Local production of 17ß-oestradiol in the endometrium during the implantation window: a pilot study.

Abstract: Sex steroids are converted to bioactive metabolites and vice versa by endometrial steroid-metabolising enzymes. Studies indicate that alterations in this metabolism might affect endometrial receptivity. This pilot study determined whether the endometrial formation and inactivation of 17ß-oestradiol differed between the supposedly embryo-receptive endometrium and non-receptive endometrium of women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Endometrial biopsies were obtained from IVF/ICSI patients 5-8 days after ovulation in a natural cycle, prior to their second IVF/ICSI cycle with fresh embryo transfer (ET). Endometrial biopsies from patients who achieved clinical pregnancy after fresh ET (n = 15) were compared with endometrial biopsies from patients that did not conceive after fresh ET (n = 15). Formation of 17ß-oestradiol (oxidative 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs)), oestrone (reductive HSD17Bs) and inhibition of HSD17B1 activity were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The endometrial transcriptome was profiled using RNA sequencing followed by principal component analysis and differentially expressed gene analysis. The false discovery rate-adjusted P < 0.05 and log fold change >0.5 were selected as the screening threshold. Formation and inactivation of 17ß-oestradiol resulted similar between groups. Inhibition of HSD17B1 activity was significantly higher in the non-pregnant group when only primary infertile women (n = 12) were considered (27.1%, n = 5 vs 16.2%, n = 7, P = 0.04). Gene expression analysis confirmed the presence of HSD17B1 (encoding HSD17B1), HSD17B2 (encoding HSD17B2) and 33 of 46 analysed steroid metabolising enzymes in the endometrium. In the primary infertile subgroup (n = 10) 12 DEGs were found including LINC02349 which has been linked to implantation. However, the exact relationship between steroid-metabolising enzyme activity, expression and implantation outcome requires further investigation in larger, well-defined patient groups. Lay summary: Sex hormones are produced and broken down by enzymes that can be found in the endometrium (the inner lining of the womb). This enzyme activity might influence the chances of becoming pregnant. We compared (i) enzyme activity in the endometrium of 15 women who did and 15 women who did not become pregnant in their second in vitro fertilisation attempt, (ii) how enzyme activity can be blocked by an inhibitor, and (iii) differences in gene expression (the process by which instructions in our DNA are converted into a product). Enzyme activity was similar between groups. We found that in women who have never been pregnant in the past, inhibition of enzyme activity was higher and found differences in a gene that has been linked to the implantation of the embryo, but future studies should be performed in larger, well-defined patient groups to confirm these findings.

The sulfatase pathway as estrogen supply in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Contradictory results are reported about the level of steroid sulfatase (STS), estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1; together, the sulfatase pathway) and aromatase (CYP19A1) in endometrial cancer (EC). The aim of this study was to explore the levels of these enzymes in a well-characterized cohort of EC patients and postmenopausal controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endometrial tissues from 31 EC patients (21 grade 1 and 10 grade 2-3) and 19 postmenopausal controls were collected. Levels of mRNA (RT-qPCR) and protein (immunohistochemistry) were determined. STS enzyme activity was measured by HPLC, whereas SULT1E1 enzyme activity was determined using a novel method based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: No significant differences in STS, SULT1E1 mRNA or protein levels and STS:SULT1E1 ratio were found. STS enzyme activity and STS:SULT1E1 activity ratio were significantly decreased in ECs compared with controls. CYP19A1 mRNA levels were lower in ECs than in controls. CONCLUSION: A novel highly sensitive and accurate protocol to assess SULT1E1 activity is presented. STS enzyme activity and the STS:SULT1E1 activity ratio seem to be lower in ECs than in controls. STS is an important route for estrogen supply in endometrial cells.

Increased levels of enzymes involved in local estradiol synthesis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION: Steroid hormones are involved in lung development, pulmonary inflammation, and lung cancer. Estrogen signaling and exposure may play a role in pulmonary disorders, including COPD. In both genders, estrogens can be generated locally in the lungs and this contributes importantly to the tissue exposure to these steroids. OBJECTIVE: To characterize and assess differences in localization of estrogen receptors and enzymes involved in the local generation of estrogens in COPD. METHODS: Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα/ESR1), Estrogen Receptor beta (ERß/ESR2) and G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) were explored by real-time (RT)-PCR analysis (mRNA expression), immunohistochemistry and western blotting in controls and COPD patients. mRNA expression of the enzymes involved in the local estrogen generation - i.e. aromatase (CYP19A1), 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17ß-HSDs) 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 12, steroid sulfatase (STS) and sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) - were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: ERα, ERß and GPER were expressed in lung tissue, but no differences were observed between patients and controls. The main enzymes involved in local estrogen generation were also present in both normal and COPD lung tissue. In lungs of COPD patients compared with controls, we observed increased expression of the enzymes 17ß-HSD type 1 and aromatase (positive association), both involved in the local synthesis of active estrogens. CONCLUSION: All ER subtypes are present in the lung. The shift in local mRNA level of estrogen metabolic enzymes suggests that exposure to estrogens is involved in the pathogenesis of COPD.

Paired-box gene 2 is down-regulated in endometriosis and correlates with low epidermal growth factor receptor expression.

BACKGROUND: Paired-box 2 (Pax2) is involved in the development of the female genital tract and has been associated with endometrial pathologies. The expression of Pax2 is induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and estrogens. In the present study, Pax2 expression and regulation were investigated in endometriosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pax2 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in the eutopic (i.e. inside the uterus) and ectopic tissue (endometriosis) from 11 patients. Immunoreactivity was high in the endometrium, with strong epithelial and weaker stromal staining. Similar expression patterns of Pax2 were observed in the endometrium of women without endometriosis (n = 12). The mRNA level of Pax2 was assessed by real-time PCR in the eutopic and ectopic endometria of 14 patients and in the endometrium from women without endometriosis (n = 20). Pax2 expression was lower in endometriotic lesions than that in the eutopic endometrium of patients (P< 0.001) and controls (P= 0.007). Three possible mechanisms determining low Pax2 expression were investigated: EGF signalling, CpG DNA methylation of the Pax2 promoter and steroid response. The mRNA level of the EGF receptor (EGFR1) was assessed in the samples used for Pax2 mRNA assessment. A significant correlation between EGFR1 and Pax2 in both eutopic and ectopic tissues was observed (R = 0.58; slope regression line, 0.81; 95% CI: 0.09-1.52 and R = 0.54; slope regression line, 2.51; 95% CI: 0.02-4.99, respectively). CpG DNA methylation was analyzed by methyl-specific PCR in two regions of the Pax2 promoter but they were unmethylated in all samples. Steroid responsiveness was assessed using endometrial explant cultures and Pax2 was not regulated by either 17ß-estradiol or progesterone. CONCLUSIONS: In endometriosis patients, Pax2 is down-regulated in the lesions compared with the eutopic tissue, possibly due to low EGF signalling.

Persistent adenovirus-mediated thymidine kinase gene expression in ovarian cancer cells increases cell killing efficacy over time.

Adenovirus (ADV)-mediated gene therapy with the thymidine kinase (TK) gene under control of the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) promotor followed by the administration of acyclovir has been established in vitro for the treatment of ovarian cancer cells and has been used as the basis for intraperitoneal phase I clinical trials. It is unclear how long a significant degree of transgene translation can be expected after adenovirus-mediated TK transduction, where the transcriptional complex is localized in the nucleus in an episomal fashion and thus without stable integration. The possible interaction of acyclovir pretreatment with subsequent ADV-RSV-TK transduction also remains to be elucidated. Transgene expression and cell killing efficacy were analysed based on multiplicity of infection (MOI) and MTT assay. Anti-TK-antibody 1397 was used for immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis of TK expression. After transduction with ADV-RSV-TK at an MOI of 66, TK translation increased strongly in MDH 2774 and OVCAR-3 cell lines during the initial 48 hours. Virtually constant expression of the TK transgene was observed by Western blot during eight days. Cell killing efficacy was increased by repeated daily administrations of acyclovir. Pretreatment with acyclovir did not result in significantly increased cell killing efficacy. No negative effect of acyclovir on ADV-RSV-TK transduction was observed. The at least week-long expression of the TK transgene with persistently increasing efficacy of cell killing after ADV-mediated tumor cell transduction provide a realistic basis for the development of multicycle ADV-mediated TK gene therapy approaches in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Continuous i.v. acyclovir treatment or daily oral acyclovir-prodrug therapy might simplify the substrate regimen for the TK gene.

Estrogen metabolizing enzymes in endometrium and endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Estradiol (E(2)) is an important promoter of the growth of both eutopic and ectopic endometrium. The findings with regard to the expression and activity of steroidogenic enzymes in endometrium of controls, in endometrium of endometriosis patients and in endometriotic lesions are not consistent. METHODS: In this study, we have looked at the mRNA expression and protein levels of a range of steroidogenic enzymes [aromatase, 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17beta-HSD) type 1, 2 and 4, estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) and steroid sulfatase (STS)] in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients (n = 14) with deep-infiltrative endometriosis as well as in disease-free endometrium (n = 48) using real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. In addition, we evaluated their menstrual cycle-related expression patterns, and investigated their steroid responsiveness in explant cultures. RESULTS: Aromatase and 17beta-HSD type 1 mRNA levels were extremely low in normal human endometrium, while mRNAs for types 2 and 4 17beta-HSD, EST and STS were readily detectable. Only 17beta-HSD type 2 and EST genes showed sensitivity to progesterone in normal endometrium. Types 1 and 2 17beta-HSD and STS protein was detected in normal endometrium using new polyclonal antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: In endometriosis lesions, the balance is tilted in favor of enzymes producing E(2). This is due to a suppression of types 2 and 4 17beta-HSD, and an increased expression of aromatase and type 1 17beta-HSD in ectopic endometrium.

A sensitive HPLC method for the assessment of metabolic conversion of estrogens.

Disorders of estrogen-responsive tissues are frequently associated with aberrations in steroid metabolism due to altered expression of synthesizing and metabolizing enzymes. For instance, overexposure to unopposed 17beta-estradiol has been associated with the pathogenesis of endometrial proliferative disorders, such as endometriosis. Investigations into the metabolic conversion in tissues and cells have been rather limited. This is mostly due to fact that such studies have to make use of radioactive steroid hormones and expensive equipment to obtain sufficient sensitivity. We adapted a sensitive non-radioactive HPLC method to study estrogen metabolism in more detail. This HPLC method is based on the solid phase extraction of estrogens and the derivatization of the steroids with 2-(4-carboxy-phenyl)-5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole. The technique is sensitive, robust and is useful for the detection of aromatase, 17beta-HSD types 1 and 2 and sulfatase activities in lysates of placenta and endometrium.

Hypoxia contributes to development of recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

Tumor hypoxia can trigger the induction of angiogenesis. High microvessel density (MVD) as well as hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) have been related to recurrent disease and tumor aggressiveness, respectively. In this study, MVD and hypoxic status were investigated in primary and recurrent endometrial carcinomas. A total of 65 primary tumors of patients with recurrent endometrial carcinoma (n = 40), and without recurrent endometrial carcinoma (n = 25) were studied. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. MVD was determined by quantitative analysis of CD31/FVIII positive vessels. Tumor hypoxia was estimated by evaluating the expression of the hypoxia-regulated gene HIF-1alphaand its target gene carbonic anhydrase IX (CA-IX). An additional 23 recurrent tumors were available for determination of MVD and HIF-1alpha expression. Effects of hypoxia on tumor protein p53 (TP53) expression were evaluated in the endometrial cancer cell lines (ECC-1), Ishikawa (derived from adenocarcinomas), and AN3CA (derived from a lymph node metastasis). MVD, CA-IX, and HIF-1alpha expression were not significantly different in primary tumors of patients with recurrence compared to the control tumors. The MVD was significantly lower, and HIF-1alpha expression was significantly higher in recurrent tumors when compared with their primary tumors (paired t test, P < 0.05). HIF-1alpha expression correlated well with TP53 expression levels in primary tumors, but not in recurrences. TP53 protein levels were highest in AN3CA cells. Hypoxic conditions induced TP53 protein in ECC-1 and Ishikawa, but not AN3CA cells. We conclude that MVD, CA-IX, and HIF-1alpha expression are not independent prognostic markers for recurrent endometrial carcinoma. The low MVD, increased HIF-1alpha protein levels, dissociation of hypoxia, and TP53 protein induction in the metastatic tumor cells (AN3CA) support a role for hypoxia in the development of recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

RASSF1A methylation and K-ras and B-raf mutations and recurrent endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Aberrations in mediators of Ras signaling may increase the risk of developing recurrent endometrial carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary tumors of patients with (n = 44) and without (n = 44) recurrent stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma were compared regarding the presence of K-ras mutations (codons 12 and 13), B-raf mutations (V599), and RASSF1A gene promoter methylation. RESULTS: K-ras mutations were present in 18% of the patients independent of recurrent disease. No B-raf mutations were found. RASSF1A methylation was demonstrated in 85% of endometrial carcinomas, independent of recurrence. The presence of K-ras mutations and RASSF1A promoter methylation were not related, either directly or inversely. Analysis in premenopausal endometrial carcinomas demonstrated K-ras mutations in 40%, no B-raf mutations, and RASSF1A promoter methylation in 70% of the cases. RASSF1A methylation was also observed in samples of cyclic (n = 14), hyperplastic (n = 8), and atrophic (n = 13) endometrial tissues in 21%, 50% and 38%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: RASSF1A methylation was observed in a high frequency in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma whereas K-ras and B-raf mutations were observed in a low frequency. No association was observed with the development of recurrent disease. High-frequency RASSF1A methylation in premenopausal carcinomas and an increased frequency in endometrial hyperplasia indicate that this may be an early event in endometrial carcinogenesis.

Expression and regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor ligands and receptors during menstruation and post-menstrual repair of human endometrium.

Regeneration and growth of the human endometrium after shedding of the functional layer during menstruation depends on an adequate angiogenic response. We analysed the mRNA expression levels of all known vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ligands and receptors in human endometrium collected in the menstrual and proliferative phases of the menstrual cycle. In addition, we evaluated the expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-R2 and NRP-1 at the protein level. Two periods of elevated mRNA expression of ligands and receptors were observed, separated by a distinct drop at cycle days (CDs) 9 and 10. Immunohistochemical staining showed that VEGF and VEGF-R2 were expressed in epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells. NRP-1 was mainly confined to stroma and blood vessels; only in late-proliferative endometrium, epithelial staining was also observed. Except for endothelial VEGF-R2 expression in CDs 6-8, there were no significant differences in the expression of VEGF, VEGF-R2 or NRP-1 in any of the cell compartments. In contrast, VEGF release by cultured human endometrium explants decreased during the proliferative phase. This output was significantly reduced in menstrual and early-proliferative endometrium by estradiol (E2) treatment. Western blot analysis indicated that part of the VEGF-A was trapped in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Changes in VEGF ligands and receptors were associated with elevated expression of the hypoxia markers HIF1alpha and CA-IX in the menstrual and early proliferative phases. HIF1alpha was also detected in late-proliferative phase endometrium. Our findings indicate that VEGF-A exerts its actions mostly during the first half of the proliferative phase. Furthermore, VEGF-A production appears to be triggered by hypoxia in the menstrual phase and subsequently suppressed by estrogen during the late proliferative phase.

Transforming growth factor beta signal transduction in hepatic stellate cells via Smad2/3 phosphorylation, a pathway that is abrogated during in vitro progression to myofibroblasts. TGFbeta signal transduction during transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells.

To current knowledge, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) signaling is mandatory to establish liver fibrosis and various molecular interventions designed to affect the TGFbeta system were successfully used to inhibit fibrogenesis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which are one important source of TGFbeta, are the major producers of extracellular matrix proteins in liver injury. We have previously shown that the TGFbeta response of this cell type is modulated during the transdifferentiation process. This work delineates the activation of TGFbeta downstream mediators, the Smads, in quiescent HSC and transdifferentiated myofibroblasts (MFB). The expression level of all Smads remained largely unchanged during this process. The response of HSC to TGFbeta, leading to, e.g., induction of alpha2 (I) collagen expression, is mediated by phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 and subsequent nuclear translocation of a Smad containing complex. Neither TGFbeta-dependent nor endogenously phosphorylated Smad2/3 was detectable in comparable amounts in transdifferentiated MFB, indicating loss of TGFbeta sensitivity. Ectopic expression of Smad7 in HSC led to inhibition of Smad2 phosphorylation and abrogated TGFbeta response. In transdifferentiated MFB, expression of a constitutively active TGFbeta receptor I, but not treatment with TGFbeta1, resulted in transcriptional activation of a TGFbeta responsive promoter, thereby demonstrating completely restored TGFbeta signal transduction. Our data indicate that in contrast to a postulated mechanism of enduring autocrine TGFbeta signal transduction, early and late stages of HSC activation have to be distinguished, which is of importance for antifibrotic therapies.

Expression of Smads during in vitro transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells to myofibroblasts.

TGFbeta is of crucial importance during transdifferentiation of resting retinoid-storing hepatic stellate cells (HSC) to extracellular matrix producing myofibroblasts (MFB) and consequently, inhibition of TGFbeta signal transduction is an effective means for preventing experimental fibrosis. We have shown that isolated HSC lose TGFbeta-dependent growth control during in vitro activation and that alpha2 (I) collagen production in transdifferentiated MFB is TGFbeta-independent. Furthermore, Smad complexes with SBE binding activity were only detected in early cultures of HSC, although TGFbeta receptor types I and II were significantly expressed in HSC and MFB. In the present report, we compared the expression pattern of TGFbeta downstream mediators, i.e., the Smads, in TGFbeta responsive HSC versus nonresponding MFB. The transdifferentiation process was monitored by morphology and increasing expression of TGFbeta and alpha-smooth muscle actin, and TGFbeta signaling was investigated by (CAGA)(9)-MLP-Luc. The expression level of all Smads remained essentially unchanged both during the activation process and after TGFbeta-treatment. Smad7 was transiently upregulated upon TGFbeta stimulation in quiescent HSC, indicating a negative feed back loop in responsive cells. In contrast, MFB neither displayed TGFbeta-inducible nor constitutively upregulated Smad7 expression. Instead, Smad3 mRNA was increased in MFB. Our data indicate that abrogation of the TGFbeta response in MFB versus HSC is not based on different regulation of Smad expression.

Modulation of transforming growth factor beta response and signaling during transdifferentiation of rat hepatic stellate cells to myofibroblasts.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key step in liver fibrogenesis. Increased transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) expression and extracellular matrix production in patients with hepatic fibrosis and experimental models of liver fibrogenesis support implication of TGF-beta in the pathogenesis of this disease. However, a causative role for TGF-beta during transdifferentiation of HSCs has not been delineated in molecular detail. Using a rat cell culture model of HSC transdifferentiation, we analyzed TGF-beta signal transduction and identified changes between stellate cells and their transdifferentiated phenotype. Fully transdifferentiated myofibroblasts, opposed to HSCs, were not inhibited in proliferation activity on treatment with TGF-beta1. Furthermore, stimulation of alpha2 (I) collagen and Smad7 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by TGF-beta1 was achieved in stellate cells but not in myofibroblasts. Northern and Western blot analyses indicated significant expression of TGF-beta receptors I and II in both cell types. In contrast, [(125)I]-TGF-beta1 receptor affinity labeling displayed strongly reduced types I, II, and III receptor presentation at the cell surface of myofibroblasts. Moreover, myofibroblasts did not display DNA-binding SMAD proteins in electrophoretic mobility shift assays with a CAGA box. These data indicate that stellate cells are responsive to TGF-beta1 treatment and transduce a signal that may play an important role in liver fibrogenesis. Myofibroblasts display decreased availability of surface receptors for TGF-beta, which could be based on autocrine stimulation. However, lack of activated SMAD complexes with DNA-binding activity and absence of alpha2 (I) collagen transcription inhibition by latency-associated peptide (LAP)/anti-TGF-beta antibody raise the possibility of TGF-beta signaling independent receptor down-regulation in myofibroblasts.

The determination of inorganic sulphate in serum and synovial fluid by high performance ion chromatography.

A method for the determination of inorganic sulphate based on high performance ion chromatography is presented. The separation was performed on an anion-exchange column with a 1.8 mmol/l sodium carbonate/ 1.7 mmol/l sodium hydrogen carbonate-buffer, pH 10.35. Conductivity of the eluate was monitored after suppression of the background conductivity caused by the eluent-buffer. Serum and synovial fluid samples were prepared by ultrafiltration through membranes with a molecular mass cutoff of M(r) 10,000. The viscosity of the synovial fluids was reduced by treatment with hyaluronate lyase before ultrafiltration. The method showed a linear response for sulphate concentrations between 0.5 and 1000 mumol/l. The limit of detection was 1 mumol/l for aqueous standards. For serum the coefficient of variation within-run was 2.3%-2.4%, the coefficient of variation between days 2.9%-3.1%. For synovial fluids the coefficient of variation within-run was 3.1%-3.4%, the coefficient of variation between days 4.6%-5.7%. Standard recovery experiments performed by spiking pools of human sera containing low sulphate concentrations with sulphate concentrations between 5 mumol/l and 40 mumol/l showed recoveries between 98.9% and 100.6%. The corresponding experiments with pools of synovial fluids showed recoveries of 98.3% to 100.9%. As determined from 127 serum samples the reference range for sulphate was 262 mumol/l-420 mumol/l, with a mean value of 314 mumol/l. No dependence on age or sex was observed. The sulphate concentration in 36 synovial fluids from knees affected by inflammatory processes showed a mean value of 424 mumol/l and a standard deviation of 70 mumol/l. In 41 synovial fluids from knees affected by chronic degeneration joint disease, the sulphate concentrations were statistically significantly lower, with a mean of 374 mumol/l and a standard deviation of 58 mumol/l. The concentrations of sulphate in the synovial fluids were statistically significantly higher than those in the serum samples used for determination of the reference range. Following the oral application of a subtoxic single dose of acetaminophen (32.5 mg/kg body weight-62.5 mg/kg body weight) to 4 healthy volunteers, there was a significant decrease in the concentration of sulphate in serum with a minimum at 4-5 h after application of the drug. The cumulative concentration decrease of sulphate in serum and the kinetic constant of the sulphate depletion were not correlated with the applied acetaminophen dose normalized for body weight.

Determination of total cholesterol in serum by liquid chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry.

We have developed a liquid chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry procedure to quantify total cholesterol in serum. A particle-beam interface was used for coupling the liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer. After electron impact ionization the ions m/z = 386 and m/z = 389 were used for selective ion monitoring of cholesterol and the internal standard [25,26,27-(13)C]cholesterol. The sample preparation steps required for serum materials are alkaline hydrolysis and an extraction of the cholesterol into the cyclohexane phase. Imprecision for the determination of cholesterol in control materials is typically <1.0%. The deviation from the certified reference values was <0.75% for all control materials tested. A method comparison of the results obtained by this method with those obtained by gas chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry for n = 28 pooled human sera derived from samples analyzed in our routine laboratory did not show differences >2.5%.

Two high performance liquid chromatographic methods for the determination of alpha-tocopherol in serum compared to isotope dilution-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Two high performance liquid chromatographic methods (HPLC) with isocratic reversed-phase separation are presented for the determination of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) in serum. In the first method alpha-tocopherol acetate is used as internal standard, detection of absorbance is performed at 284 nm. In the second method tocol is used as internal standard, detection of fluorescence is performed with an excitation wavelength of 292 nm and emission wavelength of 325 nm. Both methods require a liquid-liquid extraction as sample preparation. The results of both HPLC methods have been tested by method comparison for n = 25 serum samples versus an isotope dilution-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (ID-GC-MS) method using alpha-tocopherol-d6 as internal standard. The imprecision within-run was lower than 2.5% for the UV method and lower than 1% for the fluorescence method for both standards and serum pools. The between-run imprecision, obtained for serum pools, was below 5% for the UV method and not higher than 1.5% for the fluorescence method and not higher 1.8% for the ID-GC-MS. Recovery experiments performed by spiking pool sera with alpha-tocopherol showed recoveries between 98.5% and 100.6% for all methods studied. The result of the method comparison was a coefficient of correlation of r = 0.998 for the HPLC method with fluorescence detection to the ID-GC-MS reference method and a coefficient of correlation of r = 0.981 for the HPLC method with UV detection to the ID-GC-MS reference method. Both methods presented are useful for the analysis of alpha-tocopherol in patient samples. If detection of fluorescence is used, imprecision and inaccuracy of the HPLC method are comparable to the ID-GC-MS chosen as reference method.

A method for the simultaneous determination of creatinine and uric acid in serum by high-performance-liquid-chromatography evaluated versus reference methods.

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with isocratic ion-pair-reversed-phase separation and simultaneous UV-detection at 232 nm and 292 nm is proposed as a method for the simultaneous determination of uric acid and creatinine in serum. The only sample preparation required is an appropriate dilution with the eluent and membrane filtration on non-adsorbent 0.2 micron membrane-filtration-devices. The inaccuracy of the method has been determined for NIST-SRM-909 (n = 10) and was + 0.5% for creatinine as well as for uric acid. The imprecision in this case was 0.8% for both analytes. The within-run imprecision for creatinine/uric acid was 0.4-0.5%/0.2-0.4% in the case of standards and 0.6-0.8%/0.4-0.7% in the case of serum-pools. The between-run imprecision for creatinine/uric acid obtained from serum pools was 0.8-1.1%/0.7-1.0%. The results for creatinine have been compared to those from an isotope dilution-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using [13C, 15N2]creatinine as internal standard and selected mass detection at m/e = 329 and m/e = 332. The results for uric acid have been compared to an HPLC-method published previously (Kock R et al. J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1989; 27:157-62). The method comparisons (n = 55) for the new combined method presented versus the reference method for creatinine and the candidate reference method for uric acid resulted in coefficients of correlation of r = 1.000 for both analytes. The new combined method presented is useful for the analysis of patient samples where the classical photometric procedures do not give reliable results, as often observed in monitoring after transplantation surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparative study of the concentrations of hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid and allantoin in the peripheral blood of normals and patients with acute myocardial infarction and other ischaemic diseases.

The aim of this study was the elucidation of the role of the xanthine oxidoreductase in the purine metabolism in ischaemic diseases of man. The serum concentrations of hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid and allantoin were determined in peripheral blood samples from patients with angina pectoris, cerebral insult and myocardial infarction with thrombolytic therapy and were compared with the concentrations obtained for healthy males and females. No significant differences were observed for the serum hypoxanthine concentrations, xanthine concentrations, the sum (hypoxanthine+xanthine) and the ratio (xanthine/hypoxanthine) between the healthy males, healthy females, the patients suffering from angina pectoris and the patients suffering from cerebral insult. An increase of the serum xanthine concentration in patients with myocardial infarction indicates a significant metabolic involvement of xanthine oxidoreductase in this disease and therefore a possible role in the development of tissue damage in the postischaemic phase due to oxygen radicals generated by the oxidase activity of this enzyme. The serum concentrations of uric acid and allantoin showed no differences between any of the studied groups. Study of the non-enzymatic oxidation of uric acid to allantoin by oxygen radicals, a relevant radical-scavenging mechanism in other diseases, provided no indication of an increased concentration of oxygen radicals due to the xanthine oxidoreductase reaction or other radical-producing mechanisms.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid and allantoin in serum.

A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid and allantoin based on isocratic reversed-phase chromatography. This HPLC-method additionally allows the direct determination with UV-detection of inosine-5'-phosphate, uridine, thymine, orotic acid, allopurinol and oxipurinol, besides hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid in the same chromatographic run. Allantoin elutes in this system near the void volume and a fraction is collected covering the retention time range for this substance. After hydrolysis allantoin is converted to glyoxylate-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, rechromatographed and detected at 360 nm. The coefficient of variation for this method does not exceed 5.0% for a serum concentration of 0.3 mumol/l hypoxanthine and is not greater than 5.3% for a xanthine concentration of 0.3 mumol/l serum. Recoveries were 90-110% for both hypoxanthine and xanthine. The determination of uric acid had an imprecision and inaccuracy not exceeding 1.45% in the concentration range of 103-568 mumol/l. Due to the more complex procedure required for the determination of allantoin, the coefficient of variation between days was 13.6% for a sample containing 0.8 mumol/l allantoin and the recoveries for this analyte were in the range of 86-93%. Reference ranges (mean +/- SD) determined on 171 serum samples from healthy adults were 12.7 +/- 6.6 mumol/l for hypoxanthine, 3.3 +/- 1.4 mumol/l for xanthine, and 15.7 +/- 7.9 mumol/l for allantoin. No significant age or sex dependence was observed. Uric acid concentrations were 320 +/- 55 mumol/l serum for men and 206 +/- 55 mumol/l for women.

An enzymic assay for uric acid in serum and urine compared with HPLC.

We evaluated a colorimetric method for the assay of uric acid in serum or urine, which utilises a Trinder chromogenic system modified by the inclusion of 2,4,6-tribromo-3-hydroxybenzoic acid for oxidative coupling to p-aminophenazone. Colour development (Amax: 512 nm) is complete within five minutes. Measurement of a sample blank is not needed. The procedure involves pre-incubation with ascorbic acid oxidase and detergent to eliminate interference by ascorbic acid and to abolish turbidity due to lipaemia; this pretreatment was effective up to 1.14 mmol/l ascorbate and up to at least 25 mmol/l triacylglycerol. Interference by icteric sera was insignificant up to about 170 mumol/l bilirubin. The method is linear up to at least 1428 mumol/l. In human serum and urine the procedure correlates well with HPLC and the uricase p-aminophenazone method on the SMAC analyser. Within-run and between-run imprecisions of the enzymic test were higher than for HPLC, but did not exceed 1.2% (CV) and 2.5% (CV), respectively.