Determination of rat plasma levels of sertraline enantiomers using direct injection with achiral–chiral column switching by LC–ESI/MS/MS

A highly sensitive and selective on-line two-dimensional reversed-phase liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometric (2D-LC–ESI/MS/MS) method to determine sertraline (SRT) enantiomers in rat plasma was developed and validated. The method was applied to separate and determine the diastereomers and enantiomers of SRT simultaneously. The 2D-LC–ESI/MS/MS system consisted of RAM column in first dimension for trapping proteineous part of plasma and a chiral Cyclobond column as second dimension for separation of enantiomers and diastereomers of SRT using 0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid:acetonitrile (86:14, v/v) as mobile phase in an isocratic elution mode. The linear dynamic range was 0.5–200 ng/mL (r2 > 0.999). Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained over the calibration range. The assay was successfully used in the analysis of SRT enantiomers in rat plasma to support pharmacokinetic studies.