A new sulphate metabolite as a long-term marker of metandienone misuse.

Metandienone is one of the most frequently detected anabolic androgenic steroids in sports drug testing. Metandienone misuse is commonly detected by monitoring different metabolites excreted free or conjugated with glucuronic acid using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after hydrolysis with ß-glucuronidase and liquid-liquid extraction. It is known that several metabolites are the result of the formation of sulphate conjugates in C17, which are converted to their 17-epimers in urine. Therefore, sulphation is an important phase II metabolic pathway of metandienone that has not been comprehensively studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the sulphate fraction of metandienone metabolism by LC-MS/MS. Seven sulphate metabolites were detected after the analysis of excretion study samples by applying different neutral loss scan, precursor ion scan and SRM methods. One of the metabolites (M1) was identified and characterised by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS as 18-nor-17ß-hydroxymethyl-17α-methylandrost-1,4,13-triene-3-one sulphate. M1 could be detected up to 26 days after the administration of a single dose of metandienone (5 mg), thus improving the period in which the misuse can be reported with respect to the last long-term metandienone metabolite described (18-nor-17ß-hydroxymethyl-17α-methylandrost-1,4,13-triene-3-one excreted in the glucuronide fraction).

Unexpected contribution of cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP11B2 and CYP21, as well as CYP3A4 in xenobiotic androgen elimination - insights from metandienone metabolism.

The metabolism of a variety of anabolic steroids frequently misused for doping purposes has been investigated in the last years. This research mainly focused on main and long-term metabolites suitable for detection, but detailed clearance mechanisms have rarely been elucidated. Recent studies on metandienone focused on the identification of 17ß-hydroxymethyl-17α-methyl-18-norandrosta-1,4,13-trien-3-one (20ßOH-NorMD) as long-term metabolite, however, the metabolic pathway of its generation remained unclear. Metandienone and its Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement product 17,17-dimethyl-18-norandrosta-1,4,13-trien-3-one (NorMD) were hydroxylated by different human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). Some of their hydroxylation products were chemically synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry to allow for their trace detection in urine samples. Following oral administration of metandienone or NorMD in one human volunteer each the post administration urines were checked for the presence of those hydroxylated metabolites using GC-MS/MS analysis. The human mitochondrial steroid hydroxylating enzymes CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 were capable to metabolize metandienone leading to the formation of 11ß-hydroxymetandienone and 18-hydroxymetandienone. Following Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement, the resulting products could be assigned to 20ßOH-NorMD and 11ßOH-NorMD. The contribution of CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 in human metabolism of metandienone was confirmed by analysis of post-administration samples of metandienone and NorMD. Combined with the results from a previous study, enzymatic pathways were identified that involve CYP21 and CYP3A4 in the hydroxylation of NorMD, while CYP21, CYP3A4 and CYP11B2 take part in 20ßOH-NorMD generation from MD. The current study represents a valuable contribution to the elucidation of clearance mechanisms of anabolic steroids and also indicates that mainly non-liver CYPs seem to be involved in these processes.

Steroid metabolism in chimeric mice with humanized liver.

Anabolic androgenic steroids are considered to be doping agents and are prohibited in sports. Their metabolism needs to be elucidated to allow for urinary detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Steroid metabolism was assessed using uPA(+/+) SCID mice with humanized livers (chimeric mice). This study presents the results of 19-norandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (19-norAD) administration to these in vivo mice. As in humans, 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone are the major detectable metabolites of 19-norAD in the urine of chimeric mice.A summary is given of the metabolic pathways found in chimeric mice after administration of three model steroid compounds (methandienone, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and 19-norandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione). From these studies we can conclude that all major metabolic pathways for anabolic steroids in humans are present in the chimeric mouse. It is hoped that, in future, this promising chimeric mouse model might assist the discovery of new and possible longer detectable metabolites of (designer) steroids.

Combination of liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in different scan modes with human and chimeric mouse urine for the study of steroid metabolism.

Anabolic steroids are among the most frequently detected compounds in doping analysis. They are extensively metabolized and therefore an in-depth knowledge about steroid metabolism is needed. In this study, a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectometry (LC-MS/MS) method based on a precursor ion scan with a uPA-SCID mouse with humanized liver (a chimeric mouse) was explored for the detection of steroid metabolism. Methandienone was used as a model compound. The application of the precursor ion scan method in positive human samples and chimeric mice samples after methandienone administration allowed the detection of most steroid metabolites without any structural restriction. Three hitherto unreported metabolites were found using this approach. These metabolites were characterized using LC-MS/MS and feasible structures were proposed. The structure of one of them, 6-ene-epimethandienone, was confirmed by the synthesis of the reference compound. A selected reaction monitoring (SRM) method for the specific detection of all these metabolites has been developed. The application of this method to several human and chimeric mouse samples confirmed that more than 80% of the steroid metabolites were found in both samples. Only metabolites that are poorly detectable by LC-MS/MS were not detected in some urine samples. The metabolic nature of the unreported metabolites was also confirmed. A global strategy for the detection of steroid metabolites combining both human and chimeric mouse urine is proposed.

[Heterologous expression of functionally active human cytochrome P-450s. Cytochrome P-450IIIA4 catalyzes the biotransformation of the anabolic steroid hormone methandrostenolone]. / Geterologicheskaia ékspressiia funktsional'no-aktivnykh tsitokhromov P-450 cheloveka. Tsitokhrom P-450IIIA4 kataliziruet biotransformatsiiu anabolicheskogo steroidnogo gormona metandrostenolona.

The expression of the cytochrome P450IIIA4 gene in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast using the shuttle vector pYeDP1-8/2 has been carried out. The microsomal fraction isolated from the transformed yeast cells was used for biotransformation of the anabolic steroid hormone-methandrostenolone (MA). The microsomal oxidation products were analyzed by HPLC and two-dimensional TLC. It was shown that microsomes of the yeasts expressing human cytochrome P450IIIA4 catalyze the MA conversion into its 6 beta-hydroxy derivative. An identical product is formed via a reaction catalyzed by human liver microsomes. The use of the heterological system of cytochrome P450IIIA4 expression has made it possible to establish its role in MA metabolism. The experimental system simulates the first phase of the drug biotransformation in liver cells.

Detection of methandienone (methandrostenolone) and metabolites in horse urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The metabolic transformation of methandienone (I) in the horse was investigated. After administration of a commercial drug preparation to a female horse (0.5 mg/kg), urine samples were collected up to 96 h and processed without enzymic hydrolysis. Extraction was performed by a series of solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extractions, thus avoiding laborious purification techniques. For analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the extracts were trimethylsilylated. Besides the parent compound I and its C-17 epimer II, three monohydroxylated metabolites were identified: 6 beta-hydroxymethandienone (III), its C-17 epimer (IV) and 16 beta-hydroxymethandienone (V). In addition, three isomers of 6 beta,16-dihydroxymethandienone (VIa-c) were discovered. Apparently, reduction of the delta 4 double bond of 16 beta-hydroxymethandienone (V) in the horse yields 16 beta,17 beta-dihydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-5 beta-androst-1-en-3-one (VII). Reduction of the isomers VIa-c results in the corresponding 6 beta,16,17-trihydroxy-17-methyl-5 beta-androst-1-en-3-ones (VIIIa-c). The data presented here suggest that screening for the isomers of VI and VIII, applying the selected-ion monitoring technique, will be the most successful way of proving methandienone administration to a horse.

[An analysis of the structure of the metabolic products of methandrostenolone in the body of white rats]. / Analiz struktury produktov metabolizma metandrostenolona v organizme belykh krys.

The products of biotransformation of an anabolic steroidal drug methandrostenolone in the Wistar albino rat organism were studied. By using the developed methods of HPLC the products of a complete reduction of methandrostenolone were isolated and their chemical structures were determined. It was found that at the reduction of the system of methandrostenolone double bonds were formed all four possible isomers.

Determination of methandrostenolone and its metabolites in equine plasma and urine by coupled-column liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and confirmation by tandem mass spectrometry.

Monitoring steroid use requires an understanding of the metabolism in the species in question and development of sensitive methods for screening of the steroid or its metabolites in urine. Qualitative information for confirmation of methandrostenolone and identification of its metabolites was primarily obtained by coupled-column high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The steroids and a sulphuric acid conjugate were isolated and identified by their daughter ion mass spectra in the urine of both man and the horse following administration of methandrostenolone. Spontaneous hydrolysis of methandrostenolone sulphate gave 17-epimethandrostenolone and several dehydration products. This reaction had a half-life of 16 min in equine urine at 27 degrees C. Mono- and dihydroxylated metabolites were also identified. Several screening methods were evaluated for detection and confirmation of methandrostenolone use including thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Coupled-column liquid chromatography was used for automated clean-up of analytes difficult to isolate by manual methods. The recovery of methandrostenolone was 101 +/- 3.3% (mean +/- S.D.) at 6.5 ng/ml and both methandrostenolone and 17-epimethandrostenolone were quantified in urine by ultraviolet detection up to six days after a 250-mg intramuscular dose to a horse. The utility of on-line tandem mass spectrometry for confirmation of suspected metabolites is also shown.

[Metabolic products of methandrostenolone in the body of white rats studied by high-performance liquid chromatography]. / Izuchenie produktov metabolizma metandrostenolona v organizme belykh krys metodom vysokoéffektivnoi zhidkostnoi khromatografii.

Metabolism of the anabolic steroidal hormone methandrostenolone in Wistar rats was studied by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and redioisotope techniques. The conditions for isolation of methandrostenolone metabolites by HPLC were developed. Reduction of the double bonds was shown to be an early stage in methandrostenolone biotransformation. The main portion of the metabolites was excreted with urine as glucuronide conjugates. No sulfoesters were found.

[Dynamic distribution of methandrostenolone in the body of white rats]. / Dinamika raspredeleniia metandrostenolona v organizma belykh krys.

Dynamics of distribution of anabolic steroidal hormone methandrostenolone and routes of its elimination from the organism of Wistar rats were studied by using methods of radioisotopes and high-performance liquid chromatography. Methandrostenolone metabolites were shown to be excreted mainly in the urine. Methandrostenolone metabolism is a complicated process in the course of which redistribution of metabolites among various organs occurs. The anabolic effect of methandrostenolone is supposed to be due to the formation of its metabolites.