UPLC Analysis of Mycophenolic Acid and Its Phenol and Acyl Glucuronide Metabolites in Human Plasma

A simple, rapid, and reliable UPLC method has been validated for simultaneous analysis of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and its phenol glucuronide (MPAG) and acyl glucuronide (AcMPAG) metabolites in human plasma. Separation was performed on a UPLC BEH C(18) column. The mobile phase was a gradient prepared from 10 mM ammonium formate and acetonitrile; the flow rate was 0.5 mL min(-1), the total run time 5.5 min, and the analytes were quantified at 254 nm. Sample preparation was by liquid-liquid extraction. The method is specific, sensitive, and linear in the concentration ranges 0.062-126 mu g mL(-1) for MPA, 0.080-188 mu g mL(-1) for MPAG, and 0.031-15.9 mu g mL(-1) for AcMPAG.