrations in the range 0.5-50 ng ml-1. The chromatographic run time was < 5 min.

Pharmaceutical application of LC-MS. 1--Characterization of a famotidine degradate in a package screening study by LC-APCI MS

The application of LC-MS to characterize low-level degradates in pharmaceutical dosage formulations is a new and challenging field. In a package screening study, a low-level degradate of famotidine (1, 3-[[[2-[[aminoiminomethyl]-amino]-4-thiazolyl]methyl] thio]-N-(aminosulphonyl)-propanimid-amide, an H2-receptor antagonist, molecular weight: 337) was detected by HPLC in film-coated tablets packaged in child-resistant (CR) foil pouches which were stressed at 40 degrees C/75% relative humidities (RH) for 4 months. LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry using positive ion mode yielded a molecular weight of 349 for the degradate, suggesting that it was formed by the addition of one carbon to the famotidine molecule. A detailed analysis of the positive product ion mass spectrum of the protonated degradate ion in a LC-MS-MS study indicated that the carbon was added to the side of N-(aminosulphonyl)-propanimid-amide of famotidine. The structure of the degradate was determined to be 2, which was confirmed by LC-APCI MS and HPLC study of the product formed from the reaction of famotidine with formaldehyde--a one-carbon reagent.

Determination of the beta-adrenergic blocker timolol in plasma by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A method based on LC-MS-MS has been developed for the determination of timolol in plasma using the (CD3)3-labelled species as the internal standard. Timolol is isolated from plasma by a simple solid-phase extraction and converted to its oxazolidin-2-one prior to analysis on a 50 x 4.6 mm reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography column packed with SynChropak, C18, 5 microns. The column eluate is passed by means of a heated nebulizer interface into a corona discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source where the analyte and its internal standard are detected using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The very high specificity of this technique permits chromatographic run times of less than 2 min. The method has a lower quantifiable limit of 0.5 ng ml-1, with intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations less than 10%, and enables the determination of timolol in plasma after ocular administration to volunteers.