Development and validation of a sensitive, simple, and rapid method for simultaneous quantitation of atorvastatin and its acid and lactone metabolites by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2011 Apr;400(2):423-33. doi: 10.1007/s00216-011-4804-y. Epub 2011 Feb 26.

Abstract

The aim of the proposed work was to develop and validate a simple and sensitive assay for the analysis of atorvastatin (ATV) acid, ortho- and para-hydroxy-ATV, ATV lactone, and ortho- and para-hydroxy-ATV lactone in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. All six analytes and corresponding deuterium (d5)-labeled internal standards were extracted from 50 μL of human plasma by protein precipitation. The chromatographic separation of analytes was achieved using a Zorbax-SB Phenyl column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3.5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of a gradient mixture of 0.1% v/v glacial acetic acid in 10% v/v methanol in water (solvent A) and 40% v/v methanol in acetonitrile (solvent B). All analytes including ortho- and para-hydroxy metabolites were baseline-separated within 7.0 min using a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. Mass spectrometry detection was carried out in positive electrospray ionization mode, with multiple-reaction monitoring scan. The calibration curves for all analytes were linear (R(2) ≥ 0.9975, n = 3) over the concentration range of 0.05-100 ng/mL and with lower limit of quantitation of 0.05 ng/mL. Mean extraction recoveries ranged between 88.6-111%. Intra- and inter-run mean percent accuracy were between 85-115% and percent imprecision was ≤ 15%. Stability studies revealed that ATV acid and lactone forms were stable in plasma during bench top (6 h on ice-water slurry), at the end of three successive freeze and thaw cycles and at -80 °C for 3 months. The method was successfully applied in a clinical study to determine concentrations of ATV and its metabolites over 12 h post-dose in patients receiving atorvastatin.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Anticholesteremic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / blood*
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / metabolism
  • Atorvastatin
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Heptanoic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Heptanoic Acids / blood*
  • Heptanoic Acids / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lactones / blood*
  • Lactones / metabolism
  • Limit of Detection
  • Pyrroles / administration & dosage
  • Pyrroles / blood*
  • Pyrroles / metabolism
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Lactones
  • Pyrroles
  • Atorvastatin