Liquid chromatographic determination of the glutathione conjugate and ring-opened metabolites formed from coumarin epoxidation

Species differences in the biotransformation of coumarin are thought to play an important role in its toxicity. Since the putative toxic metabolite is coumarin 3,4-epoxide (CE), methods to measure the metabolites of CE were developed. The glutathione (GSH) conjugate of CE (CE-SG) at the 3-position was purified by reversed-phase (RP)-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and characterized by mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). An RP-HPLC method was developed to quantify CE-SG in hepatic microsomal mixtures and a separate RP-HPLC method was also developed to quantify the three ring-opened coumarin metabolites; o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (o-HPAA), o-hydroxyphenylethanol (o-HPE) and o-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (o-HPA) in hepatic microsomal mixtures. Detection limits for all four products of coumarin epoxidation exceeded 3.5 ng/ml and recovery from hepatic microsomal mixtures was essentially quantitative with RSD values less than 8%. Species differences in o-HPA detoxification were consistent with sensitivity to coumarin, thereby demonstrating that these methods have utility in addressing the fate of CE and its contribution to toxicity.     

Separation of 2-aminobenzamide labeled glycans using hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns packed with 1.7 μm sorbent

Separation by hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) with fluorescence detection utilizing a sub-2 μm glycan column for the separation of 2-aminobenzamide (2-AB) labeled N-linked glycans is described. The HILIC column packed with a 1.7 μm amide sorbent improves the peak capacity compared to a 3.0 μm HILIC column by a similar degree as observed in reversed-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography (RP-UPLC). The results indicated that the optimal peak capacity was achieved at flow rate 0.2–0.5 mL/min. HILIC method transfer guidelines were shown to further enhance the resolution of glycans by changing initial gradient conditions, flow rate, column temperature, and different column lengths. Additionally, excellent resolution can be achieved in the separation of 2-AB labeled glycans released from fetuin, RNase B, and human IgG with a rapid analysis time.     

Effect of mobile phase additives on resolution of some nucleic compounds in high performance liquid chromatography

Here we investigate the chromatographic behavior, with reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) of nucleic compounds (nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides) on a C₁₈ column in several different mobile phase additives, including1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafuloroborate ([BMIm][BF₄]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate ([EMIm][MS]) ionic liquids, ammonium formate, and potassium phosphate. The effect of the alkyl group length, the imidazolium ring, and the ionic liquid's counterions on retention and resolution of the samples were tested. The results show the potential application of a used buffer system, ion pairing system, and ionic liquid as mobile phase additives in liquid chromatography resolution of nucleic compounds.     

Quantification of penicillin G during labor and delivery by capillary electrophoresis

In this study, a capillary electrophoresis (CE) method was developed as a means to measure levels of penicillin G (PCN G) in Group B Streptococcus (GBS) positive pregnant women during labor and delivery. Volunteers for this developmental study were administered five million units of PCN G at the onset of labor. Urine, blood, and amniotic fluid samples were collected during labor and post delivery. Samples were semi-purified by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Waters tC18 SepPak 3 cc cartridges with a sodium phosphate/methanol step gradient for elution. Capillary electrophoresis or reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with diode-array absorbance detection were used to separate the samples in less than 30 min. Quantification was accomplished by establishing a calibration curve with a linear dynamic range. The tC18 SPE methodology provided substantial sample clean-up with high recovery yields of PCN G ( 90%). It was found that SPE was critical for maintaining the integrity of the separation column when using RP-HPLC, but was not necessary for sample analysis by CE where no stationary phase is present. Quantification results ranged from millimolar concentrations of PCN G in maternal urine to micromolar concentrations in amniotic fluid. Serum and cord blood levels of PCN G were below quantification limits, which is likely due to the prolonged delay in sample collection after antibiotic administration. These results show that CE can serve as a simple and effective means to characterize the pharmacokinetic distribution of PCN G from mother to unborn fetus during labor and delivery. It is anticipated that similar methodologies have the potential to provide a quick, simple, and cost-effective means of monitoring the clinical efficacy of PCN G and other drugs during pregnancy.     

Mutation of Arg55/56 to Leu55/Ala56 in insulin-like growth factor-I results in two forms different in disulfide structure and native conformation but similar under reverse-phase conditions

Folding of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) results in two distinct species as resolved by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The earlier eluting peak (PI) has a nonnative disulfide structure, while the later eluting peak (PII) assumes the native disulfide structure. This folding problem causes a lower yield and requires expensive RP-HPLC separation. In contrast, IGF-II folds mainly into a single form with all three disulfide bonds correctly formed. Sequence comparison of the two molecules revealed that IGF-I has arginine at residues 55 and 56, while IGF-II has alanine and leucine, respectively, at these positions. Two analogs of IGF-I, IGF-I (Ala55/Leu56) and IGF-I (Leu56), behave similarly to IGF-II upon refolding and RP-HPLC; that is, a single peak eluted from the RP-HPLC column. However, when the peaks isolated by RP-HPLC were subjected to hydrophobic interaction chromatography, circular dichroism, and peptide mapping, they were found to be a mixture of PI and PII. It was then concluded that factors other than just these two residues contribute to correct folding of IGF-II and that the PI and PII of the above two IGF-I mutants assume different conformation at neutralpH but similar conformation under the RP-HPLC condition.     

Chiral derivatization for separation of racemic amino and thiol drugs by liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis

Separation of racemic amino drugs (α-methylbenzeneethanamine, 6-amino-2-methyl-2-heptanol and 1-aminoethyl-benzenemethanol) and thiol drugs [N-(2-mercapto-1-oxopropyl) glycine, 2-mercaptopropanoic acid, and N-acetyl-3-mercaptovaline] has been evaluated after derivatization. ortho-Phthalaldehyde (OPA) and naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) were used with either homochiral thiols (N-acetyl-L-cysteine and N-acetyl-D-penicillamine) or amines [(-)-(1R,2S)-norephedrine, L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, and 3-hydroxy-L-tyrosine] as chiral selectors according to the analyte reactive group. The resulting 36 diastereoisomeric derivatives were studied using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Of the CE modes, micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as surfactant, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-modified capillary zone electrophoresis (β-CD-CZE), and β-CD-MEKC were applied. Results highlight respective performance of the reagents and separative techniques. All OPA derivatives of racemic amino drugs were resolved either by MEKC or β-CD-MEKC. In the case of racemic thiol drugs, 10 of the 12 OPA derivatives were resolved in β-CD-CZE. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Determination of rat liver triglycerides by gas–liquid chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Rats fed with a fat-free or an olive oil-rich diet were employed to compare the response of two chromatographic techniques in the determination of rat liver triglyceride (TG) molecular species composition. Gas–liquid chromatography (GLC) on polarizable liquid phase and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) have been commonly employed for TG analysis, obtaining a similar number of chromatographic peaks when used for animal tissue TG determination. In the present study similar results were achieved with regard to most relevant chromatographic peaks, however, important differences were found in the content of minor TGs. Indeed, RP-HPLC permitted separation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which were not detected by GLC, while the latter technique reported a higher number of myristoyl-containing TG species. RP-HPLC analysis reported a greater number of TGs, with more similarity to a random composition, made up from the liver fatty acid composition. Therefore, it was concluded that utilization of both techniques would be helpful for liver TG analysis as the use of only one of them does not provide a complete profile of liver TGs. Nevertheless RP-HPLC seems to be more useful for this purpose since revealed a more extensive profile.     

Identification of Intact High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunits from the Wheat Proteome Using Combined Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The present paper describes a method for the identification of intact high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), the quality determining proteins from the wheat storage proteome. The method includes isolation of HMW-GS from wheat flour, further separation of HMW-GS by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and their subsequent molecular identification with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass analyzer. For HMW-GS isolation, wheat proteins were reduced and extracted from flour with 50% 1-propanol containing 1% dithiothreitol. HMW-GS were then selectively precipitated from the protein mixture by adjusting the 1-propanol concentration to 60%. The composition of the precipitated proteins was first evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with Coomassie staining and RP-HPLC with ultraviolet detection. Besides HMW-GS (≥65%), the isolated proteins mainly contained ω5-gliadins. Secondly, the isolated protein fraction was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Optimal chromatographic separation of HMW-GS from the other proteins in the isolated fraction was obtained when the mobile phase contained 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid as ion-pairing agent. Individual HMW-GS were then identified by determining their molecular masses from the high-resolution mass spectra and comparing these with theoretical masses calculated from amino acid sequences. Using formic acid instead of trifluoroacetic acid in the mobile phase increased protein peak intensities in the base peak mass chromatogram. This allowed the detection of even traces of other wheat proteins than HMW-GS in the isolated fraction, but the chromatographic separation was inferior with a major overlap between the elution ranges of HMW-GS and ω-gliadins. Overall, the described method allows a rapid assessment of wheat quality through the direct determination of the HMW-GS composition and offers a basis for further top-down proteomics of individual HMW-GS and the entire wheat glutenin fraction.     

Variation in kafirin and alcohol-soluble glutelin chromatograms of sorghum inbred lines revealed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary Separations of kafirin and alcohol soluble glutelin proteins by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) from 7 inbreds and one hybrid of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and one source of Johnsongrass [Sorghum halapense (L.) Pers.] were compared. Objectives were to assess the stability of protein profiles for seed sources produced at different locations and in different environments to examine the potential of RP-HPLC to provide genotypic profiles for sorghum. Analyses of variance data showed that levels of variation due to environments and locations were small; the majority of variation (93%) was among genotypes. Associations among inbreds revealed by multivariate and cluster analysis showed similarity with those that would be expected on the basis of pedigree. A chi-square analysis showed no deviation in the hybrid profile from the expected 21 ratio of peaks from the female and male inbred parents, respectively. Improvements in the ability to correctly assign common peaks are necessary before associations among numerous sorghum genotypes can be reliably demonstrated by analysis of data from reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).     

Isolation by high-performance liquid chromatography and partial characterization of a 57,000-dalton herpes simplex virus type 1 polypeptide.

A Nonidet P-40 extract of HSV-1-purified virions was fractionated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The first peak fraction eluted at 25% organic solvent. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that it contained a 57,000-dalton polypeptide. The polypeptide was characterized by determination of the amino acid composition and the N-terminal amino acid sequence. Adsorption of the detergent extract before RP-HPLC showed that the polypeptide reacted with monoclonal antibodies LP1 directed against herpes simplex virus polypeptide VP-16.     

Analysis of phenolic acids in honeys of different floral origin by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography

The determination of 18 aromatic and arylaliphatic carboxylic acids in honey from different floral origin using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) is reported. The behaviour of the solutes on SPE cartridges was predicted from preliminary calculations involving the pK(a) constants of the carboxylic groups, the n-octanol:water partition coefficients and the distribution coefficients at different pH values of the conditioning and washing solvents. The proposed SPE isolation and pre-concentration of the acids was achieved on reversed-phase Bond Elut C18 cartridges using an acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran (1:1, v/v) elution system. RP-HPLC separations were performed on a Spherisorb ODS-2 column using linear gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of 20 mm phosphate buffer (pH 2.92) and methanol, and with UV detection. The reported SPE and RP-HPLC methods were applied to the analysis of 49 authentic honey samples from various floral sources and the results indicate that they may serve with respect to the quantitative control of a number of phenolic acids in plant-derived foods and medicinal plants.     

HPLC and tandem detection to monitor conformational properties of biopharmaceuticals

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV, circular dichroism (CD) and intrinsic fluorescence detection was applied to monitor conformational properties of recombinant human interferon alpha2b when performing size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC). In this way native conditions during SEC and structural changes of the protein during RP-HPLC were demonstrated. These results were confirmed by stand-alone fluorescence and CD measurements. With respect to HPLC tandem detection, the fluorescence detector compared favourably to the UV and CD detector regarding linearity, sensitivity and selectivity. SEC combined with intrinsic fluorescence scanning detection permits conformational analysis of small amounts of aggregates in the presence of excess native monomeric protein. In conclusion, HPLC with on-line UV and intrinsic fluorescence detection provides a promising concept for analysing the amount and conformational properties of a biopharmaceutical and its impurities.     

Isolation and characterization of chloroplast Photosystem II antenna of spinach by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The protein components of the Photosystem II antenna system, isolated from spinach thylakoids, have been resolved by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using a butyl-silica stationary phase packed either into analytical or semi-preparative columns. Peak identification has been accomplished by a combination of various SDS–PAGE systems employing either Comassie (or silver) staining or immunological detection using polyclonal antibodies raised against LHC II and against CP29, CP26 and CP24 proteins and by aminoacid microsequence. Moreover, peak identification is consistent with the molecular masses determined by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). The developed RP-HPLC method allows the resolution of all the protein components of the Photosystem II major Light Harvesting Complex (LHC II) and minor PS II antenna complex (CP24, CP26 and CP29) from grana membranes (BBY) and estimation of their relative stoichiometry in natural and stressed conditions, avoiding the expensive and time consuming separation procedure by sucrose-gradient ultracentrifugation and isoelectrofocusing.     

Pineal and plasma melatonin as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

A rapid and sensitive method for the routine quantitative determination of melatonin in pineal and plasma is described. The assay used reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) separation combined with either amperometric (system A) or coulometric (system B) detection. The method gave satisfactory reproducibility and accuracy, and detection limits for melatonin were as low as 8.5 pg (system A) and 1 pg (system B). This high sensitivity, together with the short analysis time (less than 10 min), and the simplicity of sample procedure make the present RP-HPLC method suitable for a wide range of studies concerning melatonin measurements. Melatonin values obtained in this study from both rat pineal and human plasma agree with those reported previously, and clearly determined a circadian pattern.     

Multiple prolactin-releasing activity in the bovine hypothalamic extract.

The prolactin (PRL)-releasing activity (PRA) in the bovine hypothalamic extract (BHE) was compared to that of known substances with PRA and further characterized by gel filtration and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Crude BHE produced marked dose-dependent stimulation of PRL secretion from the cultured rat adenohypophysial cells. Among the synthetic substances examined, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and beta-endorphin (END) showed significant PRA. However, the flatter dose-response slope for TRH compared with BHE or the small amounts of VIP and END in BHE suggested that these peptides could not account for the major active elements of BHE. Oxytocin and interleukin-1beta were also tested, but they exhibited no PRA in our assay system. Gel filtration of BHE on the Sephadex G-100 column yielded two peaks of PRA distinct from TRH, VIP and END. One eluted in the void and the other in more retarded fractions. The latter fractions were pooled and subjected to the two-step RP-HPLC. The PRA was separated into three peaks designated peaks I, II and III in the first RP-HPLC experiment. Furthermore, the second RP-HPLCs with finer resolution revealed that peak II as well as peak III consisted of three peaks, while peak I eluted as a single peak. Most of these seven PRA peaks exhibited different RP-HPLC profiles from those of the newly characterized PRL-releasing peptides. These findings again provide confirmatory evidence that BHE contained unique factors different from the above known substances.     

Isolation and sequencing of two FMRFamide-related peptides from the gut of Locusta migratoria L

Two FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) have been isolated and sequenced from the whole gut of Locusta migratoria L. Peptides were extracted from 500 locust whole guts and separated using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Fractions containing FMRFamide-like immunoreactive (FLI) material were identified using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Sequencing of fractions, using tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS/MS), revealed the myosuppressin previously isolated from the locust CNS, SchistoFLRFamide (PDVDHVFLRFamide), and a novel extended RFamide (LWENLRFamide). The isolation of SchistoFLRFamide from midgut tissue supports the hypothesis that this myosuppressin is released locally from FLI processes over the gut and/or from endocrine-like midgut cells to play a role in the regulation of digestion.     

Selective determination of phosphopeptide β-CN(1–25) in a β-casein digest by adding iron: characterization by liquid chromatography with on-line electrospray-ionization mass spectrometric detection

A β-casein tryptic digest has been analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with on-line electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Analyses of peptides were carried out before and after addition of iron(II) to the peptides in solution. In both cases, the majority of peptides were identified by the determination of molecular masses by ESI-MS and by prior knowledge of the amino acid sequence of β-casein, and thus of its corresponding tryptic peptides. In the presence of iron(II), only phosphopeptide β-CN(1–25) was able to bind iron to form different complexes that have increased retention times on the RP-HPLC column and that also absorbed at 280 nm. The method presented here appears to be selective for peptides containing phosphoseryl cluster(s).     

Application of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary zone electrophoresis to the peptide mapping of pepsin isoenzymes

A combination of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was used for the characterization of peptide maps of swine pepsin after its digestion with α-chymotrypsin. Peptide maps obtained by both methods were compared and five selected chromatographic peaks were identified on an electrophoreogram. The different order of peaks found in RP-HPLC compared to CZE confirmed the complementarity of these two methods. More peptide fragments were resolved by RP-HPLC, which was also found to be less sensitive to salt content in peptide mixtures, than by CZE, but only CZE was able to separate and identify phosphorylated and dephosphorylated peptide fragments of swine pepsin digest. CZE peptides faster separation than RP-HPLC, however, the salts have to be removed by ultrafiltration or by RP-HPLC pre-separation prior to CZE analysis. Combined use of RP-HPLC and CZE for peptide mapping makes it possible to distinguish between the phosphorylated and dephosphorylated forms of swine pepsin. This is important from a diagnostic point of view, because pepsin phosphorylation may be associated with gastric cancer.     

Separation of tryptic phosphopeptides of ribosomal origin by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Phosphorylation sites for cyclic AMP-dependent kinase in ribosomal proteins and their synthetic analogues were converted to tryptic phosphopeptides and analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using gradients of acetonitrile in water and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Tryptic variants differing by only NH₂-terminal basic amino acid redidues or phosphoryl groups were not always well resolved under these conditions. The different phospho forms could be resolved by RP-HPLC and thin-layer cellulose mapping was found to be the most effective strategy for the absolute purification of trytic phosphopeptides from crude tryptic digests.     

Chromosomal control of glutenin subunits in aneuploid lines of wheat: analysis by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary Glutenin subunits from nullisomic-tetrasomic and ditelocentric lines of the hexaploid wheat variety ‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) and from substitution lines of the durum wheat variety ‘Langdon’ were fractionated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) at 70 °C using a gradient of acetonitrile in the presence of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Nineteen subunits were detected in CS. The presence and amounts of four early-eluted subunits were found, through aneuploid analysis, to be controlled by the long arms of chromosomes 1D (1DL) (peaks 1–2) and 1B (1BL) (peaks 3–4). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that these four subunits are the high molecular weight subunits of glutenin, which elute in the order 1Dy, 1Dx, 1By, and 1Bx. Similar amounts of 1DL subunits were present (6.3 and 8.8% of total glutenin), but 1BL subunits differed more in abundance (5.4 and 9.5%, respectively). Results indicate that most late-eluting CS glutenin subunits were coded by structural genes on the short arms of homoeologous group 1 chromosomes: 6 by 1DS, 5 by 1AS, and 4 by 1BS. Glutenin of tetraploid ‘Langdon’ durum wheat separated into nine major subunits: 6 were coded by genes on 1B chromosomes, and 3 on 1A chromosomes. Gene locations for glutenin subunits in the tetraploid durum varieties ‘Edmore’ and ‘Kharkovskaya-5’ are also given. These results should make RP-HPLC a powerful tool for qualitative and quantitative genetic studies of wheat glutenin. The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned Stationed at the Northern Regional Research Center, Peoria.