Development of a new GC–MS/MS method for the determination of metformin in human hair

The document reports on a new gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method developed to measure metformin levels in human hair, which could be significant for forensic and clinical purposes. The method showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 pg/mg and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 100 pg/mg, with good linearity, repeatability, and reproducibility. The study analyzed hair from 9 diabetic patients on metformin, finding concentrations between 0.3 and 3.8 ng/mg, which indicates a low incorporation of the drug into hair. A potential correlation between the daily dose and hair concentration was observed in dark hair, but not in light hair. Despite the small sample size, the study offers preliminary insights for interpreting metformin levels in hair, which could be useful for monitoring therapy and investigating certain medical conditions.