High prevalence of orofacial complaints in patients with fibromyalgia: a case-control study

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the orofacial complaints and characteristics of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) compared with controls. Study Design. We evaluated 25 patients diagnosed with FS compared with 25 gender-and age-matched controls by using a detailed clinical protocol for orofacial pain diagnosis and dental examination. Results. FS patients had a higher frequency of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), masticatory complaints, pain with mandibular movements, and pain upon palpation of the head and neck area. There were no significant differences related to the dental exam. Conclusions. Orofacial complaints including TMD may be present either as symptoms of FS or as a comorbidity associated with this condition. A comprehensive evaluation of patients with FS is necessary to identify the need for specific treatments for orofacial complaints. Future studies, especially those with longitudinal design, should clarify whether a cause-effect relationship exists between orofacial complaints and fibromyalgia. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012;114:e29-e34)

Relevant methodological issues from the SBBrasil 2010 Project for national health surveys

The SBBrasil 2010 Project (SBB10) was designed as a nationwide oral health epidemiological survey within a health surveillance strategy. This article discusses methodological aspects of the SBB10 Project that can potentially help expand and develop knowledge in the health field. This was a nationwide survey with stratified multi-stage cluster sampling. The sample domains were 27 State capitals and 150 rural municipalities (counties) from the country's five major geographic regions. The sampling units were census tracts and households for the State capitals and municipalities, census tracts, and households for the rural areas. Thirty census tracts were selected in the State capitals and 30 municipalities in the countryside. The precision considered the demographic domains grouped by density of the overall population and the internal variability of oral health indices. The study evaluated dental caries, periodontal disease, malocclusion, fluorosis, tooth loss, and dental trauma in five age groups (5, 12, 15-19, 35-44, and 65-74 years).

Enzyme replacement prevents enamel defects in hypophosphatasia mice

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is the inborn error of metabolism characterized by deficiency of alkaline phosphatase activity, leading to rickets or osteomalacia and to dental defects. HPP occurs from loss-of-function mutations within the gene that encodes the tissue-nonspecific isozyme of alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). TNAP knockout (Alpl-/-, aka Akp2-/-) mice closely phenocopy infantile HPP, including the rickets, vitamin B6-responsive seizures, improper dentin mineralization, and lack of acellular cementum. Here, we report that lack of TNAP in Alpl-/- mice also causes severe enamel defects, which are preventable by enzyme replacement with mineral-targeted TNAP (ENB-0040). Immunohistochemistry was used to map the spatiotemporal expression of TNAP in the tissues of the developing enamel organ of healthy mouse molars and incisors. We found strong, stage-specific expression of TNAP in ameloblasts. In the Alpl-/- mice, histological, mu CT, and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed reduced mineralization and disrupted organization of the rods and inter-rod structures in enamel of both the molars and incisors. All of these abnormalities were prevented in mice receiving from birth daily subcutaneous injections of mineral-targeting, human TNAP at 8.2?mg/kg/day for up to 44 days. These data reveal an important role for TNAP in enamel mineralization and demonstrate the efficacy of mineral-targeted TNAP to prevent enamel defects in HPP. (C) 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Salute orale del figlio disabile in età evolutiva e sintomatologia depressiva della madre

Relationships between oral health status in children with disability and their mothers’ depressive symptoms Aim. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationships between oral health status in children with chronic medical conditions and their mothers’ depressive symptoms. Methods. Fifty-one children (25 male and 26 female, ranging from 2 to 18 years) affected by chronic systemic diseases followed at the Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna, ,and, were referred with their mothers at the Dental Department of Bologna. Children were subclassified in 3 groups according to the ASA classification and orally examined for hygiene status, gingival condition and dental caries. The indexes used were O’Leary plaque Index (PI), bleeding on probing index (BOP), dmft/DMFT. Mothers were interviewed on knowledge about oral diseases prevention for their children and daily management (hygiene habits, sugared aliments consumption). Statistical analysis was performed through the use of linear regression. Results. The relationships between ASA and IP as well as between ASA and BOP are statistically significant (α = 0,01). Seventy percent of patients and their relatives in ASA groups 3 and 4 never received information on oral health and prevention of oral diseases by paediatricians and/or dentists. The 53% of mothers present depressive symptoms. The relationships between degree of depressive symptoms and dmft/DMFt as well as between degree of depressive symptoms and sugared aliments daily consumption are statistically significant (α = 0,05). Conclusion. Our results give support to the hypothesis of an association between degree of systemic disease and oral hygiene status. The psychological mothers condition seams to play a role on the oral conditions of their sons. Our analysis shows the needs for an interdisciplinar approach in order to promote the oral health of children with disability.

Resonante Laserionisations-Massenspektrometrie an Gadolinium zur Isotopenhäufigkeitsanalyse mit geringsten Mengen

Resonante Laserionisations-Massenspektrometrie an Gadolinium zur Isotopenhäufigkeitsanalyse mit geringsten Mengen Die selektive Spuren- und Ultraspurenanalyse des Erdalkalielements Gadolinium eröffnet eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen in der Biomedizin und Kosmochemie. Zum Erreichen der hohen Anforderungen bezüglich Isotopen- und Isobarenselektivität von S>10^7 sowie Gesamteffizienz von e>10^-6 wurde der Einsatz der resonanten Laserionisations-Massenspektrometrie untersucht. Dazu erfolgte die Weiterentwicklung und Anpassung des existierenden Diodenlaser-Quadrupolmassenspektrometersystems. Durch Ionenflugbahn-Simulationsrechnungen wurde für das Quadrupol-Massenspektrometer die erreichbare Nachbarmassenunterdrückung und Transmission in Abhängigkeit von der Auflösung theoretisch vorhergesagt. Die Werte wurden experimentell bestätigt. Aus der beobachteten Peakstruktur erfolgte die Ableitung einer Methode zur Bestimmung der Energieunschärfe des eingesetzten Ionisationsprozesses. Zum Auffinden eines effizienten dreifach resonanten Anregungsschemas wurden die Isotopieverschiebungen und Hyperfeinstrukturen aller stabilen Gadoliniumisotope in zahlreichen Übergängen für die einfach, zweifach und dreifach resonante Ionisation präzise vermessen. Das aufgenommene Spektrum autoionisierender Resonanzen zeigte etwa 150 bislang unbekannter Zustände mit Resonanzüberhöhungen von bis zu fünf Größenordnungen im Ionisationswirkungsquerschnitt. Die entwickelte Methode der Hyperfeinzustandsselektion ermöglichte die Bestimmung der Drehimpulsquantenzahl J der autoionisierenden Resonanzen. Die analytische Charakterisierung der dreistufig resonanten Ionisation von Gadolinium ergab eine Isotopen- und Isobarenselektivität von S(Isotop)>10^12 und S(Isobar)>10^7. Die mit dem Diodenlasersystem erreichte Nachweiseffizienz von e=1-3x10^-6 mit einer untergrundlimitierten Nachweisgrenze von wenigen 10^9 Atomen Gd-158 erlaubte erste Demonstrationsmessungen an medizinischen Gewebeproben.

Celiachia e difetti dello smalto in età evolutiva: correlazione tra periodo di esposizione al glutine, forme cliniche di celiachia e aplotipo HLA

The association between celiac disease (CD) and dental enamel defects (DED) is well known. AIM: This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of DED in CD children and to specifically find a possible correlation between DED and gluten exposure period, CD clinical forms, HLA class II haplotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a matched case-control study: 374 children were enrolled (187 celiac and 187 non celiac). Data about age at CD diagnosis, CD clinical form and HLA haplotype were recorded. RESULTS: DED were detected in 87 celiac subject while no dental lesions were found in the remaining 100 patients; in 187 healthy controls enamel lesion were significantly less frequent (5.3 % versus 46.5% ; p<0.005).We found a correlation between DED and gluten exposure period, since among CD patients the mean age at CD diagnosis was significantly (p= 0.0004) higher in the group with DED (3.41± 1.27) than without DED (1.26± 0.7). DED resulted more frequent in atypical and silent forms than in the typical one. The presence of HLA DR 52-53 and DQ7 antigens significantly increased the risk of DED (p=0.0017). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed a possible correlation between CD clinical form, age at CD diagnosis, HLA antigens and DED. The origin of DED in CD children is due to multifactorial events and further studies are needed to investigate other determinants.

Stato della salute orale in pazienti istituzionalizzati affetti da patologie neuropsichiatriche

Le patologie di pertinenza odontostomatologica in pazienti adulti istituzionalizzati affetti da disabilità neuropsichiatrica presentano un’alta prevalenza; scopo del presente lavoro è stato la valutazione della prevalenza di carie (DMFT, SIC) e lo stato di igiene orale (OHI-S) in un gruppo di 103 (72 maschi, 31 femmine, età media 51) pazienti degli Istituti del P.O. Corberi e della RSD Beato Papa Giovanni XIII di Limbiate (MB). E’ stato valutata la collaborazione alla visita con la scala di Frankl, si è definito lo stato funzionale del paziente, in base alla Classificazione Internazionale del Funzionamento, della Disabilità e della Salute (ICF) e si è valutata con un questionario la motivazione degli operatori sanitari a stili di salute orale. Lo studio ha evidenziato un DMFT medio pari a 16,14 e SIC pari a 23,8, valori non correlabili con l'età del soggetto. L’OHI-S medio è pari a 3,46, dato che si presenza correlato con il tempo intercorso dall’ultima visita odontoiatrica. Dal confronto con un gruppo di soggetti sani della stessa età risultano significativamente più elevati i valori della componente (M) e (F) del DMFT e di tutte le componenti dell’OHI-S. Il campione è stato diviso in due gruppi a seconda della loro pregressa collaborazione al trattamento odontoiatrico e sono stati confrontati i dati ricavati dalla checklist ICF. Il gruppo collaborante ha mostrato livelli di funzionalità superiori per quanto riguarda le capacità di osservare, parlare e l’assistenza personale. Dalle risposte del personale socio-sanitario ermerge scarsa informazione sulle tecniche di igiene orale domiciliare quotidiana del paziente assistito. I risultati di questo studio confermano l'alta prevalenza di carie e scarsa igiene orale in soggetti istituzionalizzati con disabilità neuropsichiatrica. L'ICF si è dimostrata una utile guida per la valutazione dell�approccio comportamentale più idoneo in fase di trattamento. Infine, si evidenzia l’importanza di una formazione continua degli operatori socio-sanitari.

Caratteristiche ortopediche-ortodontiche in pazienti affetti da Sindrome di Nooan

La sindrome di Noonan (SN) è una patologia a trasmissione autosomica dominante caratterizzata da bassa statura, difetti cardiaci congeniti, dismorfia facciale. In letteratura sono stati pubblicati pochi case reports riguardanti le condizioni orali-facciali in pazienti affetti da SN. Obiettivo. Individuare patologie di pertinenza ortopedico-ortodontica caratteristiche della sindrome utilizzando un campione di pazienti con diagnosi di SN. Metodi. Un gruppo di 10 pazienti affetti da SN è stato sottoposto a esame obiettivo extraorale ed intraorale, ortopantomografia, teleradiografia latero-laterale, impronte delle arcate dentarie. Le misurazioni sulle TLL sono state effettuate sulla base dell'analisi MBT; i valori palatali provengono dai modelli di studio dell’arcata superiore. È stata utilizzato il test t-Student per mettere a confronto il gruppo di studio e il gruppo di controllo riguardo le misure cefalometriche e i valori palatali. Risultati. Nel gruppo di studio sono state rilevate anomalie di numero (un dente deciduo soprannumerario e una agenesia di un dente permanente). Il test t-Student rivela differenze statisticamente significative per 7 variabili cefalometriche su 13 e per 2 variabili palatali. Conclusioni. Basandosi su questo studio è possibile concludere che i pazienti con SN mostrano II classe scheletrica di tipo mandibolare, crescita iperdivergente, tendenza al morso aperto scheletrico, palatoversione degli incisivi superiori, palato stretto. Questi risultati possono fornire informazioni utili sia per la diagnosi di SN sia per la pianificazione del corretto trattamento ortodontico.

Modulazione del differenziamento osteogenico di precursori mesenchimali umani per applicazioni di ingegneria tissutale

Lo scheletro è un tessuto dinamico, capace di adattarsi alle richieste funzionali grazie a fenomeni di rimodellamento ed alla peculiare proprietà rigenerativa. Tali processi avvengono attraverso l’azione coordinata di osteoclasti ed osteoblasti. Queste popolazioni cellulari cooperano allo scopo di mantenere l’ equilibrio indispensabile per garantire l’omeostasi dello scheletro. La perdita di tale equilibrio può portare ad una diminuzione della massa ossea e, ad una maggiore suscettibilità alle fratture, come avviene nel caso dell’osteoporosi. E’ noto che, nella fisiopatologia dell’osso, un ruolo cruciale è svolto da fattori endocrini e paracrini. Dati recenti suggeriscono che il rimodellamento osseo potrebbe essere influenzato dal sistema nervoso. L’ipotesi è supportata dalla presenza, nelle vicinanze dell’osso, di fibre nervose sensoriali responsabili del rilascio di alcuni neuro peptidi, tra i quali ricordiamo la sostanza P. Inoltre in modelli animali è stato dimostrato il diretto coinvolgimento del sistema nervoso nel mantenimento dell’omeostasi ossea, infatti ratti sottoposti a denervazione hanno mostrato una perdita dell’equilibrio esistente tra osteoblasti ed osteoclasti. Per tali ragioni negli ultimi anni si è andata intensificando la ricerca in questo campo cercando di comprendere il ruolo dei neuropeptidi nel processo di differenziamento dei precursori mesenchimali in senso osteogenico. Le cellule stromali mesenchimali adulte sono indifferenziate multipotenti che risiedono in maniera predominante nel midollo osseo, ma che possono anche essere isolate da tessuto adiposo, cordone ombelicale e polpa dentale. In questi distretti le MSC sono in uno stato non proliferativo fino a quando non sono richieste per processi locali di riparo e rigenerazione tessutale. MSC, opportunamente stimolate, possono differenziare in diversi tipi di tessuto connettivo quali, tessuto osseo, cartilagineo ed adiposo. L’attività di ricerca è stata finalizzata all’ottimizzazione di un protocollo di espansione ex vivo ed alla valutazione dell’influenza della sostanza P, neuropeptide presente a livello delle terminazioni sensoriali nelle vicinanze dell’osso, nel processo di commissionamento osteogenico.

Modifizierungen des Enzyms Silicatein alpha zur direkten Immobilisierung auf verschiedenen Oberflächen : neuartige Herstellung von Kompositmaterialien unter physiologischen Bedingungen

Das Silicatein α ist ein 24 kDa großes Enzym, welches im Schwamm Suberites domuncula für die Synthese von Biosilikat verantwortlich ist. Vorhergehende Studien haben gezeigt, dass Silicatein auch die Synthese anderer Metalloxide wie Titandioxid, Galliumoxid und Zirkoniumdioxid katalysieren kann. Diese Fähigkeiten machen das Silicatein α für biomedizinische und biotechnologische Anwendungen interessant, da die Synthese unter nahezu physiologischen Bedingungen ablaufen kann, was die Herstellung neuartiger Kompositmaterialien mit einzigartigen Eigenschaften erleichtern würde. Zur Immobilisierung des Silicatein α auf verschiedenen Oberflächen wurde bislang ein Nickel-NTA-Kopolymer eingesetzt. Diese Art der Immobilisierung bietet eine Reihe von Möglichkeiten in der Nanobiotechnologie, stößt aber in der Biomedizin an ihre Grenzen, da sich nicht alle Oberflächen für ein solches Coating eignen. Zudem können die zur Aktivierung des Polymers nötigen Lösungsmittel und die über die Zeit freigesetzten Monomere aus dem Polymergerüst toxische oder mutagene Wirkung auf das umliegende Gewebe haben. Deshalb wurde das Silicatein α in dieser Arbeit mit zwei Affinitäts-Tags so modifiziert, dass es an verschiedene Oberflächen immobilisiert werden kann und dabei seine Aktivität beibehält. Zuerst wurde das Silicatein mit einem Glu-tag am N-terminalen Ende modifiziert. Dadurch gelang die direkte Immobilisierung an Hydroxyapatit und die folgende, enzymkatalysierte Synthese von Biosilikat-Beschichtungen auf diesem Träger. Die Eigenschaften eines solchen HA-Kompositmaterials können zum Beispiel zu einem verbesserten, schnelleren und stabileren Einwachsen von Knochenimplantaten führen, da Biosilikat die Reifung und Differenzierung von Osteoblasten beschleunigt. rnMit dem an Hydroxyapatit-Plättchen immobilisierten Glu-tag-Silicatein wurde ein modifizierter Pull-down Assay etabliert, wodurch bekannte, aber auch bis dahin noch unbekannte Protein-Interaktionspartner identifiziert werden konnten. rnUm zu zeigen, dass der entwickelte Glu-tag an präformierte, calciumhaltige Oberflächen binden kann, wurden die Nadeln des Kalkschwammes Paraleucilla magna als Modellorganismus verwendet. Die Nadeln konnten durch das immobilisierte Silicatein mit einer Titandioxid-Schicht überzogen werden und unter Verwendung des Interaktionspartners Silintaphin-1 konnte diese Beschichtung noch verstärkt werden. Solche CaCO3-Kompositmaterialien könnten sowohl in der Biomedizin als auch in der Biotechnologie zum Einsatz kommen. Neben den erwähnten calciumhaltigen Materialien finden auch andere Stoffe wie TiO2-Nanodrähte Verwendung in der Forschung. In weiterführenden Experimenten konnte gezeigt werden, dass der entwickelte Glu-tag auch Affinität zu Titandioxid-Oberflächen vermittelt. Auch hier konnte durch das oberflächenimmobilisierte Enzym eine Biosilikatbeschichtung synthetisiert werden. rnMit der zweiten Modifikation - einem Cys-tag - konnte Silicatein direkt auf Goldoberflächen immobilisiert werden. Durch die Verwendung eines Polydimethylsiloxan (PDMS)-Stempels wurde das Cys-getaggte Silicatein in einem linienförmigen Muster auf das Gold übertragen und die Synthese von Titandioxid dort nachgewiesen.rnDie Experimente und Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit haben gezeigt, dass Silicatein α durch einfache Modifikationen an verschiedene Oberflächen immobilisiert werden kann und dabei immer noch seine Aktivität behält. rnHierdurch ergibt sich die Möglichkeit, unter Normalbedingungen verschiedenste Kompositmaterialien herzustellen.rn

La ricerca traslazionale in farmacologia gastroenterologica

Il presente studio si concentra sull’analisi degli aspetti traslazionali nella ricerca farmacologica applicata alla Gastroenterologia. La trattazione si articola in due parti: una prima elaborazione teorica, che permette di inquadrare nel contesto della ricerca traslazionale il razionale scientifico ed etico alla base delle attività sperimentali eseguite durante il triennio; una seconda parte, nella quale si riportano i metodi, i risultati e le osservazioni conclusive derivanti dallo studio sperimentale. Nella prima parte vengono analizzate alcune caratteristiche delle procedure, adottate nella ricerca in ambito farmacologico gastrointestinale, che permettono di ottenere un dato verosimile derivabile da modelli diversi rispetto all’organismo umano. Sono inclusi nella trattazione gli aspetti etici dell’utilizzo di alcuni modelli animali di patologie intestinali organiche e funzionali in relazione al loro grado di predittività rispetto alla realtà sperimentale clinica. Nella seconda parte della trattazione, viene presentato uno studio esplorativo tissutale multicentrico sul ruolo del sistema oppioide e cannabinoide nella sindrome dell’intestino irritabile (IBS). Obiettivo dello studio è la valutazione dell’espressione e la localizzazione del recettore oppioide µ (µOR), del suo ligando β endorfina (β-END) e del recettore cannabinoide 2 (CB2) nei pazienti con IBS ad alvo costipato (IBS-C) e diarroico (IBS-D), ed in soggetti sani (HC). I dati ottenuti indicano un’implicazione del sistema oppioide e cannabinoide nella risposta immune alterata riscontrata nei pazienti con IBS ed in particolare nel sottogruppo IBS-C. La presente trattazione suggerisce come la creazione di nuovi sistemi di indagine sempre più validi da un punto di vista traslazionale possa dipendere, almeno in parte, dalla capacità di integrare realtà disciplinari, tecnologie ed esperienze metodologiche diverse nel contesto della ricerca in campo biomedico e farmacologico ed in particolare tramite un mutuo scambio di informazioni tra realtà clinica e ricerca di base

Studio dell'attività idrolitica di glucomannano ad opera di alcuni preparati enzimatici industriali

Over the last few decades, polysaccharides have gained increasing attention in the biomedical and drug delivery fields. Among them, glucomannan (GM) has become a particularly interesting polymer in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical field, however the high molecular weight of this natural polymer is the cause of the limits to its application that reflected in a poor solubility in water.Reduce the molecular weight could improve its use and at the same time does not eliminate its properties. In this study, we investigated the ability of enzymes to hydrolyze the polysaccharide structure of glucomannan by two commercial enzymes: Fungamyl Super AX and Celluclast BG. The purpose of the thesis was to identify the enzymatic activity and the process parameters ( pH and temperature) that influence the catalytic activity of the enzymes, the molecular size and the viscosity of products released after enzymatic hydrolysis of glucomannan.

Finite element modeling of flow/compression-induced deformation of alginate scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Trauma or degenerative diseases such as osteonecrosis may determine bone loss whose recover is promised by a "tissue engineering“ approach. This strategy involves the use of stem cells, grown onboard of adequate biocompatible/bioreabsorbable hosting templates (usually defined as scaffolds) and cultured in specific dynamic environments afforded by differentiation-inducing actuators (usually defined as bioreactors) to produce implantable tissue constructs. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate, by finite element modeling of flow/compression-induced deformation, alginate scaffolds intended for bone tissue engineering. This work was conducted at the Biomechanics Laboratory of the Institute of Biomedical and Neural Engineering of the Reykjavik University of Iceland. In this respect, Comsol Multiphysics 5.1 simulations were carried out to approximate the loads over alginate 3D matrices under perfusion, compression and perfusion+compression, when varyingalginate pore size and flow/compression regimen. The results of the simulations show that the shear forces in the matrix of the scaffold increase coherently with the increase in flow and load, and decrease with the increase of the pore size. Flow and load rates suggested for proper osteogenic cell differentiation are reported.

Bleaching of nonvital teeth: a clinically relevant literature review

Today, the bleaching of nonvital, discolored teeth is a low-risk routine treatment for improving esthetics. This review article focuses on the etiology of tooth discolorations, different treatment techniques, and risks of bleaching procedures. Some tooth discolorations in endodontically treated teeth are caused by dental treatments. The three most popular techniques for nonvital tooth bleaching are the walking bleach technique, inside/outside bleaching, and in-office bleaching. The walking bleach technique is a relatively reliable, fairly simple technique for dentists and patients. Inside/outside bleaching can be used additionally when internal and external bleaching must be combined. Inoffice bleaching seems to be a short-term solution, the effects of which can largely be attributed to dehydration of the teeth. There are still some open questions concerning the bleaching agents. Improved safety seems desirable with regard to adding thiourea as a scavenger of radicals or newer materials such as sodium percarbonate. The thermocatalytic technique, insufficient cervical sealing, and high concentrations of bleaching agents should be avoided, as this can increase the risk of cervical root resorptions. Patients should be informed about the low predictability of bleaching success and the risk of recurrent discoloration. The risk of cervical root resorption should be discussed with the patient. There is a strong correlation between root resorption and dental trauma.

Development of an LC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of 55 compounds prescribed in combined cardiovascular therapy

This paper reports an LC-MS/MS method with positive electrospray ionization for the screening of commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs in human plasma, including compounds with antihypertensive (57), antidiabetic (12), hypolipemiant (5), anticoagulant (2) and platelet anti-aggregation (2) effects. Sample treatment consisted of a simple protein precipitation with MeOH/0.1 M ZnSO₄ (4:1, v/v) solution after the addition of internal standard, followed by evaporation and reconstitution. Analytes separation was performed on a Polar-RP column (150 m x 2 mm, 4 μm) using a gradient elution of 15 min. The MS system was operated in MRM mode, monitoring one quantitation and one confirmation transition for each analyte. The recovery of the protein precipitation step ranged from 50 to 70% for most of the compounds, while some were considerably affected by matrix effects. Since several analytes fulfilled the linearity, accuracy and precision values required by the ICH guidelines, the method proved to be suitable for their quantitative analysis. The limits of quantitation varied from 0.38 to 9.1 μg/L and the limits of detection from 0.12 to 5.34 μg/L. The method showed to be suitable for the detection of plasma samples of patients under cardiovascular treatment with the studied drugs, and for 55 compounds reliable quantitative results could be obtained.