Simultaneous quantification of buprenorphine, norbuprenorphine, buprenorphine glucuronide, and norbuprenorphine glucuronide in human placenta by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2009 May;394(2):513-22. doi: 10.1007/s00216-009-2706-z. Epub 2009 Feb 27.

Abstract

A LCMS method was developed and validated for the determination of buprenorphine (BUP), norbuprenorphine (NBUP), buprenorphine glucuronide (BUP-Gluc), and norbuprenorphine glucuronide (NBUP-Gluc) in placenta. Quantification was achieved by selected ion monitoring of m/z 468.4 (BUP), 414.3 (NBUP), 644.4 (BUP-Gluc), and 590 (NBUP-Gluc). BUP and NBUP were identified monitoring MS(2) fragments m/z 396, 414 and 426 for BUP, and 340, 364 and 382 for NBUP, and glucuronide conjugates monitoring MS(3) fragments m/z 396 and 414 for BUP-Gluc, and 340 and 382 for NBUP-Gluc. Linearity was 1-50 ng/g. Intra-day, inter-day and total assay imprecision (% RSD) were <13.4%, and analytical recoveries were 96.2-113.1%. Extraction efficiencies ranged from 40.7-68%, process efficiencies 38.8-70.5%, and matrix effect 1.3-15.4%. Limits of detection were 0.8 ng/g for all compounds. An authentic placenta from an opioid-dependent pregnant woman receiving BUP pharmacotherapy was analyzed. BUP was not detected but metabolite concentrations were NBUP-Gluc 46.6, NBUP 15.7 and BUP-Gluc 3.2 ng/g.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Buprenorphine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Buprenorphine / analysis*
  • Buprenorphine / chemistry
  • Chromatography, Liquid / instrumentation*
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Female
  • Glucuronides / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry / instrumentation
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Placenta / chemistry*
  • Placenta / metabolism
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Glucuronides
  • Buprenorphine