Work

Long-term stability of sufentanil quantified by UPLC–MS–MS in human plasma frozen for 11 years at −20°C

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The long-term stability of drug concentrations in human plasma samples, when stored under normal laboratory conditions over several years, is important for research purposes and clinical re-evaluation, and forensic toxicology. Fifty human plasma samples from a former clinical trial were re-analyzed after storage at -20°C for 11 years. Plasma samples were extracted using solid-phase extraction. Isotope labeled sufentanil-d5 was used as internal standard. Sufentanil plasma concentrations were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with gradient elution, followed by tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. The linear dynamic range was 25-2500 pg/mL, the limit of detection was 10 pg/mL, and the lower limit of quantification was 25 pg/mL. Intra- and inter-assay error did not exceed 6%. The deviation of the measured sufentanil plasma concentrations between the re-analysis and the first analysis was -63 ± 14% (mean ± SD). Therefore, sufentanil concentrations in human plasma were not stable in samples frozen at -20°C over 11 years.

Source: Journal of Analytical Toxicology

DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkae083

Authors: Andreas Wehrfritz, Stefanie Schmidt, Harald Ihmsen, Jürgen Schüttler, Christian Jeleazcov

Institutions: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen

Language: English

Topic: Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis

Subfield: Toxicology

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie