Determination of four anabolic steroid metabolites by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with negative ion chemical ionization and tandem mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method is described which uses negative ion chemical ionization and tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of anabolic steroid metabolites. Four anabolic steroid metabolites to be derivatized by Pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA) were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with negative chemical ionization (NCI) and NCI/MS/MS. The repeatability and reproducibility of this procedure were in the range of 5.3-9.7% and 6.1-10.2%, respectively. This method of derivatization with PFPA for NCI and NCI/MS/MS was useful to determine four metabolites of nandrolone, dromostanolone, methenolone and boldenone. The derivatized metabolites of boldenone could be detected to 2 ppb and the other three steroids could be detected to 25 ppb in urine at a signal-to-noise ratio of S/N = 3.     

Determination of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, MDL 73745, in dog plasma and urine by combined gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A highly sensitive and specific assay has been developed for the determination of MDL 73745 [2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(3-trimethylsilyl-phenyl) ethanone] (I) and the internal standard (MDL 74398) at the nanomolar level in dog plasma and urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. After a single-step extraction process, an aliquot was directly injected onto the gas chromatograph column. The mass spectrometer was run in the negative ion chemical ionization mode with ammonia as reagent gas, and was set to monitor the abundant M-. ion at m/z 246 of both compounds. The method yielded a linear response over the concentration range 0.1-10 pmol 100 microliters -1 plasma or urine. Within-day reproducibility at a concentration of 0.25, 1 and 5 pmol 100 microliters -1 plasma was 8.6%, 1.0% and 1.0%, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of I in plasma and urine after administration of 1 mg kg-1 i.v. and 10 mg kg-1 p.o. to dogs.     

褐煤的气相色谱/串联三重四极杆质谱鉴别检测方法

基于传统褐煤鉴别方法操作复杂、定性结果主观影响较大等特点,探索并建立了褐煤的气相色谱/串联三重四极杆质谱鉴别方法(GC-MS/MS)。对煤炭样品采用丙酮溶液提取,提取液用气相色谱/串联三重四极杆质谱仪进行全扫描总离子流色谱和选择离子扫描及多反应监测扫描质谱(色谱和质谱)的采集分析。从总离子流图检测出褐煤的特征峰,结合特征峰的质荷比394.8/187、394.8/95、394.8/161、394.8/159.1对褐煤样品进行多反应监测模式(MRM)分析,使得定性分析更准确可靠。实验方法可广泛应用于煤炭中褐煤与其他种类煤炭区分的定性检测。     

Determination of alprazolam and alpha-hydroxyalprazolam in human plasma by gas chromatography/negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific method was developed for the determination of alprazolam and its major metabolite alpha-hydroxyalprazolam in plasma. After the addition of deuterium-labeled internal standards, plasma samples were buffered to pH 9 with 1 ml of saturated sodium borate buffer, extracted with toluene-methylene chloride (7:3) and evaporated to dryness. The residues were treated with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide containing 1% of trimethylchlorosilane and analyzed on a Finnigan-MAT mass spectrometer operated in the negative-ion chemical ionization mode with methane as the reagent gas. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Restek-200 capillary column using hydrogen as the carrier gas. The assay was linear from 0.25 to 50 ng ml-1 for both compounds. The intra-assay precision for alprazolam was 16.1% at 0.5 ng ml-1 and 4.6% at 50 ng ml-1 and that for alpha-hydroxyalprazolam was 15.8% at 0.5 ng ml-1 and 4.2% at 50 ng ml-1. The method was used to determine alprazolam and alpha-hydroxyalprazolam in human plasma samples collected after a single 2 mg oral does of alprazolam. A peak concentration of 32.9 ng ml-1 of alprazolam was detected at 1 h following the dose.     

Determination of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines in rat brain by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry without interference from artifactual formation

This paper describes a quantitative method for neuroactive alkaloids, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (MTBC) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (TBC), in rat brain by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NICIMS). After addition of tetradeuterated MTBC and TBC (internal standards), the samples were subjected to deproteinization, reaction with fluorescamine, solvent extractions, trifluoroacetylation and GC-NICIMS analysis. In contrast to the other previous methods, the artifactual formation during analysis did not interfere with the determination of MTBC and TBC because their precursor tryptamine was removed as a fluorescamine derivative from the analytical system at the first step of pretreatment. MTBC and TBC were specifically and reliably determined in the range of pg-ng/sample. Application of the proposed method has revealed that the MTBC and TBC contents in rat brain significantly increase after intraperitoneal administration of MTBC and TBC, indicating their ability to easily cross the blood-brain barrier.     

Determination of cannabinoids in water and human saliva by solid-phase microextraction and quadrupole ion trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is applied to the determination of cannabidiol, delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8-THC), delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC), and cannabinol in pure water and human saliva. The inherent extraction behavior of the cannabinoids in pure water is evaluated along with optimization of the method in human saliva. The commercially available poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) SPME fibers were found to be the best class for the cannabinoid analysis. Partition coefficients were found to be extremely large for all of the cannabinoids (log K > 4.0). Equilibrium times for the 7- and 30-micron PDMS fibers were 50 and 240 min, respectively. A shorter extraction time of 10 min with the 30-micron PDMS fiber may be used for multiple extractions from the same vial, thus conserving the sample necessary for analysis and speeding up the total analysis time. Recoveries for the cannabinoids in saliva, relative to pure water, were dramatically improved by a method developed in our laboratory involving addition of glacial acetic acid to the sample vial prior to performing SPME. Using this method, recoveries relative to SPME in pure water ranged from 21 to 47% depending on the cannabinoid. The linear range for spiked saliva samples was established at 5-500 ng/mL (r2 > 0.994) with precisions between 11 and 20% RSD. The ultimate level of detection by SPME for the cannabinoids in saliva was 1.0 ng/mL, with signal-to-noise values of > or = 12. A saliva sample collected 30 min after marijuana smoking was subject to SPME and traditional liquid-liquid extraction analysis. Internal standard quantitation results for delta 9-THC by both methods yielded comparable results, indicating that the SPME method of analysis is highly accurate and precise. The level of delta 9-THC by SPME was found to be 9.54 ng/mL for the saliva sample.     

Determination of acrolein in human urine by headspace gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

The aim of the present study is to examine whether noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) of the rat contain monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. Sections were processed initially for MAO enzyme histochemistry using tyramine as a substrate, followed by fluorescence immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). In the LC, virtually all TH-immunoreactive neurons (i.e., noradrenergic neurons) were also positive for MAO. No MAO activity was found in any TH-negative neurons. Neurons in the LC have previously been shown to form dopamine during noradrenaline biosynthesis and to produce serotonin from exogenously administered l-5-hydroxytryptophan. Moreover, dopamine- and serotonin-degrading MAO activity has also been found in LC neurons. Therefore, our results indicate that MAO activity is localized within noradrenergic neurons in the LC and is likely involved in the degradation of dopamine that is endogenously synthesized, and also in the elimination of serotonin that is produced from exogenous precursors.     

Hair analysis for nordiazepam and oxazepam by gas chromatography--negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The sub-Tenon's technique uses blunt dissection and a blunt probe to inject local anaesthetic into the posterior sub-Tenon's space. This avoids the potentially catastrophic complications which result from passing a sharp needle blindly into the orbit and retrobulbar space. The anatomy of Tenon's capsule and the block technique is described. Results of the block quality and degree of patient comfort from 300 consecutive sub-Tenon's blocks are also described. No significant complications occurred in this series. Single-quadrant sub-Tenon's block offers an excellent quality of anaesthesia, is virtually painless to perform and avoids complications due to passage of a sharp needle into the orbit.     

三重四极杆电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定K417合金中痕量硒和镉

K417合金中痕量Se和Cd的存在会严重影响其机械性能以及耐用性,因此准确测定其含量至关重要。采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)测定时,存在如⁶⁴Ni¹⁶O⁺对⁸⁰Se⁺以及⁹⁵Mo¹⁶O⁺对¹¹¹Cd⁺等质谱干扰,从而影响测定结果。实验采用盐酸-硝酸-氢氟酸在沸水浴中加热溶解样品,在三重四极杆(MS/MS)充O₂反应模式下,先分别设置一级质量过滤器(Q1)的质荷比(m/z)为80和111;再在碰撞反应池(CCT)中通入反应活性较大的O₂,将⁸⁰Se⁺、⁹⁵Mo¹⁶O⁺、⁹⁴Zr¹⁶O¹H⁺等与O₂反应生成⁸⁰Se¹⁶O⁺、⁹⁵Mo¹⁶O¹⁶O⁺、⁹⁴Zr¹⁶O¹⁶O¹H⁺,而⁶⁴Ni¹⁶O⁺、¹¹¹Cd⁺等不与O₂反应;最后设置二级质量过滤器(Q2)的质荷比分别为96和111,利用质量转移法(Mass shift)和原位法(On mass)使⁸⁰Se¹⁶O⁺、¹¹¹Cd⁺通过并被检测,从而避免了质谱干扰。据此,建立了三重四极杆电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS/MS)测定K417合金中Se和Cd的方法。对O₂流量进行了优化,分别选择O₂流量为0.3 mL/min时测定Se和0.9 mL/min时测定Cd,同时在内标溶液中加入6%(体积分数)的异丙醇作为基体改进剂以提高试验的灵敏度和稳定性。Se的线性范围为0.018~100.0 μg/L,Cd为0.001~5.0 μg/L,线性相关系数均为0.999;Se和Cd的检出限分别为0.018 μg/g和0.000 8 μg/g,定量限分别为0.058 μg/g和0.002 7 μg/g。按照实验方法对高温合金标准物质中Se和Cd进行测定,测定结果与认定值一致。对K417合金样品中Se和Cd进行测定,测定结果与辉光放电质谱法相一致,其相对标准偏差(RSD,n=6)分别为2.2%和14.9%。     

三重四极杆电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定K417合金中痕量硒和镉

K417合金中痕量Se和Cd的存在会严重影响其机械性能以及耐用性,因此准确测定其含量至关重要。采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)测定时,存在如⁶⁴Ni¹⁶O⁺对⁸⁰Se⁺以及⁹⁵Mo¹⁶O⁺对¹¹¹Cd⁺等质谱干扰,从而影响测定结果。实验采用盐酸-硝酸-氢氟酸在沸水浴中加热溶解样品,在三重四极杆(MS/MS)充O₂反应模式下,先分别设置一级质量过滤器(Q1)的质荷比(m/z)为80和111;再在碰撞反应池(CCT)中通入反应活性较大的O₂,将⁸⁰Se⁺、⁹⁵Mo¹⁶O⁺、⁹⁴Zr¹⁶O¹H⁺等与O₂反应生成⁸⁰Se¹⁶O⁺、⁹⁵Mo¹⁶O¹⁶O⁺、⁹⁴Zr¹⁶O¹⁶O¹H⁺,而⁶⁴Ni¹⁶O⁺、¹¹¹Cd⁺等不与O₂反应;最后设置二级质量过滤器(Q2)的质荷比分别为96和111,利用质量转移法(Mass shift)和原位法(On mass)使⁸⁰Se¹⁶O⁺、¹¹¹Cd⁺通过并被检测,从而避免了质谱干扰。据此,建立了三重四极杆电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS/MS)测定K417合金中Se和Cd的方法。对O₂流量进行了优化,分别选择O₂流量为0.3 mL/min时测定Se和0.9 mL/min时测定Cd,同时在内标溶液中加入6%(体积分数)的异丙醇作为基体改进剂以提高试验的灵敏度和稳定性。Se的线性范围为0.018~100.0 μg/L,Cd为0.001~5.0 μg/L,线性相关系数均为0.999;Se和Cd的检出限分别为0.018 μg/g和0.000 8 μg/g,定量限分别为0.058 μg/g和0.002 7 μg/g。按照实验方法对高温合金标准物质中Se和Cd进行测定,测定结果与认定值一致。对K417合金样品中Se和Cd进行测定,测定结果与辉光放电质谱法相一致,其相对标准偏差(RSD,n=6)分别为2.2%和14.9%。     

Quantitative measurement of a new synthetic hetrazepine derivative, BN50730, in human plasma and urine by combined liquid chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry using a particle beam interface

A new simple and sensitive assay has been developed for the quantitative measurement of BN50730 at the picomole level in human plasma and urine. The drug and the internal standard (BN50765) were measured by combined liquid chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry with methane as the reagent gas. A simple solid-liquid extraction procedure was used to isolate BN50730 from complex biological matrices. Mild operating conditions were required to assay the parent drug with a particle beam interface from Hewlett-Packard. The mass spectrometer was tuned to monitor the intense ion m/z 333, which was generated in the ion source by a dissociative capture process. This assay was performed with 1 ml of plasma or 0.1 ml of urine, and the quantification limit of the method was statistically calculated as 1 ng ml-1. The very low relative standard deviation and mean percentage of error calculated during the different within-day or between-day repeatability assays clearly demonstrate the ruggedness of the technique for the routine determination of BN50730 in the biological fluids. Some preliminary results on the pharmacokinetics of the drug are presented to illustrate the applicability of this new powerful LC-MS method.     

Differentiation of lysine/glutamine in peptide sequence analysis by electrospray ionization sequential mass spectrometry coupled with a quadrupole ion trap

Electrospray ionization coupled to a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer is used to differentiate between the isobaric amino acids lysine and glutamine in sequence analysis of peptides. Collision-induced dissociation is used for fragmentation. Several isobaric peptides with one or more lysines or glutamines at different positions were investigated. The ambiguous amino acid either in the peptide chain or at the C- or N-terminus can be clearly identified based on specific side chain fragment ions resulting from MS3 or MS4 of B- and Y"-fragment ions.     

Quantitative determination of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril in human plasma by stable isotope dilution gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A simple, highly accurate and precise method for the quantitative measurement of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril in human plasma is presented. The assay is based on gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The preparation of stable isotope labelled lisinopril for use as an internal standard is described. The method involves solid phase extraction on C18 sorbent and derivatization to the methyl diester-trifluoroacetamide derivatives. The detection limit was found to be 50 pg and a lower limit of quantification was reached down to 0.5 ng/mL plasma.     

Quantitative measurement of BN50727 in human plasma and urine by combined liquid chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry using a particle beam interface

A new sensitive assay has been developed for the quantitative measurement of BN50727 at the picomole level in human plasma and urine. The drug and the internal standard (BN50788) were measured by combined liquid chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry with methane as the reagent gas. A simple solid-liquid extraction procedure was used to isolate BN50727 from the complex biological matrices. The mass spectrometer was tuned to monitor the intense and stable ion at m/z 333 which was generated in the ion source by a dissociative capture process. This assay was performed with 1 ml of plasma or 0.1 ml of urine and the quantification limit of the method was statistically calculated as 1 ng ml-1. The very low relative standard deviations and mean percentages of error calculated during the different within-day or between-day repeatability assays have clearly demonstrated the ruggedness of the technique for the routine determination of BN50727 in biological fluids. Some preliminary results on the pharmacokinetics of the drug are presented to illustrate the applicability of this powerful liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric method.     

Identification of pesticides by liquid chromatography--particle beam mass spectrometry using electron ionization and chemical ionization

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with a particle beam (PB) interface is used to separate and identify a group of pesticides. The mass spectra obtained under the different ionization modes, electron ionization (EI) and positive and negative chemical ionization (PCI and NCI) are compared. The operating conditions under each mode, determined by studying the influence on the ion abundance of the ion source temperature of the EI mode, and the gas pressure and ion source temperature in the methane CI were optimized. EI was more sensitive than PCI and NCI and of the latter two modes, NCI gave higher responses, especially for organophosphorus compounds. When on-line solid-phase extraction-LC-PB-MS was applied to real samples, limits of detection in full scan mode were in the range of 0.5 and 10 micrograms l-1 for EI. The analysis of real samples by on-line solid-phase extraction-LC-PB-MS enabled EI detection of one of the pesticides studied and confirmation by PCI and NCI. The combined EI/CI information also enabled the detection of some non-target compounds.     

Determination of n-hexane metabolites by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. 1. 2,5-hexanedione and other phase I metabolites in untreated and hydrolyzed urine samples by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

The capabilities of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (APCI-LC/MS) were investigated for the analysis of urinary 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) and for the identification and characterization of other n-hexane Phase I metabolites in hydrolized urine samples. Chromatography was performed under reversed phase conditions at 0.75 mL min-1 flow rate. The ionization of 2,5-HD and other n-hexane metabolites was obtained in positive ion mode. After optimization of several interface parameters, the linearity, sensitivity and precision of the method were determined operating in the selected ion monitoring mode. Detection limits were 0.02 and 0.05 mg L-1 in water and urine respectively, with linear calibration curves in the 0.05-10 L-1 concentration range. Repeatability and both intra-day and inter-day precision were determined at two concentration levels (0.5 and 5.0 mg L-1), and relative standard deviations were in the 1.3%-5.3% range. The method was applied to the quantitative analysis of 2,5-HD in urine samples from an external Quality Assurance Programme for Organic Solvent Metabolites. Moreover, the metabolites 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone, 2,5-hexanediol and 4,5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone were identified and confirmed in hydrolyzed urine of rats exposed to n-hexane.     

超声波萃取—气相色谱-质谱法测定土壤中7种酚类化合物

酚类化合物在土壤中含量低,且性质活泼,提取与分析比较困难。利用二氯甲烷-正己烷混合溶剂(V/V=2)作为溶剂,超声20 min提取了土壤中的有机成分。再利用酚类化合物中酚羟基的弱酸性,在提取液中加入pH>12的强碱性水溶液,使得酚类化合物与强碱反应生成对应的盐而溶于水,从而与有机相分离。在分离后的水相中加入二氯甲烷-正己烷混合溶剂(V/V=2)进行净化,进一步将碱性水溶液中的有机干扰组分除去。然后将溶液调至酸性(pH<3),用二氯甲烷/乙酸乙酯混合溶剂(V/V=4)萃取酚类化合物。最终,采用气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)对样品中的苯酚、2-氯酚、2-硝基酚、2,4-二甲基酚、2,4-二氯酚、4-氯-3-甲基酚、2,4,6-三氯酚共7种酚类化合物进行了测定。方法检出限为0.03～0.48 mg/kg。将方法应用于实际样品中7种酚类化合物的检测,结果的相对标准偏差(RSD,n=7)为1.6%～7.9%,加标回收率为82%～111%。