A Sensitive Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric Method for Determination of Bisoprolol in Rat Serum after Pre-Column Derivatization

Two derivatization regents were reacted with bisoprolol (BIS), followed by liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis. 3-Bromomethyl-propyphenazone (BMP) and dansyl-chloride (Dns-Cl) were reacted via the secondary amino group using a catalyst to accelerate the reaction progress and completeness with minimal reaction byproducts. The sensitivity and the ionization efficiency of both BIS-methyl-propyphenazone (BIS-MP) and BIS-Dns via electrospray ionization were studied. The sensitivity of BIS-MP was superior to BIS-Dns. The derivatization procedure, extraction procedure, and LC-MS method were optimized and validated to achieve the monitoring of BIS in rat serum at a picogram scale. The calibration curve showed a regression coefficient value of 0.999 within a concentration spanning a range of 10-500 pg/mL. The detection limit and quantitation were 4 and 10 pg/mL, respectively. The intraday and inter-day precision values (% relative standard deviation) ranged from 0.53 to 6.91%, whereas the accuracy values (expressed as % error) ranged from -4.20 to -0.77%. The pharmacokinetic parameters were: 15,280 pg/mL for a maximum concentration of BIS (Cmax) at the maximum time (Tmax) of 1 h. BIS's elimination half-life (t1/2) was determined to be 3 h. The value of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0 - t) was 34,370 pg/mL h.

Advancement in Analytical Strategies for Quantification of Biomarkers with a Special Emphasis on Surrogate Approaches

Accurate quantification of biomarkers has always been a challenge for many bioanalytical scientists due to their endogenous nature and low concentration in biological matrices. Different analytical approaches have been developed for quantifying biomarkers including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and chromatographic techniques assisted with mass spectrometry. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based quantification of biomarkers has gained more attention over other traditional techniques due to its higher sensitivity and selectivity. However, the primary challenge lies with this technique includes the unavailability of a blank matrix for method development. To overcome this challenge, different analytical approaches are being developed including surrogate analyte and surrogate matrix approach. Such approaches include quantification of biomarkers in a surrogate matrix or quantification of an isotopically labeled surrogate analyte in an authentic matrix. To demonstrate the authenticity of the surrogate approach, it is mandatory to establish quantitative parallelism through validation employing respective surrogate analytes and surrogate matrices. In this review, different bioanalytical approaches for biomarker quantification and recent advancements in the field aiming for improvement in the specificity of the techniques have been discussed. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based surrogate approaches for biomarker quantification and significance of parallelism establishment in both surrogate matrix and surrogate analyte-based approaches have been critically discussed. In addition, different methods for demonstrating parallelism in the surrogate method have been explained.

LC–MS/MS method for quantification of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, a norepinephrine metabolite in plasma and brain regions

Aim: To evaluate suitability of the LC–MS/MS method to quantify 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) that is used as a biomarker for monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition. Methods: DHPG was extracted using alumina basic cartridges and quantified on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using negative electrospray ionization, without the use of derivatization reagents. Results: Modulation of DHPG levels was observed following administration of selective and nonselective MAO inhibitors and results were in correlation with historical MAO inhibition potential of compounds. Conclusion: The proposed method is sensitive enough to measure plasma DHPG levels and DHPG can be used as a biomarker to assess MAO inhibition potential of new therapeutic agents.

Differentiation of isomeric haloanilines by tosylation in combination with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Differentiation of the isomeric haloanilines still remains a challenging and necessary analytic task due to their identical retention time in chromatography and similar mass spectra. In this work, p-tosylation of haloanilines by reaction of haloanilines with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride resulted in the corresponding N-tosyl haloanilines. Fragmentation of protonated N-tosyl haloanilines in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) mainly resulted in tosyl cation, haloaniline radical cation, and halohydroxyaniline radical cation. The MS/MS of the three group isomeric derivatives showed significant difference in abundance distribution of these product ions, respectively. Theoretical calculations showed that the stability of the ion-neutral complex (INC) is a key factor influencing the relative intensity of the product ions. The three group isomeric derivatives were also separated by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) at conventional conditions. p-Tosylation combined tandem MS (or HPLC) technique were carried out to realize the differentiation of isomeric haloanilines.

Chemical derivatization for enhancing sensitivity during LC/ESI-MS/MS quantification of steroids in biological samples: a review

Sensitive and specific methods for the detection, characterization and quantification of endogenous steroids in body fluids or tissues are necessary for the diagnosis, pathological analysis and treatment of many diseases. Recently, liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) has been widely used for these purposes due to its specificity and versatility. However, the ESI efficiency and fragmentation behavior of some steroids are poor, which lead to a low sensitivity. Chemical derivatization is one of the most effective methods to improve the detection characteristics of steroids in ESI-MS/MS. Based on this background, this article reviews the recent advances in chemical derivatization for the trace quantification of steroids in biological samples by LC/ESI-MS/MS. The derivatization in ESI-MS/MS is based on tagging a proton-affinitive or permanently charged moiety on the target steroid. Introduction/formation of a fragmentable moiety suitable for the selected reaction monitoring by the derivatization also enhances the sensitivity. The stable isotope-coded derivatization procedures for the steroid analysis are also described.

Derivatization methods for LC–MS analysis of endogenous compounds

Sensitive and reliable analysis of endogenous compounds is critically important for many physiological and pathological studies. Methods based on LC–MS have progressed to become the method of choice for analyzing endogenous compounds. However, the analysis can be challenging due to various factors, including inherent low concentrations in biological samples, low ionization efficiency, undesirable chromatographic behavior and interferences of complex biological. The integration of chemical derivatization with LC–MS could enhance its capabilities in sensitivity and selectivity, and extend its application to a wider range of analytes. In this article, we will review the derivatization strategies in the LC–MS analysis of various endogenous compounds, and provide applications highlighting the impact of these important techniques in the evaluation of pathological events.

Derivatization of steroids in biological samples for GC–MS and LC–MS analyses

The determination of steroids in biological samples is essential in different areas of knowledge. MS combined with either GC or LC is considered the best analytical technique for specific and sensitive determinations. However, due to the physicochemical properties of some steroids, and the low concentrations found in biological samples, the formation of a derivative prior to their analysis is required. In GC–MS determinations, derivatization is needed for generating volatile and thermally stable compounds. The improvement in terms of stability and chromatographic retention are the main reasons for selecting the derivatization agent. On the other hand, derivatization is not compulsory in LC–MS analyses and the derivatization is typically used for improving the ionization and therefore the overall sensitivity achieved.

Current status and recent advantages in derivatization procedures in human doping control

Derivatization is one of the most important steps during sample preparation in doping control analysis. Its main purpose is the enhancement of chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection of analytes in the full range of laboratory doping control activities. Its application is shown to broaden the detectable range of compounds, even in LC–MS analysis, where derivatization is not a prerequisite. The impact of derivatization initiates from the stage of the metabolic studies of doping agents up to the discovery of doping markers, by inclusion of the screening and confirmation procedures of prohibited substances in athlete's urine samples. Derivatization renders an unlimited number of opportunities to advanced analyte detection.

Development and validation of a UHPLC-MS/MS procedure for quantification of the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal in bacterial culture after acetylation for characterization of new quorum sensing inhibitors

The appearance of antibiotic resistance requires novel therapeutic strategies. One approach is to selectively attenuate bacterial pathogenicity by interfering with bacterial cell-to-cell communication known as quorum sensing. The PQS quorum sensing system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa employs as signal molecule the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal (PQS; 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-(1H)-quinolone), a key contributor to virulence and biofilm formation. Thus, interference with PQS production is considered as promising approach for the development of novel anti-infectives. Therefore, in this study, we developed and validated an ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric approach for reliable quantification of PQS in P. aeruginosa cultures for activity determination of new quorum sensing inhibitors. The poor chromatographic properties of PQS reported by others could be overcome by fast microwave-assisted acetylation. The validation procedure including matrix effects, recovery, process efficiency, selectivity, carry-over, accuracy and precision, stability of the processed sample, and limit of quantification demonstrated that the method fulfilled all requirements of common validation guidelines. Its applicability was successfully proven in routine testing. In addition, two-point calibration was shown to be applicable for fast and reliable PQS quantification saving time and resources. In summary, the described method provides a powerful tool for the discovery of new quorum sensing inhibitors as potential anti-infectives and illustrated the usefulness of chemical derivatization, acetylation, in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.