Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) for determination of tricyclic antidepressants in whole blood and plasma samples and analysis by liquid chromatography with diode array detector (LC-DAD).

Microextractions have been developed for the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) analysis in biological matrices, including dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME). The proposed DLLME employed 490 µL of biological sample (whole blood or plasma), which were added 15 mg of NaCl, 10 µL of medazepam as internal standard (10 µg/mL) and 100 µL of 2 M NaOH. This mixture was homogenized by vortex (2800 rpm/10 s) and 400 µL of hexane (extractor solvent) with 600 µL of methanol (dispersing solvent) were added to the sample. After the vortex step (2800 rpm/5 s), an ultrasonic bath for 300 s was employed. Then, this content was centrifuged (10 min/10000 rpm), organic phase was collected and dried under air flow. After, 30 µL of the mobile phase was used for resuspension and 20 µL is injected into LC-DAD. This method was optimized and fully validated according to UNODC and SWGTOX guidelines, reaching limits of detection equivalent to analytical methodologies that employ mass spectrometry (MS). Also, it was applied in real cases involving suspected exposure to TCAs. So, the developed DLLME for the determination of TCAs in whole blood and plasma samples proved to be a simple, reliable, robust and reproducible method that can be used in toxicology and clinical laboratories.

Retrograde and oscillatory shear rate in young anabolic androgenic steroid users.

Disturbed shear rate (SR), characterized by increased retrograde and oscillatory SR in the brachial artery, is associated with inflammation, atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and sympathetic hyperactivity. Young subjects do not have disturbed SR; however, elderly subjects do, which seems to be associated with sympathetic hyperactivity. Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse in young is associated with increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). We hypothesized that AAS users might have disturbed SR. We tested the association between retrograde and oscillatory SR with MSNA. In addition, we measured the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). We evaluated 10 male AAS users, age 27 ± 4 years, and 10 age-matched AAS nonusers, age 29 ± 5 years. At rest, retrograde and oscillatory SR were evaluated by Doppler ultrasound, MSNA was measured with microneurography, and hs-CRP was measured in blood sample. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was also assessed. AAS users had higher retrograde SR (24.42 ± 17.25 vs 9.15 ± 6.62 s- 1 , P = 0.01), oscillatory SR (0.22 ± 0.13 vs 0.09 ± 0.07 au P = 0.01), and MSNA (42 ± 9 vs 32 ± 4 bursts/100 heart beats, P = 0.018) than nonusers. MSNA (bursts/100 heart beats) was correlated with retrograde SR (r = 0.50, P = 0.050) and oscillatory SR (r = 0.51, P = 0.042). AAS users had higher hs-CRP [1.17 (0.44-3.63) vs 0.29 (0.17-0.70) mg/L, P = 0.015] and decreased FMD (6.42 ± 2.07 vs 8.28% ± 1.53%, P = 0.035) than nonusers. In conclusion, AAS abuse is associated with retrograde and oscillatory SR which were associated with augmented sympathetic outflow. In addition, AAS seems to lead to inflammation characterized by increased hs-CRP. These alterations may have the potential of increasing the early risk of atherosclerotic disease in young AAS users.

A rapid analytical strategy for the determination of ayahuasca alkaloids in non-ritualistic approaches by UHPLC-MS/MS.

INTRODUCTION: Ayahuasca is a beverage composed by a mixture of herbs which contain the compound N,N-dimethyltriptamine (DMT) and the ß-carbolines. Although its use is legalized in Brazil only for religious and spiritual ceremonies, there is a growing black market specialized in the distribution of these compounds in form of herbal material through internet and mail. The purpose of this work was the development of an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of ayahuasca alkaloids and its application in seized ayahuasca products. METHODS: An aliquot of seized products was weighted and diluted with methanol. An aliquot of this solution was added with internal standard (DMT-d6), followed by injection in the analytical system. RESULTS: The limit of quantitation was 10ng/mL for DMT and 25ng/mL for harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine. The concentration ranges used were 10-100ng/mL for DMT, harmine and harmaline and all analytes presented a coefficient of determination (r2)≥0,99. Analysis of four seized samples presented concentrations of DMT ranging between 31.5 and 46.5mg/g. Presence of ß-carbolines was not detected in the products. The variability of DMT concentrations can be correlated with the potential intoxications described in the literature. CONCLUSION: This work successfully established a determination method for ayahuasca alkaloids in herbal material. In addition, the workflow proved to be simple, rapid and useful to estimate the concentration of psychoactive compounds in seized materials, leading to further investigation of ayahuasca ritualistic or recreational exposure.

Diminished cholesterol efflux mediated by HDL and coronary artery disease in young male anabolic androgenic steroid users.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). AAS abuse leads to a remarkable decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) plasma concentration, which could be a key factor in the atherosclerotic process. Moreover, not only the concentration of HDL, but also its functionality, plays a pivotal role in CAD. We tested the functionality of HDL by cholesterol efflux and antioxidant capacity. We also evaluated the prevalence of CAD in AAS users. METHODS: Twenty strength-trained AAS users (AASU) age 29 ±â€¯5 yr, 20 age-matched strength-trained AAS nonusers (AASNU), and 10 sedentary controls (SC) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Functionality of HDL was evaluated by 14C-cholesterol efflux and the ability of HDL in inhibiting LDL oxidation. Coronary artery was evaluated with coronary computed tomography angiography. RESULTS: Cholesterol efflux was lower in AASU compared with AASNU and SC (20 vs. 23 vs. 24%, respectively, p < 0.001). However, the lag time for LDL oxidation was higher in AASU compared with AASNU and SC (41 vs 13 vs 11 min, respectively, p < 0.001). We found at least 2 coronary arteries with plaques in 25% of AASU. None of the AASNU and SC had plaques. The time of AAS use was negatively associated with cholesterol efflux. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that AAS abuse impairs the cholesterol efflux mediated by HDL. Long-term AAS use seems to be correlated with lower cholesterol efflux and early subclinical CAD in this population.

Distinct inflammatory profiles in HIV-infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy using cannabis, cocaine or cannabis plus cocaine.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of cannabis and/or cocaine use on inflammatory, oxidative stress status and circulating monocyte subsets in HIV-infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy. DESIGN: Soluble CD14 (sCD14), intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP) and oxidative stress markers were examined. The monocyte subsets and their activation and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-1 infected individuals upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulation were also investigated. METHODS: sCD14, IFABP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 levels were evaluated using ELISA, CRP by turbidimetry; lipid peroxidation (TBARS) spectrofluometrically and total thiol levels by using 5-5'-dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) reagent. Monocyte subsets and activation were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: All HIV-infected drug user groups showed higher sCD14 levels compared with HIV+ nondrug users. IFABP was increased in HIV+ drug-users in relation to healthy individuals. Cannabis use lowered the percentages of inflammatory, nonclassical, activated-classic and activated-inflammatory monocytes. Cocaine users showed increased plasmatic TNF-α and TBARS levels, decreased thiols content and lower activated-classic and inflammatory-monocyte percentages. Cannabis-plus-cocaine use increased CRP, IL-8 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio, but decreased thiol content, and inflammatory and activated-classic monocyte percentages. PBMCs of cannabis and cannabis-plus-cocaine users showed low-potential cytokine production either spontaneously or under LPS-stimulation. CONCLUSION: In HIV infection, the use of cannabis induces predominantly an anti-inflammatory profile. The use of cocaine and cannabis-plus-cocaine showed a mixed pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profile, with predominance of inflammatory status. Further studies are required to better understand the action of these drugs in HIV infection.

Citotoxicidade do corante dinitrofenilazo CI DB291: biotransformação, estresse oxidativo e alteração epigenética em células HepG2 / Cytotoxicity of the CI DB291 dinitrofenilazo dye: biotransformation, oxidative stress and epigenetic change in HepG2 cells

O produto comercial CI Disperse Blue 291 (CI DB291) é amplamente utilizado pela industria têxtil. Estudos mostram que corantes dinitrofenilazo são genotóxicos no ensaio de Ames/Salmonella, mas há poucos estudos sobre seus efeitos em células eucariontes. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a genotoxicidade e citotoxicidade do corante DB291 em células humanas em cultura, bem como vias pelas quais o corante atua levando aos efeitos tóxicos. O corante comercial foi purificado por HPLC-DAD e utilizado para incubação com células HepG2 (5-100 µM por 3-72 h). A citotoxicidade foi avaliada pelos ensaios de XTT, corante cristal violeta, lactato desidrogenase extracelular e consumo de glicose. A geração de ROS intracelular foi verificada pela emissão de fluorescência da 2',7'-diclorofluoresceína. Análises de ciclo celular, fragmentação do DNA, potencial de membrana mitocondrial (Ψ) e cálcio intracelular foram realizadas por citometria de fluxo. A produção de ATP foi mensurada por quimiluminescência. Níveis de 8-oxodG e 5-mdC foram avaliados por HPLC-ESI-MS/MS e HPLC-UV, respectivamente. A expressão da enzima DNMT1 foi avaliada por western blot. Um produto de biotransformação foi identificado e caracterizado estruturalmente por MS/MS e 1H-RMN. A exposição ao corante DB291 diminuiu significativamente a sobrevivência das células em um modo tempo- e dose-dependente (IC50 = 74 µM), com a concomitante formação de um produto de biotransformação reduzido. A morte celular ocorreu sem lise da membrana plasmática. Nas células expostas, foi observado aumento da atividade enzimática mitocondrial, acompanhado por um aumento da taxa de consumo de glicose. Índices elevados de ATP, Ψ e cálcio foram verificados após a incubação das células com concentrações crescentes do corante. Alterações mitocondriais e o processo de biotransformação impeliram a aumento na produção de ROS intracelular, 8-oxodG e fragmentação do DNA. O dano ao DNA induziu a parada no ciclo...

The commercial CI Disperse Blue 291 (CI DB291) is widely used by textile industry. It is mutagenic in the Ames/S. typhimurium assay, but there are few studies showing its effects in eukaryotic cells. We evaluated here the toxicity of CI DB291 in the human HepG2 cell line. The commercial dye was purified by HPLC-DAD and used for incubation with HepG2 cells (5-100 µM for 3-72 h). Cytotoxicity was assessed by the XTT, crystal violet dye, extracellular lactate dehydrogenase and glucose consumption assays. ROS formation was assessed by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. Analyses of cell cycle, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψ) and intracellular calcium were analyzed by flow cytometry. ATP level was measured by chemiluminescence. Levels of 8-oxodG and 5-mdC were evaluated by HPLCESI-MS/MS and HPLC-UV, respectively. DNMT1 expression was assessed by western blot. A biotransformation product was identified and structurally characterized by MS/MS and 1H-NMR. DB291 significantly decreased cell survival in a time- and dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 74 µM), with concomitant formation of a reduced biotransformation product. Plasma membrane lysis did not occur. Increased mitochondrial enzymatic activity, accompanied by increase in glucose consumption rate, was observed in cells incubated with DB291. Elevated ATP, Ψ, and intracellular calcium was verified after cell incubation with increasing dye concentrations. Mitochondrial changes and the biotransformation process accounted for the observed raise in intracellular ROS, 8-oxodG, and DNA fragmentation. DNA damage induced cell cycle arrest and DNMT1 overexpression, followed by DNA hypomethylation in the subsequent cell cycle. Results point for the first time to toxicity of the dye through biotransformation, mitochondrial changes, and oxidative stress.

Association between polymorphism in the promoter region (G/C-915) of PAX9 gene and third molar agenesis

PURPOSE: Hypodontia is the congenital absence of one or more (up to six) permanent and/or deciduous teeth, being one of the most common alterations of the human dentition. Genetic polymorphisms are variations of DNA sequences occurring in a population. This study investigated whether G-915C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in the PAX9 gene promoter is associated with hypodontia in humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The polymorphism in region G/C-915 of PAX9 gene (NCBI ref SNP ID: rs 2073247) of 240 patients was analyzed, being 110 controls and 130 individuals with third molar agenesis. After DNA extraction, the region of interest was amplified by PCR technique using two different primers. The significance of the differences in observed frequencies of polymorphisms in both groups was assessed by odds-ratio and chi-squared test with 95 percent confidence interval. RESULTS: Genotype CC was more frequent in patients with agenesis (11.5 percent) compared to the control (1.8 percent), while GG was more prevalent in the control group (39.1 percent) compared to the individuals with agenesis (26.2 percent). CONCLUSION: These data showed that the allele C could be associated with the third molar agenesis.