A novel method for rapid and quantitative detection of bisphenol A in urine.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is classified as an endocrine disruptor (ED) and it can interact with variety of hormone receptors leading to hormonal disruption and increased risk of various adverse health effects. Reducing human exposure to BPA is one of the main challenges of public health, as it is constantly present in daily life. A low-cost and commonly applied method to enable determination of BPA in the patient's body has yet to be developed. Currently available techniques are expensive, time-consuming, and require access to highly equipped analytical chemistry laboratories. Here we describe a fast and cheap engineered lateral flow assay of our design, to detect of BPA in urine samples. The technology not only provides an opportunity to perform rapid medical diagnostics without the need for an access to the central laboratory but also a means for self-diagnosis by the patient. The addition of ß-glucuronidase improves the sensitivity of detection as it releases the free BPA from glucuronide complexes in urine. This invention may become a demonstrated analytical means for lowering human exposure to BPA and probably also to other EDs and consequently, may be useful in decrease of the risk for several lifestyle diseases.

Comparison of sulfo-conjugated and gluco-conjugated urinary metabolites for detection of methenolone misuse in doping control by LC-HRMS, GC-MS and GC-HRMS.

Methenolone (17ß-hydroxy-1-methyl-5α-androst-1-en-3-one) misuse in doping control is commonly detected by monitoring the parent molecule and its metabolite (1-methylene-5α-androstan-3α-ol-17-one) excreted conjugated with glucuronic acid using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for the parent molecule, after hydrolysis with ß-glucuronidase. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the sulfate fraction of methenolone metabolism by LC-high resolution (HR)MS and the estimation of the long-term detectability of its sulfate metabolites analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMSMS) compared with the current practice for the detection of methenolone misuse used by the anti-doping laboratories. Methenolone was administered to two healthy male volunteers, and urine samples were collected up to 12 and 26 days, respectively. Ethyl acetate extraction at weak alkaline pH was performed and then the sulfate conjugates were analyzed by LC-HRMS using electrospray ionization in negative mode searching for [M-H](-) ions corresponding to potential sulfate structures (comprising structure alterations such as hydroxylations, oxidations, reductions and combinations of them). Eight sulfate metabolites were finally detected, but four of them were considered important as the most abundant and long term detectable. LC clean up followed by solvolysis and GC/MS analysis of trimethylsilylated (TMS) derivatives reveal that the sulfate analogs of methenolone as well as of 1-methylene-5α-androstan-3α-ol-17-one, 3z-hydroxy-1ß-methyl-5α-androstan-17-one and 16ß-hydroxy-1-methyl-5α-androst-1-ene-3,17-dione were the major metabolites in the sulfate fraction. The results of the present study also document for the first time the methenolone sulfate as well as the 3z-hydroxy-1ß-methyl-5α-androstan-17-one sulfate as metabolites of methenolone in human urine. The time window for the detectability of methenolone sulfate metabolites by LC-HRMS is comparable with that of their hydrolyzed glucuronide analogs analyzed by GC-MS. The results of the study demonstrate the importance of sulfation as a phase II metabolic pathway for methenolone metabolism, proposing four metabolites as significant components of the sulfate fraction.

Chemical components from the haulm of Artemisia selengensis and the inhibitory effect on glycation of ß-lactoglobulin.

Artemisia selengensis (AS) has been traditionally used as both food and medicine for thousands of years in China. In our studies, l-tryptophan was first isolated from the haulm of AS together with luteolin, rutin, and kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR. Three flavonoid compounds showed satisfactory suppression effects on the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in ß-lactoglobulin-lactose/MGO/GO model systems, and their anti-glycation activities exhibited a dose-dependent manner. Among these compounds, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide was demonstrated to be the strongest inhibitor against the formation of AGEs.

A practical approach to reduce interference due to in-source collision-induced dissociation of acylglucuronides in LC-MS/MS.

BACKGROUND: In LC-MS/MS, glucuronide conjugated metabolites may convert back to the parent drug due to in-source collision-induced dissociation (CID). RESULTS: During the bioanalysis of naproxen, it was noticed that naproxen acylglucuronide exhibited intense in-source CID to the naproxen [M+H](+) ion under positive ESI. However, no in-source CID of the acylglucuronide to the naproxen [M+NH(4)](+) adduct was observed. Furthermore, absolutely no in-source CID was detected under negative ESI. This phenomenon was not only observed for naproxen acylglucuronide but for eight other acylglucuronides compounds. CONCLUSION: We have shown that monitoring the parent drug [M-H](-) or [M+NH(4)](+) whenever possible could be an easy approach used by bioanalytical scientists to minimize the impact of in-source CID of acylglucuronides to the parent drug.

Assessment of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase catalyzed formation of Picroside II glucuronide in microsomes of different species and recombinant UGTs.

This study compared the hepatic glucuronidation of Picroside II in different species and characterized the glucuronidation activities of human intestinal microsomes (HIMs) and recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) for Picroside II. The rank order of hepatic microsomal glucuronidation activity of Picroside II was rat > mouse > human > dog. The intrinsic clearance of Picroside II hepatic glucuronidation in rat, mouse and dog was about 10.6-, 6.0- and 2.3-fold of that in human, respectively. Among the 12 recombinant human UGTs, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9 and UGT1A10 catalyzed the glucuronidation. UGT1A10, which are expressed in extrahepatic tissues, showed the highest activity of Picroside II glucuronidation (K(m) = 45.1 µM, V(max) = 831.9 pmol/min/mg protein). UGT1A9 played a primary role in glucuronidation in human liver microsomes (HLM; K(m) = 81.3 µM, V(max) = 242.2 pmol/min/mg protein). In addition, both mycophenolic acid (substrate of UGT1A9) and emodin (substrate of UGT1A8 and UGT1A10) could inhibit the glucuronidation of Picroside II with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of 173.6 and 76.2 µM, respectively. Enzyme kinetics was also performed in HIMs. The K(m) value of Picroside II glucuronidation was close to that in recombinant human UGT1A10 (K(m) = 58.6 µM, V(max) = 721.4 pmol/min/mg protein). The intrinsic clearance was 5.4-fold of HLMs. Intestinal UGT enzymes play an important role in Picroside II glucuronidation in human.

Assessment of cryopreserved human hepatocytes as a model system to investigate sulfation and glucuronidation and to evaluate inhibitors of drug conjugation.

Cultured cryopreserved human hepatocytes are extensively used as a model system for studying drug metabolism, although they remain poorly characterized in respect of the major conjugation reactions glucuronidation and sulfation. Using paracetamol (acetaminophen), we assessed eleven samples of cryopreserved human hepatocytes for their suitability to investigate the simultaneous glucuronidation and sulfation of xenobiotics and evaluated inhibitors of conjugation. Kinetic characterization showed broadly similar values for paracetamol conjugation by hepatocytes (as reported in the literature for in vitro systems), with Km values of approximately 6 mM and 0.3 mM for glucuronidation and sulfation, respectively. Substantial interindividual differences were observed. The hepatocytes demonstrated a strong dose-dependent switch from a preponderance of sulfation at low concentrations of paracetamol to glucuronidation at higher doses, consistent with routes of clearance in vivo. A number of drugs, some of which such as probenecid and sulfinpyrazone are known to interact with paracetamol in vivo, were demonstrated to inhibit the sulfation and/or glucuronidation of paracetamol in hepatocytes, demonstrating the potential application of this model system for studying drug-drug interactions involving conjugation.

Determination of naproxen in human urine by solid-phase microextraction coupled to liquid chromatography.

An SPME-LC-UV method for the determination of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen and, after hydrolysis, its glucuronide in human urine samples was developed for the first time using a carbowax/templated resin (CW/TPR-100)-coated fibre. The procedure required a very simple sample pre-treatment, an isocratic elution, and provides a highly selective extraction. All the aspects influencing adsorption (extraction time, temperature, pH and salt addition) and desorption (desorption and injection time and desorption solvent mixture composition) of the analyte on the fibre have been investigated. The linear range investigated in urine was 0.2-20 microg/ml (that covers the typical naproxen urinary concentration) and almost quantitative recoveries were obtained. Within-day and between-days R.S.D.% in urine were 4.5 and 6.0, respectively. The LOD and LOQ in spiked urine were 0.03 and 0.20 microg/ml, well below the usual naproxen urinary level.

Development of an in vitro screening model for the biosynthesis of acyl glucuronide metabolites and the assessment of their reactivity toward human serum albumin.

An in vitro screening model was developed to determine the reactivity of acyl glucuronide metabolites from carboxylic drugs. This assay is composed of two phases. The first is a phase of biosynthesis of acyl glucuronides by human liver microsomes (HLM). The second, during which acyl glucuronides are incubated with human serum albumin (HSA), consists of assessing the reactivity of acyl glucuronides toward HSA. Both phases are performed successively in the same experiment. This model was validated using eight carboxylic drugs that were well known for their reactivity, their extent of covalent binding, and their immunological potential. These products were representative of the scale of reactivity. Each compound was incubated with HLM at 400 microM and metabolized into acyl glucuronide to different extents, ranging from 5.6% (tolmetin) to 89.4% (diclofenac). The first-order aglycone appearance rate constant and the extent of covalent binding to proteins were assayed during the incubation of acyl glucuronides formed with HSA for 24 h. Extensive isomerization phenomenon was observed for each acyl glucuronide between the two phases. An excellent correlation was observed (r(2), 0.94) between the extent of drug covalent binding to albumin and the aglycone appearance constant weighted by the percentage of isomerization. This correlation represents an in vitro reactivity scale, which will be helpful in drug discovery support programs to predict the covalent binding potential of new chemical entities. This screening model will also allow the comparison of acyl glucuronide reactivity for related structure compounds.

Efficient cleavage of conjugates of drugs or poisons by immobilized beta-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase in columns.

BACKGROUND: Cleavage of conjugates is an important step in toxicological analysis, especially of urine samples. The aim of this study was to combine the advantages and to reduce the disadvantages of acid hydrolysis and conventional enzymatic hydrolysis procedures. METHODS: beta-Glucuronidase (GRD; EC 3.2.1.31) and arylsulfatase (ARS; EC 3.1.6.1) were purified and coimmobilized on an agarose gel matrix and packed into columns. RESULTS: In columns packed with GRD and ARS, the test conjugates 4-nitrophenyl glucuronide and 4-nitrophenyl sulfate added into urine could be completely cleaved within 25 min. Even the relatively stable morphine conjugates could be completely hydrolyzed within 60 min in authentic urine samples. Therefore, an incubation time of 1 h is recommended. Enzyme inhibition by matrix or by rather high concentrations of acetaminophen conjugates was tested and found to be up to 50%. However, a large excess of GRD and ARS was used. The immobilizate columns could be reused for at least 70 incubations and had a storage stability of at least 12 weeks. Carryover of analytes in reused columns could be avoided by rinsing with 200 mL/L methanol in acetate buffer. Thus, five drugs known to be contaminants added in very high concentrations into urine could be completely removed from the columns. A study on the applicability in systematic toxicological analysis showed that 120 different drugs and/or their metabolites could be detected in 35 different authentic urine samples. CONCLUSIONS: Use of immobilized and column-packed GRD and ARS is an efficient alternative for the cleavage of urinary conjugates in clinical toxicology.