Enantioselective analysis of methadone in saliva by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Saliva was tested and evaluated as a biological matrix for methadone (Mtd) monitoring. Conventional method using a narrow bore C18 column, and an enantioselective method using a narrow bore alpha1-acid glycoprotein column, were developed using liquid chromatography coupled with a mass spectromeric (MS) detector. After optimisation of MS conditions by flow injection analysis, selected ion monitoring detection was used to enhance sensitivity. The total Mtd concentration and the enantiomeric ratio in saliva were validated using an experimental design. The methods were applied to samples provided by heroin addicts undergoing a Mtd treatment. Results on total Mtd determination showed a very poor correlation between saliva and serum, whereas the enantiomeric ratios of Mtd gave a very good one.

Use of large particles support for fast analysis of methadone and its primary metabolite in human plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A bioanalytical method was developed for the quantitation of methadone (MTD) and its primary metabolite, (EDDP) in plasma. The extraction step was performed within a capillary column packed with large particles (35x0.3 mm I.D.; d(p) 30 micrometer) at high flow-rate conditions (450 microliter/min). The separation was performed on a microbore analytical column (55x2 mm I.D.; d(p) 3 micrometer) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS). This procedure was based on a column-switching unit. Analytes of interest were retained on the precolumn by hydrophobic interactions and backflushed from the precolumn to the analytical column. The detection was carried out with a MS single quadrupole equipped with an electrospray interface. The total analysis time was 6 min. The limits of quantification were evaluated at 10 and 25 ng/ml for MTD and EDDP, respectively. At this level, good accuracies were obtained for both analytes with repeatability values less than 18%.

HPLC-UV and HPLC-positive-ESI-MS analysis of the diterpenoid fraction from caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) seed oil.

Caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris L.) seed oil contains a series of diterpenoids known as Euphorbia factors, or L-factors, L1-L9. They are esters of several polyols (lathyrol, epoxylathyrol, hydroxylathyrol and ingenol) and account for about 3-5% of the oil. The percentage of ingenol-based L-factors is very low, less than 5% of the diterpenoid fraction, but some of them (factors L5 and L6) are responsible for the irritant and co-carcinogenic activities of the oil. This paper reports an HPLC-UV and HPLC-positive-ESI-MS analysis of the diterpenoid fraction of caper spurge seed oil before and after selective hydrolysis of ingenol-based L-factors. Separation of lathyrane polyols and esters, and ingenol and its esters was achieved using a chromatographic system consisting of a C18 stationary phase and acetonitrile: water as mobile phase. A new macrocyclic constituent, the deoxy Euphorbia factor L1, was identified in the oil.

Development of validated stereoselective methods for methadone determination in clinical samples.

A stereoselective analysis of methadone (Mtd) in whole blood and serum was developed using liquid chromatography on a protein based chiral stationary phase. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid phase extraction methods were applied before chromatographic analysis. The extraction procedure, as well as the choice of the biological matrix, showed significant differences in the extraction yield and in the precision of the assays. Serum was selected for this assay and LLE was chosen as the preparation step because of its simplicity and rapidity. The total procedure was validated and applied to clinical samples. Samples taken from 45 heroin-addicted patients were analyzed. A correlation was found between the dose administered and Mtd concentration (total and R-form), but interindividual variability of the total normalized Mtd was seen (concentration varied from 90 to 530 ng/ml). Furthermore, two populations were apparently observed with a mean Mtd concentration of 200 and 475 ng/ml, respectively. Stereoselective analyses showed that more than 50% of the patients presented a nonracemic ratio, and particularly about 25% showed a preferential metabolism of the active R-Mtd enantiomer. Therefore, the stereoselective determination of Mtd is necessary to improve the quality of the treatment of heroin addiction.