Simultaneous quantification of seven plasma metabolites of sulfur mustard by ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a hazardous chemical warfare agent that has been used in several military conflicts. SM is also considered as a major threat to civilians because of its existing stockpiles and easy production. Analysis of exposure biomarkers in biological samples collected from suspected victims is a useful tool for early diagnosis of SM poisoning. In this study, a sensitive and rapid quantitative method with ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous determination of seven SM plasma biomarkers, including its oxidative, hydrolysis and β-lyase metabolites. A simple one-step protein precipitation with acetonitrile-methanol (4:1) was used for sample preparation. A full validation was conducted with respect to specificity, linearity, recovery, matrix effect, precision, accuracy and stability. The lower limits of quantification for the seven metabolites ranged from 0.01μgL(-1) to 5μgL(-1). The intraday relative standard deviation was less than 7.0%, and the interday deviation was less than 9.1%. The recoveries varied in the range from 82.8% to 118%. This method has been successfully applied to a toxicokinetic study for obtaining the plasma profiles of seven metabolites in SM-exposed rats, following a single subcutaneous dose of 3.3mgkg(-1). All the targeted compounds were detected in rat plasma. bis-β-Chloroethyl sulfoxide (SMO), thiodiglycol (TDG), thiodiglycol sulfoxide (TDGO), 1,1'-sulfonylbis-[2-S-(N-acetylcysteinyl)ethane (SBSNAE), 1,1'-sulfonylbis-[2-(methylsulfinyl)ethane] (SBMSE) and 1-methylsulfinyl-2-[2-(methylthio)ethylsulfonyl]ethane (MSMTESE) were found to be the major metabolites in rat plasma. The time windows for the detection of these metabolites were varied in the range of 5min to 48h after exposure. The method provides a useful tool for short-term diagnosis of SM poisoning.