A 96-well single-pot protein precipitation, liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for the determination of muraglitazar, a novel diabetes drug, in human plasma

MARS: bringing the automation of small-molecule bioanalytical sample preparations to a new frontier

Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in automating small-molecule bioanalytical sample preparations specifically using the Hamilton MicroLab® STAR liquid-handling platform. In the most extensive work reported thus far, multiple small-molecule sample preparation assay types (protein precipitation extraction, SPE and liquid–liquid extraction) have been integrated into a suite that is composed of graphical user interfaces and Hamilton scripts. Using that suite, bioanalytical scientists have been able to automate various sample preparation methods to a great extent. However, there are still areas that could benefit from further automation, specifically, the full integration of analytical standard and QC sample preparation with study sample extraction in one continuous run, real-time 2D barcode scanning on the Hamilton deck and direct Laboratory Information Management System database connectivity. Results: We developed a new small-molecule sample-preparation automation system that improves in all of the aforementioned areas. Conclusion: The improved system presented herein further streamlines the bioanalytical workflow, simplifies batch run design, reduces analyst intervention and eliminates sample-handling error.

An automation-assisted generic approach for biological sample preparation and LC–MS/MS method validation

Background: Although it is well known that automation can provide significant improvement in the efficiency of biological sample preparation in quantitative LC–MS/MS analysis, it has not been widely implemented in bioanalytical laboratories throughout the industry. This can be attributed to the lack of a sound strategy and practical procedures in working with robotic liquid-handling systems. Results: Several comprehensive automation assisted procedures for biological sample preparation and method validation were developed and qualified using two types of Hamilton Microlab liquid-handling robots. The procedures developed were generic, user-friendly and covered the majority of steps involved in routine sample preparation and method validation. Conclusion: Generic automation procedures were established as a practical approach to widely implement automation into the routine bioanalysis of samples in support of drug-development programs.

Automated sample preparation for regulated bioanalysis: an integrated multiple assay extraction platform using robotic liquid handling

Background: A novel approach for regulated bioanalytical sample preparation has been developed to combine multiple types of extraction techniques into one integrated and automated sample-preparation suite that pairs a graphical user interface with the Hamilton Microlab® STAR robotic liquid handler. Results: The multi-assay sample-preparation suite is composed of three bioanalytical extraction techniques: protein precipitation, solid-phase extraction and liquid–liquid extraction. Validation data provided highly reproducible and robust results for each respective automated extraction technique. Conclusion: The user-friendly graphical user interface and modular method design provide a flexible and versatile approach for routine bioanalytical sample-preparation and is the first fully integrated multiple assay sample-preparation suite for regulated bioanalysis.

Tracking problems and possible solutions in the quantitative determination of small molecule drugs and metabolites in biological fluids using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

During the last decade, quantification of low molecular weight molecules using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in biological fluids has become a common procedure in many preclinical and clinical laboratories. This overview highlights a number of issues involving "small molecule drugs", bioanalytical liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, which are frequently encountered during assay development. In addition, possible solutions to these issues are proposed with examples in some of the case studies. Topics such as chromatographic peak shape, carry-over, cross-talk, standard curve non-linearity, internal standard selection, matrix effect, and metabolite interference are presented. Since plasma is one of the most widely adopted biological fluid in drug discovery and development, the focus of this discussion will be limited to plasma analysis. This article is not intended to be a comprehensive overview and readers are encouraged to refer to the citations herein.

A 96-well single-pot liquid–liquid extraction, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the determination of muraglitazar in human plasma

A single-pot liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC/MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of muraglitazar, a hydrophobic diabetes drug, in human plasma. To 0.050 ml of each plasma sample in a 96-well plate, the internal standard solution in acetonitrile and toluene were added to extract the compound of interest. The plate was vortexed, followed by centrifugation. The organic layer was then directly injected into an LC/MS/MS system. Chromatographic separation was achieved isocratically on a Thermohypersil_Keystone, Hypersil silica column (3 mmx50 mm, 3 microm). The mobile phase contained 85% of methyl t-butyl ether and 15% of 90/10 (v/v) acetonitrile/water with 0.3% trifluoroacetic acid. Post-column mobile phase of 50/50 (v/v) acetonitrile/water containing 0.1% formic acid was added. Detection was by positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry on a Sciex API 4000. The standard curve, ranged from 1 to 1000 ng/ml, was fitted to a 1/x weighted quadratic regression model. This single-pot LLE approach effectively eliminated time-consuming organic layer transfer, dry-down, and sample reconstitution steps, which are essential for a conventional liquid-liquid extraction procedure. The modified mobile phase was more compatible with the direct injection of the commonly used extraction solvents in LLE. Furthermore, the modified mobile phase improved the retention of muraglitazar, a hydrophobic compound, on the normal phase silica column. The validation results demonstrated that this method was rugged and suitable for analyzing muraglitazar in human plasma. In comparison with a revised-phase LC/MS/MS method, this single-pot LLE, HILIC/MS/MS method improved the detection sensitivity by more than four-fold based upon the LLOQ signal to noise ratio. This approach may be applied to other hydrophobic compounds with proper modification of the mobile phase compositions.

Separation of a BMS drug candidate and acyl glucuronide from seven glucuronide positional isomers in rat plasma via high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of a BMS drug candidate and its acyl glucuronide (1-O-beta glucuronide) in rat plasma. A 50-microL aliquot of each plasma sample was fortified with acetonitrile containing the internal standard to precipitate proteins and extract the analytes of interest. After mixing and centrifugation, the supernatant from each sample was transferred to a 96-well plate and injected into an LC/MS/MS system. Chromatographic separation was achieved isocratically on a Phenomenex Luna C(18), 3 mm x 150 mm, 3 microm column. The mobile phase contained 0.075% formic acid in 70:30 (v/v) acetonitrile/water. Under the optimized chromatographic conditions, the BMS drug candidate and its acyl glucuronide were separated from its seven glucuronide positional isomers within 10 min. Resolution of the parent from all glucuronides and acyl glucuronide from its positional isomers was critical to avoid their interference with quantitation of parent or acyl glucuronide. Detection was by positive ion electrospray MS/MS on a Sciex API 4000. The standard curve, which ranged from 5 to 5000 ng/mL, was fitted to a 1/x(2) weighted quadratic regression model for both the BMS drug candidate and its acyl glucuronide. Whole blood and plasma stability experiments were conducted to establish the sample collection, storage, and processing conditions. The validation results demonstrated that this method was rugged and repeatable. The same methodology has also been used in mouse and human plasma for the determination of the BMS drug candidate and its acyl glucuronide.