Analytical Sciences

Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 30(2), 293 (2014).

Quantitative Determination of Cyclosporine in Human Whole Blood by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Triple Quadrupole Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Hyun Jin JUNG,*1 Mi-Ri GWON,*1,*2 Jeonghyeon PARK,*1 Jeong Ju SEO,*1 Sook Jin SEONG,*1 Eun Hee KIM,*3 Soon Rim SUH,*4 Ji Yun JEONG,*5 Hae Won LEE,*1 and Young-Ran YOON*1,*2
*1 Department of Biomedical Science and Clinical Trial Center, Kyungpook National University Graduate School and Hospital, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-721, Korea
*2 KNU Bio-Medical Convergence Program for Creative Talent, Kyungpook National University Graduate School, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-842, Korea
*3 School of Nursing, Yeungnam College of Science & Technology, 170 Hyeongchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 705-703, Korea
*4 College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchabosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-422, Korea
*5 Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-842, Korea
Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant drug used in organ transplants or for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. We developed and validated a simple, sensitive, and specific method using UPLC-MS/MS to determine cyclosporine levels in human whole blood. MS/MS detection was performed in the positive electrospray ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring. Cyclosporine was extracted from whole-blood samples using ascomycin as an internal standard. The mass transitions m/z 1203.49 → 1185.53 and m/z 814.71 → 796.67 were used to assay the analyte and IS. This method was validated with respect to linearity, specificity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and stability. The method exhibited a linear response from 10 to 1000 ng mL−1 with correlation coefficient values >0.99. The precision and the accuracy values were within 15%, except at the lower limit of quatification (LLOQ). Cyclosporine was stable in whole blood with no evidence of degradation. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of cyclosporine in healthy volunteers following oral administration.