Miren Itxaso Maguregui

Bioanalytical chromatographic method validation according to current regulations, with a special focus on the non-well defined parameters limit of quantification, robustness and matrix effect.

Method validation is a mandatory step in bioanalysis, to evaluate the ability of developed methods in providing reliable results for their routine application. Even if some organisations have developed guidelines to define the different parameters to be included in method validation (FDA, EMA); there are still some ambiguous concepts in validation criteria and methodology that need to be clarified. The methodology to calculate fundamental parameters such as the limit of quantification has been defined in several ways without reaching a harmonised definition, which can lead to very different values depending on the applied criterion. Other parameters such as robustness or ruggedness are usually omitted and when defined there is not an established approach to evaluate them. Especially significant is the case of the matrix effect evaluation which is one of the most critical points to be studied in LC-MS methods but has been traditionally overlooked. Due to the increasing importance of bioanalysis this scenario is no longer acceptable and harmonised criteria involving all the concerned parties should be arisen. The objective of this review is thus to discuss and highlight several essential aspects of method validation, focused in bioanalysis. The overall validation process including common validation parameters (selectivity, linearity range, precision, accuracy, stability…) will be reviewed. Furthermore, the most controversial parameters (limit of quantification, robustness and matrix effect) will be carefully studied and the definitions and methodology proposed by the different regulatory bodies will be compared. This review aims to clarify the methodology to be followed in bioanalytical method validation, facilitating this time consuming step.

LC-MS/MS method for the determination of several drugs used in combined cardiovascular therapy in human plasma

A simple, fast and validated method is reported for the simultaneous analysis, in human plasma, of several drugs usually combined in cardiovascular therapy (atenolol, bisoprolol, hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, salicylic acid, enalapril and its active metabolite enalaprilat, valsartan and fluvastatin) using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI), working in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). Separation of analytes and internal standard (pravastatin) was performed on a Luna C18(2) (150mm×4.6mm, 3μm) column using a gradient elution mode with a run time of 15min. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile and water containing 0.01% formic acid and 10mM ammonium formate at pH 4.1. Sample treatment consisted of a simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile, enabling a fast analysis. The method showed good linearity, precision (RSD% values between 0.7% and 12.7%) and accuracy (relative error values between 0.9% and 14.0%). Recoveries were within 68-106% range and the ion-suppression was not higher than 22% for any analyte. The method was successfully applied to plasma samples obtained from patients under combined cardiovascular treatment.

Determination of the pKa values of β-blockers by automated potentiometric titrations

The acid-base equilibrium constants of the beta-blockers atenolol, oxprenolol, timolol and labetalol were determined by automated potentiometric titrations. The pKa values were obtained in water-rich or water methanol medium (20% MeOH) to obviate the solubility problems associated with the compounds. The initial estimates of pKa values were obtained from Grans method and then, were refined by the NYTIT and ZETA versions of the LETAGROP computer program. The resultant values were 9.4 (I = 0.1 M KCl, 20% methanol) for atenolol, 9.6 (I = 0.1 M KCl) for oxprenolol, 9.4 (I = 0.1 M KCl, 20% methanol) for timolol and 7.4 and 9.4 (I = 0.1 M KCl) for labetalol. The potentiometric method was found to be accurate and easily applicable. The operational criteria for applying the methodology are indicated.

Quantitative determination of the β-blocker labetalol in pharmaceuticals and human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with amperometric detection has been developed for the quantitation of labetalol in urine. The chromatography was performed at 30 degrees C using a reversed-phase column with a base deactivated silica stationary support and an alkylamide bonded phase (Supelcosil ABZ+Plus). A 5 mM acetate buffer (pH 4.5)-acetonitrile (70:30, v/v) mixture was employed as the mobile phase, pumped at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min. Sample preparation was carried out using a simple solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure, and recoveries higher than 85% were achieved. The method was found to be accurate, precise (R.S.D lower than 8%), and sensitive enough (experimental quantitation limit of 20 ng/ml, detection limit 10 ng/ml) to be applied to doping analysis and pharmacokinetic studies in human urine. The method was applied to the determination of labetalol in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples obtained from a healthy volunteer after the ingestion of a therapeutic dose of the drug, and the results obtained were in agreement with the pharmacokinetic data.

Optimization and validation of a SPE-HPLC-PDA-fluorescence method for the simultaneous determination of drugs used in combined cardiovascular therapy in human plasma.

This paper reports the chemometrical optimization and the validation of a quantitative high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array-fluorescence (HPLC-PDA-Fluo) method for the simultaneous analysis, in human plasma, of drugs usually combined in cardiovascular therapy. Separation of chlorthalidone (CLTD), valsartan (VAL), valsartan-M1 (VAL-M1), fluvastatin (FLUV) and the internal standard (IS) candesartan cilexetil was performed on a dC18 Atlantis column (100 mm x 3.9 mm, 3 microm) using a gradient with a run time of 15 min. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile and water containing 0.01% of formic acid and 10 mM of ammonium formate at pH 4.1. UV and fluorimetric (valsartan, its metabolite and fluvastatin) detectors were used. The sample preparation consisted of protein precipitation using acetonitrile suited to a solid-phase extraction (SPE) on a Strata-X cartridge for sample clean-up. Method validation was developed following the recommendations for bioanalytical method validation of International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) organizations. The method showed good linearity (31-3000 microg/l for chlorthalidone, 20-1000 microg/l for valsartan-M1, 10-5000 microg/l for valsartan and 14-1000 microg/l for fluvastatin), precision and accuracy. Recoveries were in the range of 78-91%. This method allowed the determination of these drugs in human plasma samples obtained from patients under cardiovascular treatment.

High-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection applied to the screening of β-blockers in human urine

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection has been developed for the determination of six beta-blockers: atenolol, nadolol, timolol, metoprolol, oxprenolol, and alprenolol. The chromatographic separation was performed using a mu Bondapack C18 column, a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (40:60), containing 5 mM KH2PO4/K2HPO4 proved to be optimal at a 1.3 ml/min flow-rate, and a pH of 6.5. The temperature was optimized at 30 +/- 0.2 degrees C. The amperometric detector, equipped with a glassy carbon electrode, was operated at 1300 mV versus Ag/AgCl in the direct current mode. The method was applied to the determination of these compounds at two concentration levels: ppm and ppb (ng/ml), obtaining relative standard deviations lower than 5% at ppm levels and lower than 10% at ppb levels, and quantitation limits ranging from 15 ppb to 500 ppb. The method was applied to the screening of beta-blockers in spiked urine samples, with a total elution time lower than 12 min, obtaining the best recoveries for timolol and metoprolol (never greater than 93%). These recoveries together with the low limits of quantitation achieved, allows its application to doping analysis in human urine.

Validation of a fast liquid chromatography-UV method for the analysis of drugs used in combined cardiovascular therapy in human plasma.

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was investigated as a faster alternative to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the simultaneous analysis of drugs usually prescribed in cardiovascular therapy. Upon a previously developed and validated solid phase extraction (SPE)-HPLC-photodiode array (PDA)-fluorescence (FLR) method, separation of chlorthalidone (CLTD; diuretic), valsartan and its metabolite (VAL and VAL-M1 respectively; angiotensin II receptor antagonist drugs) and fluvastatin (FLUV; statin) was performed in human plasma using an RP C18 column (50mmx2.1mm, 1.7microm, Waters Acquity UPLC (BEH)) and a tunable UV-vis (TUV) detector. After method transfer, different system variables were modulated to study the evolution of responses of the analytes and the endogenous interferences. The improved method was fully validated and the results were compared with its precursor HPLC method relating to analysis time, efficiency and sensitivity. The studied compounds were separated in less than 8min and the method showed good linearity (20-3000microg/L for chlorthalidone, 110-1100microg/L for valsartan-M1, 67-1900microg/L for valsartan and 48-1100microg/L for fluvastatin), precision and accuracy. The proposed method was found to be reproducible (RSD<10%), accurate (RE<15%), robust and suitable for quantitative analysis of the studied drugs in plasma obtained from patients under combined cardiovascular treatment.

Quantitative determination of oxprenolol and timolol in urine by capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple capillary zone electrophoretic method with UV detection has been developed for the quantitative determination of the beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists (beta-blockers) oxprenolol and timolol in human urine, preceded by a solid-phase extraction step. The electrophoretic separation was performed on a 78 cm x 75 microm I.D. fused-silica capillary (effective capillary length: 70 cm). The electrolyte consisted of a Na2B4O7-H3BO3 (50 mM), pH 9. The introduction of the sample was made hydrostatically for 20 s and the running voltage 25 kV at the injector end of the capillary. Photometric detection was used at a wavelength of 229 nm for oxprenolol and 280 nm for timolol. Under these conditions oxprenolol migrated at 4.76+/-0.05 min and timolol at 4.97+/-0.05 min. The solid-phase extraction methods were optimised for each beta-blocker and provided recoveries of 72.8% for timolol and 94.52% for oxprenolol. Good resolution from the endogenous compounds present in the urine matrix were achieved for both compounds. The method was applied to the determination of both beta-blockers in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples obtained from hypertensive patients after the ingestion of a therapeutic dose (in a 24-h time interval after the ingestion). The quantitative results were compared with results previously obtained at our laboratories by HPLC and were found to be in good agreement. Good reproducibility, linearity, accuracy and quantitation limits (in urine) of 0.19 microg/ml for timolol and 0.20 microg/ml for oxprenolol were obtained, allowing the method to be applied to pharmacokinetic studies of these compounds.

High-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection applied to the determination of the β-blocker oxprenolol in urine and pharmaceuticals

A rapid and simple high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with amperometric detection has been developed for the quantitative determination of oxprenolol in human urine and pharmaceuticals. The chromatographic method was performed at (25 ± 0.2)°C on a reversed-phase column (Supelcosil ABZ + Plus) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (30:70, v/v) containing 4 mM acetate buffer pH = 4.4 and with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The amperometric detector equipped with a glassy carbon electrode was operated at +1300 mV versus Ag/AgCl in direct current mode. A simple solid phase (SPE) extraction method was used as clean-up procedure, obtaining recoveries greater than 90% for spiked urine samples. The method was found to be accurate, precise, and sensitive enough to determine free oxprenolol in human urine samples, which would allow its application to doping analysis. The method developed allowed the analysis of urine samples obtained from a patient under treatment with oxprenolol, and to its determination in the pharmaceutical formulation Transitensin (oxprenolol 80 mg + chlortalidone 10 mg).