On-line Radioactivity Detection Research Articles

Fate of Sulfonamides and Tetracyclines in Meat during Pan Cooking: Focus on the Thermodegradation of Sulfamethoxazole.

Although antimicrobials are generally found in trace amounts in meat, the human health risk they bear cannot be ignored. With the ultimate aim of making a better assessment of consumer exposure, this study explored the effects of pan cooking on sulfonamides and tetracyclines in meat. Screening of these antimicrobials in cooked meat was first performed by the European Union Reference Laboratory on the basis of HPLC-MS/MS analyses. A proof of concept approach using radiolabeling was then carried out on the most cooking-sensitive antimicrobial—sulfamethoxazole—to assess if a thermal degradation could explain the observed cooking losses. Degradation products were detected thanks to separation by HPLC and monitoring by online radioactivity detection. HPLC-Orbitrap HRMS analyses completed by 1D and 2D NMR experiments allowed the structural characterization of these degradation compounds. This study revealed that cooking could induce significant antimicrobial losses of up to 45% for sulfamethoxazole. Six potential degradation products of 14C-sulfamethoxazole were detected in cooked meat, and a thermal degradation pattern was proposed. This study highlights the importance of considering the cooking step in chemical risk assessment procedures and its impact on the level of chemical contaminants in meat and on the formation of potentially toxic breakdown compounds.

Metabolism and excretion of 1-hydroxymethylpyrene, the proximate metabolite of the carcinogen 1-methylpyrene, in rats.

1-Methylpyrene, an alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and environmental carcinogen, is activated by side-chain hydroxylation to 1-hydroxymethylpyrene (1-HMP) and subsequent sulfo conjugation to the DNA-reactive 1-sulfooxymethylpyrene. In addition to the bioactivation, processes of metabolic detoxification and transport greatly influence the genotoxicity of 1-methylpyrene. For a better understanding of 1-HMP detoxification in vivo we studied urinary and fecal metabolites in rats following intraperitoneal doses of 19.3mg 1-HMP/kg body weight (5 rats) or the same dose containing 200μCi [(14)C]1-HMP/kg body weight (2 rats). After 48h, 48.0% (rat 1) and 29.1% (rat 2) of the radioactivity was recovered as 1-HMP in the feces. Six major metabolites were observed by UV and on-line radioactivity detection in urine samples and feces after HPLC separation. The compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR and (1)H-(1)H COSY NMR spectroscopy, which allowed assigning tentative molecular structures. Two prominent metabolites, 1-pyrene carboxylic acid (M-6) and the acyl glucuronide of 1-pyrene carboxylic acid (M-5) accounted for 17.7% (rat 1) and 25.2% (rat 2) of the overall radioactive dose. Further, we detected the acyl glucuronide of 6-hydroxy-1-pyrene carboxylic acid (M-1) and 8-sulfooxy-1-pyrene carboxylic acid (M-3) together with two regioisomers of M-3 (M-2 and M-4) differing in position of the sulfate group at the pyrene ring. In urine samples, the radioactivity of 1-pyrene carboxylic acid and its five derivatives amounted to 32.4% (rat 1) or 45.5% (rat 2) of the total [(14)C]1-HMP dose.

Program Summary

Objectives: 6-[18F]Fluoro-L-DOPA (FDOPA) is used to study the presynaptic dopamine synthesis in vivo using PET [1]. Major indications for this tracer are determination of the disease stage in Parkinson as well as detection of various neuroendocrine tumors and their metastases. Prior to set up a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant production, the quality control of FDOPA needs to be validated. The radiopharmaceutical needs to meet the specification as described in the European Pharmacopoeia 7.0 Methods: An Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography UPLC® with an online radioactivity detector was used to measure the concentrations of FDOPA and impurities. For identification of the parent compound and its impurities an UPLC® coupled to a Xevo® G2 QTof mass spectrometer was used. The different components were separated on an Waters ACQUITY UPLC® HSS T3 1.8 μm, 3.0 x 50 mm analytical column. The eluent is 0.05 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer pH 2.5 with an isocratic flow of 0.8 ml/min. Total run time is 3 minutes. Several calibration samples of FDOPA were measured to determine linearity, reproducibility, stability, LOQ, LOD and the resolution. Furthermore the linearity of the Berthold flowstar LB 513 online radioactivity detector was measured. For identification of the parent compound and impurities, a sample was taken directly after the [18F]FDOPA synthesis. The measurements with the mass spectrometer were performed in negative resolution mode with an electrospray source in a range from 50 to 1200 Da. The masses of interest of FDOPA, DOPA, 6-hydroxy- DOPA and FDOPA-quinone (see fig. 1) are respectively 214.0516, 196.0610, 212.0559 and 212.0359 Da. (Figure presented) Results: The analyses using UPLC® in combination with online radioactivity detector were validated. FDOPA and side products DOPA and FDOPA-quinone were detected and identified in the production batches. The concentrations were 1040, 0.1 and 61.5 μg/mL (n = 19), respectively. The samples were measured over a period time of 9 weeks after production and showed a clear increase in the concentration of FDOPA- quinone over time. The DOPA concentration decreasing over this period. In all the samples the concentration of 6-hydroxy- DOPA was below the detection limit and therefore it was not possible to identify this side product with UPLC® -MS. The main impurity was FDOPA-quinone, which is not described in the European Pharmacopoeia 7.0. Conclusions: The quality control of FDOPA using UPLC® -RA was validated for GMP productions. The UPLC® method is reproducible and the retention times of the desired compounds are very short. This is of advantage for rapid releasing the production batch for human application.

Absorption, Disposition, Metabolism, and Excretion of [3-14C]Caffeic Acid in Rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats ingested 140 × 10(6) dpm of [3-(14)C]trans-caffeic acid, and over the ensuing 72 h period, body tissues, plasma, urine, and feces were collected and the overall levels of radioactivity determined. Where sufficient radioactivity had accumulated, samples were analyzed by HPLC with online radioactivity and tandem mass spectrometric detection. Nine labeled compounds were identified, the substrate and its cis isomer, 3'-O- and 4'-O-sulfates and glucuronides of caffeic acid, 4'-O-sulfates and glucuronides of ferulic acid, and isoferulic acid-4'-O-sulfate. Four unidentified metabolites were also detected. After passing down the gastrointestinal tract, the majority of the radiolabeled metabolites were excreted in urine with minimal accumulation in plasma. Only relatively small amounts of an unidentified (14)C-labeled metabolite were expelled in feces. There was little or no accumulation of radioactivity in body tissues, including the brain. The overall recovery of radioactivity 72 h after ingestion of [3-(14)C]caffeic acid was ∼80% of intake.

Rapid and sensitive measurement of PET radioligands in plasma by fast liquid chromatography/radiometric detection

A fast and sensitive liquid chromatographic (fast-LC) method with radiometric detection was developed and validated to analyze positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands in plasma during PET studies. The plasma samples were deproteinized with acetonitrile and the extracts were injected into the fast-LC system coupled to an on-line radioactivity detector. Under the optimum conditions, complete separation of target PET radioligands from their radioactive metabolites was achieved within the short run time of only 3.5-min. The limits of detection were 1.0–1.2Becquerel (Bq) for 11C and 18F-labeled compounds. This method can successfully be applied to study the metabolism of a wide variety of PET radioligands in human and monkey plasma with higher numbers of samples to be analyzed compared to the traditional LC method.

Characterisation of B(a)P metabolites formed in an ex vivo pig skin model using three complementary analytical methods

An original method was developed to separate, identify and quantify the different benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) metabolites formed through oxidative and conjugative pathways. All B(a)P metabolites were separated by an improved high-performance liquid chromatography method, then detected and quantified relatively by online radioactivity detection. At the same time, metabolite structures were characterised by tandem mass spectrometry using two complementary ionisation modes: electrospray ionisation in the negative mode and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation in the positive mode. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of B(a)P metabolites, produced by incubation of B(a)P with the ex vivo pig ear skin model. These include glucuronic acid and sulphate conjugates of B(a)P-OHs and B(a)P-diols, as well as direct phase I metabolites: B(a)P-tetrol, B(a)P-diones, B(a)P-catechols, B(a)P-diols and B(a)P-OHs.

Bioavailability of [2-14C]Quercetin-4′-glucoside in Rats

[2-(14)C]quercetin-4'-glucoside (4 mg/kg body weight) was fed by gavage to rats housed in metabolic cages, and over an ensuing 72 h period, radiolabeled products in body tissues, plasma, feces, and urine were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography with online radioactivity and MS2 detection. One and 6 h after ingestion, while in the small intestine, the flavonol glucoside was converted to glucuronide and methylated and sulfated derivatives of quercetin, but only trace amounts of these metabolites were excreted in urine. On entering the cecum and the colon, the flavonol metabolites declined as they were converted to phenolic acids, principally 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, by the colonic microflora. Feces contained mainly 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. Urine collected 0-12 and 0-24 h after ingestion contained radiolabeled hippuric acid and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. 14C-Hippuric acid declined markedly in the 24-48 and 48-72 h urine samples, and there was a concomitant increase in labeled benzoic acid. There was minimal accumulation of radioactivity in plasma, despite a 69% recovery of label in urine over the 72 h period, and likewise, very little radioactivity was detected in body tissues out with the gastrointestinal tract. This is reflected in the fact that 72 h after ingestion 96% of the ingested radioactivity was recovered in feces, urine, and the cage washes, which comprise a mixture of urine and feces. The study reveals that as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, almost all of the of [2-(14)C]quercetin-4'-glucoside is converted to phenolic acids, compounds not monitored in previous flavonol bioavailability studies with model animal systems, some of which have used exceedingly high doses of the aglycone quercetin (500 mg/kg body weight), which is not a normal dietary component.

Accelerated 32P-HPLC for bulky DNA adducts

Many compounds can react with DNA forming covalent modifications, so-called DNA adducts, which can influence crucial biological processes. DNA adducts from various DNA-damaging agents can act both as biomarkers and as a measurement of the actual damage of the genome. Therefore, they are of value in determining exposed or sensitive individuals or populations and in identifying agents that can induce DNA damage. A common method to measure DNA adducts is through DNA hydrolysis, adduct enrichment, (32)P-post-labelling and chromatographic separation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with online radioactivity detection, the (32)P-HPLC (direct injection of the (32)P-labelled mixture into the HPLC with online (32)P-detection) method, gives both high sensitivity and good resolution of complex mixtures of DNA adducts. One limitation with this method is the capacity when dealing with large numbers of samples. The aim of this study was therefore to increase the analytical capacity by reducing analysis time of the (32)P-HPLC method. A change of HPLC columns to low backpressure columns and adaptation of elution conditions enabled a reduction in time per analysis from 100 to 20 min. This did not affect sensitivity but lowered chromatographic resolution, although bulky DNA adducts were still well resolved from other DNA components. This is useful when the total amount of DNA adducts is the primary interest. When high resolution is required, this can be achieved by gradient modifications, which increase the time required per analysis to 30 min. The accelerated (32)P-HPLC increases the capacity in number of samples 3- to 5-fold, depending on resolution requirements, without any negative effect on sensitivity in both in vitro and in vivo samples.

Improved liquid chromatography—Online radioactivity detection for metabolite profiling

If very-high-pressure liquid chromatography (VHPLC) is to replace conventional HPLC as the ultimate separation tool for metabolism studies in development, coupling it efficiently with online radioactivity detection (RAD) is needed. We describe the successful combination of VHPLC/RAD, facilitated by improvements in online radioactivity detection, as well as in column loading and peak capacity. The sensitivity of 14C detection was improved by the use of a variable scintillation flow achieved via a simple modification to the classical online radiochemical detection set-up. A modification of the flow-through cell design in which internal diameter of the tubing was reduced further increased the sensitivity and resolution by decreasing peak tailing. The injection of relatively large injection volumes was made possible by the use of columns packed at ultra-high pressure with 2.2μm particles. Because of the reduced back pressure generated using these larger particle sizes, two 150mm×3mm columns could be coupled, allowing 4-fold larger injection volumes and a 50% increase in theoretical plate number at a similar back pressure compared to a standard 150mm×2.1mm Waters UPLC column. The value of the methodology described was demonstrated by the analysis of in vitro and in vivo metabolism samples of 3H- and 14C-labeled compounds and compared with conventional radio-HPLC. We have shown that metabolite separation can be achieved with increased efficiency while maintaining a sensitivity comparable to that of conventional HPLC/RAD.

The Metabolism and Disposition of the Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor, Dabigatran, in Humans

The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran (BIBR 953 ZW, beta-alanine, N-[[2-[[[4-(aminoiminomethyl)phenyl]amino]methyl]-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl]-N-2-pyridinyl) were studied in 10 healthy males, who received 200 mg of [(14)C]dabigatran etexilate (BIBR 1048 MS, the oral prodrug of dabigatran) or an i.v. infusion of 5 mg of [(14)C]dabigatran. Radioactivity was measured in plasma, urine, and feces over 1 week. The metabolite pattern was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line radioactivity detection, and metabolite structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry. Dabigatran etexilate was rapidly converted to dabigatran, with peak plasma dabigatran concentrations being attained after approximately 1.5 h; the bioavailability of dabigatran after p.o. administration of dabigatran etexilate was 7.2%. Dabigatran was predominantly excreted in the feces after p.o. treatment and in the urine after i.v. treatment. The mean terminal half-life of dabigatran was approximately 8 h. The predominant metabolic reaction was esterase-mediated hydrolysis of dabigatran etexilate to dabigatran. Phase I metabolites accounted for <or=0.6% of the dose in urine and 5.8% of the dose in feces following p.o. administration and <or=1.5 and 0.2%, respectively, following i.v. administration. Dabigatran acylglucuronides accounted for 0.4 and 4% of the dose in urine after p.o. and i.v. dosing, respectively. In vitro experiments confirmed that dabigatran etexilate is metabolized primarily by esterases and that cytochrome P450 plays no relevant role. These findings suggest that pharmacologically active concentrations of dabigatran are readily achieved after p.o. administration of dabigatran etexilate and that the potential for clinically relevant interactions between dabigatran and drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 is low.

The effect of esterases on 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate

The aim of this investigation is to determine whether 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate is hydrolyzed, in vitro, to 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and caproate. The in vitro hydrolysis of dual radioactively labeled 17alpha-hydroxy-[3H] progesterone [14C] caproate by human plasma, hepatic and placental S9 fractions as well as recombinant esterases was investigated. The formation of [3H]-17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and [14C]-caproate were determined with the use of high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with an online radioactivity detector. The presence and activity of carboxylesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in the human-derived preparations was confirmed by the hydrolysis of their prototypic substrates p-nitrophenyl acetate, p-nitrophenyl butyrate, and butyrylthiocholine, respectively. The aforementioned human-derived preparations hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl acetate, p-nitrophenyl butyrate, and butyrylthiocholine. However, when 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate was incubated with the human-derived preparations under identical experimental conditions neither [3H]-17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone nor [14C]-caproate was detected. 17Alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate is not hydrolyzed in vitro by the esterase enzymes present in human plasma, liver, preterm, or term placenta.

Metabolic Profile of [14C]Bendamustine in Rat Urine and Bile: Preliminary Structural Identification of Metabolites

Bendamustine, a bifunctional alkylating agent, is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of hematological and other malignancies. Although it has been used in the former East Germany for more than 30 years, very limited information is available on its biotransformation. The objective of this investigation was to obtain information on the structures of metabolites excreted into rat urine and bile to understand the metabolic fate of bendamustine in vivo. Metabolites of [(14)C]bendamustine hydrochloride in rat urine and bile were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) in parallel with on-line radioactivity detection in samples obtained after i.v. dosing of 3 mg/kg. A total of 17 radioactive peaks were identified in rat urine and 10 in rat bile (2 were unique to bile). Four of these metabolites had been previously reported, whereas 15 are novel. Proposed structures of all metabolites detected are based on MS(n) spectra generated from a linear ion trap mass spectrometer. These results suggest that the major metabolic pathways in rat are oxidative and/or hydrolytic dehalogenation, oxidation, carboxylic acid formation, N-dealkylation, sulfation, and glutathione and cysteine (probably via glutathione) conjugation. The cysteine-conjugated compounds are observed in their N-acetylated cysteine (mercapturic acid) forms.

Quantitative determination of zebularine (NSC 309132), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, and three metabolites in murine plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with on-line radioactivity detection

The metabolism of zebularine (NSC 309132), a novel agent that inhibits DNA methyltransferases, is still uncharacterized. To examine the in vivo metabolism of zebularine, an analytical method was developed and validated (based on FDA guidelines) to quantitate 2-[(14)C]-zebularine and its major metabolites in murine plasma. Zebularine and its metabolites uridine, uracil and dihydrouracil were baseline-separated based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography by using an amino column. The assay was accurate and precise in the concentration ranges of 5.0-100 microg/mL for zebularine, 2.5-50 microg/mL for uridine, 1.0-10 microg/mL for uracil and 0.5-5.0 microg/mL for dihydrouracil. This assay is being used to quantitate zebularine and its metabolites in ongoing pharmacokinetic studies of zebularine.

DISPOSITION AND METABOLISM OF [2-14C]QUERCETIN-4′-GLUCOSIDE IN RATS

Quercetin-4'-glucoside is a major flavonol in onions, and this study investigated the absorption and fate of radiolabeled quercetin-4'-glucoside in rats. Rats ingested [2-(14)C]quercetin-4'-glucoside and the distribution of radioactivity throughout the body was determined after 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 h. The gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, and plasma were extracted, and radiolabeled components were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line radioactivity detection and tandem mass spectrometry. Two hours after dosing, all the [2-(14)C]quercetin-4'-glucoside had been metabolized. More than 85% of the ingested radioactivity was present in the gastrointestinal tract at all time points with approximately 6% being absorbed and present in blood and internal organs, primarily the liver and kidneys. More than 95% of the absorbed radioactivity was in the form of >20 different methylated glucuronated and/or sulfated quercetin conjugates. Five hours after ingestion, the main radiolabeled metabolites were quercetin diglucuronides in the gut, liver, and kidneys and glucuronyl sulfates of methylated quercetin in plasma. The main site of quercetin metabolism seemed to be the gastrointestinal tract. Quercetin metabolites may have a major influence on the gut mucosal epithelium and on colonic disease.

Detection and identification of 14C-labelled flavonol metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography–radiocounting and tandem mass spectrometry

One hour after the ingestion of feed containing [2- 14C]quercetin-4′- O-β- d-glucoside, an extract from the gastrointestinal tracts of three rats was purified by partitioning and solid-phase extraction techniques. The resultant ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were then analysed by reversed-phase HPLC with on-line radioactivity detection and ion trap mass spectrometry capable of performing data dependent MS–MS analysis. The presence of the 14C-labelled metabolites was determined with the radioactivity monitor and the mass spectra produced were used to identify 16 of the 17 metabolites detected. These included methylation of the aglycone and the formation of mono and diglucuronides and sulfate conjugates. In the light of these findings, the use of mass spectrometry, operating in various modes, to identify flavonols and their metabolites in body tissues and fluids is discussed.

Combination of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Microplate Scintillation Counting for Crop and Animal Metabolism Studies: A Comparison with Classical On-Line and Thin-Layer Chromatography Radioactivity Detection

Samples from crop or animal metabolism studies of pesticides were used to evaluate the performance of the combination of analytical or narrow-bore HPLC and microplate scintillation counting (TopCount). Samples with extreme matrix content such as grain and tomato extracts from crop metabolism studies as well as extracts from hen excreta or goat urine from farm animal metabolism studies could be injected, analyzed, and quantified directly without any sample pretreatment. The minimum amount of radioactivity injected was approximately 1 Bq (60 dpm). Counting times from 5 to 60 min were used for detection and quantification. These results were compared with those from classical on-line radioactivity detection and with radioactivity detection on thin-layer chromatography plates.The combination of analytical or narrow-bore HPLC and microplate scintillation counting (TopCount) offers high sensitivity and high resolution power at the same time. It could be clearly demonstrated that the combination of HPLC with microplate scintillation counting is superior to the classical on-line radioactivity detection and at least equivalent to the classical thin-layer radiochromatography regarding performance and sensitivity.

A MurG assay which utilises a synthetic analogue of lipid I

A standard assay for the MurG enzyme using a lipid I analogue [MurNAc(Nϵ-dansylpentapeptide)-pyrophosphoryl (R,S)-α-dihydroheptaprenol] and radioactive UDP-N-acetylglucosamine was set up. A high concentration (35%) of dimethylsulfoxide was necessary for maximal activity. Separation and quantitation were accomplished by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in isocratic conditions and on-line radioactivity detection, thereby providing a rapid and accurate assay. The kinetic parameters of the MurG reaction were determined; the reaction was shown to also catalyse the reverse reaction at a measurable rate. A lipid I analogue containing dihydroundecaprenol as the prenyl chain turned out to be a poor MurG substrate, presumably owing to aggregation.

Differential regulation of RNA levels of gibberellin dioxygenases by photoperiod in spinach.

Previous work with spinach (Spinacia oleracea) has shown that the level of gibberellin (GA) 20-oxidase is strongly up-regulated by long days (LD). In the present work, the effect of photoperiod on expression of other GA dioxygenases was investigated and compared with that of GA 20-oxidase. Two GA 2-oxidases and one GA 3-oxidase were isolated from spinach by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with degenerate primers and by 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. As determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line radioactivity detection, the SoGA3ox1 gene product catalyzed 3beta-hydroxylation of GA(9) to GA(4) and GA(20) to GA(1). The SoGA2ox1 and the SoGA2ox2 gene products catalyzed 2beta-hydroxylation of GA(9) to GA(51) and GA(20) to GA(29). The product of GA(20) metabolism by SoGA3ox1 was identified as GA(1) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, whereas the products of GA(1) and GA(20) metabolism by SoGA2ox1 and SoGA2ox2 were identified as GA(8) and GA(29), respectively. SoGA2ox1 also metabolized GA(53) to GA(97). The levels of SoGA20ox1 transcripts were greatly increased in all organs tested in LD conditions, but the levels of SoGA3ox1 transcripts were only slightly increased in blades and petioles. A decrease in the levels of the SoGA2ox1 transcripts in young leaves and tips in LD conditions is opposite to the expression pattern of the SoGA20ox1. Expression of SoGA20ox1 in petioles and young leaves was strongly up-regulated by a supplementary 16 h of light, but the levels of SoGA3ox1 and SoGA2ox1 transcripts did not change. It is concluded that regulation and maintenance of GA(1) concentration in spinach are primarily attributable to changes in expression of SoGA20ox1.

Modified immunoenriched (32)P-HPLC assay for the detection of O(4)-ethylthymidine in human biomonitoring studies.

Increased excretion of ethylated DNA bases has been reported in the urine of cigarette smokers. To study DNA ethylation in the target organs of smokers, an immunoenriched (32)P-postlabeling assay for O(4)-ethylthymidine (O(4)-etT) was developed. O(4)-etT-3'-monophosphate (O(4)-etT-3'P) was synthesized, purified, and characterized by LC-MS, ESI-MS, and NMR. DNA was enzymatically digested to 2'-deoxynucleoside-3'-monophosphate followed by immunoprecipitation of O(4)-etT-3'P using specific monoclonal antibodies. The immunoconjugate was washed by filtration, and O(4)-etT-3'P was recovered by ethanol treatment. The enriched O(4)-etT-3'P was labeled with [gamma-(32)P]ATP in the presence of T4-polynucleotide kinase at pH 6.8 to yield its 5'-labeled monophosphate and was subsequently resolved on RP-HPLC and detected with online detection of radioactivity. Adduct recovery was >80%, and the detection limit was approximately 500 amol. To further validate the method, O(4)-etT levels were determined in calf thymus DNA treated with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, and a dose-dependent formation of O(4)-etT was observed. Furthermore, O(4)-etT was found to be present in the cells obtained from the lower respiratory tract by sputum induction of two out of four smokers but not in three nonsmokers. O(4)-etT is a poorly repaired promutagenic DNA lesion; thus, it could be of potential use for biomonitoring smoking-related DNA damage. Our improved assay was found to be sufficiently sensitive and specific to detect O(4)-etT in surrogate cells from cigarette smoke exposed humans.

Use of a microplate scintillation counter as a radioactivity detector for miniaturized separation techniques in drug metabolism.

In miniaturized separation techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis (CE) or capillary liquid chromatography (LC), conventional on-line radioactivity detection of labeled compounds is restricted, because of insufficient sensitivity. It will be shown that a microplate scintillation counter for 96-well plates (TopCount) can be used as a sensitive and easy-to-handle radioactivity detector for capillary LC and CE. The attractive combination of capillary LC, eluent fractionation, and subsequent off-line counting is described. The new method is applied for rapid and sensitive separation and detection of 3H-labeled parent drug and its metabolites at levels between 25 and 700 cpm in rat urine. The advantages of capillary LC coupled to the TopCount, and combined with LC-MS data, can be of benefit in many analytical areas, including the characterization of metabolites at low concentration within complex biological fluids. With the same setup, the fractionation with subsequent off-line counting is equally applicable to CE. This is demonstrated with electrophoretically separated 14C-labeled impurities, nicely resolved from a negatively charged main compound, at low levels.