Identification and quantification of salinomycin in intoxicated human plasma

Abstract Salinomycin is a polyether ionophore antibiotic
that is widely used in poultry and livestock. Exposure of
humans to salinomycin via inhalation or ingestion can
cause severe toxicity. The aim of the present work was to
develop a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography–
tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the
rapid identification and quantification of salinomycin in
human plasma. After removing protein using methanol,
plasma samples were eluted from a Waters Xterra ® MS
C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase. Detection and
quantification of the drug were performed with a triplequadruple
mass spectrometer by monitoring for two
specific transitions in the electrospray, positive-ion,
multiple-reaction monitoring mode. Assay validation
showed good linearity (r2=0.998). The detection and
quantification limits of the method were 0.6 and 16 pg/mL,
respectively. The inter- and intraday coefficients of variation
for the assay were both <15%. Twelve authentic plasma
samples from intoxicated patients were analyzed using this
method. Salinomycin was detected in six samples, at
concentrations of between 0.6 and 46.5 pg/mL. The
described assay method allows the sensitive and rapid
identification and quantification of salinomycin in human
plasma, and thus provides a valuable tool for the specific
diagnosis of salinomycin intoxication in clinical and
emergency rescue practice.