Application note demonstrates suitability of coupled liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for the determination of gabapentin levels in human serum
GBP, 1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexaneacetic acid is a new antiepileptic drug currently being introduced worldwide.
It is thought that GBP may alter the concentration or metabolism of brain amino acids and may have a specific binding to neuronal protein sites in the brain.
Most assay methods are based on extensive sample cleanup followed by pre-column derivatisation using a fluorescent tag and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Other techniques include gas chromatography on GBP derivatised with perfluorinated agents.
The present method details a simple, selective, and sensitive method for the determination of GBP in human plasma by LC/MS.
The Agilent 1100 LC/MS with electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive ion mode was used for this application.
The mass spectrometry was dominated by simple proton adduction yielding the [M+H]+ ions for both GBP and the internal standard.
The chromatography separated the compounds from each other and from the void volume.
The method can achieve a sensitivity of 0.5µg/ml serum from a sample of only 50µl, with excellent precision and accuracy, using minimal sample preparation.
This LC/MS method can reliably supply accurate and precise measurements of GBP levels in human serum at therapeutic concentrations.
It is also simple, selective and sensitive, which makes it an ideal application for problems in the forensic field.
This application note is available without charge from any Agilent sales office or its website.
