Abstract
Our previous study on the identification of common odorants and their conjugates in human urine demonstrated that this substance fraction is a little-understood but nonetheless a promising medium for analysis and diagnostics in this easily accessible physiological medium. Smell as an indicator for diseases, or volatile excretion in the course of dietary processes bares high potential for a series of physiological insights. Still, little is known today about the quantitative composition of odorous or volatile targets, as well as their non-volatile conjugates, both with regard to their common occurrence in urine of healthy subjects, as well as in that of individuals suffering from diseases or other physiological misbalancing. Accordingly, the aim of our study was to develop a highly sensitive and selective approach to determine the common quantitative composition of selected odorant markers in healthy human subjects, as well as their corresponding glucuronide conjugates. We used one- and two-dimensional high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in combination with stable isotope dilution assays to quantify commonly occurring and potent odorants in human urine. The studies were carried out on both native urine and on urine that had been treated by glucuronidase assays, with analysis of the liberated odor-active compounds using the same techniques. Analytical data are discussed with regard to their potential translation as future diagnostic tool.
Highlights
Human urine contains an abundance of important information for physicians
The characteristic odorant spectrum of human urine has been explored by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) [6]
Quantification experiments revealed that all compounds were present in median concentrations between 0.02 and 2.55 μg/L corresponding to values between 1.58 and 510 μg/mol creatinine
Summary
Human urine contains an abundance of important information for physicians. The diagnostic potential of urine composition is mirrored in a broad range of assays, for example testing for glycosuria (etiologies include diabetes mellitus, liver and pancreatic disease, Fanconi’s syndrome, and Cushing’s syndrome), ketonuria (most commonly associated with uncontrolled diabetes), and testing for nitrites (associated with urinary tract infections) among many others [1]. With regard to its volatile and odorous profile, human urine has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. Some researchers (mainly in the 1960’s and 1970’s) tried to reveal the diagnostic potential of the volatile profile of human urine, and in several cases observed distinct differences between healthy and diseased individuals. The characteristic odorant spectrum of human urine has been explored by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) [6]. Compounds were elucidated by means of a combinatory approach using human-sensory and chemo-analytical techniques such as two-dimensional GC-O/mass spectrometry; quantifications were not accomplished
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