Simultaneous analysis of carbohydrates,polyols and amines in urine samples using chemical ionization gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A simple method for the simultaneous derivatization of carbohydrates, polyols, amines and amino acids using hexamethyldisilazane and N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide was developed. This method allows the direct derivatization of urine samples without sample pretreatment before derivatization. The method was successfully used for analysis of the selected metabolites in urine samples of healthy individuals and neonates suffering from galactosemia. The limits of detection by positive chemical ionization gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis were in the range of 1.0 mgL^‐1 for mannitol to 4.7 mg/L for glucose.     

Synthesis and conformational properties of model dipeptides containing novel axially chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids at the (i+1) position of a β-turn conformation

A series of model dipeptides containing some novel axially chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids at the (i+1) position has been synthesised by reaction of the corresponding 4-(4-alkylcyclohexylidene)-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one with (S)-phenylalanine cyclohexylamide. The conformations of two dipeptides in the crystal state have been studied by X-ray diffraction crystallographic analysis. The backbone torsion angles suggest that both peptides adopt similar type-II′ β-turn conformations. NMR spectroscopy has revealed that relatively rigid β-turn structures also persist in solution and that the absolute configurations of the axially chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids do not significantly influence the conformation of the peptide chain. Both heterochiral and homochiral dipeptides are found to accommodate the same βII′-turn conformation. Axially chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids (R_a)- and (S_a)-4-methyl-, 4-phenyl- and (4-tert-butylcyclohexylidene)glycine can be considered as elongated structural analogues of alanine, phenylglycine and tert-leucine of R and S configuration since, in these chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids, the methyl, phenyl and tert-butyl groups are located about 4.3 Å away from the peptide backbone in which they are incorporated.     

Quantification of branched-chain amino acids in blood spots and plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the diagnosis of maple syrup urine disease

Individuals with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) have an inherited metabolic disorder resulting in a deficiency in the branched-chain keto-acid dehydrogenase complex. As a result, these individuals have elevated concentrations of the branched-chain amino acids valine, isoluecine, allo-isoleucine, and leucine. MSUD presents in the first few days of life and progression may lead to irreversible intellectual disability, coma, cerebral edema, and death. However, early diagnosis and intervention can mitigate or eliminate many of the potential adverse effects. Consequently, it is important to develop techniques to screen for MSUD. We have developed an LC-MS/MS assay for the diagnosis of MSUD. The method is amenable to high-throughput formats due to the minimal sample prep required. The assay was shown to be robust, precise, and accurate. Finally, we identified and addressed some of the problems associated with working with bloodspots and implemented satisfactory approaches to overcoming these problems.     

Cyclodextrins as chiral stationary phases in capillary gas chromatography. Part V: Octakis(3-O-butyryl-2,6-di-O-pentyl)-γ-cyclodextrin

γ-Cyclodextrin with 3-O-butyryl and 2,6-di-O-pentyl residues is a very versatile chiral stationary phase for enantiomer separation. Most of the common and many uncommon amino acids can be separated as well as α- and β-hydroxy acids, chiral alcohols, diols, triols, ketones, bicyclic, and tricyclic acetals, amines, alkyl halides, lactones, and functionalized cyclopropane derivatives.     

七-(2,6-二-O-甲基)-β-环糊精对1,1'-联萘酚对映体手性识别的电喷雾质谱研究

利用电喷雾质谱研究了β-环糊精、七-(2,6-二-O-甲基)-β-环糊精作为手性识别试剂对1,1'-联萘酚对映体的手性识别效应. 实验结果表明, 在气相中, β-环糊精与七-(2,6-二-O-甲基)-β-环糊精都可以与联萘酚形成非共价复合物. 对形成的复合物的串联质谱研究表明, β-环糊精不能识别联萘酚对映体, 而七-(2,6-二-O-甲基)-β-环糊精对联萘酚对映体有较强的手性识别效应. 进一步研究表明七-(2,6-二-O-甲基)-β-环糊精与联萘酚对映体混合比例以及CID能量对于手性识别并无影响.     

Use of liquid chromatography coupled to low- and high-resolution linear ion trap mass spectrometry for studying the metabolism of paynantheine, an alkaloid of the herbal drug Kratom in rat and human urine

The Thai medicinal plant Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom in Thai) is misused as a herbal drug of abuse. During studies on the main Kratom alkaloid mitragynine (MG) in rats and humans, several dehydro analogs could be detected in urine of Kratom users, which were not found in rat urine after administration of pure MG. Questions arose as to whether these compounds are formed from MG only by humans or whether they are metabolites formed from the second abundant Kratom alkaloid paynantheine (PAY), the dehydro analog of MG. Therefore, the aim of the presented study was to identify the phase I and II metabolites of PAY in rat urine after administration of the pure alkaloid. This was first isolated from Kratom leaves. Liquid chromatography–linear ion trap mass spectrometry provided detailed structure information of the metabolites in the MSⁿ mode particularly with high resolution. Besides PAY, the following phase I metabolites could be identified: 9-O-demethyl PAY, 16-carboxy PAY, 9-O-demethyl-16-carboxy PAY, 17-O-demethyl PAY, 17-O-demethyl-16,17-dihydro PAY, 9,17-O-bisdemethyl PAY, 9,17-O-bisdemethyl-16,17-dihydro PAY, 17-carboxy-16,17-dihydro PAY, and 9-O-demethyl-17-carboxy-16,17-dihydro PAY. These metabolites indicated that PAY was metabolized via the same pathways as MG. Several metabolites were excreted as glucuronides or sulfates. The metabolism studies in rats showed that PAY and its metabolites corresponded to the MG-related dehydro compounds detected in urine of the Kratom users. In conclusion, PAY and its metabolites may be further markers for a Kratom abuse in addition of MG and its metabolites.     

Synthesis of Urine Drug Metabolites: Glucuronosyl Esters of Carboxymefloquine,Indoprofen, (S)‐Naproxen,and Desmethyl (S)‐Naproxen

Abstract

A general procedure for the synthesis of 1‐O‐acyl‐β‐D‐glucuronic acids using the benzyl 1-O-trichloroacetimidoyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranuronate 6 as donor is exemplified by the synthesis of the urine metabolites of (S)‐naproxen, desmethyl (S)‐naproxen, indoprofen, and carboxymefloquine. The key intermediate benzyl 2,3,4‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐D‐glucopyranuronate 5 is easily accessible in four steps (29%) from the peracetylated β-D-glucuronic acid 1.     

Markierte Vertreter eines möglichen Zwischenprodukts der Biosynthese von Fosfomycin inStreptomyces fradiae: Darstellung von (R,S)-(2-Hydroxypropyl)-, (R,S)-, (R)-, (S)-(2-Hydroxy-[1,1-2H2]propyl)-und (R,S)-(2-[18O]Hydroxypropyl)phosphonsäure

Summary Racemic methyl O-benzyllactate was reduced to the alcohol, transformed into the bromide and reacted with triethylphosphite to give the diethylphosphonate. Removal of protecting groups afforded a phosphonic acid which was purified as its cyclohexylammonium salt. (S)-Ethyl and (R)-isobutyl O-benzyllactate were reduced with LiAlD₄ to the corresponding dideuteriated alcohols, which were transformed in the same way as the racemic compound into the chiral (2-hydroxy-[1,1-²H₂]propyl)phosphonic acids. The optical purity of alcohols (S)- and (R)-6 b was determined by derivatisation with (+)-MTPA-Cl and¹H-NMR-spectroscopy to be 98%. Exchange of the carbonyl-16-oxygen atom of 2-oxopropylphosphonate for oxygen-18 from H₂ ¹⁸O, reduction with NaBH₄, deprotection and addition of cyclohexylamine yielded the salt (±)-18 of (2-[¹⁸O]hydroxypropyl)phosphonic acid.

     

Analysis of Methylcitric Acid by Enantioselective Multidimensional Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Methylcitric acid (2-hydroxybutane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid–MCA) is a structural analogue of citric acid, but due to an additional methyl group it is a chiral molecule with two stereogenic centers and thus four stereoisomers are conceivable. MCA occurs naturally as prominent metabolite in body fluids of patients with inherited metabolic diseases such as propionic acidemia, methylmalonic aciduria, or holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency. Therefore methylcitric acid is considered to be an important diagnostic marker for these diseases. MCA is most likely produced from accumulated propionyl-CoA in these diseases by the enzyme si-citrate synthase from the citric acid cycle; however, there are other enzymes known which could catalyze the same reaction with different stereoselectivity, such as re-citrate synthase or the more specific enzyme methylcitrate synthase, found in microorganisms. Almost all methods dealing with MCA in the literature are non-enantioselective. For that reason there is no information about occurrence of MCA enantiomers in healthy people, patients with propionic acidemia, methylmalonic aciduria, or holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency and about value of enantiomeric distribution for diagnosis and long-term treatment. The enantioselective analysis of MCA as corresponding trimethyl ester was achieved by enantioselective multidimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry using heptakis-(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl)-β-cyclodextrin as chiral stationary phase. The described method allows a reliable screening of MCA in complex matrices like urine without time consuming sample preparation and with mass selective detection. During this investigation urine samples from various patients and healthy controls were analyzed. As concluded, MCA is a good diagnostic marker and can be easily measured by the method presented. Only the two stereoisomers (2S,3R) and (2S,3S) were detectable in patients and healthy controls. The varying ratios of these stereoisomers cannot presently be correlated with the health status of patients, although there are some indications that this might be possible. However, the quantitative levels of MCA, determined as the ratio of MCA absolute peak area divided by 1,000 to the creatinine contents of urine samples in this investigation, showed a dependence on the state of health and MCA would thus also be a possible marker for long-term treatment. Such a substance is of major interest nowadays since there are different studies searching for such a long-term marker in propionic acidemia or methylmalonic aciduria.     

Preparation of 3-Amino-3-Deoxy-2,4,5,6-Tetra-O-Methyl-D-Altronic Acid Hydrochloride,a Precursor in the Preparation of a Chiral β-Polyamide (Nylon 3 Analog)

ABSTRACT

3-Amino-3-deoxy-2,4,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-altronic acid hydrochloride was prepared from methyl 3-azido-3-deoxy-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-altropyranoside in seven steps. The key intermediate in this synthesis was the 3-acetamido-3-deoxy-2,4,6-tri-O-methyl-D-altrono-1,5-lactone which could be transformed, in one step, into methyl 3-acetamido-3-deoxy-2,4,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-altronate. However, attempts to open the 3-azido-3-deoxy-tri-O-methyl (or O-benzyl)-D-altrono-1,5-lactone intermediates gave a mixture of products, mostly, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The 3-amino-3-deoxy-2,4,5,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-altronic acid could be transformed into the corresponding β-lactam, (3S,4R)-3-methoxy-4-(D-erythro-trimethoxypropyl) azetidine-2-one, which was further polymerized by anionic ring-opening polymerization giving poly[(2S,3R)-2-methoxy-3-(D-erythro-trimethoxypropyl) propanamide], a chiral nylon 3 analog.     

Preparation of 2-Azido-4-O-benzoyl-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranose and Its Disaccharide Derivative

Abstract

2-Azido-4-O-benzoyl-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl-D-allopyranose, needed as one of the building blocks for construction of a novel cyclodextrin-like compound, was prepared in the form of crystalline β-anomer 6 from methyl 2-azido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-D-allopyranoside 1. As a model of α-glycosidation necessary for formation of a cyclic structure, 6 was converted into the corresponding β-glycosyl trichloroacetimidate and coupled with methyl 6-O-benzyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside 8, giving α(1→4)-linked disaccharide derivative 9.     

Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of Benzoylated Deoxyfluoropyranosides

Benzoylated deoxyfluoropyranosides have been synthesized, starting with protected, unprotected, or fluorinated precursors. Fluorination of eight derivatives was compared using DAST and Deoxo-Fluor as reagents. Deoxo-Fluor was found to be especially useful in the fluorination of methyl 2,3,4-O-tribenzoyl α-D-mannopyranoside and β-D-glucopyranoside, resulting in better yields and avoiding the 1,6-methoxy migration experienced with DAST for one derivative. The two reagents gave comparable yields in the fluorination of other methyl pyranosides, confirming Deoxo-Fluor as a safer alternative to DAST. Methyl α-D-mannopyranoside underwent fluorination to yield the 4,6-difluorotalopyranoside and the corresponding cyclic sulfite. The NMR spectroscopic properties of 11 benzoyl deoxy-fluoropyranosides are reported.     

Ion conductivity studies of blends of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) complexed with LiCF3 SO3

Polymer electrolytes which are adhesive, transparent, and stable to atmospheric moisture have been prepared by blending poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) with poly(ethylene glycol)/LiCF₃ SO₃ complexes. The maximum ionic conductivities at room temperature were measured to be in the range of 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁵ s cm⁻¹. The clarity of the sample was improved as the graft degree increased for all the samples studied. The graft degree of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) was found to be important for the compatibility between the poly(methyl methacrylate) segments in poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) and the added poly(ethylene glycol), and consequently, for the ion conductivity of the polymer electrolyte. These properties make them promising candidates for polymer electrolytes in electrochromic devices. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Esterification‐nitration of Ortho‐hydroxyphenyl Carboxylic Acids and Benzoic Acids with Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)

A convenient and useful esterification was realized, and this reaction proceeded without a dehydrating reagent or water removal equipment. A series of ortho‐hydroxyphenyl carboxylic acids and benzoic acids were transformed to their corresponding methyl esters under CAN/CH₃OH reaction conditions. Whereas in an aprotic solvent, acetonitrile, sp³‐C tethered ortho‐hydroxyphenyl carboxylic acids undergo simultaneous o,p‐dinitration and intramolecular esterification reactions in good yields. Also, 2‐((1 E)‐2‐nitrovinyl)‐4‐nitro‐phenol ( 3e ) showed selective cytotoxicities toward MCF‐7, HEP G2, and HEP 3B cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 23.50, 7.33, and 7.59 ug/mL, respectively.     

Herstellung enantiomerenreiner cis- oder trans-konfigurierter 2-(tert-Butyl)-3-methylimidazolidin-4-one aus den Aminosäuren (S)-Alanin, (S)-Phenylalanin, (R)-Phenylglycin, (S)-Methionin und (S)-Valin

Preparation of the Enantiomerically Pure cis- and trans-Configurated 2-(tert-Butyl)-3-methylimidazolidin-4-ones from the Amino Acids (S)-Alanine, (S)-Phenylalanine, (R)-Phenylglycine, (S)-Methionine, and (S)-Valine In contrast to α-hydroxy and α-mercapto carboxylic acids, simple α-amino acids do not form acetal-type derivatives ( 2 , X = NH) with pivalaldehyde. For the generation of amino-acid-derived chiral, nonracemic enolates (cf. 3 ), and hence, for the α-alkylation of amino acids without racemization and without an external chiral auxiliary, the imidazolidinones 12–14 were prepared diastereoselectively. To this end, the methyl or ethyl esters of amino-acid hydrochlorides were first converted to N-methylamides of amino acids which in turn were condensed with pivalaldehyde to give (neopentylidenamino)amides ( 11 ). These Schiff bases could be cyclized either to trans-or to cis-imidazolidinones ( 12, 14 and 13 , respectively), which were obtained in enantiomerically pure form after recrystallization. The enantiomeric purities were confirmed by HPLC with chiral stationary phases or by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy in the presence of chiral shift reagents. The configurations (cis, trans) were assigned by NOE measurements on 300- or 360-MHz ¹H-NMR spectrometers.     

Synthesis of the first pseudo-phosphonopeptides derived from (ferrocenyl)aminomethanephosphonous acids

The first example of the condensation of (ferrocene)-N-benzhydrylamino-methanephosphonous acid (1) with α-amino acids 2a-d and several model dipeptides 4a-d and the tripeptide dl-alanyl-dl-leucinyl-glycine (4e) in the presence of DCC resulted in pseudo-phosphono-dipeptides 3a-d and pseudo-phosphono-oligopeptides 5a-d. The probable chiral assistance of the incoming amino acid or peptide in the formation of the new chiral center on phosphorus was also a feature of this method.     

Direct vinylation of glucose derivatives with acetylene

Vinyl ethers, promising chiral carbohydrate synthons, have been synthesized by the addition of glucose acetals (1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose, methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside, 1,2-O-cyclohexylidene-α-d-glucofuranose, methyl α-d-glucopyranoside) to acetylene under atmospheric and elevated pressures in an autoclave in the presence of superbase catalytic systems (KOH-DMSO, t-BuOK-DMSO). The complete vinylation of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose and methyl α-d-glucopyranoside has been realized under elevated pressure of acetylene in the system KOH-THF as well.     

Cyclodextrins as chiral stationary phases in capillary gas chromatography. Part III: Hexakis(3-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-pentyl)-α-cyclodextrin

The properties of hexakis(3-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-pentyl)-α-cyclodextrin as a chiral stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography are described. For the first time the enantiomers of a series of different lactones are separated and their order of elution is assigned. Moreover, the enantiomers of trifluoroacetylated aldols and amino alcohols, the cyclic carbonates of 1,2-diols, 1,3-diols, O-alkylated glycerols, and some chiral pharmaceuticals are also separated on the new chiral phase. The modified α-cyclodextrin is stable above 200°C.     

Studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of glaucine,an isoquinoline alkaloid from Glaucium flavum (Papaveraceae), in rat urine using GC‐MS,LC‐MSn and LC‐high‐resolution MSn

Glaucine ((S)‐5,6,6a,7‐tetrahydro‐1,2,9,10‐tetramethoxy‐6‐methyl‐4H‐dibenzo [de,g]quinoline) is an isoquinoline alkaloid and main component of Glaucium flavum (Papaveraceae). It was described to be consumed as recreational drug alone or in combination with other drugs. Besides this, glaucine is used as therapeutic drug in Bulgaria and other countries as cough suppressant. Currently, there are no data available concerning metabolism and toxicological analysis of glaucine. To study both, glaucine was orally administered to Wistar rats and urine was collected. For metabolism studies, work‐up of urine samples consisted of protein precipitation or enzymatic cleavage followed by solid‐phase extraction. Samples were afterwards measured by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to low or high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HR‐MS). The phase I and II metabolites were identified by detailed interpretation of the corresponding fragmentations, which were further confirmed by determination of their elemental composition using HR‐MS. From these data, the following metabolic pathways could be proposed: O‐demethylation at position 2, 9 and 10, N‐demethylation, hydroxylation, N‐oxidation and combinations of them as well as glucuronidation and/or sulfation of the phenolic metabolites. For monitoring a glaucine intake in case of abuse or poisoning, the O‐ and N‐demethylated metabolites were the main targets for the gas chromatography‐MS and LC‐MSⁿ screening approaches described by the authors. Both allowed confirming an intake of glaucine in rat urine after a dose of 2 mg/kg body mass corresponding to a common abuser's dose. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the In Vivo Existence Forms (23 Original Constituents and 147 Metabolites) of Astragali Radix Total Flavonoids and Their Distributions in Rats Using HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn

Astragali Radix total flavonoids (ARTF) is one of the main bioactive components of Astragali Radix (AR), and has many pharmacological effects. However, its metabolism and effective forms remains unclear. The HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSⁿ technique was used to screen and tentatively identify the in vivo original constituents and metabolites of ARTF and to clarify their distribution in rats after oral administration. In addition, modern chromatographic methods were used to isolate the main metabolites from rat urine and NMR spectroscopy was used to elucidate their structures. As a result, 170 compounds (23 original constituents and 147 metabolites) were tentatively identified as forms existing in vivo, 13 of which have the same pharmacological effect with ARTF. Among 170 compounds, three were newly detected original constituents in vivo and 89 were new metabolites of ARTF, from which 12 metabolites were regarded as new compounds. Nineteen original constituents and 65 metabolites were detected in 10 organs. Four metabolites were isolated and identified from rat urine, including a new compound (calycoisn-3’-O-glucuronide methyl ester), a firstly-isolated metabolite (astraisoflavan-7-O-glucoside-2’-O-glucuronide), and two known metabolites (daidzein-7-O-sulfate and calycosin-3’-O-glucuronide). The original constituents and metabolites existing in vivo may be material basis for ARTF efficacy, and these findings are helpful for further clarifying the effective forms of ARTF.