New gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the determination of urinary pyrethroid metabolites in environmental medicine

We have developed and validated a new, reliable and very sensitive method for the determination of the urinary metabolites of the most common pyrethroids in one analytical run. After acidic hydrolysis for the cleavage of conjugates, the analytes cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (cis-Cl(2)CA), trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (trans-Cl(2)CA), cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (Br(2)CA), 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (F-PBA) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) were extracted from the matrix with a liquid-liquid extraction procedure using n-hexane under acidic conditions. For further clean-up, NaOH was added to the organic phase and the carboxylic acids were re-extracted into the aqueous phase. After acidification and extraction into n-hexane again, the metabolites were then derivatised to volatile esters using N-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamid (MTBSTFA). Separation and detection were carried out using capillary gas chromatography with mass-selective detection (GC-MS). 2-Phenoxybenzoic acid (2-PBA) served as internal standard for the quantification of the pyrethroid metabolites. The limit of detection for all analytes was 0.05 microg/l urine. The RSD of the within-series imprecision was between 2.0 and 5.4% at a spiked concentration of 0.4 microg/l and the relative recovery was between 79.3 and 93.4%, depending on the analyte. This method was used for the analysis of urine samples of 46 persons from the general population without known exposure to pyrethroids. The metabolites cis-Cl(2)CA, trans-Cl(2)CA and 3-PBA could be found in 52, 72 and 70% of all samples with median values of 0.06, 0.11 and 0.16 microg/l, respectively. Br(2)CA and F-PBA could also be detected in 13 and 4% of the urine samples.     

The recording of human fibroblast metabolism in vitro by the chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of the metabolites excreted

Metabolites excreted into culture medium by human skin fibroblasts have been studied by high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Parameters for 29 metabolites have been obtained and 11 of them have been identified. Excreted metabolites reflect activity of certain metabolic processes in fibroblasts. Comparison of chromatographic and mass spectrometric parameters of cellular metabolites with the metabolites excreted with urine revealed that most metabolites excreted from fibroblasts differ from urine metabolites. The possibility for secondary transformation of cell metabolites in organism and specificity of metabolism in different tissues has been discussed.     

Bromo and chlorobiphenyl metabolism: gas chromatography mass spectrometric identification of urinary metabolites and the effects of structure on their rates of excretion

The identification of the hydroxylated rat urinary metabolites of the 2-, 3- and 4-chlorobiphenyls and 2-, 3- and 4-bromobiphenyls has been determined by gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis of their corresponding methyl ether derivatives. The electron impact fragmentation patterns of the bromotheoxybiphenyls and chloromethoxybiphenyls were used to assign the position of the methyoxyl group (ortho, meta or para to the biphenyl bond); the mass spectra of the corresponding [2H5]halobiphenyls confirmed the sites of the hydroxylation by distinguishing between the halophenyl and phenyl rings. The results illustrated that ring hydroxylation occurs predominantly at the para positions of the biphenyl nucleus and at sites which are ortho and para to the halogen substituents. 4,4'-Dimethoxyhalobiphenyls are major urinary metabolites of the 2- and 3-halobiphenyls and the rapid formation of these metabolites is illustrated in a time course study which monitors the urinary metabolites formed after the separate coadministration of the isomeric chlorobiphenyl and bromobiphenyl substrates to rats.     

Metabolism of stanozolol: identification and synthesis of urinary metabolites

Urinary metabolites of stanozolol (17 alpha-methyl-17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androst-2-eno(3,2-c)-pyrazole) following oral administration were isolated by chromatography on XAD-2 and by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with electron impact (EI)-ionisation. Stanozolol is excreted as a conjugate but is metabolized to a large extent. All identified metabolites are hydroxylated, namely at C-3' of the pyrazole ring and at C-4 beta, C-16 alpha and C-16 beta of the steroid. Less than 5% of the metabolites are found in the unconjugated urine fraction: 3'-hydroxy-stanozolol (II) and 3'-hydroxy-17-epistanozolol (III). Conjugated excreted metabolites are 3'-hydroxystanozolol (II), stanozolol (I), 4 beta-hydroxy-stanozolol (IV), 16 beta-hydroxystanozolol (V), 16 alpha-hydroxystanozolol (VI), two isomers of 3',16-dihydroxystanozolol (VII, VIII), two isomers of 4 beta, 16-dihydroxystanozolol (IX, X) and a 3',?-dihydroxystanozolol (XI). 3'-Hydroxystanozolol, 4 alpha-hydroxystanozolol, 4 beta-hydroxystanozolol, 16 alpha-hydroxy-, 16 alpha-hydroxy-17-epi- and 16 beta-hydroxystanozolol were synthesised to confirm the structural assignment of the main metabolites.     

Metabolism of 4-hydroxyandrostenedione and 4-hydroxytestosterone: Mass spectrometric identification of urinary metabolites

4-Hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione is a second generation, irreversible aromatase inhibitor and commonly used as anti breast cancer medication for postmenopausal women. 4-Hydroxytestosterone is advertised as anabolic steroid and does not have any therapeutic indication. Both substances are prohibited in sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and, due to a considerable increase of structurally related steroids with anabolic effects offered via the internet, the metabolism of two representative candidates was investigated. Excretion studies were conducted with oral applications of 100mg of 4-hydroxyandrostenedione or 200mg of 4-hydroxytestosterone to healthy male volunteers. Urine samples were analyzed for metabolic products using conventional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry approaches, and the identification of urinary metabolites was based on reference substances, which were synthesized and structurally characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry. Identified phase-I as well as phase-II metabolites were identical for both substances. Regarding phase-I metabolism 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (1) and its reduction products 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstane-4,17-dione (2) and 3alpha-hydroxy-5beta-androstane-4,17-dione (3) were detected. Further reductive conversion led to all possible isomers of 3xi,4xi-dihydroxy-5xi-androstan-17-one (4, 6-11) except 3alpha,4alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one (5). Out of the 17beta-hydroxylated analogs 4-hydroxytestosterone (18), 3beta,17beta-dihydroxy-5alpha-androstan-4-one (19), 3alpha,17beta-dihydroxy-5beta-androstan-4-one (20), 5alpha-androstane-3beta,4beta,17beta-triol (21), 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,4beta,17beta-triol (26) and 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,4alpha,17beta-triol (28) were identified in the post administration urine specimens. Furthermore 4-hydroxyandrosta-4,6-diene-3,17-dione (29) and 4-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (30) were determined as oxidation products. Conjugation was diverse and included glucuronidation and sulfatation.     

Enantiospecific gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of urinary methylphenidate: implications for phenotyping

A chiral derivatization gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method for urine methylphenidate (MPH) analysis was developed and validated to investigate preliminary findings regarding a novel MPH poor metabolizer (PM). Detection was by electron impact (EI) ionization-selected ion monitoring of the N-trifluoroacetylprolylpiperidinium fragments from MPH and the piperidine-deuterated MPH internal standard. The PM eliminated approximately 70 times more l-MPH in urine (9% of the dose over 0-10h), and approximately 5 times more of the d-isomer (10% of the dose), than the mean values determined from 10 normal metabolizers of MPH. Only minor amounts of the metabolite p-hydroxy-MPH were found in the urine of both the PM and normal metabolizers, while the concentration of MPH lactam was not high enough to be detectable. The described method indirectly gauges the functional carboxylesterase-1 status of patients receiving MPH based on the evaluation of relative urine concentrations of d-MPH:l-MPH. Clinical implications concerning rational drug selection for an identified or suspected MPH PM are discussed.     

Unified gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for quantitating tyrosine metabolites in urine and plasma

Tyrosine and many of its catabolites play significant roles in the in the toxicity associated with acquired and congenital forms of hypertyrosinemia. We now report a specific and sensitive GC/MS method for the simultaneous determination of tyrosine metabolites maleylacetone (MA), fumarylacetone (FA), succinylacetone (SA), fumarate and acetoacetate in urine and plasma. Tyrosine metabolites and an internal standard, 2-oxohexanoic acid (OHA), in urine or plasma samples were derivatized to their methyl esters with a 12% boron trifluoride-methanol complex (12%BF3-MeOH). The reaction mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and analyzed by GC/MS, using a selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The detection limits were in the range of 0.08-0.4 ng and the quantitation limits were 0.2-2 ng. Most of the intraday and interday coefficients of variation for three concentrations (low, medium and high) of the analytes were below 10%. Sensitivity and selectivity are superior to existing HPLC or enzymatic methods and derivatization of samples is simpler than the traditional silylation of organic acids used for analysis by GC/MS or derivatization to oximes, followed by silylation in the case of the ketoacids, such as SA. Furthermore, the current procedure can be performed in aqueous solution, which results in a high percentage yield without appreciable analyte degradation or formation of side products. Thus far, the method has been successfully applied in the analysis of over 5000 urine and plasma samples from humans and rodents.     

Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of haloperidol and its metabolites in human plasma and urine

Haloperidol and its two metabolites, reduced haloperidol and 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine (CPHP) in human plasma and urine were analyzed by HPLC-MS using a new polymer column (MSpak GF-310), which enabled direct injection of crude biological samples without pretreatment. Recoveries of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol spiked into plasma were 64.4-76.1% and 46.8-50.2%, respectively; those for urine were 87.3-99.4% and 94.2-98.5%, respectively; those of CPHP for both samples were not less than 92.7%. The regression equations for haloperidol, reduced haloperidol and CPHP showed good linearity in the ranges of 10-800, 15-800 and 400-800 ng/ml, respectively, for both plasma and urine. Their detection limits were 5, 10 and 300 ng/ml, respectively, for both samples. Thus, the present method was sensitive enough for detection and determination of high therapeutic and toxic levels for haloperidol and its metabolites present in biological samples.     

Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid in cultured cells

A liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric (LC-ESI-MS) technique was developed to simultaneously determine the cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid (6-keto-PGF(1alpha), PGD(2), PGE(2), PGF(2alpha), and PGJ(2)) produced by cultured cells. Samples were separated on a C(18) column with water-acetonitrile mobile phase, ionized by electrospray, and detected in the positive mode. Selected ion monitoring (SIM) of m/z 353, 335, 335, 319, and 317 were used for quantifying 6-keto-PGF(1alpha), PGD(2), PGE(2), PGF(2alpha), and PGJ(2), respectively. Prostaglandins were detected at concentrations as low as 1 pg (S/N=3) on the column. The method was used to determine the production of PGs from bovine coronary artery endothelial cells (ECs) and human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) with different degree of invasiveness. Bradykinin (10(-6) M) stimulated a marked increase in the production of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha), PGE(2), and PGF(2alpha) and a small increase of PGD(2) by ECs. 6-Keto-PGF(1alpha) was the major metabolite in these cells. The production of PGE(2) was threefold higher and PGD(2) was twofold higher in PC-3-S (invasive) cells than in PC-3-U (non-invasive) cells.     

Accurate assignment of ethanol origin in postmortem urine: liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of serotonin metabolites

Toxicological examination of fatal aviation accident victims routinely includes analysis of ethanol levels. However, distinguishing between antemortem ingestion and postmortem microbial formation complicates all positive ethanol results. Development of a single analytical approach to determine concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptophol (5-HTOL) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), two well-known metabolites of serotonin, has provided a convenient, rapid and reliable solution to this problem. Antemortem ethanol leads to an elevation in the 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio for 11-19 h after acute ingestion. The liquid-liquid extracts of postmortem urine samples were subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for the simultaneous quantitation of these two analytes, yielding detection limits of 0.1 ng/ml for each. Examination of the 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio was undertaken for 44 urine samples known to be antemortem ethanol-positive or antemortem ethanol-negative. Recent ethanol ingestion was conveniently and accurately separated using a 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio of 15 pmol/nmol, a value previously suggested using human volunteers. All 21 ethanol-negative postmortem samples were below this cutoff, while all 23 ethanol-positive postmortem samples were above this cutoff. Thus, we recommend the employment of this cutoff value, established using this straightforward LC-MS procedure, to confirm or deny recent antemortem ethanol ingestion in postmortem urine samples.     

Sensitive and simple gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination for amphetamine in microdialysate and ultrafiltrate samples

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method is described for the measurement of amphetamine (AMP) using negative chemical ionization (NCI) mode. Without prior extraction AMP was derivatized with 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBC) and simultaneously extracted into toluene. The toluene extract was injected directly into GC-MS equipped with a HP-1 capillary column. The method is simple and more sensitive than most of the previously published methods. The limit of quantification of amphetamine is 25pg (1.4pg on column) with a very limited sample volume (25microl). The within-day precision was from 1.7 to 5.1% and between-day precision was from 2.2 to 7.3%. The method has been used for the measurement of several thousand microdialysate and ultrafiltrate samples and proven reliable.     

Headspace solid-phase microextraction and capillary gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of rivastigmine in canine plasma samples

A simple, rapid and sensitive method for determination of rivastigmine in plasma samples was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The optimum conditions for the SPME procedure were: headspace extraction on a 65-microm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber; 0.5 ml of plasma modified with 1.0 ml of sodium hydroxide-sodium carbonate solution (0.7 M:0.5M); extraction temperature of 100 degrees C, with stirring at 2000 rpm for 30 min. The calibration curve showed linearity in the range from 0.2 to 80 ng/ml with regression coefficient corresponding to 0.9965 and coefficient of the variation of the points of the calibration curve lower than 10%. The quantification limit for rivastigmine in plasma was 0.2 ng/ml. The method was applied to determination of rivastigmine in canine plasma samples from animals after a single oral administration.     

Estrogen metabolites in equine ovarian follicles: gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determinations in relation to follicular ultrastructure and progestin content

Equine follicular fluid was aspirated at various developmental stages (viable, preovulatory and atretic) determined by ultrastructural study. Estrogens and progestins were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry associated with stable isotope dilution. Progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were the principal progestins of the preovulatory and viable follicles. Among the catechol estrogens, 2-hydroxy-estradiol was particularly abundant in the preovulatory follicle and its definitive identification was made by the scan of a full mass spectrum.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of urinary 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid in mice using a deuterated internal standard

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method is described for the determination of 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid in mouse urine using the 2,2,3,3-[²H₄] isotopolog as an internal standard. Samples (0.1 ml) were extracted using an exchange resin, then derivatized with pentafluoropropanol and pentafluoropropionic anhydride at 100°C for 25 min. Gas chromatography was performed on a (5% phenyl)methylpolysiloxane column and detection was by selected-ion monitoring of M - CO₂CH₂CF₂CF₃ fragment ions. The method provided high response linearity (mean r = 0.999) and precision (<5% coefficient of variation). After orally dosing mice with 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (300 mg/kg), 46 and 10% of the dose was excreted unchanged in the 0–24 h and 24–48 h urines, respectively.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric identification and quantitation of urinary phenols after derivatization with 4-carbethoxyhexafluorobutyryl chloride, a novel derivative

Urinary phenol is analyzed widely to determine benzene exposure in humans. Most methods utilize direct measurements of phenols after extraction from urine using gas chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography. We describe a novel derivatization of urinary phenols using 4-carbethoxyhexafluorobutyryl chloride after extraction from urine and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The derivative elutes at significantly higher temperature than phenol and the method is free from interferences from more volatile components in urine. We also observed excellent chromatographic properties of these derivatives. In addition, we observed strong molecular ions for the 4-carbethoxyhexafluoro butyryl derivative of phenol (m/z 344), p-cresol (m/z 358) and the internal standard 3,4-dimethylphenol (m/z 372) and other characteristic ions in the electron ionization, thus aiding in unambiguous identification of these compounds. The protonated molecular ions (m/z 373 for derivatized phenol, m/z 359 for derivatized p-cresol and m/z 373 for the internal standard) were the base peaks (relative abundance 100%) in the chemical ionization, although other secondary peaks were less abundant. The assay is linear for phenol concentration of 1–100 mg/l. The within-run and between-run precisions were 4.8% ( ) and 8.1% ( ) respectively, and the detection limit was 0.5 mg/l.     

Testing for fluoxymesterone (Halotestin) administration to man: identification of urinary metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Fluoxymesterone, an anabolic steroid, is metabolized in man primarily by 6 beta-hydroxylation, 4-ene-reduction, 3-keto-reduction, and 11-hydroxy-oxidation. These pathways of metabolism are suggested by the positive identification of 4 metabolites and the tentative identification of 3 other metabolites. Detection of the drug in urine is possible for at least 5 days after a single 10 mg oral dose to previously untreated adult males, by monitoring the presence of 2 metabolites, since the parent drug is not detectable more than 1 day after the dose.     

Validation of a simple gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the determination of gamma-butyrolactone in human plasma

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method is described for the determination of human plasma levels of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) is described. The method is sensitive and simple. The plasma sample spiked with the internal standard was extracted by dichloromethane (CH(2)Cl(2)) in acidic conditions, and the concentrated organic layer was injected into GC-MS. Because of endogenous GBL in human plasma, the method used a standard calibration curve. The calibration curve was linear from 10 to 1000 ng/ml. The method has been validated for accuracy and precision with the relative error and C.V. for intra- and inter-day within 10%. GBL-spiked plasma samples stored at -80 degrees C were stable for a 3-month period. The stability of plasma samples after three cycles of freezing and thawing and of prepared samples on an autosampler for 48 h were demonstrated. Plasma concentrations of GBL before and after administration of UFT were 24.3+/-14.2 and 84.9+/-22.4 ng/ml, respectively.     

Biotransformation of 17-alkylsteroids in the equine: gas chromatographic-mass spectral identification of ten intermediate metabolites of methyltestosterone

The metabolism of the orally active anabolic steroid methyltestosterone in the equine was investigated by administration of the drug along with a tritiated traces. In this study some of the metabolites were identified and a radio immunoassay screen and immunoaffinity chromatography gel for methyltestosterone were also evaluated. Pathway intermediates, in particular the 17-methylandrostanediols, were studied to gain an insight into the most likely stereochemistry of the major metabolites. The predominant phase I biotransformations involve reduction of the A ring 3-oxo and 4-ene groups to yield predominantly 3β-hydroxy-5-androstane products and hydroxylation of the steroid nucleus at several positions. Epimerisation of the 17-methyl group also occurred. Ten steroids could be positively identified by comparison with authentic references materials and many other triol, tetrol and pentols were also observed. Phase II metabolites and sulphate conjugates in particular, were common.     

Studies on steroid conjugates: IX. Urinary excretion of sulfate conjugated metabolites of cortisol in man.

Following i.v. administration of [4-14C]cortisol, various sulfate conjugated metabolites of cortisol in urine were identified and their respective excretion rates measured. The results obtained demonstrated the following: 1) sulfate conjugates as a group are excreted considerably slower than glucuronide conjugates; 2) sulfate conjugates of steroids with non-reduced ring-A (C-21 sulfates) are excreted (and presumably formed) much faster than steroid-3-sulfates, which require reduction of the ring-A prior to the conjugation; 3) the excretion of C-3 sulfates of ring-A reduced steroids with glycerol side-chain (cortols and cortolones) is significantly faster than those of the corresponding steroids with dihydroxyacetone side-chain (THF, THE and their 5alpha-isomers); 4) the relative concentrations of C-21 sulfates of steroids with ring-A intact (FK, EK, ER, epiER and 6beta-hydroxycortisol) are much higher than the concentrations of C-21 glucuronides of these steroids.