Determination of fexofenadine in human plasma using 96-well solid phase extraction and HPLC with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A fast and sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method, utilizing atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, for the determination of fexofenadine in human plasma is described. A deuterated analog, d6-fexofenadine is used as the internal standard (IS). Plasma samples are prepared using 96-well solid phase extraction with plates containing Waters Oasis HLB sorbent. The analytes are chromatographed on a Restek Ultra IBD column (3.2 mm x 50 mm, 3 microm) using a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of 90% acetonitrile and 10% 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer and 0.1% formic acid. Quantitation of the analyte is based on the response from the multiple reaction monitoring of the precursor to product ion pairs for fexofenadine (m/z 502 --> 466) and d6-fexofenadine (m/z 508 --> 472). The assay has been validated over the concentration range of 1-200 ng/ml based on the analysis of 0.5 ml aliquots of plasma. Within-day assay accuracy was between 97 and 102% of nominal, while within-day precision was better than 3.5% CV at all points on the standard curve. Analyte extraction recovery was better than 70% over the range of the standard curve. The method was found to be suitable for the analysis of human plasma samples obtained 24 h following the administration of a single 60 mg dose of fexofenadine.     

Simultaneous quantitative analysis of oxcarbazepine and 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxycarbamazepine in human plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A fast and sensitive method to quantify oxcarbazepine (OXC) and its active metabolite, 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxycarbamazepine (MHD) in human plasma using HPLC-MS/MS has been developed. The method involved liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), with diethyl ether-diclhoromethane (60:40v/v) using deuterade carbamazepine (d10-carbamazepine) as internal standard (IS). The analytes and IS were separated using an isocratic mobile phase (acetonitrile/water (50:50v/v)+20 mM acetic acid) on the analytical column Phenomenex Luna C18 5 microm (150 mm x 4.6 mm) at room temperature. Detection was performed by a Micromass Quatro LC mass spectrometer in the reaction monitoring mode using positive electrospray ionization (ESI+). The MS-MS ion transition monitored were m/z 253>208 for OXC, m/z 255>194 for MHD and m/z 247>204 for IS. Over the range 20-5250 ng/ml for OXC and 40-10,500 ng/ml for MHD, the calibration curves were defined by the following equations: y = 0.00568 + 0.00296x -5.70e - 8x(2) and y = 0.00749 + 0.00178x - 5.70e - 8x(2) for OXC and MHD, respectively. All coefficient of determination (r(2)) were close to unity (0.9986-0.9994). The lower limits of quantification obtained as a result of the LLE procedure was 20 ng/ml for OXC and 40 ng/ml for MHD. The statistical evaluation of the developed method was conducted by examining within-batch and between-batch precision data, which were within the required limits. The suitability of the assay for pharmacokinetics studies was determined by measuring OXC and MHD concentration after administration of a single 10 ml of OXC oral suspension (6%) in plasma human of healthy volunteers.     

LC-MS-MS determination of nemorubicin (methoxymorpholinyldoxorubicin,PNU-152243A) and its 13-OH metabolite (PNU-155051A) in human plasma

A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method for quantitative determination of nemorubicin, (PNU-152243A, 3'-deamino-3'[2(S)-methoxy-4-morpholinyl]doxorubicin) hydrocloride and its reduced metabolite PNU-155051 in human plasma has been developed and validated. The method involved solid phase extraction (SPE) in 96-well plates. Plasma samples (0.5 ml plasma, spiked with doxorubicin as internal standard and diluted with 0.5 ml of 0.01 M borate buffer, pH 8.4) were extracted using Oasis HLB SPE material. The elution of PNU-152243, PNU-155051 and of IS was performed with 1 ml of methanol:0.1 M formic acid mixture (90:10, v/v). The organic phase was reduced to dryness under a stream of nitrogen at 20 degrees C and the residue was reconstituted with 0.25 ml of 10 mM ammonium formate buffer pH 4.15:acetonitrile mixture (90:10, v/v). Aliquots of 60 microl of the resulting solution were injected onto the LC-MS-MS system. A Zorbax SB C18 column (2.1 x 150 mm, 3.5 microm) was used to perform the chromatographic analysis. The mobile phase consisted of ammonium formate buffer 10 mM pH 4.15:acetonitrile (73:27, v/v) with a flow-rate of 0.2 ml/min. Detection was achieved by a PE-SCIEX API 3000 with Turbo IonSpray interface, and multiple reaction monitoring (645 --> 321 for PNU-152243, 647 --> 363 for PNU-155051 and 545 --> 345 m/z for doxorubicin) operated in positive ion mode. A weighted linear regression was used to calculate PNU-152243 and PNU-155051 concentrations in QC and unknown samples. Linearity, precision, accuracy and recovery of the method were evaluated over the concentration range of 0.1-5 ng/ml for both compounds. No interference from blank human plasma was observed. The suitability of the method for in vivo samples was assessed by the analysis of samples obtained from patients who had received a single intrahepatic artery dose of PNU-152243A.     

Development and validation of an automated SPE-LC-MS/MS assay for valdecoxib and its hydroxylated metabolite in human plasma

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay was developed to quantitate valdecoxib (I) and its hydroxylated metabolite (II) in human plasma. The analytes (I and II) and a structurally analogue internal standard (IS) were extracted on a C(18) solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge using a Zymark RapidTrace automation system. The chromatographic separation was performed on a narrow-bore reverse phase Zorbax XDB-C(8) HPLC column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile:water (50:50, v/v) containing 10 mM ammonium acetate. The analytes were ionized using negative electrospray mass spectrometry, then detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with a tandem mass spectrometer. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 313-->118 and m/z 329-->196 were used to measure I and II, respectively. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.5-200 ng/ml of I and II in human plasma with absolute recoveries from plasma at 91 and 86%, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.5 ng/ml for I and II. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the calibration curve ranges (0.5-200 ng/ml). Sample analysis time for each injection was 5 min, a throughput of 70 human plasma standards and samples per run was achieved. The assay has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples to support clinical phase I and II studies.     

Sensitive bioassay for the simultaneous determination of pseudoephedrine and cetirizine in human plasma by liquid-chromatography-ion trap spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry coupled with electrospray ionization (HPLC-ESI-ion trap mass spectrometry) method for simultaneous determination of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine in human plasma is presented. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Hypurity C18 column (Thermo Hypersil-Keystone 2.1 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm, USA), The mobile phase was composed of 65% methanol and 35% water (contained 0.1% formic acid, 10 mM ammonium formate), which was run with a flow-rate of 0.2 ml/min at 40 degrees C. Quantitation was achieved by monitoring the product ions at m/z 166-->m/z 148 (pseudoephedrine), m/z 389.9-->m/z 201.1 (cetirizine), m/z 264-->m/z 246 (tramadol, IS). The calibration curve of pseudoephedrine and cetirizine was established with standard solutions. The limit of detection for pseudoephedrine and cetirizine each was 5 ng/ml. This simplified analytical method is sensitive, specific and accurate enough for simultaneous determination of pseudoephedrine and cetirizine in human plasma and is successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of pseudoephedrine and cetirizine.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定人血浆中二甲双胍和格列吡嗪

建立了快速、灵敏的液相色谱-串联质谱法测定人血浆中的二甲双胍和格列吡嗪。血浆样品经0.3%甲酸-乙腈(v/v)沉淀蛋白后，以乙腈-水-甲酸(70∶30∶0.3，v/v/v)为流动相，流速为0.50 mL·min^-1。Zorbax Extend C₁₈柱分离，采用大气压化学电离源；以选择反应监测(SRM)方式进行正离子检测。用于定量分析的离子反应分别为m/z 130→m/z 60(二甲双胍)，m/z 446→m/z 321(格列吡嗪)和m/z 256→m/z 167(内标，苯海拉明)。测定血浆中二甲双胍的线性范围为2.00～2 000 ng·mL^-1， 定量下限为2.00 ng·mL^-1； 格列吡嗪的线性范围为1.00～1 000 ng·mL^-1， 定量下限为1.00 ng·mL^-1。该方法专属性好，灵敏度高，准确快捷，适用于二甲双胍和格列吡嗪的临床药代动力学研究。     

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of nitrendipine in dog plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study of a solid self-emulsifying pellet formulation

A rapid, sensitive and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of nitrendipine (NTD, CAS 39562-70-4) in dog plasma. Using propranolol hydrochloride (CAS 318-98-9) as an internal standard (IS), plasma samples pretreatment adopted a simple liquid-liquid extraction process with diethyl ether. Separation was carried out by a gradient elution on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile. Detection was performed by a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry with positive electrospray ionization (ESI) as source ionization in multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode at m/z 361.0 --> 315.0 for NTD and m/z 260.2 --> 116.0 for IS. The method demonstrated good linearity at the concentrations ranged from 0.1-200 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of NTD was 0.1 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than 10%. The mean extraction recoveries of NTD and IS were 90.2% and 82.4%, respectively. Finally, the method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of home-made solid self-emulsifying pellets and conventional NTD tablets in beagle dogs following a single oral administration.     

LC-MS determination and bioavailability study of loperamide hydrochloride after oral administration of loperamide capsule in human volunteers

The purpose of the present study was to develop a standard protocol for loperamide hydrochloride bioequivalence testing. For this purpose, a simple rapid and selective LC-MS method utilizing a single quadrupole mass spectrometer was developed and validated for the determination of loperamide hydrochloride in human plasma, and we followed this with a bioavailability study. Methyl tert-butylether (MTBE) was used to extract loperamide hydrochloride and ketoconazole (internal standard (IS)) from an alkaline plasma sample. LC separation was performed on a Zorbax RX C18 column (5 microm, 2.1 mm x 150 mm) using acetonitrile-water-formic acid (50:50:0.1 (v/v)) as a mobile phase. The retention times of loperamide hydrochloride and IS were 1.2 and 0.8 min, respectively. Quadrupole MS detection was by monitoring at m/z 477 (M + 1) corresponding to loperamide hydrochloride and at m/z 531 (M + 1) for IS. The described assay method showed acceptable precision, accuracy, linearity, stability, and specificity. The bioavailability of loperamide hydrochloride was evaluated in eight healthy male volunteers. The following pharmacokinetic parameters were elucidated after administering a single dose of four 2mg capsules of loperamide: the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve from time 0 to 72 h (AUC72 h) 19.26 +/- 7.79 ng h/ml; peak plasma concentration (Cmax) 1.18 +/- 0.37 ng/ml; time to Cmax (Tmax) 5.38 +/- 0.74 h; and elimination half-life (t1/2) 11.35 +/- 2.06 h. The developed method was successfully used to study the bioavailability of a low dose (8 mg) of loperamide hydrochloride.     

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-APCI-mass spectrometry determination of 5-fluorouracil in plasma and tissues

A simple and fast analytical method using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled with mass spectrometry was developed to analyse 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in plasma and tissues. The HILIC system overcomes problems reported in obtaining satisfactory retention of 5-FU with other types of HPLC systems. After addition of internal standard (IS) (5-Chlorouracil (5-CU)), plasma proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile, and tissue samples homogenised with a micro-dismembrator. The analysis was performed using a polymer-based column (Ashaipak NH2) and the compounds were eluted under gradient conditions at 1 ml/min using a mobile phase containing a mixture of ammonium formate and acetonitrile. MS detection used a API 4000 mass spectrometry with heated nebulizer source and multiple reaction monitoring operated in the negative ion mode. The mass transitions of 5-FU and its internal standard were 129 m/z-->42m/z and 145 m/z-->42 m/z, respectively. The lower limits of quantitation in plasma and tissues were about 5 ng/ml and 10 ng/g, respectively, using 25 microl of plasma and 50mg of tissue. Good linearity, accuracy and precision were obtained in all matrices tested. The suitability and robustness of the method for in vivo samples were confirmed by analysis of mouse plasma, muscle and tumour from animals dosed with 5-FU.     

A fast and sensitive liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method for assay of lorazepam and application to pharmacokinetic analysis

A fast and sensitive method of coupled high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry for the assay of lorazepam in human plasma was developed. Plasma samples were simply treated with acetonitrile to precipitate and remove proteins and the isolated supernatants were directly injected into the HPLC/MS/MS system. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax C(18) (100 x 2.1 mm I.D.) column with a 65:35 (v/v) mixed solution of acetonitrile and 10mM aqueous formic acid being used as mobile phase. With diazepam as an internal standard, quantification was performed by selected reaction ion monitoring of the transitions of m/z 321--> m/z 275 for lorazepam and m/z 285--> m/z 193 for the internal standard. The assay was validated in the concentration range of 0.71-71.3 ng/ml in human plasma. A detection limit of 0.10 ng/ml for lorazepam was achieved, and inter- and intra-run precisions of better than 4.4% (R.S.D.) were observed. The developed method has been successfully applied for pharmacokinetic study of the drug in man.     

液相色谱串联质谱法测定人血浆中文拉法辛及其代谢物的浓度

目的建立测定血浆中文拉法辛及其代谢物O-去甲基文拉法辛的液相色谱串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)方法。方法血浆样品中加入内标(氘6-文拉法辛和氘6-O-去甲基文拉法辛),直接沉淀法处理样品。色谱柱为CAPCELL PAK C18 MGⅢ分析柱(100 mm×2.0 mm,5μm),流动相为含0.3%甲酸的水溶液-含0.3%甲酸的乙腈溶液(78∶22,V/V),流速为0.3 mL.min-1。正离子多离子反应监测(MRM)扫描分析,离子通道分别为m/z 278→58(文拉法辛)、m/z 264→58(O-去甲基文拉法辛)、m/z 284→58(氘6-文拉法辛)、m/z 270→58(氘6-O-去甲基文拉法辛)。结果文拉法辛和O-去甲基文拉法辛的线性范围均为2～1 000μg.L-1,定量下限均为2μg.L-1,提取回收率在90.14%～97.33%,批内、批间RSD均小于8%。结论本方法操作简便,特异性强,灵敏度高,可用于人血浆内文拉法辛和O-去甲基文拉法辛的含量测定研究。     

Simultaneous quantitation of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and progesterone in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)

A sensitive and specific assay method for the simultaneous quantitation of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC), 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and progesterone (P) in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated. Plasma samples were processed by a solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure using Oasis((R)) HLB extraction cartridge prior to chromatography. Medroxyprogestrone acetate (MPA) was used as the internal standard. The compounds were separated using Waters C18 Symmetry analytical column (3.5 microm, 2.1 mm x 50 mm) using a gradient elusion with a mobile phase consisting of 5% methanol in water [A] and methanol [B], with ammonium acetate (2mM) and formic acid (0.1%) being added to both [A] and [B], at a flow rate 0.3 ml/min. The retention times for 17-OHPC, 17-OHP, P and MPA were 4.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 2.2 min, respectively, with a total run time of 7 min. The analytes were detected by a Micromass Quattro Micro triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in positive electron spray ionization (ESI) mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The extracted ions monitored following MRM transitions were m/z 429.10-->313.10 for 17-OHPC, m/z 331.17-->97.00 for 17-OHP, m/z 315.15-->109.00 for P and m/z 387.15-->327.25 for MPA (IS). The assay was linear over the range 1-200 ng/ml for 17-OHPC and 17-OHP, and 2-400 ng/ml for P, when 0.4 ml of plasma was used in the extraction. The overall intra- and inter-day assay variation was <15%. No significant variation in the concentration of 17-OHPC, 17-OHP or P was observed with different sample processing and/or storage conditions. This method is simple, allows easy, accurate and reproducible measurement of 17-OHPC, 17-OHP and P simultaneously in human plasma, and is used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of 17-OHPC in pregnant subjects.     

A simple and sensitive LC/MS/MS assay for 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) in mouse plasma and tissues: application to pharmacokinetic study of liposome entrapped SN-38 (LE-SN38)

An LC/MS/MS method to quantify SN-38 in mouse plasma and tissue homogenates containing liposome entrapped SN-38 (LE-SN38) was developed. Camptothecin (CPT) was used as the internal standard (IS). Sample preparation consisted of simple protein precipitation by acetonitrile containing 0.5% acetic acid. SN-38 and IS were separated by a C18 HPLC column and detected using a mass spectrometer operating in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The peak area of the m/z 393.3-->349.1 transition of SN-38 and that of the m/z 349.1-->305.2 transition of the IS were measured and a standard curve was generated from their ratios. The method had a LLOQ of 0.5 ng/mL in mouse plasma, which corresponds to 2.5 pg for the 5 microL injection volume. The linear range was 0.5-1000 ng/mL of SN-38 in plasma sample spiked with LE-SN38. The LLOQ in tissue homogenates (5%, w/v) quantitation was 1 ng/mL (20 ng/g tissue) of SN-38 in kidney, liver, lung, and spleen homogenates, and 2 ng/mL (40 ng/g tissue) in heart homogenate containing LE-SN38. The assay was linear up to 400 ng/mL of SN-38 in tissue homogenates, and may be extended to 120 microg/mL by proper dilution of samples over the upper limit of quantitation. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the entire standard curve range, both between-run and within-run for plasma and tissue homogenates. The method was successfully used to quantify SN-38 in plasma and tissues samples for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies of LE-SN38 in mice.     

高效液相色谱-质谱/质谱联用法测定人血浆中莫沙必利

建立测定人血浆中莫沙必利的高效液相色谱-质谱/质谱联用法。取血浆样品经液-液萃取后，以乙腈为有机相，0.3%甲酸水溶液为水相，采用梯度洗脱的方式，用C₁₈柱分离，通过电喷雾离子化，以多反应监测(MRM)方式进行正离子检测。莫沙必利线性范围为0.17~68.00 ng·mL^-1，定量下限为0.17 ng·mL^-1，每个样品测试时间仅2.8 min，日内、日间精密度(RSD)均小于13%，准确度(RE)在±6.3%范围内。应用此法研究了20名志愿者单剂量口服枸橼酸莫沙必利片后的药代动力学特点。该方法、灵敏、准确、快速，适用于莫沙必利的药代动力学及生物等效性研究。     

Liquid chromatography-negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of ezetimibe in human plasma

A simple, reliable and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for quantification of free and total ezetimibe in human plasma. The analyte and internal standard (13C6-ezetimibe) were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether. The reversed-phase chromatographic separation was performed on a Capcell C18 column, and the plasma extract was eluted with a gradient consisting of acetonitrile and 5 mM ammonium acetate. The analyte was detected using negative ionization by multiple reaction monitoring mode. The mass transition pairs of m/z 408.5-->270.8 and m/z 414.5-->276.8 were used to detect ezetimibe and internal standard, respectively. The assay exhibited linear ranges from 0.02 to 20 ng/ml for free ezetimibe and 0.25 to 250 ng/ml for total ezetimibe in human plasma. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations of the calibration standard and quality control. The validated method was successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in a pharmacokinetic study.     

Rapid quantification of gabapentin in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of gabapentin, a new antiepileptic drug, in human plasma using its structural analogue, 1,1-cyclohexane diacetic acid monoamide (CAM) as internal standard. The method involved a simple protein precipitation by means of acetonitrile followed by a rapid isocratic elution with 10mM ammonium formate buffer/acetonitrile (20/80, v/v, pH 3.0) on Waters Symmetry C(18 reversed phase chromatographic column and analyzed by mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 172-->154 and m/z 200-->182 were used to measure the analyte and the IS, respectively. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 40-10000 ng/mL for gabapentin in human plasma. The limit of detection and lower limit of quantification in human plasma were 10 and 40 ng/mL, respectively. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve ranges. A run time of 2 min for each sample made it possible to analyze a throughput of more than 400 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.     

Determination of berberine in human plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method for the determination of berberine in human plasma using chlorobenzylidine as the internal standard (IS) has been developed and validated. The plasma samples were prepared by LLE and the analytes were chromatographically separated on a Hanbon Lichrospher 5-C18 HPLC column under gradient elution with a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 10mm ammonium acetate buffer containing 0.1% formic acid. Berberine was determined with electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). LC-ESI-MS was performed in the selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode using target ions at M(+)m/z 336.1 for berberine and M(+)m/z 464.1 for the IS. Calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.020-3.0 ng/ml. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.020 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-run variability values were less than 6.7 and 7.7%, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to determine the plasma concentration of berberine in healthy Chinese volunteers.     

LC-MS/MS 法测定人血浆中倍他米松

建立测定人血浆中倍他米松的LC-MS/MS方法。采用Venusil XBP C₈ (200 mm×3.9 mm ID, 5 μm)色谱柱，流动相为甲醇-水(含甲酸铵5 mmol·L^-1)(80∶20)，流速0.4 mL·min^-1；质谱仪离子源为电喷雾离子源(ESI)，正离子模式检测，监测离子为393.3→355.2(倍他米松)和361.3→343.2(泼尼松龙,内标)。血浆样本用乙酸乙酯处理。倍他米松在0.5~80.0 ng·mL^-1线性关系良好(r=0.999 2)， 血浆低、 中、 高3种浓度(1.0， 10.0， 60.0 ng·mL^-1)平均提取回收率为88.24%，定量限为0.5 ng·mL^-1。本方法操作简便、准确、灵敏，适用于复方倍他米松注射液人体药代动力学研究。     

Determination of celecoxib in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitation of celecoxib (CEL) in human plasma is presented. The method is based on liquid-liquid extraction with chloroform and reversed-phase chromatography using a Nucleosil CN column (250 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 microm particle size) and UV spectrophotometer detection at 260 nm. The mobile phase consists of acetonitrile:water (60:40 (v/v)). Flutamide was used as internal standard (IS). The assay was linear in the concentration range of 10-1000 ng/ml when 0.5 ml aliquots of plasma were extracted. Within-day and between-day precision expressed by relative standard deviation is less than 4% and inaccuracy does not exceed 3%. The assay was used to analyze samples collected during human clinical studies.