Metabolites In Human Serum Research Articles

α-トコフェロール長鎖代謝物のヒト血清中での存在と in vitro における抗炎症作用と抗動脈硬化作用

α-トコフェロール長鎖代謝物のヒト血清中での存在と in vitro における抗炎症作用と抗動脈硬化作用

Rapid Separation and Quantitation of Cocaine and its Metabolites in Human Serum by Differential Mobility Spectrometry-tandem Mass Spectrometry (DMS-MS-MS).

Cocaine continues to be one of the most widespread abused illicit drugs in the USA. Rapid methods are needed for the identification and quantitation of cocaine and its metabolites, benzoylecgonine (BE), ecgonine methyl ester (EME) and cocaethylene (CE), in biological specimens by clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories. Presented is a differential ion mobility spectrometry-tandem mass spectrometry (DMS-MS-MS) method for the analysis of cocaine and its major metabolites in human serum that requires minimal sample preparation and no column chromatography. A Shimadzu Nexera X2 ultra-high performance liquid chromatography system was used to infuse the samples into the DMS cell at a rate of 30 μL/min. Separation of cocaine and its metabolites were performed in a SelexION DMS component from Sciex coupled to a QTRAP 6500 with an IonDrive Turbo V source for TurbolonSpray® using acetonitrile as a chemical modifier. Analysis consisted of ramping the CoV from -35 V to -6 V while monitoring the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions of each analyte. The assay was evaluated for linearity, bias, precision, carryover, interferences and stability. Calibration curves ranged from 10 to 1,000 ng/mL with linear regression correlation coefficients (r2) of 0.9912 or greater for each analyte. The limit of quantitation was set at 10 ng/mL. Intra-day precision (%CV) ranged from 0% to 15% for cocaine, 1% to 19% for BE, 1% to 17% for EME and 0% to 18% for CE. Inter-day precision ranged from 9% to 14% for cocaine, 2% to 17% for BE, 5% to 11% for EME and 5% to 15% for CE. No carryover or interferences were detected. Bland-Altman analysis of previously analyzed specimens by UPLC-MS-MS showed variability of 30% or less. The method demonstrates the applicability of DMS-MS-MS for high throughout analysis of drugs and their metabolites in clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories.

Establishment of Liquid Chromatography Retention Index Based on Chemical Labeling for Metabolomic Analysis.

Chemical labeling (CL) in combination with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis has been demonstrated to be a promising technology in metabolomic analysis. However, identification of chemically labeled metabolites remains to be challenging. Retention time (RT) is one of the most important parameters for the identification of metabolites, but it could vary greatly in LC-MS analysis. In this work, we developed a chemical labeling-based HPLC retention index (CL-HPLC RI) strategy to facilitate the identification of metabolites. In this CL-HPLC RI strategy, a series of 2-dimethylaminoethylamine (DMED)-labeled fatty acids were used as calibrants to establish RIs for DMED-labeled carboxylated compounds and a series of 4-( N, N-dimethylamino)phenyl isothiocyanate (DMAP)-labeled fatty amines were used as calibrants for DMAP-labeled amine compunds. To calculate the RIs, the whole LC chromatogram was divided into 24 time intervals by 23 DMED-labeled fatty acid standards or 15 time intervals by 14 DMAP-labeled fatty amine standards. Then, we established the RIs of 854 detected DMED-labeled carboxylated metabolites and 1057 DMAP-labeled amine metabolites in fecal samples and demonstrated that RIs were highly reproducible under different elution gradients, columns, and instrument systems. Finally, we applied this strategy to the identification of metabolites in human serum. Using RIs, 267 DMED-labeled carboxylated metabolites and 273 DMAP-labeled amine metabolites in human serum matched well with the fecal metabolome database. Taken together, the developed CL-HPLC RI strategy was demonstrated to be a promising method to facilitate the identification of metabolites in metabolomic analysis.

Analysis of multiple vitamin D metabolites by ultra-performance supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPSFC-MS/MS)

In recent years, increased interest in the human health benefits of vitamin D has led to demand for improved analysis of patient vitamin D ‘status’. Studies to date have focused primarily on a single vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, despite the existence of a broad range of vitamin D metabolites, referred to as the vitamin D metabolome. This study reports on the development of a rapid UPSFC-MS/MS method for the analysis of nine vitamin D metabolites in human serum. Optimum separation was obtained with a Lux-Cellulose chiral column. We observed an orthogonal elution order when compared with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The order of elution was reversed based on hydroxyl- group number, however elution order did not differ between isomeric changes in hydroxyl- group position or epimers. Although UPSFC yielded superior resolution and selectivity over previously developed UHPLC-MS/MS methods, improvements in sensitivity could not be achieved owing to the lower injection volume required for UPSFC relative to UHPLC. Method validation was performed on the developed UPSFC-MS/MS method and found to be within acceptable limits. Applying the method to the analysis of human serum samples showed a significant correlation with serum concentrations of metabolites measured by UHPLC-MS/MS (25OHD3 r = 0.997, P=<0.001, and 3-epi-25OHD3 r = 0.996, P ≤0.001). These data indicate that UPSFC provides an efficient analytical platform for rapid analysis of multiple vitamin D metabolites from serum.

Simultaneous quantification of systemic azoles and their major metabolites in human serum by HPLC/PDA: role of azole metabolic rate

We describe the development and validation of a novel liquid chromatography assay (HPLC/PDA) for simultaneous quantification of voriconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole, as well as some of their major metabolites, voriconazole N-oxide and hydroxy-itraconazole, in human serum. Analytes were detected using a PDA system that allows the characterization of the specific UV spectra of each compound. The assay exhibited linearity between 0.25–16 mg/L for all the compounds tested. The accuracy and within- and between-day precision of the assay were in acceptable ranges. We successfully quantified the azoles and some of their metabolites in a collection of clinical samples collected from treated patients. The method also allows assessing the metabolic rate of several azoles being useful to predict the metabolic profile of a particular patient and to anticipate toxicity or efficacy during the treatment.

Abstract P3-12-05: Serum levels of the active tamoxifen metabolite Z-4OHtam is predictive of long-term survival in luminal B subtype of breast cancer patients

Abstract Background Tamoxifen (tam) is the main adjuvant endocrine treatment option in premenopausal breast cancer (BC) patients comprising luminal-like tumors. However, a significant proportion of tam-users will experience a relapse within 15 years of primary surgery. We postulate that some patients do not achieve the full clinical benefit of tam due to inter-individual differences in the metabolism of the drug and that the clinical relevance of this may be different between molecular subtypes of BC. Here, we have compared the prognostic value of threshold levels of active tam metabolites in PAM50 luminal (lum) A and B molecular subtypes. Material and Methods A number of 64 lum-like BC patients who were relapse-free 3 years after surgery, were retrospectively analyzed in the observational Oslo1 study. All patients received 20 mg tamoxifen daily for 5 years. Serum was obtained at the time of the 3 years follow-up. A sensitive and accurate LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the detection and quantification of tam and 9 metabolites in human serum. The median follow-up time from serum sampling to BC death or last follow-up was 13.9 years (0.6-16.5). Recurrence score and molecular subtype of the patients were determined on FFPE-tumor samples using the PAM50 classification algorithm. Results A linear trend was identified for the correlation between active metabolite Z-4OHtam and BCSS (p=0.021, HR=0.64, CI95=0.43–0.93). There was no linear association between the remaining metabolites and BC outcome. We further explored the possible association between survival and concentration thresholds for the active metabolites Z-4OHtam and Z-endoxifen and identified supervised cut off values representing low concentrations for Z-4OHtam (≤3.26 nM) and Z-endoxifen (≤9.00 nM). BC patients with low Z-4OHtam had a BCSS of 33.3% compared to 82.8% in patients with Z-4OHtam &amp;gt;3.26 nM (p&amp;lt;0.001, logrank; HR=6.83, CI 95=2.09-22.36). Lum status (A vs B; HR=5.50, CI95= 1.66-18.25) and Z-4OHtam concentration status (high vs low; HR=6.05, CI95=1.74-21.06) were the only factors left in the final multivariable model. A log-linear relationship between the ROR score and BCSS (p=0.002, HR=1.09, CI95=1.03–1.15) was identified after adjustment of clinically relevant variables and lum status was highly prognostic, (Lum A vs B; p=0.001, HR=5.2, CI=1.72-15.46). Therefore, we wanted to compare the prognostic value of the Z-4OHtam threshold in patients subgroups stratified by lum status. Low concentrations of Z-4OHtam were associated with poorer survival for patients in the lum B group only (HR=4.94, CI 95=1.16-21-02). For the lum A patients no significant association was found. Discussion Low levels (≤ 3.26 nM) of the active tam metabolite Z-4OHtam was associated with a poorer long-term outcome in tam-treated BC patients. However, when grouping patients according to the PAM50-based molecular subtype, this was only significant in patients belonging to the lum B subtype. Our results suggest that higher levels of active tam metabolites and thus better ER blockage are more important in the more aggressive lum B subtype. Citation Format: Helland T, Søiland H, Hustad S, Lash TL, Kvaløy JT, Renolen A, Borgen E, Bifulco E, Henne N, Lien EA, Mellgren G, Naume B, Janssen EA. Serum levels of the active tamoxifen metabolite Z-4OHtam is predictive of long-term survival in luminal B subtype of breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-05.

Long-Chain Metabolites of Vitamin E: Metabolic Activation as a General Concept for Lipid-Soluble Vitamins?

Vitamins E, A, D and K comprise the class of lipid-soluble vitamins. For vitamins A and D, a metabolic conversion of precursors to active metabolites has already been described. During the metabolism of vitamin E, the long-chain metabolites (LCMs) 13′-hydroxychromanol (13′-OH) and 13′-carboxychromanol (13′-COOH) are formed by oxidative modification of the side-chain. The occurrence of these metabolites in human serum indicates a physiological relevance. Indeed, effects of the LCMs on lipid metabolism, apoptosis, proliferation and inflammatory actions as well as tocopherol and xenobiotic metabolism have been shown. Interestingly, there are several parallels between the actions of the LCMs of vitamin E and the active metabolites of vitamin A and D. The recent findings that the LCMs exert effects different from that of their precursors support their putative role as regulatory metabolites. Hence, it could be proposed that the mode of action of the LCMs might be mediated by a mechanism similar to vitamin A and D metabolites. If the physiological relevance and this concept of action of the LCMs can be confirmed, a general concept of activation of lipid-soluble vitamins via their metabolites might be deduced.

Simultaneously Determination of Fifteen Estrogens and Metabolites in Human Serum by an Efficient Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method

Simultaneously Determination of Fifteen Estrogens and Metabolites in Human Serum by an Efficient Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method

CCQM-K11.2 determination of glucose in human serum and CCQM-K12.2 determination of creatinine in human serum

Glucose and creatinine are two of the most frequently measured substances in human blood/serum for assessing the health status of individuals. Because of their clinical significance, CCQM-K11 glucose in human serum and CCQM-K12 creatinine in human serum were the fourth and fifth key comparisons (KCs) performed by the Organic Analysis Working Group (OAWG). These KCs were conducted in parallel and were completed in 2001. The initial subsequent KCs for glucose, CCQM-K11.1, and creatinine, CCQM-K12.1, were completed in 2005. Measurements for the next KCs for these two measurands, CCQM-K11.2 and CCQM-K12.2, were completed in 2013. While designed as subsequent KCs, systematic discordances between the participants' and the anchor institution's results in both comparisons lead the OAWG to request reference results from two experienced laboratories that had participated in the 2001 comparisons. Based on the totality of the available information, the OAWG converted both CCQM-K11.2 and CCQM-K12.2 to 'Track C' KCs where the key comparison reference value is estimated by consensus.These comparisons highlighted that carrying out comparisons for complex chemical measurements and expecting to be able to treat them under the approaches used for formal CIPM subsequent comparisons is not an appropriate strategy. The approach used here is a compromise to gain the best value from the comparison; it is not an approach that will be used in the future. Instead, the OAWG will focus on Track A and Track C comparisons that are treated as stand-alone entities.Participation in CCQM-K11.2 demonstrates a laboratory's capabilities to measure a polar (pKow > 2), low molecular mass (100 g/mol to 500 g/mol) metabolite in human serum at relatively high concentrations (0.1 mg/g to 10 mg/g). Participation in CCQM-K12.2 demonstrates capabilities to measure similar classes of metabolites at relatively low concentrations (1 μg/g to 30 μg/g). The capabilities required for the analysis of complex biological matrices include sample preparation (protein precipitation, extraction, derivatization), gas chromatographic (GC) or liquid chromatographic (LC) separation, and quantification using an isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) approach.Main textTo reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

CCQM K6.2 determination of total cholesterol in human serum

Cholesterol is one of the most frequently measured substances in human blood/serum to assist in assessing the health status of individuals. Because of its clinical significance, CCQM-K6 determination of cholesterol in serum was completed in 2000 as one of the first key comparison (KC) studies performed within the Organic Analysis Working Group (OAWG). The first subsequent KC for cholesterol, CCQM-K6.1, was completed in 2001. Measurements for this second subsequent, CCQM-K6.2, were completed in 2012. These subsequent comparisons were conducted to enable CCQM members that had not participated in earlier studies to demonstrate their capabilities to measure a nonpolar (pKow < −2), low molecular mass (100 g/mol to 500 g/mol) metabolite in human serum at relatively high concentrations (1 mg/g to 3 mg/g) found in normal populations. Successful participation in CCQM-K6.2 demonstrated capabilities in analysis of complex biological matrices including sample preparation (extraction, derivatization), LC or GC separation, and quantification using an isotope dilution mass spectrometry approach.Normally in a subsequent KC, no key comparison reference value (KCRV) would be established and assessment of performance would be via the deviation of participants' results to the anchor institute's results, adjusted to account for the anchor's performance in the original comparison versus its KCRV. Due to the very long-time period since the original key comparison, the OAWG decided that this did not represent the best approach to assess performance in what is a relatively complex measurement. Given the excellent agreement between the anchor institute's results and robust consensus summary of the participants' values, the reference value for this study was taken as the anchor institute's result and treated as a 'KCRV'. Seven of the nine participants demonstrated agreement with the reference value.Main textTo reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Online extraction of antihypertensive drugs and their metabolites from untreated human serum samples using restricted access carbon nanotubes in a column switching liquid chromatography system

A novel analytical method was developed to determine 5 antihypertensive drugs of different pharmacological classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, α-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and aldosterone receptor antagonists) and some of their metabolites in human serum. The untreated samples were directly analyzed in a column switching system using an extraction column packed with restricted access carbon nanotubes (RACNTs) in an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (UHPLC–MS/MS). The RACNTs column was able to exclude approximately 100% of proteins from the samples in 2.0min, maintaining the same performance for about 300 analytical cycles. The method was validated in accordance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, being linear for all the determined analytes in their respective analytical ranges (coefficients of determination higher than 0.99) with limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) ranging from 0.09 to 10.85μgL−1 and from 0.30 to 36.17μgL−1, respectively. High recovery values (88–112%) were obtained as well as suitable results for inter and intra-assay accuracy and precision. The method provided an analytical frequency of 5 samples per hour, including the sample preparation and separation/detection steps. The validated method was successfully used to analyze human serum samples of patients undergoing treatment with antihypertensive drugs, being useful for pharmacometabolomic, pharmacogenomic, and pharmacokinetic studies.

Simultaneous LC-MS/MS analysis of eicosanoids and related metabolites in human serum, sputum and BALF.

The differences among individual eicosanoids in eliciting different physiological and pathological responses are largely unknown because of the lack of valid and simple analytical methods for the quantification of individual eicosanoids and their metabolites in serum, sputum and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Therefore, a simple and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of 34 eicosanoids in human serum, sputum and BALF was developed and validated. This method is valid and sensitive with a limit of quantification ranging from 0.2 to 3 ng/mL for the various analytes, and has a large dynamic range (500 ng/mL) and a short run time (25 min). The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision values met the acceptance criteria according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Using this method, detailed eicosanoid profiles were quantified in serum, sputum and BALF from a pilot human study. In summary, a reliable and simple LC-MS/MS method to quantify major eicosanoids and their metabolites was developed and applied to quantify eicosanoids in human various fluids, demonstrating its suitability to assess eicosanoid biomarkers in human clinical trials.

Baseline Assessment of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Reference Material and Proficiency Testing/External Quality Assurance Material Commutability: A Vitamin D Standardization Program Study.

The Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) coordinated a study in 2012 to assess the commutability of reference materials and proficiency testing/external quality assurance materials for total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in human serum, the primary indicator of vitamin D status. A set of 50 single-donor serum samples as well as 17 reference and proficiency testing/external quality assessment materials were analyzed by participating laboratories that used either immunoassay or LC-MS methods for total 25(OH)D. The commutability test materials included National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 972a Vitamin D Metabolites in Human Serum as well as materials from the College of American Pathologists and the Vitamin D External Quality Assessment Scheme. Study protocols and data analysis procedures were in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The majority of the test materials were found to be commutable with the methods used in this commutability study. These results provide guidance for laboratories needing to choose appropriate reference materials and select proficiency or external quality assessment programs and will serve as a foundation for additional VDSP studies.

Development, validation, and clinical pharmacokinetic application of ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneously determining a novel recombinant hirudin derivative (Neorudin) and its active metabolite in human serum.

Recombinant Neorudin (EPR-hirudin, EH), a novel, low-bleeding anticoagulant fusion protein, has been developed as an inactive prodrug that is converted to an active metabolite, hirudin variant 2-Lys47 (HV2), at the thrombus site and is undergoing Phase I clinical trials in China. The goal of our present research was to establish a novel ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneously quantifying EH and HV2 in human serum. Furthermore, the method was used in clinical pharmacokinetic study after validation. The stock and dilute working solutions were dissolved in methanol/water (1/1, v/v) to avoid their adsorption. The internal standard (IS) used, had a similar structure to that of EH. The serum sample pretreatment involved protein precipitation with methanol. The volume ratio of the precipitating solvent to the serum sample was 3:1 (300μL methanol: 100μL serum sample). The chromatographic separation was performed using a 300Å C18 column using a multi-step gradient with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water containing 0.1% formic acid. The detection was carried out using an ESI source in the positive multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The within and between run precision were in the range of 3.5%-10.3% for EH and 3.3%-8.8% for HV2, and the accuracy of both EH and HV2 was between -4.6% and 2.1%. The extraction recoveries and matrix effect at three quality control (QC) levels for EH and HV2 were satisfactory. The stabilities of EH and HV2 during the storage, preparation, and analysis were confirmed, and the carryover also proved to be acceptable. This technique was efficiently used in Phase I clinical pharmacokinetic trials of EH following intravenous administration of 0.2mg/kg to healthy volunteers.

Commentary on: “Redirecting abiraterone metabolism to fine-tune prostate cancer anti-androgen therapy.” Li Z, Alyamani M, Li J, Rogacki K, Abazeed M, Upadhyay SK, Balk SP, Taplin ME, Auchus RJ, Sharifi N. Nature. 2016 May 25;533(7604):547–51.

Abiraterone blocks androgen synthesis and prolongs survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, which is otherwise driven by intratumoral androgen synthesis. Abiraterone is metabolized in patients to Δ(4)-abiraterone (D4A), which has even greater antitumour activity and is structurally similar to endogenous steroidal 5α-reductase substrates, such as testosterone. Here, we show that D4A is converted to at least three 5α-reduced and three 5β-reduced metabolites in human serum. The initial 5α-reduced metabolite, 3-keto-5α-abiraterone, is present at higher concentrations than D4A in patients with prostate cancer taking abiraterone, and is an androgen receptor agonist, which promotes prostate cancer progression. In a clinical trial of abiraterone alone, followed by abiraterone plus dutasteride (a 5α-reductase inhibitor), 3-keto-5α-abiraterone and downstream metabolites were depleted by the addition of dutasteride, while D4A concentrations rose, showing that dutasteride effectively blocks production of a tumor-promoting metabolite and permits D4A accumulation. Furthermore, dutasteride did not deplete the three 5β-reduced metabolites, which were also clinically detectable, demonstrating the specific biochemical effects of pharmacological 5α-reductase inhibition on abiraterone metabolism. Our findings suggest a previously unappreciated and biochemically specific method of clinically fine-tuning abiraterone metabolism to optimize therapy.

Multi-analyte method development for analysis of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and PBDE metabolites in human serum.

Commonly, analytical methods measuring brominated flame retardants (BFRs) of different chemical polarities in human serum are labor consuming and tedious. Our study used acidified diatomaceous earth as solid-phase extraction (SPE) adsorbent and defatting material to simultaneously determine the most abundant BFRs and their metabolites with different polarities in human serum samples. The analytes include three types of commercial BFRs, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) isomers, and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and dominant hydroxylated BDE (OH-PBDE) and methoxylated BDE (MeO-PBDE) metabolites of PBDEs. The sample eluents were sequentially analyzed for PBDEs and MeO-BDEs on online gel permeation chromatography/gas chromatography-electron capture-negative ionization mass spectrometry (online GPC GC-ECNI-MS) and for TBBPA, HBCD, and OH-BDEs on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Method recoveries were 67-134% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 20%. Method detection limits (MDLs) were 0.30-4.20pg/mL fresh weight (f.w.) for all analytes, except for BDE-209 of 16pg/mL f.w. The methodology was also applied in a pilot study, which analyzed ten real samples from healthy donors in China, and the majority of target analytes were detected with a detection rate of more than 80%. To our knowledge, it is the first time for us in effectively determining BFRs of most types in one aliquot of human serum samples. This new analytical method is more specific, sensitive, accurate, and time saving for routine biomonitoring of these BFRs and for integrated assessment of health risk of BFR exposure.

Simultaneous Determination of Donepezil and its Two Metabolites in Human Serum by Liquid Chromatography Coupled With Mass Spectrometry

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Its incidence increases with aging of population and currently ranks among the most frequent dementia. Donepezil is indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s type dementia and acts as a centrally acting reversible acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. It is metabolized by CYP 450 isoenzymes 2D6 and 3A4 in the liver. The main metabolite, 6-O-desmethyldonepezil, has been reported to inhibit AChE to the same extent as donepezil. AGNP-TDM Expert Group recommended their routine therapeutic monitoring. We developed a new chromatographic method coupled with mass spectrometric detection to determination of donepezil, 5-O-desmethyldonepezil and 6-O-desmethyldonepezil in the human serum. Analysis was performed on a Waters UPLC H-class system (Waters, Milford MA, USA) in combination with XEVO TQD triple quadrupole (Micromass, Manchester, UK). Separation was made on BEH C18 column, using a mobile phase gradient (water: acetonitrile: ammonium acetate), time of analysis 7 min. Precipitation of serum proteins was performed with a precipitation reagent. The method was validated by the FDA rules in terms of repeatability, intermediate precision accuracy, matrix effect and stability. The coefficients of variation were found in the range from 2.77% to 12.04%, a recovery between 93.98 - 107.90% and the bias in the range from -10% to -3%. The presented method is applicable to routine therapeutic monitoring of donepezil and its two metabolites in the serum with simple sample preparation.

High Throughput and Quantitative Measurement of Microbial Metabolome by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Using Automated Alkyl Chloroformate Derivatization.

The ability to identify and quantify small molecule metabolites derived from gut microbial-mammalian cometabolism is essential for the understanding of the distinct metabolic functions of the microbiome. To date, analytical protocols that quantitatively measure a complete panel of microbial metabolites in biological samples have not been established but are urgently needed by the microbiome research community. Here, we report an automated high-throughput quantitative method using a gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOFMS) platform to simultaneously measure over one hundred microbial metabolites in human serum, urine, feces, and Escherichia coli cell samples within 15 min per sample. A reference library was developed consisting of 145 methyl and ethyl chloroformate (MCF and ECF) derivatized compounds with their mass spectral and retention index information for metabolite identification. These compounds encompass different chemical classes including fatty acids, amino acids, carboxylic acids, hydroxylic acids, and phenolic acids as well as benzoyl and phenyl derivatives, indoles, etc., that are involved in a number of important metabolic pathways. Within an optimized range of concentrations and sample volumes, most derivatives of both reference standards and endogenous metabolites in biological samples exhibited satisfactory linearity (R2 > 0.99), good intrabatch reproducibility, and acceptable stability within 6 days (RSD < 20%). This method was further validated by examination of the analytical variability of 76 paired human serum, urine, and fecal samples as well as quality control samples. Our method involved using high-throughput sample preparation, measurement with automated derivatization, and rapid GC/TOFMS analysis. Both techniques are well suited for microbiome metabolomics studies.

Development of an Improved Standard Reference Material for Vitamin D Metabolites in Human Serum.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed Standard Reference Material (SRM) 972a Vitamin D Metabolites in Frozen Human Serum as a replacement for SRM 972, which is no longer available. SRM 972a was developed in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. In contrast to the previous reference material, three of the four levels of SRM 972a are composed of unmodified human serum. This SRM has certified and reference values for the following 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] species: 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3. The value assignment and certification process included three isotope-dilution mass spectrometry approaches, with measurements performed at NIST and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The value assignment methods employed have been modified from those utilized for the previous SRM, and all three approaches now incorporate chromatographic resolution of the stereoisomers, 25(OH)D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3.

Automated quantification of metabolites in blood-derived samples by NMR

NMR is widely applied in the field of metabolomics due to the quantitative nature of the technology and the reproducible data generated. However, because of severe spectral crowding, quantifying individual metabolites in body fluids such as serum and plasma remains a challenge. In this study, a method to automatically annotate and quantify a number of small metabolites in human serum and EDTA plasma is introduced. It combines the superior signal-to-noise ratio of the commonly applied CPMG and NOESY1D pulse sequences with the superior resolution of the 2D JRES experiment to construct a model that extracts the metabolite concentrations directly from the 1D spectra without tedious deconvolution. The performance of the method was assessed by comparing the calculated areas of the various glucose peaks with known clinical values, by comparing several peaks of the same metabolite (extracted versus non-extracted), and by comparing areas obtained from various NMR pulse sequences. Additionally, the models were tested on independent datasets. It was found that for many metabolites peaks could be assigned that show a consistent behavior, indicating a precise quantification. The same method should be applicable to other biofluids with a stable composition and pH, such as CSF fluid, cell extracts, and cell media.