Hydrolysis Of Conjugates Research Articles

NTP‐CERHR expert panel report on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of bisphenol A

Robert E. Chapin, Jane Adams, Kim Boekelheide, L. Earl Gray Jr, Simon W. Hayward, Peter S.J. Lees, Barry S. McIntyre, Kenneth M. Portier, Teresa M. Schnorr, Sherry G. Selevan, John G. Vandenbergh, and Susan R. Woskie Pfizer, Inc., Groton, CT University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA Brown University, Providence, RI U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD Schering Plough Research Institute, Summit, NJ American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH U.S. Public Health Service (Ret), Silver Spring, MD North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA

Characterization and Fate of Black Currant and Bilberry Flavonols in Enzyme-Aided Processing

The fate of black currant ( Ribes nigrum L.) and bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) flavonols in enzyme-aided processing was studied. The flavonols were quantified and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode array detector and an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer. A tentative identification for 14 black currant and 19 bilberry flavonols is presented representing 11 previously unpublished conjugates. For the first time in any berry, the presence of laricitrin conjugates is reported. The enzyme-aided processing affected the flavonol extractability, elevating the yield in juices and decreasing that in press residues. Importantly, no significant loss of the berry flavonols was observed during the experiments, although some hydrolysis of flavonol conjugates was recorded. To maximize the effect on flavonol extractability, higher enzyme dosages were needed for black currants than for bilberries. The data show that the flavonol extractability and hydrolysis are dependent on the texture of raw material, the glycosylation pattern of the conjugates, and the activity profile of the enzyme preparation.

HPLC determination of 4-hydroxy-anethole trithione in plasma via enzymatic hydrolysis and its application to bioequivalence study

A simple, selective and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method via enzymatic hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates of 4-hydroxy-anethole trithione (ATX) was established for simultaneous determination of ATX. Human plasma samples were hydrolyzed by β-glucuronidase and followed by subsequent extraction with cyclohexane–isopropanol (95:5, v/v) using mifepristone as the internal standard. Chromatography was carried out on a reverse phase C 18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) and kept at 30 °C, with UV detection set at 346 nm. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of methanol and water (75:25, v/v), at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. It was validated and proved to be linear in the range of 20–1500 ng/ml, with the regression equation Y = 0.0016 C − 0.0069, r = 0.9992. And the limit of quantification (LOQ) concentration in plasma was 20 ng/ml. The absolute recoveries of ATX at three concentrations were 32.04, 38.95 and 44.06% and the relative recoveries were 104.80, 102.53 and 107.04%, which showed that the analytical method was sensible, accurate and reproducible. The method was utilized on a double-blind, randomized, single dose, two period, and crossover bioequivalence study of ATT tablets produced by different companies in 20 healthy male Chinese subjects, with a washout between every two periods. Blood samples were collected over each period of 10 h and various pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. Natural log-transformed values were compared by analysis of variance followed by classical 90% confidence interval for C max, AUC 0– t and AUC 0–∞ and was found to be within the range, which indicated that the two products were bioequivalence.

Perinatal bile acid metabolism: bile acid analysis of meconium of preterm and full-term infants

Our purpose was to evaluate the metabolism of bile acids in the fetus by analyzing the bile acid composition of meconium of preterm (less than 30 weeks' gestational age) and full-term infants and comparing the results with the bile acid composition of feces of preterm and full-term infants 6 days after delivery. The concentrations of individual bile acids were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after solvolysis and hydrolysis of bile acid conjugates. In meconium, the main bile acids were chenodeoxycholic and hyocholic acids. The main bile acid of feces from preterm infants at 6 days of age was the same as that of meconium. We also detected large amounts of secondary bile acids, especially deoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid. The ratio of cholic acid relative to chenodeoxycholic acid in meconium of preterm and full-term infants and in feces of preterm infants was less than 1, 0.36, 0.55, and 0.55, respectively. The percentage of chenodeoxycholic acid relative to total bile acids in meconium of preterm (P < 0.05) and full-term (P < 0.01) infants was significantly higher than that in feces of 6-day-old full-term infants. More than half of the main pathway, at least, for bile acid synthesis in preterm infants may be the acidic pathway until the infants reach about 7 days of age.

Synthesis, pharmacological activity and hydrolytic behavior of ethylenediamine and benzathine conjugates of ibuprofen

For reducing the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with ibuprofen, its carboxylic group was masked by synthesizing its amide conjugates with ethylenediamine and benzathine ( 4a, 4b, respectively) by carbodiimide assisted coupling method. In vitro hydrolysis of conjugates showed that they were stable in HCl buffer (pH 1.2) indicating that the prodrugs did not break in stomach and there was no release of ibuprofen at gastric pH, whereas in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) they undergo significant hydrolysis and thus release ibuprofen in adequate amounts following first order kinetics. The ibuprofen conjugates 4a, 4b were retaining anti-inflammatory activity intact and exhibited better analgesic activity along with much reduced ulcerogenicity. These findings suggested that both the conjugates are better in action as compared to parent drug and are advantageous in having less gastrointestinal side effects. Compound 4b however showed better analgesic activity and longer action ( t 1/2) than 4a, and hence it could be considered as a better candidate for prodrug among the two.

Simultaneous GC-EI-MS determination of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human urine following tandem enzyme-alkaline hydrolysis.

A sensitive and specific method for extraction and quantification of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) in human urine was developed and fully validated. To ensure complete hydrolysis of conjugates and capture of total analyte content, urine samples were hydrolyzed by two methods in series. Initial hydrolysis was with Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase (Type IX-A) followed by a second hydrolysis utilizing 10N NaOH. Specimens were adjusted to pH 5-6.5, treated with acetonitrile to precipitate protein, and centrifuged, and the supernatants were subjected to solid-phase extraction. Extracted analytes were derivatized with BSTFA and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact ionization. Standard curves were linear from 2.5 to 300 ng/mL. Extraction efficiencies were 57.0-59.3% for THC, 68.3-75.5% for 11-OH-THC, and 71.5-79.7% for THCCOOH. Intra- and interassay precision across the linear range of the assay ranged from 0.1 to 4.3% and 2.6 to 7.4%, respectively. Accuracy was within 15% of target concentrations. This method was applied to the analysis of urine specimens collected from individuals participating in controlled administration cannabis studies, and it may be a useful analytical procedure for determining recency of cannabis use in forensic toxicology applications.

The Auxin Conjugate Hydrolase Family of Medicago truncatula and Their Expression During the Interaction with Two Symbionts

We have characterized the regulation of auxin conjugate hydrolysis in Medicago truncatula during development and interaction with two symbionts. In Medicago truncatula five putative auxin amidohydrolase genes (MtIAR31, MtIAR32, MtIAR33, MtIAR34, MtIAR36) were identified, homologous to the AtIAR3 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana. The MtIAR32 transcript is the most abundant transcript in whole seedlings after germination, whereas MtIAR33 is the least abundant. MtIAR32 is also the most abundant transcript in adult roots, stems, and basal leaves. MtIAR31 is most highly expressed in flowers and MtIAR36 in terminal leaves. Sinorhizobium meliloti-infected seedlings primarily upregulated MtIAR33 and −34 transcripts. Glomus intraradices-infected seedlings upregulated MtIAR33 and −34. MtIAR31, −32, −33, and −34 have hydrolytic activity against IAA-aspartate and IBA-alanine. MtIAR33, −34, and −36 hydrolyze the ester bonds of IAA-glucose. MtIAR36 solely possesses activity against IAA-glycine, -alanine, and -isoleucine. IBA was increased in Glomus intraradices-inoculated roots of Medicago compared to controls, whereas IAA was not. Our results suggest an intricate control system that regulates free and conjugated auxins in Medicago.

Microscale immunoaffinity SPE and MEKC in fast determination of testosterone in male urine

Conventional methods for the determination of testosterone in body fluids typically suffer from poor recovery, lack of specificity, complex sample pretreatment, or the need for derivatization. Here, a simple, specific, and fast analysis method for testosterone was developed, with a methodology based on testosterone-specific immunoaffinity SPE (IA-SPE) and subsequent analysis by partial filling MEKC (PF-MEKC). An immunosorbent consisting of a recombinant antitestosterone Fab fragment covalently attached to activated Sepharose was prepared. IA-SPE and PF-MEKC were set up in hyphenated and off-line constructions, and the applicability of the two constructions in analysis of testosterone in male urine was investigated. The results obtained with the hyphenated construction proved to be only indicative of the presence of testosterone. The off-line IA-SPE and PF-MEKC construction, however, was successfully used in the determination of free testosterone in male urine samples after enzymatic hydrolysis of the glucuronide conjugates. Except for the hydrolysis reaction, no sample pretreatment was required. After hydrolysis, the overall analysis time per sample was only 14 min. The off-line IA-SPE and PF-MEKC method proved to be robust, sensitive (LOQ 35 mug/L), and specific, enabling separation of testosterone from four related steroids. Thus, it provides attractive features when compared to traditional methods for determination of testosterone in male urine.

Quantitation of five nevirapine oxidative metabolites in human plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A multiple-reaction-monitoring LC/MS/MS method for the analysis of nevirapine oxidative metabolites, 2-hydroxynevirapine, 3-hydroxynevirapine, 8-hydroxynevirapine, 12-hydroxynevirapine, and 4-carboxynevirapine, in human plasma was developed and validated. The metabolites were isolated from 50 μL heparinized plasma by enzymatic hydrolysis of the glucuronide conjugates to the free metabolite followed by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Peaks were quantitated at 3.03 min for the 4-carboxynevirapine metabolite, at 3.72, 4.27, 5.27, and 5.73 min for the positional 2-hydroxynevirapine, 12-hydroxynevirapine, 3-hydroxynevirapine, and 8-hydroxynevirapine metabolites, respectively, and 2.30 min for the internal standard, pirenzepine. The assay was accurate and precise based on assay validation controls over the nominal range of 0.010–1.0 mg/L. The average accuracy at the lowest concentration quality control (QC) sample was 16% (difference from theoretical value) for 8-hydroxynevirapine, all others were closer to their known respective standards. Within- and between-day precisions were within 12% for quality control samples for all five metabolites. Repetitive thawing and freezing did not have an effect on any metabolite through a minimum of three cycles. Thawed samples, remaining in plasma for 4 h before extraction, were within 5% of theoretical value. Stability of the extracted samples on the autosampler at room temperature was evaluated for 48 h and was observed to be within 12% of a fresh analytical sample for 2-hydroxynevirapine and 3-hydroxynevirapine; other metabolites were within 6% of theoretical value. The utility of the analytical method was demonstrated using trough steady-state plasma samples collected from 48 patients in a hepatic impairment study.

Optimization of an isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the detection of endogenous estrogen metabolites in urine samples

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for the simultaneous quantitation of ten estrogen metabolites in human urine was optimized. The method consists of initial enzymatic hydrolysis of the estrogen conjugates using beta-glucuronidase followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Sep-pak C18 columns and further sample purification by ion-exchange chromatography on QAE-Sephadex cartridges in the acetate form. QAE-Sephadex cartridges in the borate form were used to separate estrogens into two fractions: one fraction containing estrogens lacking vicinal cis-hydroxyls (Fr 1) and another containing estrogens possessing vicinal cis-hydroxyls (catecholestrogens; Fr 2). Finally, following O-trimethylsilyl ether derivatization, the estrogens were analyzed by GC/MS in the selected ion monitoring mode. Estrogens were quantitated using deuterated internal standards, which were added to the samples at the initiation of the work-up procedures. After addition to estrogen-low male human samples the standards showed good chromatographic linear response and reproducibility. A reduction in the number of steps and improvements in the robustness of the work-up procedures were achieved. The modified method described is less complex, amenable to use with commercially available SPE columns and fulfils all the reliability criteria, resulting in highly specific and accurate results.

Analysis of a Challenging Subset of World Anti-Doping Agency-Banned Steroids and Antiestrogens by LC-MS-MS

A qualitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of 22 sporting federation-banned anabolic agents (or their metabolite markers) and anti-estrogens in urine that are refractory to analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is presented. In addition, a quantitative method built around World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines for the confirmatory analysis of 19-norandrosterone, the primary metabolite of nandrolone with a WADA-specified minimum required performance limit of 1 ng/mL, is included. Hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates, liquid-liquid extraction, no clean-up derivatization with Girard's Reagent P, and analysis by quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry provide sensitivity and selectivity well beyond that required by the WADA.

Microwave-assisted acid hydrolysis of toluene diamine conjugates in urine samples for biomarkers in toluene diisocyanate analysis

Toluene diamines (TDAs) in urine have been used widely to determine the amount of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) absorbed by humans. Conventional hydrolysis to prepare a sample of urine takes approximately 16 h. An attempt is made to apply microwave-assisted heating (MAH) to reduce the duration of analysis. Urine collected from rats exposed to a mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-TDI was diluted with non-exposed human urine 1/1250-, 1/500- and 1/250-fold. The urine samples were hydrolyzed by both conventional heating and MAH. The hydrolysis efficiency obtained using MAH significantly exceeded that obtained using conventional heating. Hydrolysis by MAH required only 20 min, 48 times faster than with conventional heating. The use of the MAH method in hydrolysis was demonstrated to be reproducible, timesaving and efficient technique in measuring the concentration of urinary TDAs.

Deconjugation of N-glucuronide conjugated metabolites with hydrazine hydrate – Biomarkers for exposure to the food-borne carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b]pyridine (PhIP)

The metabolism of the carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b]pyridine (PhIP) has been investigated in rabbit liver S9. Two phase I metabolites, N 2-OH-PhIP and 4′-OH-PhIP were identified based on UV and mass spectra and co-elution with reference standards. Fortification of the incubation with UDGPA resulted in a complete glucuronidation of PhIP and N 2-OH-PhIP, while 4′-OH-PhIP was only partly glucuronidated. Also, the PhIP metabolite 5-OH-PhIP was completely glucuronidated by rabbit liver S9, while 5-OH-PhIP was a poor substrate for CYP mediated hydroxylation. The glucuronic acid conjugates of PhIP metabolites were unsusceptible to treatment with β-glucuronidase indicating that these are N-glucuronides. Treatment of the conjugates with hydrazine hydrate, however, resulted in complete hydrolysis of the glucuronic acid conjugates as well as in reduction to the parent amine of metabolites hydroxylated in the exocyclic amino group. Urine was collected from a male volunteer following consumption of fried chicken. Treatment of the urine with β-glucuronidase/sulfatase resulted in release of 4′-OH-PhIP, while treatment with hydrazine hydrate in addition resulted in release of substantial amounts of PhIP and 5-OH-PhIP. The data show that hydrazine hydrate can hydrolyse N-glucuronides of metabolites of PhIP, glucuronides that are unsusceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis. In addition the data indicate that humans metabolise a large fraction of ingested PhIP to genotoxic metabolites. The chemical hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates of PhIP metabolites with hydrazine hydrate observed in this study may also be a useful approach in the development of biomarkers for exposure and effect of other xenobiotics.

Effect of ginger on bacterial enzymes in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced experimental colon carcinogenesis.

Colon cancer is becoming increasingly common in Asian countries and still remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Ginger, a natural spice having both antioxidant and antimutagenic property, is known to inhibit chemical carcinogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the chemopreventive efficacy of ginger on the activity of bacterial enzymes in rats induced colon cancer by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. Twenty milligrams per kilogram body weight of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine was administered subcutaneously once a week for the first 15 weeks and then discontinued. Ginger (50 mg/kg body weight/per day, oral) was given at the initiation and also at the postinitiation stages of carcinogenesis to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-treated rats. The animals were killed at the end of 30 weeks. The macroscopic findings in the colon and the incidence of tumors were recorded in each group, and the activity of beta-glucuronidase and mucinase was estimated in the tissues and fecal contents of rats. After a total experimental period of 32 weeks (including 2 weeks of acclimatization), tumor incidence was 100% in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-treated rats. The incidence of cancer as well as the number of tumors in the colon was significantly reduced both in the initiation and postinitiation stages of carcinogenesis on ginger administration. The activities of bacterial enzymes beta-glucuronidase (proximal colon, distal colon, intestines, liver and colon contents) and mucinase (colon and fecal contents) were significantly elevated in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-treated rats as compared with the control rats. The increase in beta-glucuronidase activity may augment the hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates, liberating the toxins, while the increase in the mucinase activity may enhance the hydrolysis of the protective mucins in the colon. Ginger administration to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-treated rats significantly decreased the incidence and number of tumors as well as the activity of beta-glucuronidase and mucinase. Thus, ginger has a chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic effect against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer by virtue of its ability to lower the activities of the microbial enzymes beta-glucuronidase and mucinase.

Determination of Triclosan as Its Pentafluorobenzoyl Ester in Human Plasma and Milk Using Electron Capture Negative Ionization Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive method for the determination of triclosan in plasma and milk is presented. Following hydrolysis of possible conjugates, triclosan is extracted with n-hexane/acetone, partitioned into alcoholic potassium hydroxide, and converted into its pentafluorobenzoyl ester. After sulfuric acid cleanup, sample extracts are analyzed by gas chromatography/electron capture negative ionization mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification was 0.009 ng/g for a 5-g plasma sample and 0.018 ng/g for a 3-g milk sample. The coefficient of variation for the method was 6%. The method was tested on more than 70 human plasma and milk samples, of which all plasma samples and more than half of the milk samples were above the limit of quantification. The presented method has lowered the limit of quantification for triclosan in human matrixes significantly as compared to previous methods and makes possible the analysis of triclosan in humans under normal exposure conditions.

Protective role of luteolin in 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine induced experimental colon carcinogenesis

The aim of the present study was to unravel the chemopreventive effect of luteolin on bacterial enzymes such as beta-glucuronidase and mucinase in a colon carcinogenesis model induced by 1, 2-dimethyl hydrazine (DMH). Twenty mg/kg body weight of DMH were administered subcutaneously once a week for the first 15 weeks and then discontinued. Luteolin (0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mg/kg body weight/everyday (p.o.) was administered in a dose dependent manner at the initiation and also at the post-initiation stages of carcinogenesis to DMH treated rats. The animals were sacrificed at the end of 30 weeks. Colon cancer incidence and the activities of bacterial enzymes beta-glucuronidase (in the proximal colon, distal colon, intestines, liver and colon contents) and mucinase (colon and fecal contents) were significantly increased in DMH -treated rats compared to the control rats. On luteolin administration, colon cancer incidence, number of tumors per rat and the activities of beta-glucuronidase and mucinase, were significantly decreased both in the initiation and post-initiation stages of colon carcinogenesis dependent on the three different doses given. The increase in beta-glucuronidase activity may augment the hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates, liberating toxins, while the increase in the mucinase activity may enhance the hydrolysis of the protective mucins in the colon. Thus our results demonstrate for the first time that luteolin, a dietary flavonoid, exerts chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic effects against DMH induced colon cancer.

Determination of Three Carcinogenic Aromatic Amines in Urine of Smokers and Nonsmokers

Aromatic amines (arylamines) such as o-toluidine, 2-aminonaphthalene, and 4-aminobiphenyl occur in the environment and are constituents of tobacco smoke. Human exposure to these aromatic amines has long been associated with an elevated risk of bladder cancer. A validated, specific, and sensitive method for measuring o-toluidine, 2-aminonaphthalene, and 4-aminobiphenyl in cigarette smokers and nonsmokers was developed. The method uses acid hydrolysis of the arylamine conjugates in urine, extraction with n-hexane, derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride, and subsequent analysis with gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry using negative ion chemical ionization. The limits of detection were 4 ng/L for o-toluidine and 1 ng/L for 2-aminonaphthalene and 4-aminobiphenyl. Smokers (N = 10) excreted significantly higher amounts of o-toluidine (204 versus 104 ng/24 h), 2-aminonaphthalene (20.8 versus 10.7 ng/24 h), and 4-aminobiphenyl (15.3 versus 9.6 ng/24 h) than nonsmokers (N = 10). Urinary arylamine excretion in smokers was associated with the extent of smoking as assessed by daily cigarette consumption, urinary excretion of nicotine equivalents (nicotine plus its five major metabolites), cotinine in saliva, and carbon monoxide in exhaled breath. All nonsmokers investigated had quantifiable amounts of o-toluidine, 2-aminonaphthalene, and 4-aminobiphenyl in their urine, confirming that other environmental sources of exposure to these compounds also occur. In conclusion, the analytical method is suitable for measuring short-term exposure to arylamines in urine of non-occupationally exposed smokers and nonsmokers.

Synthesis and characterization of acrylic type hydrogels containing azo derivatives of 5-amino salicylic acid for colon-specific drug delivery

pH-sensitive hydrogels are suitable candidates for oral delivery of therapeutic peptides, proteins and drugs, due to their ability to respond to environmental pH changes. Terephthalic acid was covalently linked with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), abbreviated as cross-linking agent (CA). Acryloyl ester of 5-[4-(hydroxy phenyl) azo] salicylic acid (HPAS) as an azo derivative of 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA) was prepared under mild conditions. The HPAS was covalently linked with acryloyl chloride, abbreviated as APAS. Free radical cross-linking copolymerization of polymerizable azo derivative of 5-ASA (APAS) and methacrylic acid (MAA) in two different molar ratios, with the various ratios CA as cross-linking agent were carried out with using 2, 2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator at the temperature range 60-70 degrees C. The composition of the cross-linked three-dimensional polymers was determined by FTIR spectroscopy. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of the network polymers was determined calorimetrically. The hydrolysis of drug-polymer conjugates was carried out in cellophane membrane dialysis bags containing aqueous buffer solutions (pH 7.4 and pH 1) at 37 degrees C. The effect of copolymer composition on the hydrolytic degradation was studied in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C. Monitoring of the hydrolysis process by HPLC and UV spectroscopy shows that the azo prodrug (HPAS) was released by hydrolysis of the ester bond located between the HPAS and the polymer chain. The drug-release profiles indicate that amount drug release dependent on the content of MAA groups and crosslinking.

The use of chemical derivatization to enhance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric determination of 1‐hydroxypyrene, a biomarker for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human urine

This article presents an analytical approach that used chemical derivatization to enhance mass spectrometric (MS) response in electrospray ionization (ESI) mode of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), a commonly used biomarker to monitor human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The enhancement successfully enabled the desired detection of 50 pg/mL in human urine. The introduction of an MS-friendly dansyl group to 1-OHP enhanced both ionization efficiency in the ESI source and collision-activated dissociation (CAD) in the collision cell. The response increase was estimated to be at least 200-fold, and enabled the reduction of sample size to only 100 microL. The selective MS detection also facilitated a fast (run time 3 min) liquid chromatography (LC) method which successfully resolved the analyte and interferences. The sample processing procedure included enzymatic hydrolysis of glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, liquid-liquid extraction, derivatization with dansyl chloride and a final liquid-liquid extraction to generate clean extracts for LC/MS/MS analysis. This approach has been validated as sensitive, linear (50-1000 pg/mL), accurate and precise for the quantitation of 1-OHP in human urine. This is the first report of using chemical derivatization to enhance MS/MS detection with fast chromatography in the determination of 1-OHP in human urine.

Determination of the urinary aglycone metabolites of vitamin K by HPLC with redox-mode electrochemical detection

We describe a method for the determination of the two major urinary metabolites of vitamin K as the methyl esters of their aglycone structures, 2-methyl-3-(3'-3'-carboxymethylpropyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (5C-aglycone) and 2-methyl-3-(5'-carboxy-3'-methyl-2'-pentenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (7C-aglycone), by HPLC with electrochemical detection (ECD) in the redox mode. Urinary salts were removed by reversed-phase (C18) solid-phase extraction (SPE), and the predominantly conjugated vitamin K metabolites were hydrolyzed with methanolic HCl. The resulting carboxylic acid aglycones were quantitatively methylated with diazomethane and fractionated by normal-phase (silica) SPE. Final analysis was by reversed-phase (C18) HPLC with a methanol-aqueous mobile phase. Metabolites were detected by amperometric, oxidative ECD of their quinol forms, which were generated by postcolumn coulometric reduction at an upstream electrode. The assay gave excellent linearity (typically, r2 > or = 0.999) and high sensitivity with an on-column detection limit of < 3.5 fmol (< 1 pg). The interassay precision was typically 10%. Metabolite recovery was compared with that of an internal standard [2-methyl-3-(7'-carboxy-heptyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone] added to urine samples just before analysis. Using this methodology, we confirmed that the 5C- and 7C-aglycones were major catabolites of both phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamin K2) in humans. We propose that the measurement of urinary vitamin K metabolite excretion is a candidate noninvasive marker of total vitamin K status.