Cross-validated stable-isotope dilution GC-MS and LC-MS/MS assays for monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) activity by measuring arachidonic acid released from the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol.

2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2AG) is an endocannabinoid that activates cannabinoid (CB) receptors CB1 and CB2. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inactivates 2AG through hydrolysis to arachidonic acid (AA) and glycerol, thus modulating the activity at CB receptors. In the brain, AA released from 2AG by the action of MAGL serves as a substrate for cyclooxygenases which produce pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. Here we report stable-isotope GC-MS and LC-MS/MS assays for the reliable measurement of MAGL activity. The assays utilize deuterium-labeled 2AG (d8-2AG; 10µM) as the MAGL substrate and measure deuterium-labeled AA (d8-AA; range 0-1µM) as the MAGL product. Unlabelled AA (d0-AA, 1µM) serves as the internal standard. d8-AA and d0-AA are extracted from the aqueous buffered incubation mixtures by ethyl acetate. Upon solvent evaporation the residue is reconstituted in the mobile phase prior to LC-MS/MS analysis or in anhydrous acetonitrile for GC-MS analysis. LC-MS/MS analysis is performed in the negative electrospray ionization mode by selected-reaction monitoring the mass transitions [M-H]-→[M-H - CO2]-, i.e., m/z 311→m/z 267 for d8-AA and m/z 303→m/z 259 for d0-AA. Prior to GC-MS analysis d8-AA and d0-AA were converted to their pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) esters by means of PFB-Br. GC-MS analysis is performed in the electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization mode by selected-ion monitoring the ions [M-PFB]-, i.e., m/z 311 for d8-AA and m/z 303 for d0-AA. The GC-MS and LC-MS/MS assays were cross-validated. Linear regression analysis between the concentration (range, 0-1µM) of d8-AA measured by LC-MS/MS (y) and that by GC-MS (x) revealed a straight line (r2=0.9848) with the regression equation y=0.003+0.898x, indicating a good agreement. In dog liver, we detected MAGL activity that was inhibitable by the MAGL inhibitor JZL-184. Exogenous eicosatetraynoic acid is suitable as internal standard for the quantitative determination of d8-AA produced from d8-2AG by hepatic MAGL activity. The formation of d8-prostaglandin E2 by the consecutive catalytic action of recombinant MAGL on d8-2AG and recombinant cyclooxygenase-2 (COX) on d8-AA was demonstrated by GC-MS/MS.

Analysis of eicosanoids by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS: a historical retrospect and a discussion.

Eicosanoids are a large family that derives from arachidonic acid, i.e., eicosatetraenoic acid. Prominent members include prostaglandins, thromboxane and leukotrienes. They are biologically highly active lipid mediators and play multiple physiological roles. GC-MS/MS has played a pivotal role in the identification and quantification of eicosanoids in biological samples. This technology generated a solid knowledge of their analytical chemistry, biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology. Since about a decade, GC-MS and GC-MS/MS are increasingly displaced by the seemingly more simple, rapid and powerful LC-MS/MS in the area of instrumental analysis of physiological substances, drugs and their metabolites. In this article, we review and discuss LC-MS/MS methods published over the last decade from the perspective of the GC-MS/MS user. Our analysis revealed that the shift from the adult GC-MS/MS to the youthful emerging LC-MS/MS technology in eicosanoid analysis is associated with several important challenges. Known pitfalls and problematic issues discovered by eicosanoid pioneers by using GC-MS/MS are often ignored by LC-MS/MS users. Established reference values and intervals provided by GC-MS-based methods are not considered properly in developing and validating LC-MS/MS methods. Virtually, there is a belief in the unlimited capability of the LC-MS/MS technique in eicosanoid analysis, a thought that simulates analytical certainty. LC-MS/MS users should profit from the plethora of solid knowledge acquired from the use of GC-MS/MS in eicosanoid analysis in basic and clinical research.

Influence of dietary fat intake on the endocannabinoid system in lean and obese subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Endocannabinoid system (ECS) activation promotes obesity-associated metabolic disease. Increased dietary fat intake increases blood endocannabinoids and alters adipose and skeletal muscle ECS gene expression in human. METHODS: Two weeks isocaloric low- (LFD) and high-fat diets (HFD) in obese (n = 12) and normal-weight (n = 17) subjects in a randomized cross-over study were compared. Blood endocannabinoids were measured in the fasting condition and after food intake using mass spectrometry. Adipose and skeletal muscle gene expression was determined using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Baseline fasting plasma endocannabinoids were similar with both diets. Anandamide decreased similarly with high- or low-fat test meals in both groups. Baseline arachidonoylglycerol plasma concentrations were similar between groups and diets, and unresponsive to eating. In subcutaneous adipose tissue, DAGL-α mRNA was upregulated and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) mRNAs were down-regulated in obese subjects, but the diets had no influence. In contrast, the HFD produced pronounced reductions in skeletal muscle CB1-R and MAGL mRNA expression, whereas obesity did not affect muscular gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Weight-neutral changes in dietary fat intake cannot explain excessive endocannabinoid availability in human obesity. Obesity and dietary fat intake affect ECS gene expression in a tissue-specific manner.

GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS studies on unlabelled and deuterium-labelled oleic acid (C18:1) reactions with peroxynitrite (O=N-O-O⁻) in buffer and hemolysate support the pM/nM-range of nitro-oleic acids in human plasma.

Oleic acid (cis-9,10-octadecenoic acid) is the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid in human blood. Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) is a short-lived species formed from the reaction of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2(-)). Peroxynitrite is a potent oxidizing and moderate nitrating agent. We investigated reactions of unlabelled and deuterium labelled oleic acid in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and lysed human erythrocytes with commercially available sodium peroxynitrite (Na(+)ONOO(-)). Non-derivatized reaction products were analyzed by spectrophotometry, HPLC with UV absorbance detection, and LC-MS/MS electrospray ionization in the negative-ion mode. Reaction products were also analyzed by GC-MS/MS in the electron capture negative-ion chemical ionization mode after derivatization first with pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) bromide and then with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. Identified oleic acid reaction products in PBS and hemolysate include cis-9,10-epoxystearic acid and trans-9,10-epoxystearic acid (about 0.1% with respect to oleic acid), threo- and erythro-9,10-dihydroxy-stearic acids. Vinyl nitro-oleic acids, 9-nitro-oleic acid (9-NO2OA) and 10-nitro-oleic acid (10-NO2OA), or other nitro-oleic acids were not found to be formed from the reaction of oleic acid with peroxynitrite in PBS or hemolysate. Our in vitro study suggests that peroxynitrite oxidizes but does not nitrate oleic acid in biological samples. Unlike thiols and tyrosine, oleic acid is not susceptible to peroxynitrite. GC-MS/MS analysis of PFB esters is by far more efficient than LC-MS/MS analysis of non-derivatized oleic acid and its derivates. Our in vitro results support our previous in vivo findings that nitro-oleic acid plasma concentrations of healthy and diseased subjects are in the pM/nM-range.

Alterations of endocannabinoids in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with epileptic seizure disorder.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders in dogs characterized by recurrent seizures. The endocannabinoid (EC) system plays a central role in suppressing pathologic neuronal excitability and in controlling the spread of activity in an epileptic network. Endocannabinoids are released on demand and their dysregulation has been described in several pathological conditions. Recurrent seizures may lead to an adverse reorganization of the EC system and impairment of its protective effect. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2AG) are altered in epileptic dogs. Concentrations of AEA and total AG (sum of 2AG and 1AG) were measured in 40 dogs with idiopathic epilepsy and in 16 unaffected, healthy control dogs using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: AEA and total AG were measured at 4.94 (3.18 - 9.17) pM and 1.43 (0.90 - 1.92) nM in epileptic dogs and at 3.19 (2.04 - 4.28) pM and 1.76 (1.08 - 2.69) nM in the control group, respectively (median, 25 - 75% percentiles in brackets). The AEA difference between epileptic and healthy dogs was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Values correlated with seizure severity and duration of seizure activity. Dogs with cluster seizures and/or status epilepticus and with seizure activity for more than six months displayed the highest EC concentrations. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we present the first endocannabinoid measurements in canine CSF and confirm the hypothesis that the EC system is altered in canine idiopathic epilepsy.

Enhanced human tissue microdialysis using hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin as molecular carrier.

Microdialysis sampling of lipophilic molecules in human tissues is challenging because protein binding and adhesion to the membrane limit recovery. Hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) forms complexes with hydrophobic molecules thereby improving microdialysis recovery of lipophilic molecules in vitro and in rodents. We tested the approach in human subjects. First, we determined HP-ß-CD influences on metabolite stability, delivery, and recovery in vitro. Then, we evaluated HP-ß-CD as microdialysis perfusion fluid supplement in 20 healthy volunteers. We placed 20 kDa microdialysis catheters in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue and in the vastus lateralis muscle. We perfused catheters with lactate free Ringer solution with or without 10% HP-ß-CD at flow rates of 0.3-2.0 µl/min. We assessed tissue metabolites, ultrafiltration effects, and blood flow. In both tissues, metabolite concentrations with Ringer+HP-ß-CD perfusate were equal or higher compared to Ringer alone. Addition of HP-ß-CD increased dialysate volume by 10%. Adverse local or systemic reactions to HP-ß-CD did not occur and analytical methods were not disturbed. HP-ß-CD addition allowed to measure interstitial anandamide concentrations, a highly lipophilic endogenous molecule. Our findings suggest that HP-ß-CD is a suitable supplement in clinical microdialysis to enhance recovery of lipophilic molecules from human interstitial fluid.

UPLC-MS/MS measurement of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) in human plasma solves the S-nitrosothiol concentration enigma.

We developed and validated a fast UPLC-MS/MS method with positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) for the quantitative determination of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) in human plasma. We used a published protocol for the inactivation of plasma γ-glutamyltransferase (γGT) activity by using the γGT transition inhibitor serine/borate and the chelator EDTA for the stabilization of GSNO, and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) to block SH groups and to avoid S-transnitrosylation reactions which may diminish GSNO concentration. S-[(15)N]Nitrosoglutathione (GS(15)NO) served as internal standard. Fresh blood was treated with NEM/serine/borate/EDTA, plasma spiked with GS(15)NO (50nM) was ultrafiltered (cut-off 10kDa) and 10µL aliquots of the ultrafiltrate were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. Five HILIC columns and an Acquity UPLC BH amide column were tested. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water (70:30, v/v), contained 20mM ammonium formate, had a pH value of 7, and was pumped isocratically (0.5mL/min). The Nucleoshell column allowed better LC performance and higher MS sensitivity. The retention time of GSNO was about 1.1min. Quantification was performed by selected-reaction monitoring the mass transition m/z 337 ([M+H](+))→m/z 307 ([M+H(14)NO](+)) for GSNO (i.e., GS(14)NO) and m/z 338 ([M+H](+))→m/z 307 ([M+H(15)NO](+)) for GS(15)NO. NEM/serine/borate/EDTA was found to stabilize GSNO in human plasma. The method was validated in human plasma (range, 0-300nM) using 50nM GS(15)NO. Accuracy and precision were in generally acceptable ranges. A considerable matrix effect was observed, which was however outweighed by the internal standard GS(15)NO. In freshly prepared plasma from heparinized blood donated by 10 healthy subjects, no endogenous GSNO was determined above 2.8nM, the limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method. This study challenges previously reported GSNO plasma concentrations being far above the present method LOQ value and predicts that the concentration of low-molecular-mass and high-molecular-mass S-nitrosothiols are in the upper pM- and lower nM-range, respectively.

A validated, rapid UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous ivabradine, reboxetine, and metoprolol analysis in human plasma and its application to clinical trial samples.

A recent clinical trial assessing human autonomic cardiovascular regulation applied pacemaker channel inhibition with ivabradine, norepinephrine transporter blockade with reboxetine, and beta-adrenoreceptor blockade with metoprolol. To verify patient adherence, we developed and validated a fast UPLC-MS/MS assay measuring all three compounds simultaneously. Deuterium-labeled drugs, d3-ivabradine, d5-reboxetine and d7-metoprolol, served as internal standards. Sample preparation of 200µL human plasma consisted of a single liquid-liquid extraction step by means of ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was performed on a 50-mm long BEH C18 column with gradient elution using a mixture of water and methanol each containing 2mM ammonium acetate over 4.5min. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) mode. Characteristic product ions resulting from collision-induced dissociation of unlabeled and deuterium-labeled drugs with argon were used for quantification in the selected-reaction monitoring mode. We validated the method according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guideline on bioanalytical method validation over the range from 1ng/mL to 500ng/mL for all three analytes. Linear responses with correlation coefficients>0.99 over that range were acquired. The LOQ value was 1ng/mL for each drug. Regulatory criteria for accuracy (80-120%) and precision (RSD<15%) were met for all drugs. The internal standard-normalized matrix factor was close to 1 for low and high analyte concentrations. We successfully measured ivabradine, reboxetine, and metoprolol concentrations in 107 human plasma samples from a clinical trial. Quality control samples processed in parallel confirmed the method's reliability in a clinical setting.

Rationale and design of the RIACT-study: a multi-center placebo controlled double blind study to test the efficacy of RItuximab in Acute Cellular tubulointerstitial rejection with B-cell infiltrates in renal Transplant patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney allograft rejection is a major cause for declining graft function and has a negative impact on the long-term graft survival. The majority (90%) of acute rejections are T-cell mediated and, therefore, the anti-rejection therapy targets T-cell-mediated mechanisms of the rejection process. However, there is increasing evidence that intragraft B-cells are also important in the T-cell-mediated rejections. First, a significant proportion of patients with acute T-cell-mediated rejection have B-cells present in the infiltrates. Second, the outcome of these patients is inferior, which has been related to an inferior response to the conventional anti-rejection therapy. Third, treatment of these patients with an anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab) improves the allograft outcome as reported in single case observations and in one small study. Despite the promise of these observations, solid evidence is required before incorporating this treatment option into a general treatment recommendation. METHODS/DESIGN: The RIACT study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group multicenter Phase III study. The study examines whether rituximab, in addition to the standard treatment with steroid-boli, leads to an improved one-year kidney allograft function, compared to the standard treatment alone in patients with acute T-cell mediated tubulointerstitial rejection and significant B-cell infiltrates in their biopsies. A total of 180 patients will be recruited. DISCUSSION: It is important to clarify the relevance of anti-B cell targeting in T-cell mediated rejection and answer the question whether this novel concept should be incorporated in the conventional anti-rejection therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials gov. number: NCT01117662.

Stable-isotope dilution GC-MS method for ethanol in vapour ethanol and microdialysis systems based on carbonate-catalyzed extractive pentafluorobenzoylation.

Common ethanol detection methods are not applicable to cell culture media and microdialysates due to interference with medium constituents including amino acids and pH indicators. We present a novel GC-MS method for the accurate and precise analysis of ethanol in cell cultures and microdialysates. The method is based on the carbonate-catalyzed extractive pentafluorobenzoylation of ethanol and deuterium-labelled ethanol serving as the internal standard and on their GC-MS analysis in the electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization mode. The method was used to optimize experimental conditions in a custom-made ethanol vapour system utilized for studies examining ethanol influences on neuronal cell lines and in microdialysis.

Peripheral endocannabinoid microdialysis: in vitro characterization and proof-of-concept in human subjects.

In vivo endocannabinoid (EC) microdialysis has only seldom been performed, mostly in rodent brain tissue. Low solubility in aqueous media, adsorption to surfaces, and instability with co-present human serum albumin (HSA) are the major obstacles in EC microdialysis. The addition of hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrine (HPCD) to the perfusion fluid has been previously described to facilitate lipid microdialysis, but the general biophysical properties of HPCD, especially with respect to peripheral EC microdialysis, have not been described before. We report on the characterization of EC microdialysis using an in vitro system using Ringer's solution with 10% HPCD as the perfusion fluid and with fatty acid-free HSA as the matrix fluid. The endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2AG) were measured using LC-MS/MS. AEA was stable in the perfusion and matrix fluids, whereas 2AG was only stable in the perfusion fluid. In the matrix fluid, 2AG underwent rapid isomerization to 1-arachidonoyl glycerol. A relative recovery of 3.5% for AEA was found with 10% HPCD in the perfusion fluid and a flow rate of 1 µL/min. For 2AG, a similar relative recovery of 3.5% was estimated. Since 2AG was found unstable in the matrix fluid, a reliable calculation of the relative recovery rates was not possible. Delivery and recovery experiments revealed unequal inward and outward EC transport across the microdialysis membrane. Contrary to usual microdialysis findings, we observed increasing recovery rates for AEA with increasing flow rates. Long equilibration times of several hours were necessary to obtain constant relative recovery rates. In a proof-of-concept study in humans, we collected AEA from subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue employing the described methodology. Our study suggests that the microdialysis technique is not suitable for the exact quantification of tissue EC concentrations, but it allows for their rough estimation.

Changes of blood endocannabinoids during anaesthesia: a special case for fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition by propofol?

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: • Available data from animal studies suggest that the narcotic drug propofol interacts with the endocannabinoid system. Inhibition of enzymatic degradation of anandamide could explain some of the characteristics of propofol. Direct measurements have not been reported yet in humans. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: • Propofol does not change the time course of anandamide plasma concentrations during anaesthesia. Furthermore, propofol does not inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase activity ex vivo or in vitro. Thus, specific characteristics of the narcotic drug propofol cannot be explained by peripheral inhibition of anandamide degradation in humans. AIMS: The aim of our study was to describe the time course of endocannabinoids during different anaesthesia protocols in more detail, and to challenge the hypothesis that propofol acts as a FAAH inhibitor. METHODS: Endocannabinoids were measured during the first hour of anaesthesia in 14 women and 14 men undergoing general anaesthesia with propofol and in 14 women and 14 men receiving thiopental/sevoflurane. We also incubated whole human blood samples ex vivo with propofol and the known FAAH inhibitor oloxa and determined FAAH enzyme kinetics. RESULTS: Plasma anandamide decreased similarly with propofol and thiopental/sevoflurane anaesthesia, and reached a nadir after 10 min. Areas under the curve for anandamide (mean and 95% CI) were 53.3 (47.4, 59.2) nmol l(-1) 60 min with propofol and 48.5 (43.1, 53.8) nmol l(-1) 60 min with thiopental/sevoflurane (P= NS). Anandamide and propofol plasma concentrations were not correlated at any time point. Ex vivo FAAH activity was not inhibited by propofol. Enzyme kinetics (mean ± SD) of recombinant human FAAH were K(m) = 16.9 ± 8.8 µmol l(-1) and V(max) = 44.6 ± 15.8 nmol mg(-1) min(-1) FAAH without, and K(m) = 16.6 ± 4.0 µmol l(-1) and V(max) = 44.0 ± 7.6 nmol mg( 1 ) min(-1) FAAH with 50 µmol l(-1) propofol (P= NS for both). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings challenge the idea that propofol anaesthesia and also propofol addiction are directly mediated by FAAH inhibition, but we cannot exclude other indirect actions on cannabinoid receptors.

Simultaneous UPLC-MS/MS quantification of the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2AG), 1-arachidonoyl glycerol (1AG), and anandamide in human plasma: minimization of matrix-effects, 2AG/1AG isomerization and degradation by toluene solvent extraction.

Analysis of the endocannabinoid (EC) system's key molecules 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2AG) and arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide, AEA) is challenging due to several peculiarities. 2AG isomerizes spontaneously to its biologically inactive analogue 1-arachidonoyl glycerol (1AG) by acyl migration and it is only chromatographically distinguishable from 1AG. Matrix-effects caused primarily by co-extracted phospholipids may further compromise analysis. In addition, 2AG and 1AG are unstable under certain conditions like solvent evaporation or reconstitution of dried extracts. We examined effects of different organic solvents and their mixtures, such as toluene, ethyl acetate, and chloroform-methanol, on 2AG/1AG isomerisation, 2AG/1AG stability, and matrix-effects in the UPLC-MS/MS analysis of 2AG and AEA in human plasma. Toluene prevented, both, 2AG isomerisation to 1AG and degradation of 2AG/1AG during evaporation. Toluene extracts contain only 2% of matrix-effect-causing plasma phospholipids compared to extracts from the traditionally used solvent mixture chloroform-methanol. Toluene and all other tested organic solvents provide comparable 2AG and AEA extraction yields (60-80%). Based on these favourable toluene properties, we developed and validated a UPLC-MS/MS method with positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) that allows for simultaneous accurate and precise measurement of 2AG and AEA in human plasma. The UPLC-MS/MS method was cross-validated with a previously described fully-validated GC-MS/MS method for AEA in human plasma. A close correlation (r(2)=0.821) was observed between the results obtained from UPLC-MS/MS (y) and GC-MS/MS (x) methods (y=0.01+0.85x). The UPLC-MS/MS method is suitable for routine measurement of 2AG and AEA in human plasma samples (1 mL) in clinical settings as shown by quality control plasma samples processed over a period of 100 days. The UPLC-MS/MS method was further extended to human urine. In urine, AEA was not detectable and 2AG was detected in only 3 out of 19 samples from healthy subjects at 160, 180 and 212 pM corresponding to 12.3, 14.5 and 9.9 pmol/mmol creatinine, respectively.

Stable isotope liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for fatty acid amide hydrolase activity.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is the main enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of the endocannabinoid anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide, AEA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and ethanolamine (EA). Published FAAH activity assays mostly employ radiolabeled anandamide or synthetic fluorogenic substrates. We report a stable isotope liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for specific, sensitive, and high-throughput capable FAAH activity measurements. The assay uses AEA labeled with deuterium on the EA moiety (d4-AEA) as substrate and measures the specific reaction product tetradeutero-EA (d4-EA) and the internal standard ¹³C2-EA. Selected reaction monitoring of m/z 66→m/z 48 (d4-EA) and m/z 64→m/z 46 (¹³C2-EA) in the positive electrospray ionization mode after liquid chromatographic separation on a HILIC (hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography) column is performed. The assay was developed and thoroughly validated using recombinant human FAAH (rhFAAH) and then was applied to human blood and dog liver samples. rhFAAH-catalyzed d4-AEA hydrolysis obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (K(M)=12.3 µM, V(max)=27.6 nmol/min mg). Oleoyl oxazolopyridine (oloxa) was a potent, partial noncompetitive inhibitor of rhFAAH (IC50=24.3 nM). Substrate specificity of other fatty acid ethanolamides decreased with decreasing length, number of double bonds, and lipophilicity of the fatty acid skeleton. In human whole blood, we detected FAAH activity that was inhibited by oloxa.

Quantification of endocannabinoids in biological systems by chromatography and mass spectrometry: a comprehensive review from an analytical and biological perspective.

The endocannabinoids anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2AG) are physiologically occurring, biologically active compounds on CB(1) and CB(2) receptors with multiple physiological functions. AEA and 2AG have been identified and quantified in many mammalian biological fluids and tissues, such as human plasma, adipocytes, tissues and tissue microdialysates, at concentrations in the picomolar-to-nanomolar range under basal conditions. In this article, recently published chromatographic and mass spectrometric analytical methods, i.e., HPLC with fluorescence or ultraviolet detection, LC-MS, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS and GC-MS/MS, are reviewed and discussed, notably from the quantitative point of view. We focus on and emphasize the particular importance of blood sampling, sample storage and work-up including solvent and solid-phase extraction and derivatization procedures, matrix-effects, and stability of analytes. As 2AG spontaneously isomerizes to its CB(1)/CB(2) receptors biologically inactive 1-arachidonoyl glycerol (1AG) by acyl migration, this phenomenon and its particular importance for accurate quantification of 2AG are discussed in detail. Due to the electrical neutrality of AEA and 2AG their solvent extraction by toluene offers the least matrix-effect and minimum isomerization. LC-MS/MS is the most frequently used analytical technique for AEA and 2AG. At present, the utility of the GC-MS/MS methodology seems to be limited to AEA measurement in human plasma, bronchoalveolar liquid (BAL) and microdialysate samples. Despite great instrumental advances in the LC-MS/MS methodology, sampling and sample treatment remains one of the most crucial analytical steps in 2AG analysis. Extension of the LC-MS/MS methodology, for instance to microdialysate and BAL samples from clinical studies, is a big analytical challenge in endocannabinoid analysis in clinical settings. Currently available LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods should be useful to investigate the metabolism of AEA and 2AG beyond hydrolysis, i.e., by ß- and ω-oxidation pathways.

Quantification of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in human plasma and urine by stable isotope-dilution GC-MS and GC-MS/MS as pentafluorobenzyl ether derivative.

We report on the quantitative determination of acetaminophen (paracetamol; NAPAP-d(0)) in human plasma and urine by GC-MS and GC-MS/MS in the electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization (ECNICI) mode after derivatization with pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) bromide (PFB-Br). Commercially available tetradeuterated acetaminophen (NAPAP-d(4)) was used as the internal standard. NAPAP-d(0) and NAPAP-d(4) were extracted from 100-µL aliquots of plasma and urine with 300 µL ethyl acetate (EA) by vortexing (60s). After centrifugation the EA phase was collected, the solvent was removed under a stream of nitrogen gas, and the residue was reconstituted in acetonitrile (MeCN, 100 µL). PFB-Br (10 µL, 30 vol% in MeCN) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (10 µL) were added and the mixture was incubated for 60 min at 30 °C. Then, solvents and reagents were removed under nitrogen and the residue was taken up with 1000 µL of toluene, from which 1-µL aliquots were injected in the splitless mode. GC-MS quantification was performed by selected-ion monitoring ions due to [M-PFB](-) and [M-PFB-H](-), m/z 150 and m/z 149 for NAPAP-d(0) and m/z 154 and m/z 153 for NAPAP-d(4), respectively. GC-MS/MS quantification was performed by selected-reaction monitoring the transition m/z 150 → m/z 107 and m/z 149 → m/z 134 for NAPAP-d(0) and m/z 154 → m/z 111 and m/z 153 → m/z 138 for NAPAP-d(4). The method was validated for human plasma (range, 0-130 µM NAPAP-d(0)) and urine (range, 0-1300 µM NAPAP-d(0)). Accuracy (recovery, %) ranged between 89 and 119%, and imprecision (RSD, %) was below 19% in these matrices and ranges. A close correlation (r>0.999) was found between the concentrations measured by GC-MS and GC-MS/MS. By this method, acetaminophen can be reliably quantified in small plasma and urine sample volumes (e.g., 10 µL). The analytical performance of the method makes it especially useful in pediatrics.

Oxidized and nitrated oleic acid in biological systems: analysis by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, and biological significance.

Compared to the arachidonic acid (C20:4) cascade, the oleic acid (C18:1) family comprises a handful known metabolites. The pathophysiology of oleic acid and its oxidized and nitrated metabolites, i.e., cis-9,10-epoxyoctadecanoic acid (cis-EpOA) and the two vinylic nitro-oleic acids cis-9-nitro-oleic acid (9-NO(2)-OA) and cis-10-nitro-oleic acid (10-NO(2)-OA), is only little investigated and little understood. cis-EpOA, 9-NO(2)-OA and 10-NO(2)-OA have been detected in plasma of healthy and ill human subjects by means of gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques in their acid and esterified forms. cis-EpOA is formed from oleic acid by the catalytic action of various cytochrome P450 isozymes. In end-stage liver disease, cis-EpOA plasma concentration is lower than in healthy subjects suggesting liver as the main organ responsible for cis-EpOA synthesis. The origin of 9-NO(2)-OA and 10-NO(2)-OA and of other nitrated oleic acid metabolites is unknown. In vitro models, nitro-oleic acid species can be formed non-enzymatically from oleic acid and nitrogen dioxide. Thus, endogenous nitro-oleic acids could serve as biomarkers of fatty acid nitration by reactive nitrogen species. Synthetic 9-NO(2)-OA and 10-NO(2)-OA at concentrations of three orders of magnitude higher than their endogenous counterparts have interesting pharmacological features and are currently intensely investigated. The present article reviews and discusses currently available analytical methods for the quantitative determination of cis-EpOA, 9-NO(2)-OA and 10-NO(2)-OA in biological samples, notably in human plasma, and the potential biological significance of these oleic acid metabolites. Special emphasis is given to GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS methods utilizing the stable-isotope dilution technique. The sensitivity and specificity of the MS/MS approach make electron-capture negative ion chemical ionization (ECNICI) GC-MS/MS and negative electrospray ionization (NESI) LC-MS/MS methodologies indispensable in experimental and clinical settings on oxidative and nitrative oleic acid metabolism. These techniques are particularly suited to delineate the oleic acid cascade.

Unique pentafluorobenzylation and collision-induced dissociation for specific and accurate GC-MS/MS quantification of the catecholamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) in human urine.

In the human body, the catecholamine norepinephrine is mainly metabolized to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) which therefore serves as an important biomarker for norepinephrine's metabolism. Most data on DHPG concentrations in human plasma and urine has been generated by using HPLC-ECD or GC-MS technologies. Here, we describe a stable-isotope dilution GC-MS/MS method for the quantitative determination of DHPG in human urine using trideutero-DHPG (d(3)-DHPG) as internal standard and a two-step derivatization process with pentafluorobenzyl bromide (PFB-Br) and N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). Two pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives were obtained and identified, i.e., two isomeric DHPG-PFB-(TMS)(3) derivatives and the later eluting DHPG-tetrafluorobenzyl-(TMS)(2) derivative, i.e., DHPG-TFB-(TMS)(2). To our knowledge the DHPG-TFB-(TMS)(2) derivative and the underlying reaction have not been reported previously. In this reaction both vicinal aromatic hydroxyl groups of DHPG react with PFB-Br to form a heterocyclic seven-membered [1,4]dioxepin compound. The DHPG-TFB-(TMS)(2) derivative was used for quantitative GC-MS/MS analysis in the electron-capturing negative-ion chemical ionization mode by selected-reaction monitoring of m/z 351 from m/z 401 for DHPG and of m/z 352 from m/z 404 for d(3)-DHPG. Validation experiments on human urine samples spiked with DHPG in a narrow (0-33 nM) and a wide range (0-901 nM) revealed high recovery (86-104%) and low imprecision (RSD; 0.01-2.8%). LOD and relative LLOQ (rLLOQ) values of the method for DHPG were determined to be 76 amol and 9.4%, respectively. In urine of 28 patients suffering from chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, DHPG was measured at a mean concentration of 238 nM (38.3 µg/g creatinine). The DHPG concentration in the respective control group of 40 healthy subjects was measured to be 328 nM (39.2 µg/g creatinine). Given the unique derivatization reaction and collision-induced dissociation, and the straightforwardness the present method is highly specific, accurate, precise, and should be useful in clinical settings.