Determination of anethole trithione in human plasma using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric detection.

A rapid, sensitive and reliable high performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry via electrospray ionization (ESI) source (HPLC-MS/MS) has been developed and validated for the determination of anethole trithione (ATT) in human plasma. Diazepam was employed as the internal standard (IS). Sample extracts following liquid-liquid extraction were injected into the HPLC-MS/MS system. The analyte and IS were eluted isocratically on a C18 column, with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and aqueous ammonium acetate solution (5 mM) (80:20, v/v) . The ions were detected by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometric detector in the positive mode. Quantification was performed using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) of the transitions m/z 240.88-->197.91 and m/z 285.01-->193.02 for ATT and for the IS, respectively. The analysis time for each run was 5.0 min. The calibration curve fitted well over the concentration range of 0.02-5 ng mL(-1), with the regression equation y = 1.1014x + 0.0003631, r = 0.9992. The intra-batch and inter-batch R.S.D.% were less than 15% at all concentration levels within the calibration range. The recoveries were more than 80%. The present method provides a modern, rapid and robust procedure for the pharmacokinetic study of ATT. Some important pharmacokinetic parameters of ATT in healthy Chinese volunteers are also given for the first time.