Evidence of the indirect hormonal activity of prohormones using liver S9 metabolic bioactivation and an androgen bioassay

Prohormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are steroid precursors that do not show hormonal activity by themselves. Abuse of these prohormones in cattle fattening is hard to prove because of strong in vivo metabolism and the difficulty to detect metabolites which are not significantly above endogenous levels. The aim of the present work was to develop an in vitro assay capable of detecting the indirect hormonal activity of prohormones that might be present in feed supplements and injection preparations. Sample extracts were incubated with a bovine liver S9 fraction in order to mimic the in vivo metabolic activation. Subsequently incubated extracts were exposed to a highly androgen-specific yeast bioassay to detect hormonal activity. Metabolic activation of DHEA, 4-androstene-3,17-dione (4-adione) and 5-androstene-3,17-diol (5-adiol) resulted in an increased androgenic activity caused by the formation of the active androgen 17β-testosterone (17β-T), as shown by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry with accurate mass measurement. The developed in vitro system successfully mimics the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD)- and cytochrome P450-mediated in vivo metabolic transitions, thus allowing assessment of both bioactivity and chemical identification without the use of animal experiments. Screening of unknown supplement samples claimed to contain DHEA resulted in successful bioactivation and positive screening results according to the androgen yeast biosensor. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Investigation of urinary steroid metabolites in calf urine after oral and intramuscular administration of DHEA

DHEA (3β-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one) is a natural steroid prohormone. Despite a lack of information on the effect, DHEA and other prohormones are frequently used as a food supplement by body-builders. DHEA is suspected for growth promoting abuse in cattle as well. Considering the latter, urine samples from a previous exposure study in which calves were exposed to 1 g DHEA per day for 7 days, were used. The calves were divided in three groups: one orally treated, one intramuscularly injected, and a control group. The effect of this treatment on the urinary profile of several precursors and metabolites of DHEA was investigated. Urine samples were collected several days before and during the 7 days of administration and were submitted to a clean-up procedure consisting of a separation of the different conjugates (free, glucuronidated, and sulfated forms) of each compound on a SAX column (Varian). An LC-MS/MS method was developed for the detection and quantification of several metabolites of the pathway of DHEA including 17α- and 17β-testosterone, 4-androstenedione, 5-androstenediol, pregnenolone, and hydroxypregnenolone. Elevated levels of DHEA, 5-androstenediol, and 17α-testosterone were observed in the free and sulfated fraction of the urine of the treated calves, thus indicating that the administered DHEA is metabolized mainly by the ∆⁵-pathway with 5-androstenediol as the intermediate. Sulfoconjugates of DHEA and its metabolites were found to constitute the largest proportion of the urinary metabolites. The free form was also present, but in a lesser extent than the sulfated form, while glucuronides were negligible.     

Gas-chromatographic determination of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids

Procedures for the gas-chromatographic determination of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids as the methyl esters of α,β-dibromocarboxylic acids or the methyl esters of corresponding morpholine derivatives were developed using treatment with diazomethane.     

Fusaric acid as a novel proton-affinitive derivatizing reagent for highly sensitive quantification of hydroxysteroids by LC-ESI-MS/MS

A highly sensitive derivatization method for liquid chromatography (LC)-electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone (T), pregnenolone (P5), and 17α-OH-pregnenolone (17-OHP5) was developed based on the use of fusaric acid as a reagent. DHEA, P5, and 17-OHP5 were rapidly and quantitatively converted to the 3-fusarate esters by treatment with fusaric acid and 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride. The positive ESI-mass spectra of the fusarate esters of each steroid were dominated by the appearance of [M + H]⁺ as base peaks. The fusarate derivatization of these steroids showed 17.6-fold (DHEA), 11.9-fold (P5), 3.3-fold (17-OHP5), and 1.8-fold (T) higher sensitivity to those of the corresponding picolinate derivatives in LC-selected reaction monitoring.     

Reactions of α-monochloro- and α,α-dichloro-β-oxoaldehyde acetals with bases

α,α-Dichloro-β-oxoaldehyde diethyl acetals decompose under the action of bases (NaOH, MeONa) with cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond and formation of carboxylic acids or their esters and the dichloroacetaldehyde diethyl acetal carbanion. The latter reactsin situ with benzaldehyde to form stable α-chloro-α,β-epoxyacetal. α-Chloro-α-formyl-γ-butyrolactone diethyl acetal is transformed into α-chloro-α-diethoxymethyl-γ-hydroxybutyric acid under the action of an alkali. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 685–687, April, 1998.     

Synthesis of 6-chloronicotinates of steroidal 3β,5α,6β-triols and 3β,5-dihydroxy-6-ketones

New esters of 3β,5α,6β-trihydroxysteroids and 3β,5-dihydroxy-6-ketosteroids containing 6-chloropyridine groups characteristic of the alkaloid epibatidine were synthesized by acylation with 6-chloronicotinoylchloride. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 175-179, March-April, 2009.     

Structures of new polar steroids from the Far-Eastern starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ctenodiscus crispatus</Emphasis>

A fraction of sulfated polyhydroxylated steroids from the Far-Eastern starfish Ctenodiscus crispatus was investigated. The main component of this fraction was identified as (22E,24R,25R)-24-methyl-5α -cholest-22-en-3β,5,6β,15α,25,26-hexol 26-O-sulfate. For the compound stereoisomeric with respect to the side chain, the (24R,25S) or (24S,25R) relative configurations were assigned to the C(24) and C(25) chiral centers. The structures of two other compounds isolated from the fraction were identified as (22E, 24ξ)-26,27-bisnor-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-en-3β,5,6β,15α,25-pentol 25-O-sulfate and (22E, 24ξ,25ξ)-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-en-3β,5,6β,8,15α,25,26-heptol 26-O-sulfate. Dedicated to Academician N. K. Kochetkov on the occasion of his 90th birthday. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1229–1234, May, 2005.     

Gradient HPLC separation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) from its metabolites and biological congeners: role of tetrahydrofuran in the chromatographic mechanism

A three-step gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the separation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfate ester (DHEA-S), its three C7-oxidized metabolites (7αOH-DHEA, 7βOH-DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA), and its biosynthetic congeners (androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, pregnenolone). This new method allows the quantitative characterization of DHEA metabolism and biosynthetic transformation under given physiological, pathological, or therapeutically influenced circumstances. Tetrahydrofuran probably acts as a proton acceptor coadsorbent, while isopropanol behaves as a proton donor during the separation of testosterone, estradiol, and the stereoisomers of 7-OH-DHEA. Figure Optimized gradient RP-HPLC results in full separation of DHEA from its biosynthetic congeners and metabolites     

Screening of synthetic and plant-derived compounds for (anti)estrogenic and (anti)androgenic activities

Recently we constructed yeast cells that either express the human estrogen receptor α or the human androgen receptor in combination with a consensus ERE or ARE repeat in the promoter region of a green fluorescent protein (yEGFP) read-out system. These bioassays were proven to be highly specific for their cognate agonistic compounds. In this study the value of these yeast bioassays was assessed for analysis of compounds with antagonistic properties. Several pure antagonists, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and plant-derived compounds were tested. The pure antiestrogens ICI 182,780 and RU 58668 were also classified as pure ER antagonists in the yeast estrogen bioassay and the pure antiandrogen flutamide was also a pure AR antagonist in the yeast androgen bioassay. The plant-derived compounds flavone and guggulsterone displayed both antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, while 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) and equol combined an estrogenic mode of action with an antiandrogenic activity. Indol-3-carbinol (I3C) only showed an antiandrogenic activity. Coumestrol, genistein, naringenin and 8-prenylnaringenin were estrogenic and acted additively, while the plant sterols failed to show any effect. Although hormonally inactive, in vitro and in vivo metabolism of the aforementioned plant sterols may still lead to the formation of active metabolites in other test systems.     

Steroids from the marine bryozoan <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bugula neritina</Emphasis>

One new compound, 3β-hydroxy-25-methoxy-(23E)-cholesta-5,23-diene (1), together with five known steroids, cholesteryl myristate (2), cholest-4-en-3-one (3), cholesterol (4), 3β,5α,9α-trihydroxy-(22E,24R)-ergosta7,22-dien-6-one (5), and 3β,5α,6β-trihydroxy-(22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-diene (6), were isolated and identified from the marine bryozoan Bugula neritina.     

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled on-line to estrogen receptor bioaffinity detection based on fluorescence polarization

We describe the development and validation of a high-resolution screening (HRS) platform which couples gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) on-line to estrogen receptor α (ERα) affinity detection using fluorescence polarization (FP). FP, which allows detection at high wavelengths, limits the occurrence of interference from the autofluorescence of test compounds in the bioassay. A fluorescein-labeled estradiol derivative (E2-F) was synthesized and a binding assay was optimized in platereader format. After subsequent optimization in flow-injection analysis (FIA) mode, the optimized parameters were translated to the on-line HRS bioassay. Proof of principle was demonstrated by separating a mixture of five compounds known to be estrogenic (17β-estradiol, 17α-ethinylestradiol and the phytoestrogens coumestrol, coumarol and zearalenone), followed by post-column bioaffinity screening of the individual affinities for ERα. Using the HRS-based FP setup, we were able to screen affinities of off-line-generated metabolites of zearalenone for ERα. It is concluded that the on-line FP-based bioassay can be used to screen for the affinity of compounds without the disturbing occurrence of autofluorescence.     

Triterpene glycosides fromHedera canariensis VI. Structure of L-G1 and L-G1b glycosides from leaves of canary ivy

Two new minor triterpene glycosides L-G₁, and L-G_2b, the 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-gentiobiosyl and 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-(6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1→6)-O-β-D glucopyranosyl esters of 30-norhederagenin, respectively, are isolated from the leaves of canary ivy (Hedera canariensis Willd.). The structures of the glycosides are found by chemical methods and¹H and¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 623–626, September–October, 1999.     

New polyhydroxysteroids and steroid glycosides from the far east starfishCeramaster patagonicus

Two new polyhydroxysteroids and five new glycosides were isolated from the starfishCeramaster patagonicus and their structures were elucidated: 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,15β,16β,26-pentol, (22E)-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15α,24-pentol, (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β, 6α,8,15β,16β,28-heptol (ceramasteroside C₁), (22E)-28-O-[O-(2,4-di-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β, 6α,8,15β,16β,28-hexol (ceramasteroside C₂), (22E)-28-O-[O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-hydroxymethyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,16β 28-hexol (eramasteroside C₃), (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-galactofuranosyl]-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β,6α,8, 15β, 26-hexol (ceramasteroside C₄), and (22E)-28-O-[O-(2-O-methyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,24-pentol (ceramasteroside C₅)). Three known polyhydroxysteroids (24-methylene-5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexol, 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexol, and 5α-cholestane-3β,6β,15α,16β,26-pentol) were also isolated. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 190–195, January, 1997.     

Condensations of Ethyl 3-Ethoxy-4-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-2-butenoate with α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

 Wittig condensations of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with ethyl 3-ethoxy-4-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-2-butenoate gave good to high yields of (2E,4E,6E)-ethyl 3-ethoxy-2,4,6-alkatrienoates. Some of last mentioned compounds were almost quatitatively hydrolysed to (4E,6E)-ethyl 3-oxo-4,6-alkadienoates. This method can therefore be used as an attractive alternative for the preparation of unsaturated conjugated β-keto esters previously prepared in very low yields from α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and ethyl 3-oxo-4-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)butanoate.     

Direct capillary gas chromatographic analysis and thermal stability of bile acid esters of glucose

Summary This paper deals for the first time with a direct method for analysis of the α and β anomers of bile acid esters of glucose by capillary gas chromatography (CGC) without the need for a hydrolytic step. The bile acid esters were derivatized to their trimethylsilyl (TMS) ethers, which in turn were chromatographed on a short (7m) metal capillary column chemically coated with a thin (0.15 μm) film of thermostable, non-polar polydimethylsiloxane. Satisfactory CGC separation of the isomeric bile acid esters was achieved on the column; the β anomers eluted before the corresponding α isomers. Particularly noteworthy is that the α anomers are partially isomerized to the corresponding β anomers, and that both anomers are partially decomposed during CGC analysis, demonstrating the chemical specificity and thermal instability of the bile acid esters.     

Addition of halogenoacetic esters to aldehydes and ketones in the presence of Fe(CO)5

The use of complex-forming solvents and variations in the reaction temperature made it possible to prepare α-halogeno β-hydroxy carboxylic esters upon addition of halogenoacetic esters to aldehydes and ketones promoted by iron pentacarbonyl. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 718–720, April, 2000.     

Development and in-house validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of stilbenes and resorcylic acid lactones in bovine urine

Stilbenes and zeranol are nonsteroidal estrogenic growth promoters which are banned in the European Union (EU) for use in food-producing animals by Council Directive 96/22/EC. A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the screening and confirmation of stilbenes (diethylstilbestrol, dienestrol, hexestrol) and resorcylic acid lactones (zeranol and its metabolites taleranol and zearalanone as well as the mycotoxins α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol and zearalenone) in bovine urine. The method permits the confirmation and quantification of stilbenes and resorcylic acid lactones at levels below 1 μg L⁻¹ and 1.5 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The validation was carried out according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, Chap. 3.1.3 “alternative validation” by a matrix-comprehensive in-house validation concept. Decision limit CCα, detection capability CCβ, recovery, repeatabiliy, within-laboratory reproducibility and the uncertainty of measurement were calculated. Furthermore, a factorial effect analysis was carried out to identify factors that have a significant influence on the method. Factors considered to be relevant for the method in routine analysis (e.g. operator, matrix condition, storage duration of the extracts before measurement, different cartridge lots, hydrolysis conditions) were systematically varied on two levels. The factorial analysis showed that different cartridge lots, storage durations and matrix conditions can exert a relevant influence on the method.     

Carbon isotope mass spectrometry in doping control

A procedure that makes it possible to establish the origin of endogenous steroids present in human urine by the determination of the ¹³C/¹²C carbon isotope ratio is described. A combination of solid-phase and liquid-liquid extraction, as well as semipreparative liquid chromatography, was used to separate fractions containing testosterone, 5α- and 5β-androstane-3α, 17β-diols, androsterone, ethiocholanolone, 5β-pregnane-3α, 20S-diol, and 16(5α)-androstene-3α-ol. More than 100 samples were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with isotope mass spectrometry. The resulting values of ¹³C/¹²C were statistically processed, and the ranges required for the interpretation of the results were found. The procedure was certified and accredited in accordance with ISO 17025 requirements.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of 1α,10α: 9β,1β: 19β,28-triepoxy-A-neo-5β-methyl-25-nor-18α-oleane

Ozonolysis of 19β,28-epoxy-A-neo-5β-methyl-25-nor-18α-olean-9-ene gave 23% of 1α,10α: 9β,11β: 19β,28-triepoxy-A-neo-5β-methyl-25-nor-18α-oleane whose structure was determined by X-ray analysis.     

Polar steroidal compounds from the Far-Eastern starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lethasterias fusca</Emphasis>

Nine steroidal compounds including three new steroidal glycosides, viz., sodium (24S)-3,24-di-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholestane-3β,6β,8,15α,24-pentol 15-sulfate (fuscaside A), (24S)-3,24-di-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholestane-3β,6β,8,15α,24-pentol (fuscaside B), and (22E,24R)-24-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6α,8,15β,24-pentol (desulfated minutoside A); three previously known glycosides, viz., distolasterosides D₁ and D₂ and pycno-podioside A; two previously known polyhydroxysteroids, viz., 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,16β,26-hexaol and 5α-cholestan-3β,4β,6α,7⇇8,15β,16β,26-octol; and the known sodium 24,25-dihydro-marthasterone 3-sulfate were isolated from the Far-Eastern starfish Lethasterias fusca. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 196–200, January, 2008.