New Potential Biomarker for Methasterone Misuse in Human Urine by Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry.

In this study, methasterone urinary metabolic profiles were investigated by liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) in full scan and targeted MS/MS modes with accurate mass measurement. A healthy male volunteer was asked to take the drug and liquid-liquid extraction was employed to process urine samples. Chromatographic peaks for potential metabolites were hunted out with the theoretical [M - H](-) as a target ion in a full scan experiment and actual deprotonated ions were studied in targeted MS/MS experiment. Fifteen metabolites including two new sulfates (S1 and S2), three glucuronide conjugates (G2, G6 and G7), and three free metabolites (M2, M4 and M6) were detected for methasterone. Three metabolites involving G4, G5 and M5 were obtained for the first time in human urine samples. Owing to the absence of helpful fragments to elucidate the steroid ring structure of methasterone phase II metabolites, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to obtain structural information of the trimethylsilylated phase I metabolite released after enzymatic hydrolysis and the potential structure was inferred using a combined MS method. Metabolite detection times were also analyzed and G2 (18-nor-17ß-hydroxymethyl-2α, 17α-dimethyl-androst-13-en-3α-ol-ξ-O-glucuronide) was thought to be new potential biomarker for methasterone misuse which can be detected up to 10 days.

Gas chromatography properties and mass spectrometry fragmentation of anabolic androgenic steroids in doping control.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the gas chromatographic properties and mass spectrometric fragmentations of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) after trimethylsilylated derivatization. Materials & methods: A total of 113 AASs were analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the full-scan mode. Results: New fragmentation pathways yielding m/z 129, 143 and 169 ions were analyzed. Based on the characteristics of the A-ring, seven classes of drugs were identified and analyzed. Conclusion: The fragmentation pathway of a new classification of 4-en-3-hydroxyl was reported for the first time. The relationship between the chemical structures of AASs and their retention time, along with their molecular ion peak abundance, was also reported herein for the first time.

[Determination of doping in human urine by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry].

A method was evaluated for determination of twenty-one doping (including nandrolone, boldenone and methandienone) in human urine by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction, concentrated, TMS derivatization and limit of detection at ng x mL(-1) by MID/GC/HRMS. According to the code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), precision and recoveries of the procedure were evaluated by replicate analysis (n = 6), the recoveries in the range of 66%-103%, with the RSD below 10.0%. The precision within the day of the method with three different concentrations was also determined RSD were less than 9.5%, 10.0% and 9.7%.

Detection of 20 endogenous anabolic steroid esters with Girard's Reagent P derivatization in dried blood spots using UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS.

The esters of endogenous anabolic steroids are the most frequently used doping agents for prolonging the half-life of exogenously ingested endogenous anabolic steroids. As a cost- and time-saving matrix, dried blood spots (DBSs) are valuable for directly detecting endogenous anabolic steroid esters in blood and for providing conclusive evidence of their abuse. In this study, a method for simultaneous detection of 20 endogenous anabolic steroid esters in DBSs based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS) with parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was developed and validated, and 10 of these esters were analyzed in DBSs for the first time. This method analyzes the greatest number and types of endogenous anabolic steroid esters of any current method using DBSs. Girard's Reagent P (GRP) was used for the derivatization of endogenous anabolic steroid esters in a DBS matrix for the first time, and the conditions of the derivatization reaction were optimized to achieve a higher sensitivity compared to previous methods. Selectivity, limit of detection (LOD), extraction recovery, precision (intra- and inter-), matrix effects, and carry-over were analyzed to validate the method. The LODs were lower and the recoveries were higher than those of previous studies. The relative standard deviation of the intraday precision was below 20% and the interday precision was below 35%. A product ion analysis of GRP nandrolone ester, GRP boldenone ester, GRP dehydroepiandrosterone acetate, and GRP androstanolone ester derivatives was performed, and the structures of the fragment ions were proposed for the first time.

Identification and characterization of higenamine metabolites in human urine by quadrupole-orbitrap LC-MS/MS for doping control.

Higenamine is an alkaloid found in aconite, Annona squamosa, nanzhu (sacred bamboo), and other plants. It can be used to treat coughing, asthma, heart failure, and erectile dysfunction as well as aid in weight loss. It is also a banned substance in and out of competition as defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In this work, higenamine metabolic profiles were investigated in detail. Two healthy volunteers (one male and one female) took a higenamine tablet (5 mg), and urine samples were collected for two weeks. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) without enzymatic hydrolysis was used to clean the urine samples, and the urine extracts were then analyzed by liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (quadrupole-orbitrap LC-MS/MS) with accurate mass measurements. Higenamine and 32 metabolites were detected: 6 methylated, 10 sulfated and 16 glucuronidated metabolites. The chemical structures were elucidated by their fragmentation patterns, and accurate molecular formula determination was obtained for these newly reported metabolites. Three metabolic pathways containing methylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, and combinations of these were provided with methylation as the main metabolic pathway. The post-dose detection windows within urine of all 32 metabolites were compared with that of the parent drug, and a new potential biomarker (M7) was suggested for higenamine misuse. All urine samples were processed by two sample preparation methods: the dilute-and-shoot (DS) procedure and acid hydrolysis followed by SPE, and the time periods for a higenamine positive trails of two methods were compared. Although the DS method used to process the urine samples of athletes in the most of WADA-accredited laboratories to detect only free higenamine, acid hydrolysis followed by SPE is preferable and offers routine analysis to avoid false-negative results.

Simultaneous detection of 93 anabolic androgenic steroids in dietary supplements using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

In recent years, anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) have been frequently detected as undeclared ingredients in dietary supplements, where the adverse analytical findings (AAFs) were obtained from analysis of athletes' urine samples after ingestion. In our present study, a GC-MS/MS method for simultaneous detection of 93 anabolic steroids was developed. The chromatographic and mass spectrometric conditions were optimized, and selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode was adopted to obtain the necessary sensitivity. The whole sample analysis process was completed within 23 min, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.5-4 ng.g-1 for solid samples and 0.1-0.8 ng.mL-1 for liquid samples. This method was verified according to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations. In addition, the method was found to be specific, accurate. The developed method was then applied to a routine analysis of more than 300 liquid and solid dietary supplements, and one testosterone-positive sample was found. Three suspected drugs, (4-hydroxyandrostenedione, DHEA, and 6-Br androstenedione) were found in three dietary supplements obtained from the Internet through the pretreatment method of this study. This study provides a high-throughput method for screening and monitoring the ingredients of supplements and their subsequent harm to public health.

Mass spectrometric characterization of toremifene metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with different scan modes.

The metabolism and excretion of toremifene were investigated in one healthy male volunteer after a single oral administration of 120 mg toremifene citrate. Different liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) scanning techniques were carried out for the characterization of the metabolites in human urine for doping control purposes. The potential characteristic fragmentation pathways of toremifene and its major metabolites were presented. An approach for the metabolism study of toremifene and its analogs by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was established. Five different LC/MS/MS scanning methods based on precursor ion scan (precursor ion scan of m/z 72.2, 58.2, 44.2, 45.2, 88.2 relative to five metabolic pathways) in positive ion mode were assessed to recognize the metabolites. Based on product ion scan and precursor ion scan techniques, the metabolites were proposed to be identified as 4-hydroxy-toremifene (m/z 422.4), 4'-hydroxy-toremifene (m/z 422.4), α-hydroxy-toremifene (m/z 422.4), 3,4-dihydroxy-toremifene (m/z 404.2), toremifene acid (m/z 402.2), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-toremifene (m/z 456.2), dihydroxy-dehydro-toremifene (m/z 440.2), 3,4-dihydroxy-toremifene (m/z 438.2), N-demethyl-4-hydroxy-toremifene (m/z 408.3), N-demethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-toremifene (m/z 438.3). In addition, a new metabolite with a protonated molecule at m/z 390.3 was detected in all urine samples. The compound was identified by LC/MS/MS as N-demethyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-tamoxifene. The results indicated that 3,4-dihydroxy-toremifene (m/z 404.2), toremifene acid (m/z 402.2) and N-demethyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-tamoxifene (m/z 390.3) were major metabolites in human urine.

Dried blood spots in doping analysis.

A series of dried blood spot (DBS) detection methods for doping agents have been developed in the last two decades. The DBS technique minimizes invasiveness and reduces storage and shipping costs. Recently, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced the use of DBS for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games and Paralympic Games owing to the advantages of the DBS application in routine doping control. Therefore the further development of detection methods for doping agents in DBS is important and urgent. This review summarizes five aspects of DBS application in doping analysis: sample collection, storage conditions, pretreatment, instrumentation and validation according to the Prohibited List issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and proposes some suggestions for future studies of DBS in doping analysis.

Enantiomeric analysis of clenbuterol in Chinese people by LC-MS/MS to distinguish doping abuse from meat contamination.

Aim: Follow-up investigations are often required for clenbuterol-positive cases. A method to distinguish doping abuse from meat contamination was developed. Materials & methods: A total of 26 volunteers were recruited to ingest clenbuterol contaminated-pork and clenbuterol tablets. Results: For 20 volunteers, after ingestion of contaminated-pork, R-(-)/S-(+)-clenbuterol ratio was <1.0, while the value was >1.0 after taking clenbuterol tablets. However, after taking clenbuterol tablets, some ratio points of the other six volunteers were between 0.9 and 1.0. A case of an abnormal cold and fever, which returned to normal after recovery, was also reported firstly. Conclusion: A change in R-(-)/S-(+)-clenbuterol was reported in the Chinese population initially. A ratio of 0.9 was recommended in doping related cases for the Chinese population.

Doping control analysis for adrafinil and its major metabolites in human urine.

A new and reliable two-step liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for the screening and confirmation of adrafinil and its major metabolites, modafinil and modafinil acid, in human urine has been developed and validated. The method involved reversed-phase C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge extraction and MS analysis by means of LC/MS/MS and GC/MS. The study illustrated that the ESI capillary temperature played a key role in the formation of the protonated molecule. The limits of detection (LODs) of the developed method for the three compounds were lower than the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The human urine samples obtained after the oral administration of modafinil and from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were analyzed by using the described method, which has also been successfully applied to routine analyses and the WADA Proficiency Test.

[Determination methods for erythropoietin receptor activator in human urine].

In the present study, isoelectronic focusing with different pH gradients (pH 3-5, 2-6) or migrating distances (8.5, 12 and 17 cm) and SDS-PAGE was used to separate continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA), recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), darbepoetin and endogenous EPO spiked in human urine with 37 degrees C overnight incubation. Double blotting and chemiluminescent visualization were used to detect the IEF and SDS-PAGE profiles. The bands of CERA profile were detected and well separated from the endogenous EPO and the other two EPO preparations with both SDS-PAGE and the IEF method using a gradient pH 3-5 and a migrating distance of 17 cm, and a significant particular band of CERA profile was found in the IEF result. These preliminary results indicated that the methods were reliable and reproducible for detecting CERA, and could be used as a routine procedure for anti-doping analysis.

Quantitation of salbutamol in human urine by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) is described for quantitation of salbutamol in human urine using nadolol as the internal standard (I.S.). Urine samples were hydrolyzed with beta-glucuronidase followed by a solid-phase extraction procedure using Bond Elut-Certify cartridges. The HPLC column was an Agilent Zorbax SB-C(18) column. A mixture of 0.01 M ammonium formate buffer (pH 3.5)-acetonitrile (85:15, v/v) was used as the mobile phase. Analytes were quantitated using positive electrospray ionization in a quadrupole spectrometer. Selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode was used to monitor m/z 166 for salbutamol and m/z 310 for I.S. Good linearity was obtained in the range of 10.0-2000.0 ng/ml. The limit of quantification was 10.0 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-run precision, calculated from quality control (QC) samples was less than 7.3%. The accuracy as determined from QC samples was within +/-2.6%. The method was applied for determining excretion curves of salbutamol.

New long term metabolite in human urine for metenolone misuse by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

In this study, metenolone metabolic profiles were investigated. Metenolone was administered to one healthy male volunteer. Liquid-liquid extraction and direct-injection were applied to processing urine samples. Urinary extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOFMS) using full scan and product ion scan with accurate mass measurement for the first time. Due to the lack of useful fragment ion for structural elucidation, GC-MS instrumentation was employed to obtain structural details of the trimethylsilylated phase I metabolite released after hydrolysis, and the EI mass spectrum was always informative in steroidal structure studies owing to more useful fragment ions than the ESI mass spectrum. 16 metabolites including 6 glucuronide and 9 unreported sulfate conjugates were characterized and tentatively identified. All the metabolites were evaluated in terms of how long they could be detected. The sulfate conjugate S6 (1-methylen-5α-androst-3,17-dione-2ξ-sulfate) was considered to be a new long term metabolite for metenolone misuse that could be detected 40 days by liquid-liquid extraction and up to 30 days by direct-injection analysis after oral administration.

New oxymesterone metabolites in human by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and their application for doping control.

Oxymesterone (17α-methyl-4, 17ß-dihydroxy-androst-4-ene-3-one) is one of the anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The biotransformation of oxymesterone is performed in vitro by human heptocytes and human urinary metabolic profiles are investigated after single dose of 20 mg to two adult males as well. Cell cultures and urine samples were hydrolyzed by ß-glucuronidase, extracted, and reacted with N-Methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA), ammonium iodide (NH4 I), and dithioerythritol. After derivatization, a gas chromatography triple quadruple tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) using full scan and MS/MS modes was applied. The total ion chromatographs of the blank and the positive samples are compared, and 7 new metabolites were found. In addition to the well-known 17-epioxymesterone, oxymesterone is metabolized by 4-ene-reduction, 3-keto-reduction, 11ß-hydroxylation, and 16ξ-hydroxylation. Based on the behavior of the MS/MS results of product ion and precursor ion modes, a GC-MS/MS method has been developed monitoring these metabolites. The structures of metabolite 2 and 4 are tentatively identified as 17α-methyl-3ß, 17ß-dihydroxy-5α-androstane-4-one and 17α-methyl-3α, 4ξ, 17ß-trihydroxy-5α-androstane, respectively. Detection of oxymesterone using new metabolites M2 and M4 can extend the detection window up to 4 days since the parent steroid was not detectable. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Applications and challenges in using LC-MS/MS assays for quantitative doping analysis.

LC-MS/MS is useful for qualitative and quantitative analysis of 'doped' biological samples from athletes. LC-MS/MS-based assays at low-mass resolution allow fast and sensitive screening and quantification of targeted analytes that are based on preselected diagnostic precursor-product ion pairs. Whereas LC coupled with high-resolution/high-accuracy MS can be used for identification and quantification, both have advantages and challenges for routine analysis. Here, we review the literature regarding various quantification methods for measuring prohibited substances in athletes as they pertain to World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.

New drostanolone metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and their application for doping control.

Drostanolone is one of the most frequently detected anabolic androgenic steroids in doping control analysis. Here, we studied drostanolone urinary metabolic profiles using liquid chromatography quadruple time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) in full scan and targeted MS/MS modes with accurate mass measurement. The drug was administered to one healthy male volunteer and liquid-liquid extraction along with direct-injection were used to analyze urine samples. Chromatographic peaks for potential metabolites were identified with the theoretical [M-H](-) as a target ion in a full scan experiment and actual deprotonated ions were analyzed in targeted MS/MS mode. Eleven metabolites including five new sulfates, five glucuronide conjugates, and one free metabolite were confirmed for drostanolone. Due to the absence of useful fragment ions to illustrate the steroid ring structure of drostanolone phase II metabolites, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to obtain structural details of the trimethylsilylated phase I metabolite released after enzymatic hydrolysis and a potential structure was proposed using a combined MS approach. Metabolite detection times were recorded and S4 (2α-methyl-5α-androstan-17-one-6ß-ol-3α-sulfate) and G1 (2α-methyl-5α-androstan-17-one-3α-glucuronide) were thought to be new potential biomarkers for drostanolone misuse which can be detected up to 24days by liquid-liquid extraction and 7days by direct-injection analysis after intramuscular injection. S4 and G1 were also detected in two drostanolone-positive routine urine samples.

New potential biomarkers for mesterolone misuse in human urine by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

In this paper, mesterolone metabolic profiles were investigated carefully. Mesterolone was administered to one healthy male volunteer. Urinary extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOFMS) for the first time. Liquid-liquid extraction was applied to processing urine samples, and dilute-shoot analyses of intact metabolites were also presented. In LC-QTOFMS analysis, chromatographic peaks for potential metabolites were hunt down by using the theoretical [M-H](-) as target ions in full scan experiment, and their actual deprotonated ions were analyzed in targeted MS/MS mode. Ten metabolites including seven new sulfate and three glucuronide conjugates were found for mesterolone. Because of no useful fragment ion for structural elucidation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instrumentation was employed to obtain structural details of the trimethylsilylated phase I metabolite released after solvolysis. Thus, their potential structures were proposed particularly by a combined MS approach. All the metabolites were also evaluated in terms of how long they could be detected, and S1 (1α-methyl-5α-androst-3-one-17ß-sulfate) together with S2 (1α-methyl-5α-androst-17-one-3ß-sulfate) was detected up to 9 days after oral administration, which could be the new potential biomarkers for mesterolone misuse.

New clostebol metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and their application for doping control.

In this study, clostebol metabolic profiles were investigated carefully. Clostebol was administered to one healthy male volunteer. Urinary extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) using full scan and targeted MS/MS techniques with accurate mass measurement for the first time. Liquid-liquid extraction and direct injection were applied to processing urine samples. Chromatographic peaks for potential metabolites were found by using the theoretical [M-H](-) as target ion in full scan experiment, and their actual deprotonated ions were analyzed in targeted MS/MS mode. Fourteen metabolites were found for clostebol, and nine unreported metabolites (two free ones and seven sulfate conjugates) were identified by MS, and their potential structures were proposed based on fragmentation and metabolism pathways. Four glucuronide conjugates were also first reported. All the metabolites were evaluated in terms of how long they could be detected and S1 (4ξ-chloro-5ξ-androst-3ξ-ol-17-one-3ξ-sulfate) was considered to be the long-term metabolite for clostebol misuse detected up to 25 days by liquid-liquid extraction and 14 days by direct injection analysis after oral administration. Five conjugated metabolites (M2, M5, S2, S6 and S7) could also be the alternative biomarkers for clostebol misuse.

IRMS detection of testosterone manipulated with 13C labeled standards in human urine by removing the labeled 13C.

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is applied to confirm testosterone (T) abuse by determining the carbon isotope ratios (δ(13)C value). However, (13)C labeled standards can be used to control the δ(13)C value and produce manipulated T which cannot be detected by the current method. A method was explored to remove the (13)C labeled atom at C-3 from the molecule of androsterone (Andro), the metabolite of T in urine, to produce the resultant (A-nor-5α-androstane-2,17-dione, ANAD). The difference in δ(13)C values between Andro and ANAD (Δδ(13)CAndro-ANAD, ‰) would change significantly in case manipulated T is abused. Twenty-one volunteers administered T manipulated with different (13)C labeled standards. The collected urine samples were analyzed with the established method, and the maximum value of Δδ(13)CAndro-ANAD post ingestion ranged from 3.0‰ to 8.8‰. Based on the population reference, the cut-off value of Δδ(13)CAndro-ANAD for positive result was suggested as 1.2‰. The developed method could be used to detect T manipulated with 3-(13)C labeled standards.

Structural elucidation of new urinary tamoxifen metabolites by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

In this study, tamoxifen metabolic profiles were investigated carefully. Tamoxifen was administered to two healthy male volunteers and one female patient suffering from breast cancer. Urinary extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry using full scan and targeted MS/MS techniques with accurate mass measurement. Chromatographic peaks for potential metabolites were selected by using the theoretical [M + H](+) as precursor ion in full-scan experiment and m/z 72, 58 or 44 as characteristic product ions for N,N-dimethyl, N-desmethyl and N,N-didesmethyl metabolites in targeted MS/MS experiment, respectively. Tamoxifen and 37 metabolites were detected in extraction study samples. Chemical structures of seven unreported metabolites were elucidated particularly on the basis of fragmentation patterns observed for these metabolites. Several metabolic pathways containing mono- and di-hydroxylation, methoxylation, N-desmethylation, N,N-didesmethylation, oxidation and combinations were suggested. All the metabolites were detected in the urine samples up to 1 week.