Spatial metabolomics using imaging mass spectrometry to identify the localization of asparaptine A in Asparagus officinalis

Spatial metabolomics uses imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to localize metabolites within tissue section. Here, we performed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance-IMS (MALDI-FTICR-IMS) to identify the localization of asparaptine A, a naturally occurring inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, in green spears of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). Spatial metabolome data were acquired in an untargeted manner. Segmentation analysis using the data characterized tissue-type-dependent and independent distribution patterns in cross-sections of asparagus spears. Moreover, asparaptine A accumulated at high levels in developing lateral shoot tissues. Quantification of asparaptine A in lateral shoots using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) validated the IMS analysis. These results provide valuable information for understanding the function of asparaptine A in asparagus, and identify the lateral shoot as a potential region of interest for multiomics studies to examine gene-to-metabolite associations in the asparaptine A biosynthesis.     

植物代谢组学中几种重要的次生代谢物液质分析技术研究进展

代谢组学（metabolomics）主要是研究生物体、组织、细胞的代谢物组分及检测其动态变化过程,是继基因组和蛋白组学后新兴的一门组学技术。代谢物是细胞调节过程中的最终产物,其水平被视为生物系统对遗传或环境变化的最终反映。通过合适的分析平台,准确定性、定量在复杂的生物中具有化学多样性的次生代谢物是代谢组学的一项重要工作。液相色谱-串联质谱技术（liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry,LC-MS/MS）是代谢物质检测平台最常用的方法,也为植物次生代谢物的广泛应用研究提供了基础。本文主要从植物激素类、叶酸类、黄酮类等次生代谢物方面进行阐述,结合液质联用技术,简要论述不同次生代谢物检测技术的研究进展。     

Concurrent quantification of multiple biomarkers indicative of oxidative stress status using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

8-Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-nitroguanine (8-NO₂Gua), 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α (8-IsoPGF_2α), and N-acetyl-S-(tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-pentyl-3-furanyl)-L-cysteine (HNE-MA) are well-studied and representative biomarkers for oxidative DNA damage, inflammation, and lipid peroxidation; all of which have been associated with increases in risks of various diseases and cancers. A rapid and highly sensitive isotope-dilution liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously quantify the aforementioned biomarkers in urine. Upon validation, this method shows excellent feasibility, sensitivity (0.008–0.03 ng/mL) and satisfactory recoveries (88.7–95.4%); the calibration curves displayed excellent linearity with coefficients of determination (R²) greater than 0.998. Additionally, low variations were observed in the relative standard deviation for intra- and inter-day measurements for the four analytes. The relative matrix effects for all four analytes ranged from 2.04 to 3.27%, which signaled that interferences from endogenous levels of the analytes were deemed statistically insignificant. This study successfully developed an analytical method capable to simultaneously quantify urinary 8-OHdG, 8-NO₂Gua, 8-IsoPGF_2α, and HNE-MA. This analytical protocol can be applied towards conducting epidemiological studies to reveal the mechanisms related to disease development, and thus evaluate the associated risks of diseases.     

Development of free 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 assay method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The free hormone hypothesis has triggered controversies regarding the measurement of free vitamin D metabolites, such as free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), as a suitable indicator for total vitamin D for clinical use. This issue can be addressed by developing a precise and accurate method for free 25(OH)D measurement. In the present study, a novel assay method for free 25(OH)D₃ based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed. Sample preparation first involved ultrafiltration to remove vitamin D-binding protein-bound and albumin-bound 25(OH)D, followed by extraction with a column, derivatization, evaporation, dissolution, and injection into the LC-MS/MS system. The coefficient of variation of repeatability and reproducibility obtained were 3.8–4.5% and 4.8–5.9%, respectively. Satisfactory linearity (r=0.999) was obtained up to 80 pg/ml. The lower quantification limit was 0.97 pg/ml and the S/N ratio on the peak of 1.0 pg/ml sample was 24.8 (which is more than the acceptable value of 10). The recovery rate was between 84.5 and 92.4% with a negligible matrix effect (94.5–104.9%). Levels of free 25(OH)D₃, but not total 25(OH)D₃, in the serum of the patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hepatic cirrhosis (HC) were substantially lower than those in healthy subjects. The correlation coefficient between total and free 25(OH)D₃ was 0.738 in all samples, while the linear regression equations were different between the patients with CKD and HC. In conclusion, LC-MS/MS assay for free 25(OH)D₃ might be useful to evaluate high-throughput methods, including ELISA.     

New quantification method for estradiol in the prostatic tissues of benign prostatic hyperplasia using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Estrogen is suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. To clarify the role of estradiol (E2) in the prostatic tissues (prostatic tissue E2) during the development of prostatic disorders, we developed a new sensitive and specific quantification method for prostatic tissue E2 using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For the solid-phase extraction, E2 was purified by anion-exchange through an Oasis MAX cartridge. In addition, after the formation of 3-pentaflurobenzyl-17β-pyridinium-estradiol derivative (E2-PFBPY), E2-PFBPY was purified by cation-exchange through an Oasis WCX cartridge. These processes in the LC-MS/MS method improved the specificity and sensitivity for prostatic tissue E2 measurement, compared to the radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. The validation tests showed that intra-day and inter-day precisions were both within ±15% (except for 15.5% of the inter-day precision of the lowest concentration), with the accuracy ranging from 88 to 110%. The quantification limit of this assay was 0.15 pg/tube in our method, which was 80-fold more sensitive than that of the RIA method. With the use of our present method, the median E2 levels in the prostatic tissues in patients with BPH (n = 20, median age: 71 years) were 12.0 pg/g tissue (95% confidence interval = 9.1-22.6 pg/g tissue). Furthermore, the E2 levels increased significantly with aging. These results showed that our present method would be useful for elucidating the role of prostatic tissue E2 in the development of prostatic disorders with a small amount of tissue samples.     

A fast and simple assay for busulfan in serum or plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using turbulent flow online extraction technology

Busulfan is used in myeloablative preparation regimens for hematopoietic bone marrow transplantation. Due to its narrow therapeutic range therapeutic drug monitoring of busulfan is recommended. In this study a fast and simple method for measuring busulfan in serum or plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed utilizing turbulent flow online extraction technology. Serum or plasma was mixed with acetonitrile containing d(8)-busulfan. After centrifugation the supernatant was injected onto a turbulent flow preparatory column then transferred to a C18 analytical column monitored by a tandem mass spectrometer set at positive electrospray ionization. The analytical cycle time was 4.0min. The method was linear from 0.15 to 41.90μmol/L with an accuracy of 87.9-103.0%. Inter- and intra-assay CVs across four concentration levels were 2.1-7.8%. No significant carryover or ion suppression was observed. No interference was observed from commercial control materials containing more than 100 compounds. Comparison with a well established LC-MS/MS method using patient specimens (n=45) showed a mean bias 1.3% with Deming regression of slope 1.02, intercept -0.02μmol/L, and a linear correlation coefficient 0.9883. The LC-MS/MS method coupled with turbulent flow online sample cleaning technology described here offers reliable busulfan quantitation in serum or plasma with minimum manual sample preparation and was fully validated for clinical use.     

Comparison of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods to quantify alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherolquinone levels in human plasma.

Two mass spectrometric methods were established for the quantitative analyses of alpha-tocopherol (TH) and its oxidation product alpha-tocopherolquinone (TQ) in human plasma. Both methods make use of isotopically labeled internal standards of different levels of deuteration (d3-TH and d6-TQ). Plasma (100 microl) was saponified in the presence of a mixture of antioxidants, and then TH and TQ were extracted with hexane. With the GC-MS method, the analytes were first converted into O-trimethylsilyl derivatives before analysis in the selective ion monitoring mode. The derivatization procedure led to the quantitative conversion of TQ into the O-trimethylsilyl derivative of tocopherolhydroquinone, giving rise to a more stable molecule with less fragmentation than for TQ. The increased stability of the molecule resulted in an enhanced contribution of the base peak to the total observed ions and therefore an increased sensitivity of the base peak for quantification. With the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, TH and TQ were detected by multiple reaction monitoring after positive electrospray ionization. The GC-MS and LC-MS/MS methods showed nearly the same accuracy (>95%) and the same within-day precisions, with less than 5 and 10% for TH and TQ, respectively. The between-day precision and the limit of quantification for TQ in plasma were better by LC-MS/MS (4%; 3 nM) than by GC-MS (21%; 10 nM). Analysis and method validation were carried out with plasma samples obtained from a male volunteer pre- and postexercise. Both techniques showed that the ratio of TQ/TH was elevated by 35% immediately after exercise and had returned to basal levels when measured 24 h later.     

Optimisation of supercritical fluid extraction of indole alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus using experimental design methodology--comparison with other extraction techniques

Response surface modelling, using MODDE 6 software for Design of Experiments and Optimisation, was applied to optimise supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) conditions for the extraction of indole alkaloids from the dried leaves of Catharanthus roseus. The effects of pressure (200-400 bar), temperature (40-80 degrees C), modifier concentration (2.2-6.6 vol%) and dynamic extraction time (20-60 min) on the yield of alkaloids were evaluated. The extracts were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography and the analytes were identified using ion trap-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry. The method was linear for alkaloid concentration in the range 0.18-31 microg/mL. The limits of detection and quantification for catharanthine, vindoline, vinblastine and vincristine were 0.2, 0.15, 0.1 and 0.08 microg/mL and 2.7, 2.0, 1.3 and 1.1 microg/g, respectively. The dry weight content of major alkaloids in the plants were compared using different extraction methods, i.e. SFE, Soxhlet extraction, solid-liquid extraction with sonication and hot water extraction at various temperatures. The extraction techniques were also compared in terms of reproducibility, selectivity and analyte recoveries. Relative standard deviations for the major alkaloids varied from 4.1 to 17.5% in different extraction methods. The best recoveries (100%) for catharanthine were obtained by SFE at 250 bar and 80 degrees C using 6.6 vol% methanol as modifier for 40 min, for vindoline by Soxhlet extraction using dichloromethane in a reflux for 16 h, and for 3',4'-anhydrovinblastine by solid-liquid extraction using a solution of 0.5 m sulphuric acid and methanol (3:1 v/v) in an ultrasonic bath for 3 h.     

固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定新鲜块菌子实体中α-雄烷醇

本研究建立了一种固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱的检测方法,用于检测新鲜块菌子实体中α-雄烷醇(5α-雄甾-16-烯-3α-醇)的含量。新鲜块菌样品经无水乙醇提取,Qasis HLB柱萃取富集后,采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱进行分析定量。方法学验证结果表明该方法的回收率为88.49%-92.22%;检出限为0.120 9 ng/mL,定量限为0.398 9 ng/mL。该方法简便、精确,适用于新鲜块菌中α-雄烷醇含量的测定。     

Molecular constituents of the postsynaptic density fraction revealed by proteomic analysis using multidimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Protein constituents of the postsynaptic density (PSD) fraction were analysed using an integrated liquid chromatography (LC)-based protein identification system, which was constructed by coupling microscale two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2DLC) with electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and an automated data analysis system. The PSD fraction prepared from rat forebrain was solubilized in 6 m guanidium hydrochloride, and the proteins were digested with trypsin after S-carbamoylmethylation under reducing conditions. The tryptic peptide mixture was then analysed with the 2DLC-MS/MS system in a data-dependent mode, and the resultant spectral data were automatically processed to search a genome sequence database for protein identification. In triplicate analyses, the system allowed assignments of 5264 peptides, which could finally be attributed to 492 proteins. The PSD contained various proteins involved in signalling transduction, including receptors, ion channel proteins, protein kinases and phosphatases, G-protein and related proteins, scaffold proteins, and adaptor proteins. Structural proteins, including membrane proteins involved in cell adhesion and cell-cell interaction, proteins involved in endocytosis, motor proteins, and cytoskeletal proteins were also abundant. These results provide basic data on a major protein set associated with the PSD and a basis for future functional studies of this important neural machinery.     

Unveiling the spatial distribution of aflatoxin B1 and plant defense metabolites in maize using AP-SMALDI mass spectrometry imaging

In order to cope with the presence of unfavorable compounds, plants can biotransform xenobiotics, translocate both parent compounds and metabolites, and perform compartmentation and segregation at the cellular or tissue level. Such a scenario also applies to mycotoxins, fungal secondary metabolites with a pre-eminent role in plant infection. In this work, we aimed to describe the effect of the interplay between Zea mays (maize) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) at the tissue and organ level. To address this challenge, we used atmospheric pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AP-SMALDI MSI) to investigate the biotransformation, localization and subsequent effects of AFB1 on primary and secondary metabolism of healthy maize plants, both in situ and from a metabolomics standpoint. High spatial resolution (5 µm) provided fine localization of AFB1, which was located within the root intercellular spaces, and co-localized with its phase-I metabolite aflatoxin M2. We provided a parallel visualization of maize metabolic changes, induced in different organs and tissues by an accumulation of AFB1. According to our untargeted metabolomics investigation, anthocyanin biosynthesis and chlorophyll metabolism in roots are most affected. The biosynthesis of these metabolites appears to be inhibited by AFB1 accumulation. On the other hand, metabolites found in above-ground organs suggest that the presence of AFB1 may also activate the biochemical response in the absence of an actual fungal infection; indeed, several plant secondary metabolites known for their antimicrobial or antioxidant activities were localized in the outer tissues, such as phenylpropanoids, benzoxazinoids, phytohormones and lipids.     

The simple and rapid quantification method for L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) from plant sprout using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is one of the important secondary metabolites of plants and has been used for various purposes, such as in clinical treatment for Parkinson’s disease and dopamine-responsive dystonia. In plants, L-DOPA is a precursor of many alkaloids, catecholamines, and melanin; the L-DOPA synthesis pathway is similar to that in mammals. L-DOPA acts as an allelochemical, has an important role in several biological processes, such as stress response and metabolism, in plants. L-DOPA is widely used in the clinical treatment as well as a dietary supplement or psychotropic drug, understanding of biosynthesis of L-DOPA in plant could lead to a stable supply of L-DOPA. This paper describes an improved method for simple and rapid quantification of L-DOPA content using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The standard quantitative methods for L-DOPA require multiple purification steps or relatively large amounts of plant material. In our improved method, quantification of L-DOPA was possible with extract of one–two pieces of cotyledon without any partitioning or column for purification. The endogenous L-DOPA (approximately 4,000 µg g⁻¹ FW (fresh weight)) could be detected from the one pieces of cotyledon of the faba bean sprout using this method. This method was also effective for samples with low endogenous amounts of L-DOPA such as broccoli, Japanese white radish, pea, and red cabbage sprouts. Therefore, this improved method will allow to measurement of L-DOPA content easily and accurately from a small amount of plant tissue and contribute to understanding biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport of L-DOPA.     

A comparative evaluation of software for the analysis of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry data from isotope coded affinity tag experiments

The options available for processing quantitative data from isotope coded affinity tag (ICAT) experiments have mostly been confined to software specific to the instrument of acquisition. However, recent developments with data format conversion have subsequently increased such processing opportunities. In the present study, data sets from ICAT experiments, analysed with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), using an Applied Biosystems QSTAR Pulsar quadrupole-TOF mass spectrometer, were processed in triplicate using separate mass spectrometry software packages. The programs Pro ICAT, Spectrum Mill and SEQUEST with XPRESS were employed. Attention was paid towards the extent of common identification and agreement of quantitative results, with additional interest in the flexibility and productivity of these programs. The comparisons were made with data from the analysis of a specifically prepared test mixture, nine proteins at a range of relative concentration ratios from 0.1 to 10 (light to heavy labelled forms), as a known control, and data selected from an ICAT study involving the measurement of cytokine induced protein expression in human lymphoblasts, as an applied example. Dissimilarities were detected in peptide identification that reflected how the associated scoring parameters favoured information from the MS/MS data sets. Accordingly, there were differences in the numbers of peptides and protein identifications, although from these it was apparent that both confirmatory and complementary information was present. In the quantitative results from the three programs, no statistically significant differences were observed.     

Thermospray liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of l-carnitine and its short-chain acyl derivatives

A method utilizing thermospray high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the separation and direct analysis of carnitine, acetylcarnitine, and propionylcarnitine is described. On-column analysis of mixtures of the acylcarnitines with their corresponding stable, isotope-labeled analogs at nanomolar concentrations has indicated that isotope dilution assays can be applied towards the analysis of carnitine and short-chain acylcarnitines present in biological samples.     

A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of mometasone furoate in human plasma

A robust, rapid, selective and sensitive liquid chromatography-negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-(APCI(-))-MS-MS) method has been developed for the quantification of mometasone furoate (MF) in human plasma utilizing a solid-phase extraction clean-up step and 13C-fluticasone propionate as internal standard. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were < or = 15% and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 15 pg/ml. This method is ideally suited for pharmacokinetic investigations of low MF levels following inhalation of MF.     

Immunoprecipitation on magnetic beads and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for carbonic anhydrase II quantification in human serum

In this study, a magnetic bead-based platform amenable to high-throughput protein carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) capture is presented. The key steps in this approach involved immunoaffinity purification of the target protein from serum followed by on-bead digestion with trypsin to release a surrogate peptide. This tryptic peptide was quantified by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) operating in multiple reaction monitoring acquisition mode. Using a synthetic peptide standard and a structural analogue free-labeled internal standard, the resulting concentration was stoichiometrically converted to CA II serum concentration. The analytical steps, such as preparation of immunobeads, protein capture, proteolysis, and calibration, were optimized. The method was validated in terms of recovery (77%), reproducibility (relative standard deviation [RSD] < 12%), and method detection limit (0.5 pmol ml⁻¹). The developed method was applied to determining the CA II in eight healthy subjects, and the concentration measured was 27.3 pmol ml⁻¹ (RSD = 65%).     

Visualizing vinca alkaloids in the petal of Catharanthus roseus using functionalized titanium oxide nanowire substrate for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry

Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a powerful technique that enables analysis of various molecular species at a high spatial resolution with low detection limits. In contrast to the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) approach, surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) can be more effective in the detection of small molecules due to the absence of interfering background signals in low m/z ranges. We developed a functionalized TiO₂ nanowire as a solid substrate for IMS of low-molecular-weight species in plant tissues. We prepared TiO₂ nanowires using an inexpensive modified hydrothermal process and subsequently functionalized them chemically with various silane analogs to overcome the problem of superhydrophilicity of the substrate. Chemical modification changed the selectivity of imprinting of samples deposited on the substrate surface and thus improved the detection limits. The substrate was applied to image distribution of the metabolites in very fragile specimens such as the petal of Catharanthus roseus. We observed that the metabolites are distributed heterogeneously in the petal, which is consistent with previous results reported for the C. roseus plant leaf and stem. The intermediates corresponding to the biosynthesis pathway of some vinca alkaloids were clearly shown in the petal. We also performed profiling of petals from five different cultivars of C. roseus plant. We verified the semi-quantitative capabilities of the imprinting/imaging approach by comparing results using the LC-MS analysis of the plant extracts. This suggested that the functionalized TiO₂ nanowire substrate-based SALDI is a powerful technique complementary to MALDI-MS.     

Rapid steroid hormone quantification for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in dried blood spots using UPLC liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is usually done by quantifying 17α-hydroxyprogesterone using immunoassay. However, this test produces high rates of false positive results caused by cross reacting steroids. Therefore we have developed a selective and specific method with a short run time (1.25 min) for quantification of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 21-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone and cortisol from dried blood spots. The extraction procedure is very simple and steroid separation is ensured on a BEH C18 column and an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Analysis was done in positive ionization mode (ESI+) and recorded in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). The method gave linear results for all steroids over a range of 5-200 (cortisol: 12.5-500) nmol/L with coefficients of regression >0.992. Absolute recovery was >64.1%. Across the analytical range the inter-assay coefficient of variation (CV) was <3%. Newborn blood samples of patients with confirmed 21-CAH and 11-CAH could clearly be distinguished from samples of unaffected newborns falsely positive on immunoassay. The method is not influenced by cross reactions as found on immunoassay. Analysis of dried blood spots shows that this method is sensitive and fast enough to allow rapid analysis and can therefore improve the newborn screening program.     

Recent advances in applications of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to the analysis of reactive drug metabolites

Biotransformation of chemically stable compounds to reactive metabolites which can bind covalently to macromolecules, such as proteins and DNA, is considered as an undesirable feature of drug candidates. As part of an overall assessment of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties, many pharmaceutical companies have put methods in place to screen drug candidates for their tendency to generate reactive metabolites and as well characterize the nature of the reactive metabolites through in vitro and in vivo studies. After identification of the problematic compounds, steps can be taken to minimize the potential of bioactivation through appropriate structural modifications. For these reasons, detection, structural characterization and quantification of reactive metabolites by mass spectrometry have become an important task in the drug discovery process. Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry is traditionally employed for the analysis of reactive metabolites. In the past 3 years, a number of new mass spectrometry methodologies have been developed to improve the sensitivity, selectivity and throughput of the analysis. This review focuses on the recent advances in the detection and characterization of reactive metabolites by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in drug discovery and development, especially through the use of linear ion trap (LTQ), hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap (Q-trap) and the high resolution LTQ-Orbitrap instruments.     

Enantiomeric composition analysis of pranoprofen in equine plasma and urine by chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in selected reaction monitoring mode

The enantioseparation of pranoprofen after its addition in racemic form into equine plasma and urine was conducted by chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in selected reaction monitoring mode. The methods for the assay of both enantiomers were linear (r≥0.9943) in the low range from 0.001 to 0.1μg/mL and high range from 0.01 to 1.0μg/mL with good precision (% RSD≤5.6) and accuracy (% RE=-5.3 to 1.9). When racemic pranoprofen was orally administered to four horses at a single dose of 3.1mg/kg, the median plasma concentrations of (R)-pranoprofen were lower than the levels of (S)-pranoprofen from start to finish. In contrast, the urinary level of (R)-pranoprofen was 2.5 fold higher than (S)-pranoprofen level for the first 6h, followed by its rapid decrease down below (S)-pranoprofen concentration. Monitoring of the R/S ratios in equine urine may be useful for the prevention of false positive in horse doping test.