Determination of 4-dimethylaminophenol concentrations in dog blood using LC–ESI/MS/MS combined with precolumn derivatization

A sensitive and reproducible LC–ESI/MS/MS method, which was combined with the precolumn dansyl chloride derivatization to enhance the signal intensity of analytes, was developed to determine blood 4-dimethylaminophenol (DMAP) concentrations. The linearity of the method was observed within the concentration range of 2–2000 ng/mL. The precision, accuracy, stability, recovery and matrix effect of the method were also investigated and found to meet the requirements for pharmacokinetic studies of the drug. By using this method, pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in dogs after i.m. and i.v. administrations. The results showed that DMAP could not only be absorbed into blood quickly after i.m., but also can be eliminated rapidly. Both i.m. and i.v. routes are appropriate for DMAP to be used in field first-aid. It has been proved that this LC–MS/MS combined with precolumn derivatization method can be used as a routine analytical method to provide enhanced measurements for blood DMAP concentrations. It is also useful for DMAP pharmacokinetic evaluation.