High fat diet causes distinct aberrations in the testicular proteome.

Diet has important effects on normal physiology and the potential deleterious effects of high fat diets and obesity on male reproductive health are being increasingly described. We conducted a histological review of the effects of chronic high fat (HF) diet (using a mouse model fed a 45% fat diet for 21 weeks) with a discovery proteomic study to assess for changes in the abundance of proteins in the testis. Mice on a HF diet became obese and developed glucose intolerance. Using mass spectrometry, we identify 102 proteins affected in the testis of obese mice. These included structural proteins important for the blood testis barrier (filamin A, FLNA), proteins involved in oxidative stress responses (spermatogenesis associated 20, SPATA-20) and lipid homoeostasis (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, SREBP2 and apolipoprotein A1, APOA1). In addition, an important regulator protein paraspeckle component 1, PSPC-1, which interacts with the androgen receptor was significantly downregulated. Proteomic data was validated using both Western blotting and immunostaining which confirmed and localised protein expression in both mouse and human testis using biopsy specimens. This study focused mainly on the abnormalities that occurred at the protein level and as a result, we have identified several candidate proteins and conducted pathway analysis around the effects of HF diet on the testis providing novel insights not previously described. Some of the identified targets could be targeted therapeutically and future work is directed in this area.

The strength of the meridional overturning circulation of the stratosphere.

The distribution of gases such as ozone and water vapour in the stratosphere - which affect surface climate - is influenced by the meridional overturning of mass in the stratosphere, the Brewer-Dobson circulation. However, observation-based estimates of its global strength are difficult to obtain. Here we present two calculations of the mean strength of the meridional overturning of the stratosphere. We analyze satellite data that document the global diabatic circulation between 2007- 2011, and compare these to three re-analysis data sets and to simulations with a state-of-the-art chemistry-climate model. Using measurements of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrous oxide, we calculate the global mean diabatic overturning mass flux throughout the stratosphere. In the lower stratosphere, these two estimates agree, and at a potential temperature level of 460 K (about 20 km or 60 hPa in tropics), the global circulation strength is 6.3-7.6 × 109 kg/s. Higher in the atmosphere, only the SF6-based estimate is available, and it diverges from the re-analysis data and simulations. Interpretation of the SF6 data-based estimate is limited because of a mesospheric sink of SF6; however, the reanalyses also differ substantially from each other. We conclude that the uncertainty in the mean meridional overturning circulation strength at upper levels of the stratosphere amounts to at least 100 %.

Annular modes and apparent eddy feedbacks in the Southern Hemisphere.

Lagged correlation analysis is often used to infer intraseasonal dynamical effects but is known to be affected by nonstationarity. We highlight a pronounced quasi 2 year peak in the anomalous zonal wind and eddy momentum flux convergence power spectra in the Southern Hemisphere, which is prima facie evidence for nonstationarity. We then investigate the consequences of this nonstationarity for the Southern Annular Mode and for eddy momentum flux convergence. We argue that positive lagged correlations previously attributed to the existence of an eddy feedback are more plausibly attributed to nonstationary interannual variability external to any potential feedback process in the midlatitude troposphere. The findings have implications for the diagnosis of feedbacks in both models and reanalysis data as well as for understanding the mechanisms underlying variations in the zonal wind.

Colour Doppler ultrasound of the ocular circulation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus identifies altered microcirculatory haemodynamics.

We assessed whether quantitative analysis of Doppler flow velocity waveforms is able to identify subclinical microvascular abnormalities in SLE and whether eigenvector analysis can detect changes not detectable using the resistive index (RI). Fifty-four SLE patients with no conventional cardiovascular risk factors, major organ involvement or retinopathy were compared to 32 controls. Flow velocity waveforms were obtained from the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA) and common carotid artery (CA). The waveforms were analysed using eigenvector decomposition and compared between groups at each arterial site. The RI was also determined. The RI was comparable between groups. In the OA and CRA, there were significant differences in the lower frequency sinusoidal components (P < 0.05 for each component). No differences were apparent in the CA between groups. Eigenvector analysis of Doppler flow waveforms, recorded in proximity of the terminal vascular bed, identified altered ocular microvascular haemodynamics in SLE. Altered waveform structure could not be identified by changes in RI, the traditional measure of downstream vascular resistance. This analytical approach to waveform analysis is more sensitive in detecting preclinical microvascular abnormalities in SLE. It may hold potential as a useful tool for assessing disease activity, response to treatment, and predicting future vascular complications.

The application of microbore UPLC/oa-TOF-MS and 1H NMR spectroscopy to the metabonomic analysis of rat urine following the intravenous administration of pravastatin.

The metabonomic effects of hepatotoxic doses of pravastatin on the urinary metabolic profiles of female rats have been investigated using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-oa-TOF-MS and, independently, by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. UPLC was performed using a 1 mm microbore column packed with 1.7 microm particles. Examination of the data obtained from the individual animals, aided by statistical interpretation of the data, made it possible to identify potential markers for toxicological effects, with both NMR and UPLC-MS analysis highlighting distinct changes in the urinary metabolite profiles. These markers, which included elevated taurine and creatine, as well as bile acids, were consistent with hepatotoxicity in some animals, and this hypothesis was supported by histopathological and clinical chemistry findings. The analytical data from both techniques could be used to define a metabolic "trajectory" as toxicity developed and to provide an explanation for the lack of hepatotoxicity for one of the animals. The two analytical approaches (UPLC-MS and NMR) were found to be complementary whilst the use of a 1mm i.d. x 100 mm column reduced the amount of sample required for analysis to 2 microL, compared with 10 microL for a 2.1mm i.d. x 100 mm column. The 1mm i.d. column also provided increased signal-to-noise without loss of chromatographic efficiency.

A multi-analytical platform approach to the metabonomic analysis of plasma from normal and Zucker (fa/fa) obese rats.

Plasma obtained from 20 week old normal Wistar-derived and Zucker (fa/fa) rats was analysed using a number of different analytical methodologies to obtain global metabolite profiles as part of metabonomic investigations of animal models of diabetes. Samples were analysed without sample pre-treatment using 1H NMR spectroscopy, after acetonitrile solvent protein precipitation by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-MS (UPLC-MS) and after acetonitrile protein precipitation and derivatisation for capillary gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS). Subsequent data analysis using principal components analysis revealed that all three analytical platforms readily detected differences between the plasma metabolite profiles of the two strains of rat. There was only limited overlap between the metabolites detected by the different methodologies and the combination of all three methods of metabolite profiling therefore provided a much more comprehensive profile than would have been provided by their use individually.

DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 9.

Chromosome 9 is highly structurally polymorphic. It contains the largest autosomal block of heterochromatin, which is heteromorphic in 6-8% of humans, whereas pericentric inversions occur in more than 1% of the population. The finished euchromatic sequence of chromosome 9 comprises 109,044,351 base pairs and represents >99.6% of the region. Analysis of the sequence reveals many intra- and interchromosomal duplications, including segmental duplications adjacent to both the centromere and the large heterochromatic block. We have annotated 1,149 genes, including genes implicated in male-to-female sex reversal, cancer and neurodegenerative disease, and 426 pseudogenes. The chromosome contains the largest interferon gene cluster in the human genome. There is also a region of exceptionally high gene and G + C content including genes paralogous to those in the major histocompatibility complex. We have also detected recently duplicated genes that exhibit different rates of sequence divergence, presumably reflecting natural selection.

N-O glucuronidation: a major human metabolic pathway in the elimination of two novel anti-convulsant drug candidates.

1. The urinary metabolites of the anti-convulsant compound 4-amino-1-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-c]-pyridine hydrochloride (GI265080) obtained following a single oral dose to man have been detected and quantified relative to each other using 19F-NMR spectroscopy. 2. The human urinary metabolites of GI265080 were isolated using semipreparative HPLC and unequivocally characterized using 1H-NMR spectroscopy, two-dimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The assignments of the N-(5)-oxide and the N-(5)-O-glucuronide metabolites of GI265080 were further confirmed by independent synthesis. The urinary metabolites obtained following single oral doses to dog and rat have also been isolated and characterized. 3. The human urinary metabolites of GI265080 comprise the N-(5)-oxide, the quaternary N+-(5)-glucuronide, the 7-hydroxy glucuronide and a glucuronide conjugate of the N-(5)-oxide. The N-(5)-O-glucuronide conjugate is a novel species in human metabolism and is a significant route of elimination of GI265080 in man. 4. The urinary metabolites of the potential anti-convulsant GW273293 (6-amino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazin-2-ylamine) obtained following a single oral dose to man have also been isolated and characterized. The formation of a novel N-O-glucuronide was also observed and was shown to constitute a significant route of elimination of GW273293 in man.

Quantitative analysis of pharmaceuticals in biological fluids using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry: a review.

1. The development of bio-analysis of drug molecules over the last 10 years is reviewed, focusing on advances in sample preparation, liquid chromatography and detection. 2. Developments have led to improvements in detection sensitivity, enhancements in specificity and increased capacity. 3. Emerging technologies such as monolithic column chromatography and miniaturized chip-based systems are discussed.

Direct analysis of pharmaceutical compounds in human plasma with chromatographic resolution using an alkyl-bonded silica rod column.

Monolithic columns have been successfully used with steep gradient and high flow rates for the direct analysis of a candidate pharmaceutical compound in human plasma. The monolithic columns showed excellent robustness with nearly 300 20-microL injections of plasma (diluted 1:1 with water) being made onto one column without significant deterioration in performance. The system gave excellent sensitivity with a limit of quantification of 5 ng/mL being achieved. Unlike previous methods of direct analysis the monolithic columns showed excellent resolution even after nearly 300 plasma injections. The column performance was measured before and after the analysis of the plasma samples.

Determination of 4-hydroxytamoxifen in mouse plasma in the pg/mL range by gradient capillary liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC; 300 microm i.d.) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry has been used to determine the concentration of 4-hydroxytamoxifen in mouse plasma in the pg/mL range following the administration of Tamoxifen. A limit of quantification (LOQ) of 100 pg/mL was achieved using only 25 microL of plasma. The on-column sensitivity was determined to be 100 fg. The column performance was determined isocratically before and after the assay and showed only a 15% reduction in performance after 70 injections of plasma extract. No significant peak band broadening was observed due to the mass spectrometer interface using a standard TurboIonspray source.

Mass directed peak selection, an efficient method of drug metabolite identification using directly coupled liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Mass spectrometry (both MS and MS-MS) has been used to determine which eluting chromatography peaks in an LC-MS-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment should be selected for extended NMR spectroscopic measurement. This mass directed selection of chromatographic peaks has been applied to test mixtures and urine samples for identification of drug metabolites. It was used to simultaneously determine when drug-related material was eluting and provided molecular mass information on these components. Stop-flow LC-NMR was used to acquire data for structural characterisation of drug-related components. This work further serves to demonstrate the potential of coupling tandem mass spectrometry using an ion trap spectrometer with LC-NMR spectroscopy, to provide an extremely powerful tool in structural elucidation.

Use of directly coupled ion-exchange liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a strategy for polar metabolite identification.

Ion-exchange LC-MS and LC-NMR have been successfully used to identify a novel N-acetyl metabolite of a highly polar drug candidate [2-(ethanimidoylamino)ethyl]sulfonyl alanine (GW273629) under development as a therapeutic agent. This has been achieved using a simple HPLC method without the need for complicated and time consuming pre- or post-column derivatisation. Ion-exchange chromatography using simple ionic strength buffer and organic solvent mobile phases, as applied here, should be suitable for the analysis of other charged polar species. Optimisation of the system described could result in the development of a rational generic HPLC approach specifically designed for the characterisation of polar drug molecules and their metabolites.

Parallel ultra-high flow rate liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection using a multiplex electrospray source for direct, sensitive determination of pharmaceuticals in plasma at extremely high throughput.

Recent years have seen increasing usage of large particle size stationary phases and ultra-high flow rate liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for rapid determination of pharmaceuticals in plasma without prior sample preparation. This lack of sample preparation prior to analysis, together with the extremely high throughput of the chromatography, makes the technique extremely attractive to the bioanalyst. Further, the introduction of multiple sprayer interfaces to mass spectrometers provides the potential for even higher throughput. In this paper, we present parallel ultra-high flow rate liquid chromatography using four columns in parallel and a four-way multiple sprayer interface to the mass spectrometer. We have applied this on both the narrow-bore and capillary scale. This technique enables the quantification of drugs from four plasma samples simultaneously, at nanogram per millilitre concentrations, from small aliquots of plasma without sample preparation and with throughputs of up to 120 samples per hour.

An SNP map of human chromosome 22.

The human genome sequence will provide a reference for measuring DNA sequence variation in human populations. Sequence variants are responsible for the genetic component of individuality, including complex characteristics such as disease susceptibility and drug response. Most sequence variants are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), where two alternate bases occur at one position. Comparison of any two genomes reveals around 1 SNP per kilobase. A sufficiently dense map of SNPs would allow the detection of sequence variants responsible for particular characteristics on the basis that they are associated with a specific SNP allele. Here we have evaluated large-scale sequencing approaches to obtaining SNPs, and have constructed a map of 2,730 SNPs on human chromosome 22. Most of the SNPs are within 25 kilobases of a transcribed exon, and are valuable for association studies. We have scaled up the process, detecting over 65,000 SNPs in the genome as part of The SNP Consortium programme, which is on target to build a map of 1 SNP every 5 kilobases that is integrated with the human genome sequence and that is freely available in the public domain.

Urinary metabolites of a novel quinoxaline non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor in rabbit, mouse and human: identification of fluorine NIH shift metabolites using NMR and tandem MS.

1. The urinary metabolites of (S)-2-ethyl-7-fluoro-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-carboxylic acid isopropylester (GW420867X) have been investigated in samples obtained following oral administration to rabbit, mouse and human. GW420867X underwent extensive biotransformation to form hydroxylated metabolites and glucuronide conjugates on the aromatic ring, and on the ethyl and isopropyl side-chains in all species. In rabbit urine, a minor metabolite was detected and characterized as a cysteine adduct that was not observed in mouse or man. 2. The hydroxylated metabolites and corresponding glucuronide conjugates were isolated by semi-preparative HPLC and characterized using NMR, LC-NMR and LC-MS/MS. The relative proportions of fluorine-containing metabolites were determined in animal species by 19F-NMR signal integration. 3. The fluorine atom of the aromatic ring underwent NIH shift rearrangement in the metabolites isolated and characterized in rabbit, mouse and human urine. 4. The characterization of the NIH shift metabolites in urine enabled the detection and confirmation of the presence of these metabolites in human plasma.

The use of capillary high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry for the analysis of small volume blood samples from serially bled mice to determine the pharmacokinetics of early discovery compounds.

The methodology described demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of performing pharmacokinetic studies in the serially bled mouse model to support the early development of discovery compounds. Sample analysis, using capillary high performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry, has facilitated the achievement of this milestone and has successfully been applied to determine pharmacokinetic information following both intravenous and oral administration of a single discovery compound. The methodologies described demonstrate potential for a reduction in the amount of new chemical entity required to undertake pharmacokinetic studies. Typically, such studies are performed in larger rodents with a significantly increased body mass (ten times in the case of the rat) and therefore it follows that to undertake the same experiment in the mouse would require ten times less compound to effect an equivalent dose. Conventionally, pharmacokinetic studies to obtain both intravenous and oral information, e.g. clearance and half-life, and the resultant bioavailability have been performed using two parallel groups of rodents, collecting blood by exsanguination, separating off the plasma and analysing this using conventional liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The use of capillary high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has facilitated the analysis of small volume blood samples by increasing the effective sensitivity of the analytical method. Consequently, we have established a protocol for serially bleeding mice thus reducing the number of animals and so further reducing the amount of compound required for such experiments. This paper reports data obtained from collected and processed blood volumes of <20 microL with the subsequent injection of only 1 microL of precipitated extract onto a capillary column.

Urinary metabolites of a novel quinoxaline non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor in dog, cynomolgus monkey and mini-pig.

1. The metabolism of (S)-2-ethyl-7-fluoro-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalinecarboxylic acid isopropylester (GW420867X) has been investigated following oral administration to dog, cynomolgus monkey and mini-pig. 2. The urinary metabolites were isolated and characterized using semi-preparative HPLC, NMR and LC-MS/MS. The relative proportions of fluorine-containing metabolites were determined for each species by 19F-NMR signal integration. 3. The metabolite profiles for each species were similar, although the proportion of individual components varied, suggesting that similar metabolic pathways are involved in the biotransformation of GW420867X in the species studied. 4. The urinary metabolites indicated that the major routes of biotransformation included hydroxylation and subsequent glucuronic acid conjugation on the aromatic ring, and on the ethyl and isopropyl side chains. A component was observed in mini-pig urine that corresponded to hydroxylation and glucuronidation accompanied by loss of the fluorine atom.

Ultra-high flow rate capillary liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection for the direct analysis of pharmaceuticals in plasma at sub-nanogram per millilitre concentrations.

Ultra-high flow rate liquid chromatography on large particle size stationary phases coupled with mass spectrometric detection (particularly tandem mass spectrometry, MS/MS) is gaining increasing usage for the direct determination of pharmaceuticals in biological fluids. The lack of sample preparation required prior to chromatographic and MS/MS analysis, together with the extremely high throughput of the chromatography, make the technique extremely attractive to the modern pharmaceutical bioanalyst. However, this lack of sample preparation also means that there is no potential for concentration of the sample and, as a consequence, the sensitivity of the technique has been limited. Liquid chromatography on the capillary scale offers sensitivity benefits compared with conventional liquid chromatography as the volume in which the analyte peaks are eluted is greatly reduced. In this paper, we present the use of ultra-high flow rate liquid chromatography on the capillary scale. This enables the quantification of drugs in plasma at sub-nanogram per millilitre concentrations from a very small (2.5 micromgL) aliquot of plasma without sample preparation. We also compare the resolution obtained by ultra-high flow rate liquid chromatography with that achieved on short columns packed with conventional size packing materials operated in an isocratic manner.