Man Liu

Simultaneous quantification of niacin and its three main metabolites in human plasma by LC-MS/MS.

A sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of niacin (NA) and its three main metabolites nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinuric acid (NUA) and N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2-Pyr) in human plasma has been developed and validated. Plasma samples (200 μL) were prepared by deproteinization with acetonitrile (500 μL), then the supernatant after centrifugation was evaporated and reconstituted. Chromatography was performed on a phenomenex synergi hydro-RP column with an isocratic elution of methanol-0.1% formic acid (5:95, v/v). The full separation of all analytes was achieved within 9 min. Multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) using the fragmentation transitions of m/z 124.1 → 80.1, 123.1 → 80.0, 181.0 → 79.0 and 153.1 → 110.2 in positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode was performed to quantify NA, NAM, NUA and 2-Pyr, respectively. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 2.0-3000 ng/mL for NA and NUA, 10.0-1600 ng/mL for NAM and 50.0-5000 ng/mL for 2-Pyr. This method has been validated in accordance with the US FDA guidelines for bioanalytical method development and applied to the determination of NA and its three main metabolites in Chinese subjects following a single oral dose of niacin extended-release and simvastatin 1000 mg/20mg. In particular, because of the endogenous NAM and 2-Pyr in human plasma, the concentrations of NAM and 2-Pyr in human plasma after dosing were determined by subtracting blank values of them.

LC-MS/MS method for the determination of agomelatine in human plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and selective LC-MS/MS method for the determination of agomelatine in human plasma was developed and validated. After simple liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated on a Zorbax SB-C18 column (150 × 2.1 mm i.d., 5 µm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 5 mm ammonium acetate solution (containing 0.1% formic acid) and methanol (30:70, v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.3 mL/min. The MS acquisition was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode with a positive electrospray ionization source. The mass transitions monitored were m/z 244.1 → 185.3 and m/z 285.2 → 193.2 for agomelatine and internal standard, respectively. The methods were validated for selectivity, carry-over, matrix effects, calibration curves, accuracy and precision, extraction recoveries, dilution integrity and stability. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of agomelatine in Chinese volunteers following a single oral dose of 25 mg agomelatine tablet.

Determination of efonidipine in human plasma by LC–MS/MS for pharmacokinetic applications

Efonidipine hydrochloride is a new generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker designed to inhibit both T-type and L-type calcium channels. For the first time, a simple and robust LC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of efonidipine in human plasma over the range of 0.100-20.0ng/mL. Efonidipine was extracted from plasma by an LLE procedure, separated by LC and detected by MS/MS in positive mode ESI. The method was validated for selectivity, carryover, sensitivity, extraction recovery, matrix effects, linearity, accuracy and precision, dilution integrity and stability studies. The calibration curves were linear over 0.100-20.0ng/mL (r≥0.9980). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was established at 0.100ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precisions (LLOQ, low-QC, mid-QC, high-QC and ultra-high QC) were less than 12.5% in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD), and accuracies were between -5.0% and 5.0% in terms of relative error (RE). Matrix effect was acceptable (105.6-110.2%) and extraction recovery was reproducible (85.8-91.3%, RSD≤10.0%). Efonidipine was stable in the investigated conditions. The method was applied to the pharmacokinetics of efonidipine in human subject.

Pharmacokinetics of lansoprazole and its main metabolites after single intravenous doses in healthy Chinese subjects

The aim of the study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of lansoprazole (LPZ) and its main metabolites 5′-hydroxy lansoprazole (HLPZ) and lansoprazole sulphone (LPZS) after single intravenous (i.v.) doses of LPZ in healthy Chinese subjects, and the relationship between the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 phenotypes and the plasma concentrations of LPZS at the time-points in the elimination phase of LPZ. Twelve subjects were given lansoprazole by i.v. infusion. Blood samples were collected at designated time points up to 24 h. Plasma concentrations of LPZ, HLPZ and LPZS were quantified by a selective and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method. After single i.v. doses of 15, 30 and 60 mg LPZ, Cmax and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-t) of LPZ were 725 ± 151, 1480 ± 190, 3130 ± 480 µg·L−1 and 1690 ± 1210, 3630 ± 2530, 8080 ± 4550 µg·h·L−1, respectively. LPZ was generally well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects, and displayed linear PK in the range of 15–60 mg. There were significant differences in the elimination of LPZ and the formation of LPZS between the single CYP2C19 poor metabolizer (PM) and the CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers (EM). The concentration of LPZS at the time-points in the elimination phase of LPZ could be monitored for CYP2C19 phenotyping. As a probe drug for CYP2C19 phenotyping, LPZ for injection might be more suitable than LPZ oral formulations.

Quantification of strontium in human serum by ICP-MS using alternate analyte-free matrix and its application to a pilot bioequivalence study of two strontium ranelate oral formulations in healthy Chinese subjects

A rapid, sensitive and accurate ICP-MS method using alternate analyte-free matrix for calibration standards preparation and a rapid direct dilution procedure for sample preparation was developed and validated for the quantification of exogenous strontium (Sr) from the drug in human serum. Serum was prepared by direct dilution (1:29, v/v) in an acidic solution consisting of nitric acid (0.1%) and germanium (Ge) added as internal standard (IS), to obtain simple and high-throughput preparation procedure with minimized matrix effect, and good repeatability. ICP-MS analysis was performed using collision cell technology (CCT) mode. Alternate matrix method by using distilled water as an alternate analyte-free matrix for the preparation of calibration standards (CS) was used to avoid the influence of endogenous Sr in serum on the quantification. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, carry-over, matrix effects, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), linearity, precision and accuracy, and stability. Instrumental linearity was verified in the range of 1.00-500ng/mL, corresponding to a concentration range of 0.0300-15.0μg/mL in 50μL sample of serum matrix and alternate matrix. Intra- and inter-day precision as relative standard deviation (RSD) were less than 8.0% and accuracy as relative error (RE) was within ±3.0%. The method allowed a high sample throughput, and was sensitive and accurate enough for a pilot bioequivalence study in healthy male Chinese subjects following single oral administration of two strontium ranelate formulations containing 2g strontium ranelate.

Pharmacokinetics of Terazosin Enantiomers in Healthy Chinese Male Subjects

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the pharmacokinetics of terazosin enantiomers in healthy Chinese male subjects. After a single oral dose of 2-mg terazosin, the plasma concentrations of terazosin enantiomers were measured over the course of 48 h in 12 healthy subjects. The plasma concentrations of (+)-(R)-terazosin at all time points were higher than those of (-)-(S)-terazosin. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-∞) ) and maximum plasma concentration of (+)-(R)-terazosin were significantly greater than those of the (-)-(S)-terazosin (P < 0.01, respectively). The R/S ratio of AUC(0-∞) of terazosin was 1.68. For the first time, it was proven that the pharmacokinetics of terazosin was stereoselective in healthy Chinese male subjects.

A chiral LC-MS/MS method for the stereospecific determination of efonidipine in human plasma.

Efonidipine hydrochloride is a new generation dihydropyridine Ca(2+) channel blocker designed to inhibit both T-type and L-type Ca(2+) channels. Efonidipine possesses a chiral carbon and is clinically administered as a racemate. In the present study, an enantioselective and sensitive LC-MS/MS method of determining efonidipine enantiomers in human plasma was developed and validated to characterize the stereoselective pharmacokinetics. Plasma samples were processed by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Chiral separation was optimized on a CHIRALPAK(®) ID column using an isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile/water (60:40, v/v). Detection was using MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, using the transitions of m/z 632.3→91.1 for efonidipine enantiomers, and m/z 493.3→117.2 for cilnidipine (internal standard). The calibration curves were linear over 0.100-20.0 ng/mL for each enantiomer. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for each enantiomer was established at 0.100 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 12.1% for each enantiomer in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD), and accuracies were between -5.0% and 5.0% in terms of relative error (RE) for each enantiomer. No chiral inversion was observed during sample storage, preparation procedure and analysis. The validated method was successfully applied to a stereoselective pharmacokinetic study of efonidipine in healthy subjects after oral administration of 40 mg (20 mg × 2) efonidipine hydrochloride tablets.