Separation and simultaneous quantitation of PGF2α and its epimer 8-iso-PGF2α using modifier-assisted differential mobility spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry

• Published in: Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B 2018-03, Vol.8 (2), p.228-234
• Main Authors: Liang, Chunsu, Sun, Hui, Meng, Xiangjun, Yin, Lei, Fawcett, J. Paul, Yu, Huaidong, Liu, Ting, Gu, Jingkai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 8-iso-PGF2α; Differential mobility spectrometry; Epimer; Mass spectrometry; Original; PGF2α
• ISSN: 2211-3835; 2211-3843
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2018.01.011

Because many therapeutic agents are contaminated by epimeric impurities or form epimers as a result of metabolism, analytical tools capable of determining epimers are increasingly in demand. This article is a proof-of-principle report of a novel DMS–MS/MS method to separate and simultaneously quantify epimers, taking PGF2α and its 8-epimer, 8-iso-PGF2α, as an example. Good accuracy and precision were achieved in the range of 10–500 ng/mL with a run time of only 1.5 min. Isopropanol as organic modifier facilitated a good combination of sensitivity and separation. The method is the first example of the quantitation of epimers without chromatographic separation. This article is a proof-of-principle report of a novel DMS–MS/MS method to separate and simultaneously quantify epimers, taking PGF2α and its 8-epimer, 8-iso-PGF2α, as an example. Good accuracy and precision were achieved in the range of 10–500 ng/mL with a run time of only 1.5 min. The method is the first example of the quantitation of epimers without chromatographic separation. [Display omitted]