Simultaneous determination of aminomethylbenzoic acid,cefminox sodium and etamsylate in human urine by capillary electrophoresis

A sensitive and selective capillary electrophoresis method is developed, for the first time, for effective separation and simultaneous determination of aminomethylbezoic acid (PAMBA), cefminox sodium (CMNX) and etamsylate (ETM). The electrophoresis conditions were investigated and optimized. A 25 mM phosphate solution (pH 8.5) was used as a buffer and the peak area was determined with UV detection at 216 nm wavelength under 18 kV separation voltage. Under optimal conditions, the three drugs can be separated effectively. Good linearity was achieved in 3.13–150 μg/mL for PAMBA, 6.25–150 μg/mL for CMNX and 3.13–150 μg/mL for ETM, with the correlation coefficients of >0.999. The limit of detection (LOD) for PAMBA, CMNX and ETM was 1.04, 2.08 and 1.04 μg/mL, respectively. Their recoveries in human urine were in the range from 90.2% to 101% with the RSD (n = 5) of 0.7–3.1%. The proposed method is simple, rapid and accurate, and provides the sensitivity and linearity necessary for analysis of the test drugs in human urine at clinically relevant concentrations.     

Ovarian and endocrine responses in tropical sheep treated with reduced doses of cloprostenol

The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of reduced doses of cloprostenol for synchronizing estrus and ovulation in hair sheep. With the aim to evaluate the luteolytic activity of reduced cloprostenol doses, a first experiment was performed using a relatively large (group H: 126 μg; n = 8), medium (group M: 68.25 μg; n = 6) and small (group L: 38.5 μg; n = 6) cloprostenol dose. Luteolysis was assessed at Days 3 and 6 after injection (Day 0) by progesterone concentrations (P₄) and transrectal ultrasonography (US). In Experiment 2, sheep were randomly assigned to the same three doses to evaluate a protocol for estrous synchronization using two injections administered 9 days apart. A third trial was performed with ewes treated (9 days apart) with the large dose (H = 126 μg; n = 12) and with a small dose adjusted for facilitating volume management (LA = 43.75 μg; n = 12). Presence of estrous cycling was determined in all the ewes by US and P₄ assay, at Days −9, −6, −2, 0 (Day of second cloprostenol injection), 8 and 11. Bleeding and US were done every 4 h from 16 h of the beginning of the estrus during the third trial to assess the preovulatory LH surge and timing of ovulation. Additionally, blood samples were drawn at Days 0, 1, 2 and 3 to assess estradiol (Experiments 2 and 3) and P₄ (Experiment 2) concentrations during the ovarian follicular phase. In all experiments, percentage of animals showing luteolysis, preovulatory follicular dynamics and function and percentage of ewes showing behavioral estrus in response to treatment was similar among groups. Timing of estrus for group H was earlier than group L (28.6 ± 1.8 h compared with 37.1 ± 2.4 h; P < 0.05). In the third trial, the preovulatory LH peak was higher in the LA group than group H, in terms of maximum mean concentration during the surge (27.7 ± 1.8 ng/mL compared with 21.3 ± 2.2 ng/mL; P < 0.05) and area under the curve (AUC; 183.4 ± 12.7 ng/mL compared with 127.7 ± 10.9 ng/mL; P < 0.01). However, timing of ovulation was similar for H and LA groups. Thereafter, ovulation rate and luteal function at Day 11 were similar. Current results demonstrate that reduced doses of cloprostenol may be applied in a practical manner for reproductive management of sheep, with the additional advantage of reducing treatment costs.     

Toll-like receptor 9 signaling has anti-inflammatory effects on the early phase of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced immune responses in the gastric mucosa are skewed toward T helper (Th) 1 phenotype, which is characterized by predominant production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ by helper T cells. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an essential role in mucosal defense against microbes through the recognition of bacterial molecules. Among the members of the TLR family, TLR9 recognizes bacterial unmethylated CpG DNA sites, and signal transduction of TLR9 induces production of a variety of cytokines, including type-I IFN (IFN-α/β). We investigated the expression and role of TLR9 in H. pylori-induced gastritis in mice. Expression of TLR9 mRNA in the gastric tissue increased after infection with H. pylori. TLR9 was mainly expressed in the macrophages, dendritic cells, and CD3⁺ cells in the gastric mucosa. Neutrophil infiltration and the expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ mRNA were higher in TLR9 knockout (KO) mice than in wild-type mice at 2 and 4 months after H. pylori inoculation. These differences in inflammatory parameters between H. pylori-infected wild-type and TLR9 KO mice disappeared 6 months after H. pylori inoculation. Expression of interleukin-4 mRNA, typical Th2 cytokine, in the gastric tissue did not differ between H. pylori-infected wild-type and TLR9 KO mice. Expression level of IFN-α/β mRNA in the TLR9 KO mice was lower than that in wild-type mice by 4 months after inoculation. Administration of IFN-α reduced H. pylori infection-induced increase in neutrophil infiltration and the expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ mRNA in TLR9 KO mice. Our findings suggest that TLR9 signaling plays important roles in the suppression of H. pylori-induced gastritis in the early phase via downregulation of Th1-type cytokines modulated by IFN-α.     

Interaction between gene A-positive Helicobacter pylori and human leukocyte antigen II alleles increase the risk of Graves disease in Chinese Han population: An association study

Objective

The current study explored the correlation of Helicobacter pylori and the polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen II (HLA-II) alleles with Graves disease (GD).

Methods

A total of 216 patients with GD were recruited. 102 healthy volunteers constituted the control group. Levels of H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and H. pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) IgG antibodies were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Molecular typing of the HLA-II alleles was conducted using polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primers.

Results

H. pylori, particularly CagA-positive strains, HLA-DQA1*0201, and HLA-DQA1*0501 were associated with GD (P = 0.015, OR = 1.811; P = 0.000, OR = 3.085; P = 0.000, OR = 0.315; and P = 0.004, OR = 2.844, respectively). Patients with CagA-positive H. pylori and negative HLA-DQA1*0201 or positive HLA-DQA1*0501 were more likely exposed to GD compared with those with only one of these indices.

Conclusion

CagA-positive H. pylori, negative HLA-DQA1*0201, or positive HLA-DQA1*0501 may increase the risk of GD.     

In vitro effects of bisphenol A on the quality parameters,oxidative stress,DNA integrity and adenosine triphosphate content in sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) spermatozoa

Among endocrine disruptors, the xenoestrogen bisphenol A (BPA) deserves particular attention due to widespread human exposure. Besides hormonal effects, BPA has been suspected to be responsible for adverse effect on reproductive ability of various species. In the present study the effect of BPA on the quality parameters, oxidative stress, the DNA integrity and intracellular ATP content of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) spermatozoa were investigated in vitro. Fish spermatozoa were exposed to concentrations of BPA possibly occurring in nature (0.5, 1.75, 2.5, 5 and 10 μg/L) for 2 h. Results revealed that BPA significantly decreased spermatozoa motility and velocity of spermatozoa at concentration of BPA 2.5–10 μg/L. Significant positive correlation (r = 0.713, P < 0.05) was found between percent motile spermatozoa and ATP content. Oxidative stress was observed at concentrations 1.75–10 μg/L, as reflected by significantly higher levels of protein and lipid oxidation and superoxide dismutase activity. Intracellular ATP content of spermatozoa decreased with increasing concentrations of BPA. A dramatic increase in DNA fragmentation expressed as percent tail DNA (2.2% ± 0.46) and Olive tail moment (0.37 ± 0.09 arbitrary units) was recorded at concentrations of 1.75 μg/L and above. The present study confirms that concentrations of BPA that can be encountered in nature are capable to induce oxidative stress, leading to impaired sperm quality, DNA fragmentation and intracellular ATP content.     

Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori growth and its cytotoxicity by 2-hydroxy 4-methoxy benzaldehyde of Decalepis hamiltonii (Wight & Arn); a new functional attribute

Helicobacter pylori mediated gastric ulcer and cancers are common global problems since it was found to colonize in ∼50% of gastric ulcer/cancer patients. Decalepis hamiltonii, (Asclepiadaceae family) extracts have been depicted with medicinal properties supporting the traditional knowledge of health beneficial attributes of D. hamiltonii. Previously we have shown that both aqueous as well as methanol extracts of D. hamiltonii containing abundant phenolics with predominant levels (20-40% of total phenolics) of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzaldehyde (HMBA). Despite higher levels, HMBA contributed very little to the antioxidant activity (<10%) when compared to other phenolic compounds in the extract. In the current study we attempted to explore antimicrobial property, particularly anti-H. pylori activity, since traditional users document D. hamiltonii as a fighter of microbial infections. HMBA was isolated from the roots of D. hamiltonii by hydrodistillation and cold crystallization method; identified by HPLC and characterized using ESI-MS and confirmed by NMR studies as a compound of molecular mass 152 Da. Isolated HMBA was found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori, a potential ulcerogen in a dose dependent manner with MIC of ∼39 μg/mL as apposed to that of amoxicillin (MIC - 26 μg/mL) for which H. pylori is susceptible. Results were further substantiated by the lysis of H. pylori by electron microscopy and electrophoretic studies. Studies on the mechanism of action indicated the counteracting effect of vacuolating toxin (VacA) of H. pylori which otherwise would lead to host cell cytotoxicity. Further the increased binding ability of HMBA to DNA and protein offered an impact on DNA protectivity and bioavailability. Results for the first time provide a direct evidence for anti-microbial attribute of HMBA. Insignificant antioxidant attribute of HMBA also reveals the anti-H. pylori activity via mechanisms other than antioxidative routes.     

Modified nano-TiO2 coupled with fluorescence spectroscopy for the separation/analysis of l-tryptophan

A novel adsorbent of carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin modified nanometer TiO₂ (CM-β-CD/TiO₂) was prepared and used as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) material coupled to fluorescence spectroscopy determination of l-tryptophan (l-Trp) in biological samples. The experimental conditions for modified nanometer TiO₂ separation/preconcentration of l-Trp were optimized. The adsorption capacity of CM-β-CD/TiO₂ for l-Trp was 75.2 μg/g. The linear range, detection limit (DL), and the relative standard deviation (RSD) were 0.10-1.20 μg/mL, 18.8 ng/mL, and 0.67% (n = 3, 1.0 μg/mL), respectively, with a preconcentration factor of 10. The developed method was applied to determination of l-Trp in real samples and the recoveries were found to be in the range of 99.2-100.3%. For validation, a comparison material of NIC-140686 sample was analyzed and the determined value was in good agreement with the certified value.     

Determination of ethylenethiourea in urine by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation–mass spectrometry for monitoring background levels in the general population

This study reports a sensitive analytical method suitable for the quantitative analysis of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in human urine and its application to samples from the general population. Sample preparation involved the use of diatomaceous earth extraction columns to remove matrix interferences. Quantification was achieved by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry using positive ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation. Within-day and between-day variability of 14% (n = 10) and 11% (n = 6), respectively, were obtained at 98 nmol/l (10 μg l⁻¹). The assay was linear over the investigated range 2.5–245 nmol/l, with a limit of detection of 2.5 nmol/l. The method was applied to monitoring background levels of ETU in urine samples from the general population in the UK. Results obtained from 361 spot samples contained ETU levels ranging from less than the detection limit (54% of samples) to a maximum of 15.8 μmol/mol creatinine (14.3 μg/g creatinine). The 95th percentile was 5.7 μmol/mol creatinine (5.2 μg/g creatinine).     

An ultrasensitive supersandwich electrochemical DNA biosensor based on gold nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide

In this article, a supersandwich-type electrochemical biosensor for sequence-specific DNA detection is described. In design, single-strand DNA labeled with methylene blue (MB) was used as signal probe, and auxiliary probe was designed to hybridize with two different regions of signal probe. The biosensor construction contained three steps: (i) capture DNA labeled with thiol was immobilized on the surface of gold nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (Au NPs/rGO); (ii) the sandwich structure formation contained “capture–target–signal probe”; and (iii) auxiliary probe was introduced to produce long concatamers containing signal molecule MB. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to monitor the DNA hybridization event using peak current changes of MB in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 1.0 M NaClO₄. Under optimal conditions, the peak currents of MB were linear with the logarithm of the concentration of target DNA in the range of 0.1 μM to 0.1 fM with a detection limit of 35 aM (signal/noise = 3). In addition, this biosensor exhibited good selectivity even for single-base mismatched target DNA detection.     

Synthesis and characterization of a molecularly imprinted polymer and its application as SPE enrichment sorbent for determination of trace methimazole in pig samples using HPLC-UV

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer that could be applied as enrichment sorbent was prepared using methimazole (MMZ) as the template molecule, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker. Though evaluated by static, kinetic and competitive adsorption tests, the polymer exhibited high adsorption capacity, fast kinetics and good selective ability. A method for determination of trace MMZ was developed using this polymer as enrichment sorbent coupled with high performance liquid chromatography focusing on complex biological matrices. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the MMZ standard is linear within the concentration range studied, that is, from 0.5 μg L⁻¹ to 150 μg L⁻¹ (r² = 0.9941). Lower limits of detection (LOD, at S/N = 3) and quantification (LOQ, at S/N = 10) in pig samples were 0.63 μg kg⁻¹ and 2.10 μg kg⁻¹ for kidney, 0.51 μg kg⁻¹ and 1.70 μg kg⁻¹ for liver, 0.56 μg kg⁻¹ and 1.86 μg kg⁻¹ for muscle, respectively. Recoveries and relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 9) values for precision in the developed method were from 71.14% to 88.41% and from 2.53% to 6.18%.     

Evidences showing association of interleukin-1B polymorphisms with increased risk of gastric cancer in an Indian population

Helicobacter pylori infection is strongly associated with gastric cancer. In the present study, the relationship between interleukin-1B (IL-1B) polymorphism, H. pylori infection, and prevalence of gastric cancer (GC) in patients of North India was evaluated using genomic DNA directly extracted from biopsy tissues for performing PCR-RFLP. A total of 136 GC cases and 110 healthy controls were included for studying polymorphisms in the genotypes of IL-1B−511, −31, +3954 and IL-1RN both in the presence and absence of H. pylori active infection. Results showed that the frequency of IL-1RN 2/2 was significantly higher in GC cases (21.32%) than the controls (9.09%) with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.391 (95% CI 1.093-10.131). The risk of GC was also found higher in other genotypes of IL-1B namely, −511 TT (χ² = 18.975, p < 0.001), −31CC (χ² = 21.219, p < 0.001), +3954 CT (χ² = 21.082, p < 0.001) and IL-1RN 1/2 (χ² = 30.543, p < 0.001) with active infection of H. pylori. Our findings indicate that the IL-1B and IL-1RN polymorphisms are associated with the development of GC and H. pylori infection markedly increases the risk of GC in North Indian population. Additionally, IL-1B−511 C/C and IL-RN 2/2 polymorphisms seem to be involved in the development of GC in H. pylori uninfected patients.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for pharmacokinetic studies of OZ78, a fasciocidal drug candidate

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease of considerable public health and great veterinary significance and new drugs are needed. OZ78 is a promising fasciocidal drug candidate. In order to support the development of OZ78, including pharmacokinetic (PK) studies an accurate, precise, and selective liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method for OZ78 was developed for sheep plasma and validated in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration Guidance on Bioanalytical Method Validation. Protein precipitation was used for sample clean up. Separation was performed through a Phenomenex C8(2) analytical column (50.0 mm × 2.0 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile (buffer B) and 5 mM ammonium formate (buffer A) at a flow-rate of 0.3 mL/min and a gradient from 20% to 95% acetonitrile. The mass spectrometer was operated under selected ion monitoring, and orifice voltage set to −4.1 kV and ion spray temperature to 400 °C. Nitrogen was used as a nebulizer, curtain, and collision gas. OZ78 was monitored at 321.4 m/z (deprotonated parent compound, M-). The validated linear dynamic range was between 156.25 ng/mL and 5 μg/mL and the achieved correlation coefficient (r²) was greater than 0.99. The validation results demonstrated that the developed LC/MS method is precise, accurate, and selective for the determination of OZ78 in sheep plasma. The method was successfully applied to the evaluation of the PK profile of OZ78 in sheep.     

Determination of aconitine,hypaconitine and mesaconitine in urine using hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography

Hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography was used to simultaneously determine three Aconitum alkaloids, including aconitine (AC), hypaconitine (HA) and mesaconitine (MA) in human urine sample. Analytes were extracted from 5 mL urine sample containing 1.0 mmol/L NaOH into 1-octanol membrane phase impregnated in the pores of hollow fiber wall, and then back extracted into acidified aqueous solution in the lumen of the hollow fiber. After extraction, 10 μL of the acceptor phase was analyzed directly by HPLC. In this method, some important extraction parameters, such as organic solvent, extraction time, stirring rate, pH of donor phase and acceptor phase, temperature, and the volume of acceptor phase were optimized. This method provided 98- to 288-fold enrichment factors within 60 min of extraction and good repeatability with RSDs of 0.99–7.22%. The calibration curves were linear over the ranges of 16.0–128.0 μg/L for AC, 11.0–88.0 μg/L for HA and 8.1–64.8 μg/L for MA in human urine sample, with correlation coefficients of 0.9949, 0.9969 and 0.9904, respectively. Limits of detection were from 0.7 to 1.5 μg/L, and recoveries from spiked urine sample varied from 84.4% to 106.2% for AC, 77.3% to 85.6% for HA and 90.1% to 100.8% for MA.     

1-Chloro-2-formyl indenes and tetralenes as antitubercular agents

1-Chloro-2-formyl indenes and tetralenes have been synthesized using Vilsmeier-Haack-Arnold reaction onto indanones and tetralones. Most of these analogues exhibited antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain with MICs ranging from 30 to 500 μg/mL. Analogue 13 was further modified to some derivatives. The most active analogue 23 showing MIC at 30 μg/mL was further evaluated for acute oral toxicity in Swiss albino mice and was found to be safe up to 300 mg/kg dose.     

Integrated microfluidic magnetic immunosensor for quantification of human serum IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori

In this paper, we have developed and characterized a microfluidic magnetic immunosensor coupled to a gold electrode for the rapid and sensitive quantification of human serum IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori. This microorganism cause peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, affecting around the 10% of the world population. The sensor was completely automated and the antibodies detection in serum samples was carried out using a non-competitive immunoassay based on the use of purified H. pylori antigens that are immobilized on magnetic microspheres 3-aminopropyl-modified. The magnetic microbeads were injected into microchannel devices and manipulated for an external removable magnet. The IgG antibodies in human serum sample are allowed to react immunologically with the immobilized antigens, and the bounded antibodies are quantified by alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme-labeled second antibodies specific to human IgG. The p-aminophenyl phosphate (p-APP) was converted to p-aminophenol (p-AP) by AP and an electroactive product was detected on gold layer electrode at 0.250 V. The response current obtained from the product of enzymatic reaction is directly proportional to the activity of the enzyme and, consequently, to the amount of IgG antibodies to H. pylori in serum samples. The electrochemical detection can be done within 1 min and total assay time was 25 min. The calculated detection limits for electrochemical detection and the ELISA procedure were 0.37 and 2.1 U mL⁻¹, respectively, and the within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were below 5%. Our results indicate the potential usefulness of our fabricated microbiochip for the early assessment of human serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to H. pylori.     

Selective toxin-lipid membrane interactions of natural, haemolytic Scyphozoan toxins analyzed by surface plasmon resonance

A comparison of the molecular interaction of natural Scyphozoan lysins with their bioactivity in a haemolytic assay was performed by establishing an efficient, automatable and reproducible procedure for the measurement of protein-membrane interactions. The toxin-membrane interactions were analyzed utilising a chip-based technology with immobilized liposomes as artificial cell membranes. The technique was established with streptolysin O as a cholesterol-selective model toxin and its cholesterol-selectivity has been proven. The haemolytic potency of protein fractions derived from the venom of the jellyfish Aurelia aurita and Cyanea capillata was tested and EC50 values of 35.3 μg/mL and 43.1 μg/mL against sheep and 13.5 μg/mL and 8.8 μg/mL against rabbit erythrocytes were measured. Cell membrane binding as a first step in the haemolytic process was analyzed using the Biacore^® technology. Major cell membrane lipids (cholesterol, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine) were immobilized as pure liposomes and in binary mixtures. A preference for cholesterol and sphingomyelin of both jellyfish species was demonstrated. The specificity of the method was proven with a non-haemolytic A. aurita protein fraction that did not express a lipid binding. Additionally, an inactivated C. capillata lysine with negligible haemolytic activity showed a remaining but reduced adsorption onto lipid layers. The binding level of the lytic venom fraction of these dominant boreal jellyfish species increased as a function of protein concentration. The binding strength was expressed in RU50 values ranging from 12.4 μg/mL to 35.4 μg/mL, which were in the same order of magnitude as the EC50 values in the haemolytic assay.     

Neolignan Licarin A presents effect against Leishmania (Leishmania) major associated with immunomodulation in vitro

Leishmaniasis’ treatment is based mostly on pentavalent antimonials or amphotericin B long-term administration, expensive drugs associated with severe side effects. Considering these aforementioned, the search for alternative effective and safe leishmaniasis treatments is a necessity. This work evaluated a neolignan, licarin A anti-leishmanial activity chemically synthesized by our study group. It was observed that licarin A effectively inhibited Leishmania (Leishmania) major promastigotes (IC₅₀ of 9.59 ± 0.94 μg/mL) growth, by inducing in these parasites genomic DNA fragmentation in a typical death pattern by apoptosis. Additionally, the neolignan proved to be even more active against intracellular amastigotes of the parasite (EC₅₀ of 4.71 ± 0.29 μg/mL), and significantly more effective than meglumine antimoniate (EC₅₀ of 216.2 ± 76.7 μg/mL) used as reference drug. The antiamastigote activity is associated with an immunomodulatory activity, since treatment with licarin A of the infected macrophages induced a decrease in the interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 production. This study demonstrates for the first time the antileishmanial activity of licarin A and suggests that the compound may be a promising in the development of a new leishmanicidal agent.     

Structures and anti-HSV-2 activities of neutral polysaccharides from an edible plant, Basella rubra L

Four neutral polysaccharides (BRN-1, BRN-2, BRN-3 and BRN-4) were isolated from the hot water extract of the aerial part of Basella rubra L. They were found to consist of a large amount of d-galactose (81.0-92.4%) and small amounts of l-arabinose (5.4-7.8%), d-glucose (2.2-11.0%) and mannose (∼2.9%). Linkage analysis revealed that all these neutral polysaccharides might be arabinogalactan type I polysaccharides in different molecular weight and chain length. Among them, only BRN-3 showed antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) with 50% inhibitory concentration of 55 μg/mL without showing the cytotoxicity up to 2300 μg/mL. Furthermore, the main antiviral target of BRN-3 was shown to be the inhibition of virus adsorption to host cells. This is the first report on the neutral polysaccharide with anti-HSV-2 activity obtained from B. rubra L.     

High-performance liquid chromatography determination of 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine, 2'-deoxycytidine, and other deoxynucleosides and nucleosides in DNA digests

This work has undertaken liquid chromatographic separation of nucleosides and deoxynucleosides. Two different columns with three mobile phases (A, deionized water; B, 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 4.0); C, methanol) and slightly different gradient programs were used. The elution order was as follows: cytidine (C), 2′-deoxycytidine (dC), uridine (U), 5-methyl-2′-cytidine (5mC), 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine (5mdC), guanosine (G), deoxyguanosine (dG), 2′-deoxythymidine (dT), adenosine (A), and 2′-deoxyadenine (dA). Using a Luna C18 Phenomenex column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), the separation was performed at 40 °C with a total flow rate of 1 ml/min and a run time of 10 min. The second column was an Agilent C18 (50 × 3 mm, 1.8 μm), for which the run time was 4.5 min with a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min (25 °C). In application to the DNA digests from human THP-1 cells, the quantification of C, dC, U, 5mC, 5mdC, G, dG, and A was performed. The percentages of global methylation were evaluated based on the 5mdC and dC concentrations (c_5mdC / [c_5mdC + c_dC], where c is concentration in μg/ml) and compared with those calculated from the respective peak areas (A_5mdC / [A_5mdC + A_dC], where A is peak area at 254 nm). For peak area measurements, excellent agreement was obtained with the results reported previously in the same cell line. In the quantitative approach, the results of DNA methylation were higher but consistent with the previous data obtained using mass spectrometric detection. Comparing the analytical features of the two procedures, the use of a smaller column could be recommended because it provides efficient separation (capacity factors in the range of 1.29-10.66), a short run time, and feasibility of nucleoside and deoxynucleoside quantification in real-world samples and because it also minimizes the use of reagents.