LC-ESI-MS/MS determination of 4-methylpyrazole in dog plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in dogs.

A simple, specific, sensitive and rapid LC-ESI-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the quantification of 4-methylpyrazole in dog plasma using N-methylnicotinamide-d(4) as an internal standard (IS) as per regulatory guidelines. Sample preparation was accomplished through a simple protein precipitation. Chromatographic separation of 4-methylpyrazole and the IS was performed on a monolithic (Chromolith RP18e) column using an isocratic mobile phase comprising 0.2% formic acid in water and acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0mL/min. Elution of 4-methylpyrazole and the IS occurred at similar to 1.60 and 1.56min, respectively. The total chromatographic run time was 3.2min. A linear response function was established in the concentration range of 4.96-4955ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision were in the ranges 1.81-12.9 and 3.80-11.1%, respectively. This novel method has been applied to a pharmacokinetic study in dogs.