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Biomedical subjects

M Jemal

Publications and source records attributed to M Jemal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Quantitative determination of the HIV protease inhibitor atazanavir (BMS-232632) in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry following automated solid-phase extraction.

A selective, accurate, and reproducible LC-MS-MS assay was developed for the determination of the HIV protease inhibitor atazanavir (BMS-232632) in human plasma samples. The method involved automated solid-phase extraction of atazanavir and a stable isotope analog internal standard (I.S.) using Oasis HLB 10 mg 96-well SPE plates. A portion of the reconstituted sample residue was injected onto a C(18) HDO analytical column which was configured with a triple quad mass spectrometer for analyte determination by positive ion electrospray. The assay was linear from 1.00 to 1,000 ng/ml with a lower limit of quantitation of 1.00 ng/ml. The inter- and intra-day coefficients of variation (C.V.) for the assay were <4%, and the accuracy was 99-102%. Atazanavir was stable in human plasma for at least 109 h at room temperature and for at least 1 year at -20 degrees C.

Atazanavir Sulfate↗

LC/MS/MS determination of omapatrilat, a sulfhydryl-containing vasopeptidase inhibitor, and its sulfhydryl- and thioether-containing metabolites in human plasma.

Omapatrilat, the most clinically advanced member of a new class of cardiovascular agents, vasopeptidase inhibitors, is under development at Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. An electrospray LC/MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of omapatrilat and its four metabolites in human plasma. Since omapatrilat and two of the metabolites are sulfhydryl-containing compounds, methyl acrylate was used to stabilize these compounds in human blood and plasma samples. Methyl acrylate reacted instantly with the sulfhydryl group to form a derivative that was stable in blood and plasma. Extraction of the analytes from plasma samples was achieved by semiautomated liquid-liquid extraction, where a robotic liquid handler performed the liquid-transferring steps. The mass spectrometer was operated in the negative ion selected-reaction-monitoring mode. The calibration curve ranges were 0.5-250 ng/mL for omapatrilat and one metabolite and 2.0-250 ng/mL for the other three metabolites.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Increased throughput in quantitative bioanalysis using parallel-column liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection.

The feasibility of quantitative bioanalysis by parallel-column liquid chromatography in conjunction with a conventional single-source electrospray mass spectrometer has been investigated using plasma samples containing a drug and its three metabolites. Within a single chromatographic run time, sample injections were made alternately onto each of two analytical columns in parallel at specified intervals, with a mass spectrometer data file opened at every injection. Thus, the mass spectrometer collected data from two sample injections into separate data files within a single chromatographic run time. Therefore, without sacrificing the chromatographic separation or the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) dwell time, the sample throughput was increased by a factor of two. Comparing the method validation results obtained using the two-column system with those obtained using the corresponding conventional single-column approach, the methods on the two systems were found to be equivalent in terms of accuracy and precision. The parallel-column system is simple and can be implemented using existing laboratory equipment with no additional capital outlays. A parallel-column system configured in this manner can be used not only for the within-a-run analysis of two samples containing two different sets of chemical entities, but also for the within-a-run analysis of two samples containing the same set of chemical entities.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Omapatrilat in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

OBJECTIVE: The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of omapatrilat, a member of a new class of cardiovascular compounds, the vasopeptidase inhibitors, were evaluated in subjects with hepatic cirrhosis (n = 10) and in healthy subjects (n = 10) matched for age, weight, gender and smoking history. METHODS: All subjects received omapatrilat 25 mg orally once daily for 14 days. Plasma renin and urinary atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were measured to assess the effect of omapatrilat on cirrhotic subjects. The effect of omapatrilat on blood pressure as well as changes in ANP and plasma renin levels were not altered by hepatic impairment. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from plasma omapatrilat concentrations. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two subject groups with regard to log-transformed area under the curve or maximum observed plasma concentration. Systemic accumulation was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest, based on findings in otherwise healthy cirrhotic subjects, that no adjustment of standard dosing regimens is indicated for hypertensive patients with mild to moderate cirrhosis.

Administration, Oral↗

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of omapatrilat in heart failure.

The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of omapatrilat, administered orally (25 mg) or intravenously (10 mg) in 19 New York Heart Association class II and class III congestive heart failure (CHF) patients versus 17 healthy controls matched for age, race, gender, and weight. The plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased by approximately 20% and 30% in CHF and control subjects, respectively, at 4 hours after intravenous or oral omapatrilat administration. Similar elevation in the cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentration (25% to 35%) and ANP urinary excretion (21 ng/24 h to 22 ng/24 h) was seen in all treatment groups after omapatrilat administration. Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was > 90% inhibited at 4 hours after dosing and remained approximately 60% to 70% inhibited at 24 hours after dosing. The levels of endothelin-1 and endothelin-2 remained unchanged after oral or intravenous administration of omapatrilat. The maximal reduction in seated blood pressure compared with baseline was similarfor CHF and control subjects. Clinical pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in both groups after intravenous dosing, but maximum concentration and area under the concentration-time curve were elevated in CHF patients compared with controls after oral dosing. Omapatrilat was well tolerated; differences in systemic exposure and metabolism between CHF patients and controls did not appear to be clinically significant.

Administration, Oral↗

An automated method of sample preparation of biofluids using pierceable caps to eliminate the uncapping of the sample tubes during sample transfer.

Biological samples are normally collected and stored frozen in capped tubes until analysis. To obtain aliquots of biological samples for analysis, the sample tubes have to be thawed, uncapped, samples removed and then recapped for further storage. In this paper, we report an automated method of sample transfer devised to eliminate the uncapping and recapping process. This sampling method was incorporated into an automated liquid-liquid extraction procedure of plasma samples. Using a robotic system, the plasma samples were transferred directly from pierceable capped tubes into microtubes contained in a 96-position block. The aliquoted samples were extracted with methyl-tert-butyl ether in the same microtubes. The supernatant organic layers were transferred to a 96-well collection plate and evaporated to dryness. The dried extracts were reconstituted and injected from the same plate for analysis by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

Blood Chemical Analysis↗

Direct-injection LC-MS-MS method for high-throughput simultaneous quantitation of simvastatin and simvastatin acid in human plasma.

A direct-injection liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitation in human plasma of the widely used cholesterol-lowering prodrug simvastatin and its in vivo generated active drug, simvastatin acid. The plasma samples were injected into the LC-MS-MS system after simply adding the internal standard solution in an aqueous buffer and centrifuging. The analytes in the buffered plasma samples were found to be stable for at least 24 h at 4 degrees C. The method was successfully validated under the challenging condition of using a large number of quality control (QC) samples including those in which the ratio of the simvastatin concentration to the simvastatin acid concentration was different from the concentration ratio in the calibration curve standards. Under the dual stabilizing conditions of lower temperature (4 degrees C) and lower plasma pH of 4.9, the in-process hydrolysis of simvastatin to simvastatin acid or the lactonization of simvastatin acid to simvastatin was minimized to < or = 1.0%. Although the entire run time for on-line cleanup and analysis was only 2.5 min, chromatographic base-line separation of simvastatin from simvastatin acid, which was required to avoid the interference by simvastatin acid with the simvastatin selected reaction monitoring channel, was achieved. The desired lower limit of quantitation of 0.5 ng/ml was achieved by injecting only an equivalent of 8.0 microl of the plasma sample. The extraction column lasted for at least 500 injections.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Liquid chromatographic-electrospray tandem mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous quantitation of the prodrug fosinopril and the active drug fosinoprilat in human serum.

A sensitive, specific, accurate and reproducible LC-MS-MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitation of the prodrug fosinopril and its active drug fosinoprilat in human serum. The method employed acidification of the serum samples to minimize the hydrolysis of fosinopril to fosinoprilat prior to purification by solid-phase extraction to isolate the two analytes and the two internal standards from human serum. The extracted samples were analyzed by turbo ionspray LC-MS-MS in the positive ion mode. Chromatography was performed on a polymer-based C18 column (Asahipak ODP PVA-C18, 2x50 mm) using gradient elution with methanol and 10 mM ammonium acetate, pH 5.5. The calibration curve, 1.17 to 300 ng/ml, was fitted to a weighted (1/x) linear regression model. Serum quality control (QC) samples used to gauge the accuracy and precision of the method were prepared at concentrations of 5.00, 100, 250 and 500 ng/ml of each analyte. The inter-assay accuracies were within 6% (DEV) for both analytes. The intra- and inter-assay precisions were within 7% and 11% (RSD), respectively, for both analytes. The hydrolysis of fosinopril to fosinoprilat during sample processing was < or = 6%. This degree of conversion would cause little error in the analysis of post-dose serum samples since such samples are known to contain low levels of the prodrug compared to the drug.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Ternary-column system for high-throughput direct-injection bioanalysis by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

As a continuation of our efforts to improve our high-flow on-line bioanalytical approach for high-throughput quantitation of drugs and metabolites in biological matrices by high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), we have developed a ternary-column on-line LC/MS/MS system with dual extraction columns used in parallel for purification and an analytical column for analysis. The advantage of the dual extraction column system is that sample analysis can take place in one of the extraction columns while the other column is being equilibrated. Thus, the equilibration time does not add to the run time, hence shortening the injection cycle time and increasing the sample throughput. Moreover, the use of two extraction columns in parallel increases the number of samples that can be injected before the system fails due to an overused extraction column. Such a system has successfully been used to develop and validate a positive ion electrospray LC/MS/MS bioanalytical method for the quantitative determination of a guanidine-containing drug candidate in rat plasma. The system used for this work utilized two Oasis HLB extraction columns (1 x 50 mm, 30 microm), one C18 analytical column (3.9 x 50 mm, 5 microm), a ten-port switching value and a tandem mass spectrometer. The on-line analysis was accomplished by the direct injection of 10 microL of the sample, obtained by mixing a rat plasma sample 1:1 with an aqueous internal standard solution. Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) was utilized for the detection of the analyte and internal standard. The standard curve range was 1.00-200 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within 6.6%. The on-line purification step lasted for only 0.3 min and total run time was only 1.6 min.

Animals↗

Liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantitation of fosinoprilat in human serum using automated 96-well solid-phase extraction for sample preparation.

A sensitive, specific, accurate and reproducible liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantitation of fosinoprilat in 0.2 mL of human serum. The method employed acidification (with pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer) of the serum samples to minimize the hydrolysis of the prodrug fosinopril to fosinoprilat prior to purification by automated 96-well solid-phase extraction. The required chromatographic separation of fosinoprilat and fosinopril was achieved isocratically on a Luna C8 analytical column (2 x 50 mm, 3 microm). The total run time was 2 min. The mobile phase contained methanol and water with 10 mM ammonium acetate. Detection was by positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The standard curve, which ranged from 2.00 to 500 ng/mL, was fitted to a 1/x(2) weighted linear regression model. Fosinoprilat quality control (QC) samples used to determine the accuracy and precision of the method were prepared in human serum at concentrations of 5.00, 200, 400 and 1000 ng/mL. The assay accuracy was within 8% (dev). The intra- and inter-assay precisions were within 6 and 3% (RSD), respectively. Fosinopril QC samples used to gauge the rate of hydrolysis of fosinopril to fosinoprilat during the assay procedure were prepared in human serum at 500 ng/mL. The hydrolysis of fosinopril to fosinoprilat was </=1%. This degree of conversion would cause little error in the analysis of post-dose serum samples since such samples are known to contain low levels of the prodrug compared with the drug.

Analysis of Variance↗

The need for chromatographic and mass resolution in liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric methods used for quantitation of lactones and corresponding hydroxy acids in biological samples.

Because of the potential in-source conversion between a lactone and the corresponding hydroxy acid, it has been recognized that a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method developed for quantitation of a lactone drug in the presence of its hydroxy acid metabolite (or vice versa) must incorporate chromatographic separation between the two compounds, unless in-source conversion between the two compounds has been eliminated by the appropriate selection of the LC/MS/MS parameters. We now report that chromatographic separation between a lactone and its hydroxy acid will be required under certain LC/MS/MS conditions used even in the absence of in-source conversion. This is due to the fact that the 18-mass-unit difference between a lactone and its hydroxy acid is, by coincidence, different by only one mass unit from the 17-mass-unit difference between the [M + H](+) and [M + NH(4)](+) ions of the lactone or the hydroxy acid. Thus, the [M + H](+) ion of a hydroxy acid is higher than the [M + NH(4)](+) ion of its lactone by only one mass unit. Therefore, in a method developed for quantitation of a hydroxy acid drug utilizing a selected-ion-monitoring (SRM) scheme that incorporates its [M + H](+) ion as the precursor ion, the quantitation would be inaccurate due to the interference by the contribution of the A + 1 isotope response from the [M + NH(4)](+) ion of the lactone metabolite present in the sample, unless there is a chromatographic separation between the two compounds. This is true even if Q1 is operated under a unit-mass resolution. The implication of this type of interference, arising from the presence of both the [M + H](+) and [M + NH(4)](+) ions of a drug and its metabolite, to the selection of LC and MS conditions (including mass resolution) will be discussed using the data obtained with a model lactone drug and its hydroxy acid metabolite.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

High-throughput quantitative bioanalysis by LC/MS/MS.

This review article discusses the most recent significant advances in the sample preparation and mass spectrometry aspects of high-throughput bioanalysis by LC/MS/MS for the quantitation of drugs, metabolites and endogenous biomolecules in biological matrices. The introduction and implementation of automated 96-well extraction has brought about high-throughput approaches to the biological sample preparation techniques of solid-phase extraction, liquid-liquid extraction and protein precipitation. The fast-flow on-line extraction technique is a different high-throughput approach that has also significantly speeded up analysis by LC/MS/MS. The use of pierceable caps for biological tubes further enhances the analysis speed and improves the safety in handling biological samples. The need for adequate chromatographic separation in order to eliminate interferences due to metabolites and/or matrix effects in LC/MS/MS is discussed. To highlight our limited understanding of atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry, results from recent investigations that appear to be counter-intuitive are presented. Looking ahead to the future, multiplexed LC/MS/MS systems and capillary LC are presented as areas that can bring about further improvements in analysis speed and sensitivity to quantitative bioanalysis by LC/MS/MS.

Acetonitriles↗

Bioanalytical method validation design for the simultaneous quantitation of analytes that may undergo interconversion during analysis.

In the analysis of post-dose biological samples for quantitative determination of two analytes that can potentially undergo interconversion, it is essential to minimize the interconversion during the multiple steps of the bioanalytical method. However, even after optimizing the conditions of each step, some interconversion may be unavoidable. Even then, a method can be developed for the accurate simultaneous determination of the two analytes in post-dose biological samples if the composition, in terms of the ratio of the concentrations of the two analytes, of the calibration standards and quality control (QC) samples are selected judiciously, in relation to the composition of the unknown samples to be analyzed. As an example of such interconverting analytes, a delta-hydroxy acid compound (analyte 1) and its delta-lactone (analyte 2) were selected as model compounds that can potentially undergo interconversion. The effects of changing the relative concentrations of the two analytes in QC samples vis-à-vis the calibration standards on the performance of the method under conditions were investigated where: (a) the interconversion between the two analytes was minimized; (b) the conversion of analyte 2 to analyte 1 was enhanced; (c) the interconversion between the two analytes was enhanced. The results showed that the method performance, as measured by the accuracy and precision of the QC samples, was not acceptable when the ratio of concentration of analyte 1 to that of analyte 2 in the QC samples was different from that in the calibration standards and the conditions used facilitated the conversion of one analyte to the other. However, when the relative concentration of the two analytes in the QC samples was identical to that of the calibration standards, the method performance was acceptable under all three conditions of interconversion. This was because the same degree of interconversion took place in the QC samples and calibration standards. The purpose of QC samples in bioanalytical methods is to gauge how the method will perform for the analysis of post-dose test samples and hence, ideally, the relative concentrations of the analytes in QC samples, should be selected to mimic the anticipated concentrations in the test samples. However, the relative concentrations of the analytes in test samples may not be known a-priori, or may change from sample to sample; therefore, it is not always possible to construct QC samples that exactly mimic the relative concentrations of analytes in the test samples. Thus, in order to cover the variety of test samples, the method should include, in addition to QC samples that contain the analytes at the same relative concentration as in the calibration standards, QC samples with relative concentrations that are different from those in the calibration standards, including those that contain only analyte 1 and only analyte 2. In addition, the conditions adopted for the method should favor the minimization of the conversion of the analyte that is expected to be the major component in the post-dose test samples.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Quantitative determination of pravastatin and its biotransformation products in human serum by turbo ion spray LC/MS/MS.

A sensitive, specific, accurate and reproducible analytical method was developed and validated to quantify pravastatin (Prav), pravastatin-d5 (Prav-d5), SQ-31906, SQ-31906-d5, and pravastatin lactone (Prav-Lac) in human serum samples. Serum samples (0.5 ml) were acidified and extracted by a solid-phase extraction procedure to isolate all five analytes from human serum. Sample extracts were reconstituted and analyzed by turbo ion spray liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in the positive ion mode. The total run time was 9 min between injections. The assay demonstrated a lower limit of quantitation (LLQ) of 0.5 ng/ml for all five analytes. The calibration curves were linear from 0.5 ng ml to 100 ng/ml for all five analytes. The coefficients of determination of all calibration curves were > or = 0.999. Precision and accuracy quality control (QC) samples were prepared at concentrations of 2, 30, 80, and 500 ng/ml for all analytes. The intra-assay and inter-assay precision calculated from QC samples were within 8%, for all analytes. The inter-assay accuracy calculated from QC samples was within 8% for all analytes. The extraction recoveries were > or = 90% for all analytes. Benchtop stability experiments in an ice-water bath ( < or = 10 degrees C) demonstrated that over time, Prav-Lac hydrolyzes to Prav in serum. Prav, Prav-d5, SQ-31906, and SQ-31906-d5 were stable under these conditions for up to 24 h. Hydrolysis was minimized by buffering the serum to pH 4.5 and maintaining the serum sample in an ice-water bath. All analytes were stable after three freeze/thaw cycles and in reconstitution solution after 1 week at 4 degrees C. Stability of all analytes in human serum was demonstrated after storage at -70 degrees C for 77 days. The benchtop (< or = 10 degrees C) stability of pooled study samples was also investigated and the results were comparable to those obtained from serum QC samples.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Disposition and safety of omapatrilat in subjects with renal impairment.

BACKGROUND: Omapatrilat, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, preserves natriuretic peptides and inhibits the renin angiotensin aldosterone system by simultaneously inhibiting neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme. METHODS: Oral omapatrilat, 10 mg/d, was administered for 8 to 9 days to three groups of eight subjects with varying degrees of renal function (CLCR values, normal > or = 80; mild to moderate impairment < 80 to > or = 30; severe impairment < 30 mL/min/1.73 mL2) and to six subjects undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Omapatrilat and its metabolites (phenylmercaptopropionic acid, S-methylomapatrilat, S-methylphenylmercaptopropionic acid, and cyclic S-oxide-omapatrilat) were quantified in plasma by a validated liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method. The model, Cmax or AUC(0-T) = intercept + slope x CLCR, was tested for a possible linear correlation between Cmax (peak plasma concentrations) or AUC(0-T) (area under plasma concentration versus time curve) and CLCR. RESULTS: For omapatrilat and its inactive metabolites, phenylmercaptopropionic acid, S-methylomapatrilat, and S-methylphenylmercaptopropionic acid, the median times to peak plasma concentrations (tmax) were 1.5 to 2, 2 to 3, 2.5 to 3.5, and 7 to 10 hours, respectively, and were independent of renal function. After Cmax attainment, plasma concentrations declined rapidly to about 10% of Cmax values. Cyclic S-oxide-omapatrilat, a potentially active metabolite, was undetectable at all sampling time points. Hemodialysis did not decrease circulating levels of omapatrilat. There was minimal accumulation of omapatrilat and phenylmercaptopropionic acid and moderate accumulation of the S-methylated metabolites. For omapatrilat and S-methylphenylmercaptopropionic acid, neither Cmax nor AUC(0-T) was CLCR dependent. However, AUC(0-T) for phenylmercaptopropionic acid and both the Cmax and AUC(0-T) for S-methylomapatrilat were CLCR dependent. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetics of omapatrilat, the only clinically relevant active compound studied, was independent of CLCR. For patients with reduced renal function, adjusting initial omapatrilat dose is not suggested. Hemodialysis did not significantly contribute to the clearance of omapatrilat. The long-term pharmacodynamic response to omapatrilat will dictate dose-adjustment needs.

Administration, Oral↗

Disposition of radiolabeled ifetroban in rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans.

Ifetroban is a potent and selective thromboxane receptor antagonist. This study was conducted to characterize the pharmacokinetics, absolute bioavailability, and disposition of ifetroban after i.v. and oral administrations of [14C]ifetroban or [3H]ifetroban in rats (3 mg/kg), dogs (1 mg/kg), monkeys (1 mg/kg), and humans (50 mg). The drug was rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with peak plasma concentrations occurring between 5 and 20 min across species. Plasma terminal elimination half-life was approximately 8 h in rats, approximately 20 h in dogs, approximately 27 h in monkeys, and approximately 22 h in humans. Based on the steady-state volume of distribution, the drug was extensively distributed in tissues. Absolute bioavailability was 25, 35, 23, and 48% in rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans, respectively. Renal excretion was a minor route of elimination in all species, with the majority of the dose being excreted into the feces. After a single oral dose, urinary excretion accounted for 3% of the administered dose in rats and dogs, 14% in monkeys, and 27% in humans, with the remainder excreted in the feces. Extensive biliary excretion was observed in rats with the hydroxylated metabolite at the C-14 position being the major metabolite observed in rat bile. Ifetroban was extensively metabolized after oral administration. Approximately 40 to 50% of the radioactivity in rat and dog plasma was accounted for by parent drug whereas, in humans, approximately 60% of the plasma radioactivity was accounted for by ifetroban acylglucuronide.

Administration, Oral↗

Quantitation of cerivastatin and its seven acid and lactone biotransformation products in human serum by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

A method for the simultaneous quantitation of cerivastatin (acid) and its biotransformation products, cerivastatin lactone, M-1 (acid), M-1 lactone, M-23 (acid), M-23 lactone, M-24 (acid) and M-24 lactone, in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) with positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) was developed and validated. The method involves extraction of cerivastatin and its biotransformation products from acidified human serum (0.5 ml) using methyl tert.-butyl ether. The standard curve ranges in human serum were from 0.0100 to 10.0 ng/ml for cerivastatin and cerivastatin lactone, 0.0500 to 10.0 ng/ml for M-1 (acid) and M-1 lactone, 0.100 to 10.0 ng/ml for M-23 (acid) and M-23 lactone, and 0.500 to 10.0 ng/ml for M-24 (acid) and M-24 lactone. The lactone compounds in human serum at room temperature underwent considerable conversion to the corresponding acid compounds after only 4 h. Lowering the serum pH with a pH 5.0 buffer stabilized the lactone compounds for up to 24 h at room temperature. The degree of lactonization of the acid compounds was < or = 3.5% and the degree of hydrolysis of the lactone compounds was < or = 6.0% during the entire assay procedure. All the eight analytes eluted within 2.0 min and the total run time was only 3.5 min.

Biotransformation↗

Comparison of plasma sample purification by manual liquid-liquid extraction, automated 96-well liquid-liquid extraction and automated 96-well solid-phase extraction for analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

Three extraction procedures were developed for the quantitative determination of a carboxylic acid containing analyte (I) in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). The first procedure was based on the manual liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) of the acidified plasma samples with methyl tert.-butyl ether. The second procedure was based on the automation of the manual LLE procedure using 96-well collection plates and a robotic liquid handling system. The third approach was based on automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) using 96-well SPE plates and a robotic liquid handling system. A lower limit of quantitation of 50 pg/ml was achieved using all three extraction procedures. The total time required to prepare calibration curve standards, aliquot the standards and plasma samples, and process a total of 96 standards and samples by manual LLE was three-times longer than the time required for 96-well SPE or 96-well LLE (4 h, 50 min vs. 1 h, 43 min). Even more importantly, the time the bioanalyst physically spent on the 96-well LLE or 96-well SPE procedure was only a small fraction of the time spent on the manual LLE procedure (<10 min vs. 4 h, 10 min). It should be noted that the 96-well SPE procedure incorporated the two steps of evaporation of the eluates to dryness and subsequent reconstitution of the dried extract. The total time required for the 96-well SPE could be reduced by 50% if the eluates were injected directly, eliminating the drying and reconstitution steps, which is achievable when sensitivity is less of an issue.

Automation↗