Simultaneous quantification of buprenorphine, norbuprenorphine, buprenorphine-glucuronide and norbuprenorphine-glucuronide in human umbilical cord by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Forensic Sci Int. 2009 Jul 1;188(1-3):144-51. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.04.005. Epub 2009 Apr 29.

Abstract

A LCMS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of buprenorphine (BUP), norbuprenorphine (NBUP), buprenorphine-glucuronide (BUP-Gluc) and norbuprenorphine-glucuronide (NBUP-Gluc) in human umbilical cord. Quantification was achieved by selected ion monitoring of precursor ions m/z 468.4 for BUP; 414.3 for NBUP; 644.4 for BUP-Gluc and 590 for NBUP-Gluc. BUP and NBUP were identified by MS(2), with m/z 396, 414 and 426 for BUP, and m/z 340, 364 and 382 for NBUP. Glucuronide conjugates were identified by MS(3) with m/z 396 and 414 for BUP-Gluc and m/z 340 and 382 for NBUP-Gluc. The assay was linear 1-50 ng/g. Intra-day, inter-day and total assay imprecision (%RSD) were <14.5%, and analytical recovery ranged from 94.1% to 112.3% for all analytes. Extraction efficiencies were >66.3%, and process efficiency >73.4%. Matrix effect ranged, in absolute value, from 3.7% to 7.4% (CV<21.8%, n=8). The method was selective with no endogenous or exogenous interferences from 41 compounds evaluated. Sensitivity was high with limits of detection of 0.8 ng/g. In order to prove method applicability, an authentic umbilical cord obtained from an opioid-dependent pregnant woman receiving BUP pharmacotherapy was analyzed. Interestingly, BUP was not detected but concentrations of the other metabolites were NBUP-Gluc 13.4 ng/g, BUP-Gluc 3.5 ng/g and NBUP 1.2 ng/g.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Buprenorphine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Buprenorphine / analysis*
  • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Female
  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Glucuronides / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Narcotic Antagonists / analysis*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Pregnancy
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Umbilical Cord / chemistry*

Substances

  • Glucuronides
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Buprenorphine
  • norbuprenorphine