Simultaneous Determination of Cortisol,Cortisone, and 6β-Hydroxycortisol in Human Urine by UPLC with UV Detector and Application to Determine Diurnal Variations

In the present studies, a simple rapid ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method with UV detection for the simultaneous determination of cortisol, cortisone and 6β-hydroxycortisol in human urine was developed. The three analytes and the internal standard dexamethasone were separated on a Waters Acquity UPLC-Tunable UV system with an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm ID, 1.7 μm) using a gradient elution of methanol and water (containing 0.01% formic acid) with a run time of 7 min. The method was accurate and precise, over the ranges of 5–200 ng mL⁻¹ for cortisol, and 10–1,000 ng mL⁻¹ for both cortisone and 6β-hydroxycortisol, and showed good linearity (r ² > 0.999). This method was applied for the measurement of cortisol, cortisone and 6β-hydroxycortisol in samples collected over different periods as a tool to assess the activity of CYP3A and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzymes.

     

LC–MS/MS Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Free Urinary Steroids

Cortisol homeostasis is implicated in hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Two enzymes modulate cortisol availability; 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) preferentially converts inactive cortisone to cortisol, whereas 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) converts cortisol to cortisone. In contrast, 5α and 5β reductases inactivate cortisol by conversion to its tetrahydrometabolites: tetrahydrocortisol, allo-tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone. A subtle local increase in cortisol can be detected by measuring 24-h urine metabolites, LC–MS/MS being the reference method. The 11β-HSD2 activity is assessed based on the cortisol/cortisone ratio, and the 11β-HSD1 activity on the (tetrahydrocortisol + allo-tetrahydrocortisol)/tetrahydrocortisone ratio. To better understand hypertension and/or metabolic syndrome pathogenesis a method for simultaneous determination of cortisol, cortisone, tetrahydrocortisol, allo-tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone was developed and validated in an LC coupled with the new detector AB Sciex QTrap^® 4500 tandem mass spectrometer. The steroids were extracted from 1 mL urine, using cortisol-D4 as internal standard. The quantification range was 0.1–120 ng/mL for cortisol and cortisone, and 1–120 ng/mL for tetrahydrometabolites, with >89 % recovery for all analytes. The coefficient of variation and accuracy was <10 %, and 85–105 %, respectively. Our LC–MS/MS method is accurate and reproducible in accordance with Food and Drug Administration guidelines, showing good sensitivity and recovery. This method allows the assessment of 11β-HSD2 and 11β-HSD1 activities in a single analytical run providing an innovative tool to explain etiology of misclassified essential hypertension and/or metabolic syndrome.     

Quantitative determination of famotidine in human maternal plasma,umbilical cord plasma and urine using high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the quantitative determination of famotidine in human urine, maternal and umbilical cord plasma was developed and validated. The plasma samples were alkalized with ammonium hydroxide and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The extraction recovery of famotidine in maternal and umbilical cord plasma ranged from 53 to 64% and 72 to 79%, respectively. Urine samples were directly diluted with the initial mobile phase then injected into the HPLC system. Chromatographic separation of famotidine was achieved by using a Phenomenex Synergi? Hydro‐RP? column with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and 10 mm ammonium acetate aqueous solution (pH 8.3, adjusted with ammonium hydroxide). Mass spectrometric detection of famotidine was set in the positive mode and used a selected ion monitoring method. Carbon‐13‐labeled famotidine was used as internal standard. The calibration curves were linear (r² > 0.99) in the concentration ranges of 0.631–252 ng/mL for umbilical and maternal plasma samples and 0.075–30.0 µg/mL for urine samples. The relative deviation of method was <14% for intra‐ and inter‐day assays, and the accuracy ranged between 93 and 110%. The matrix effect of famotidine in human urine, maternal and umbilical cord plasma was less than 17%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assay of urinary 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine by capillary electrophoresis with spectrophotometric detection using a high‐sensitivity detection cell and solid‐phase extraction

A sensitive capillary electrophoretic method featuring spectrophotometric detection using a commercial Z‐cell was devised for the assay of 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) in human urine. Solid‐phase extraction (SPE) based on hydrophilic‐lipophilic‐balanced RP sorbent was utilized for urine sample pretreatment and analyte preconcentration. The separation was carried out in conventional fused‐silica capillaries employing a Z‐cell with hydrodynamic sample injection (at 50 mbar for 12 s). The BGE (pH* 9.2, adjusted with 1 M NaOH) contained 0.15 M boric acid and 10% v/v ACN. The detection wavelength was 282 nm. The calibration curve for 8OHdG (measured in spiked urine) was linear in the range 10–1000 ng/mL; R² = 0.9993. The LOD was 3 ng/mL (11 nmol/L) of 8OHdG. Determination of the 8OHdG urinary levels was possible even in healthy individuals.     

Chiral separation of phenylalanine and tryptophan by capillary electrophoresis using a mixture of β‐CD and chiral ionic liquid ([TBA] [l‐ASP]) as selectors

In this paper, a simple, effective and green capillary electrophoresis separation and detection method was developed for the quantification of underivatized amino acids (dl ‐phenylalanine; dl ‐tryptophan) using β‐Cyclodextrin and chiral ionic liquid ([TBA] [l ‐ASP]) as selectors. Separation parameters such as buffer concentrations, pH, β‐CD and chiral ionic liquid concentrations and separation voltage were investigated for the enantioseparation in order to achieve the maximum possible resolution. A good separation was achieved in a background electrolyte composed of 15 mm sodium tetraborate, 5 mm β‐CD and 4 mm chiral ionic liquid at pH 9.5, and an applied voltage of 10 kV. Under optimum conditions, linearity was achieved within concentration ranges from 0.08 to 10 µg/mL for the analytes with correlation coefficients from 0.9956 to 0.9998, and the analytes were separated in less than 6 min with efficiencies up to 970,000 plates/m. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of amino acid enantiomers in compound amino acids injections, such as 18AA‐I, 18AA‐II and 3AA. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination of a novel enantiomeric tropane analog, (−)‐satropane,in biological fluids using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, accurate and precise liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of (?)‐satropane (3α‐paramethyl‐benzenesulfonyloxy‐6β‐acetoxy‐tropane) in rabbit aqueous humor. Since (?)‐satropane may be absorbed from the aqueous humour with resultant systemic side effects, the LC‐MS/MS method was also evaluated for its applicability in analyzing plasma samples containing this compound. (?)‐Satropane and phentolamine (the internal standard, represented as IS) were detected by multiple reaction monitoring using the transitions m/z 354–182 and 282–212, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the ranges 2–500 and 5–1000 ng/mL, and the values of the lower limit of quantification were 2 and 5 ng/mL for the microdialysis dialysate and rat plasma samples, respectively. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy were better than 8.6 and 6.00%, respectively, in both matrices investigated. The absolute recovery of the plasma samples was more than 76.30%. The average matrix effects of (?)‐satropane were 91.72 and 83.05% in the microdialysis dialysate and plasma samples, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to analyze (?)‐satropane in microdialysis dialysate and rat plasma samples, and this assay has been used to quantify (‐)‐satropane in the pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies in our laboratory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution multiple reaction monitoring method for quantification of steroidal hormones in plasma

Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) is one of the most powerful modes of analysis in liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry for quantification of low‐concentration metabolites in biological samples. The advances in mass spectrometry enabled the development of high‐resolution multiple reaction monitoring (MRM^HR) and became suitable for the more specific analysis of target analytes. This is important for lipidomic studies and contributes in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, primarily in investigating alterations in cells or fluids relevant to various diseases. Therefore, this work proposes the development of the MRM^HR method for quantification of circulating steroids. We focused on the determination of corticosterone, 11‐dehydrocorticosterone (11‐DHC), cortisol, cortisone, aldosterone, and progesterone concentration in serum, by using 129sv male mice exposed to chronic unpredictable stress to validate the quantification. The method was conducted according to the ANVISA normative, adopting a coefficient of variation, as well as relative standard deviation and relative error lower than 15% in linearity, intraday and interday precision, and accuracy. For cortisol, corticosterone, and their inert metabolites (cortisone and 11‐DHC), the lower limit of quantification was 3.9 ng· mL⁻¹, while that for progesterone and aldosterone was 7.8 and 15.6 ng· mL⁻¹, respectively. MRM^HR analysis showed that animals submitted to stressors have 4.5 times more corticosterone in their serum than nonstressed mice. However, 11‐DHC concentration does not vary significantly in response to stress for these animals. The results indicate that the method can be applied for quantification of steroids in several biological samples, such as human plasma.     

Three New 24‐Nortriterpenoids from the Roots of Ilex asprella

Asprellols A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), three new 24‐nortriterpenoids, were isolated from the CHCl₃‐soluble fraction of 95% EtOH extract of the roots of Ilex asprella, together with a known nortriterpenoid. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 2,6β,20β‐trihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐norursa‐1,4‐dien‐28,13β‐olide ( 1 ), 2,6β‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐norursa‐1,4,20(30)‐trien‐28,13β‐olide ( 2 ), and 2,6β‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐11α,12α‐epoxy‐24‐noroleana‐1,4‐dien‐28,13β‐olide ( 3 ) on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.     

‘Click Synthesis’ of Some Novel O‐Substituted Oximes Containing 1,2,3‐Triazole‐1,4‐diyl Residues as New Analogs of β‐Adrenoceptor Antagonists

The ‘click synthesis’ of some novel O‐substituted oximes, 7a – 7t , which contain 1,2,3‐triazolediyl residues, as new analogs of β‐adrenoceptor antagonists is described (Schemes 1–4). The synthesis of these compounds was achieved in four to five steps. The formation of oximes of 9H‐fluoren‐9‐one and benzophenone, i.e., 9a and 9b , respectively, followed by their reaction with propargyl bromide, afforded O‐propargyl oximes 10a and 10b , respectively, which by a subsequent CuI‐catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition with prepared β‐azido alcohols 11a – 11j (Schemes 2 and 3), led to the target compounds 7a – 7t in good yields.     

Comparison of a homology model and the crystallographic structure of human 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) in a structure-based identification of inhibitors

Summary Human 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) catalyzes the interconversion of cortisone into active cortisol. 11βHSD1 inhibition is a tempting target for the treatment of a host of human disorders that might benefit from blockade of glucocorticoid action, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes type 2. Here, we report an in silico screening study aimed at identifying new selective inhibitors of human 11βHSD1 enzyme. In the first step, homology modeling was employed to build the 3D structure of 11βHSD1. Further, molecular docking was used to validate the predicted model by showing that it was able to discriminate between known 11βHSD1 inhibitors or substrates and non-inhibitors. The homology model was found to reproduce closely the crystal structure that became publicly available in the final stages of this work. Finally, we carried out structure-based virtual screening experiments on both the homology model and the crystallographic structure with a database of 114’000 natural molecules. Among these, 15 molecules were consistently selected as inhibitors based on both the model and crystal structures of the enzyme, implying a good quality for the homology model. Among these putative 11βHSD1 inhibitors, two were flavonone derivatives that have already been shown to be potent inhibitors of the enzyme.     

Stereoselective Total Synthesis of (11β)‐11‐Methoxycurvularin

A simple and highly efficient stereoselective total synthesis of (11β)‐11‐methoxycurvularin ( 5 ), a polyketide natural product, was achieved. The synthesis commenced with a Cu‐mediated regioselective opening of (2S)‐2‐methyloxirane ( 6 ) and comprised a Keck asymmetric allylation and intramolecular Friedel–Crafts acylation as key steps (Scheme 2).     

Ultrasound‐assisted green synthesis of Cu‐based complexes of β‐cyclodextrin and their SOD‐like activity

A novel Cu–Zn β‐cyclodextrin (CuZn/β‐CD) model compound was synthesized under ultrasound irradiation to mimic the functionality of copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). For comparison, Cu/β‐CD and Zn/β‐CD complexes were also synthesized via a sonochemical approach. The obtained complexes were characterized by FTIR, ICP‐OES, UV–vis and Scanning electron microscopy‐Energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX) techniques. The SOD activity of the complexes was evaluated by a pyrogallol autoxidation method. These enzyme‐mimetic materials scavenge ambient free radicals, with the potential to provide significant antioxidant protection (scavenging ability > 70%).     

Determination of hormones in human urine by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry

Steroid hormones play a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis of human metabolism. Urine as a noninvasive sample has been extensively used in clinical diagnosis for hormones homeostasis. In this study, the simultaneous characterization of fourteen hormones in urine was performed based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPHLC/ESI(+)‐MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring in the positive ionization mode. The target hormones were cortisone, cortisol, 11‐deoxycortisol, aldosterone, corticosterone, 11‐deoxycorticosterone, progesterone, 17‐OH‐progesterone, pregnenolone, estrone, estradiol, estriol, testosterone and dehydreopiandrosterone. β‐Glucuronidase/sulfatase deconjugation and liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) were conducted for the determination of urinary hormones (free + conjugated forms). The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.2 ng/mL (11‐deoxycortisol and testosterone) to 1 ng/mL (cortisone). The extraction recovery of the targeted compounds ranged from 87% to 127%, indicating sufficient extraction efficiency for the LLE process. Intraday precision was below 10% and the accuracy ranged from 84% to 122%. The profiling analysis of hormones in urine samples helps to understand the metabolic state of biological systems and can be employed as a diagnostic tool in diseases developed by endocrine‐disrupted systems.     

A New Megastigmane Palmitate and a New Oleanane Triterpenoid from Aster yomena Makino

A new megastigmane palmitate, 9‐oxomegastigm‐5(13)‐ene‐2β‐palmitate ( 1 ), and a new oleanane triterpenoid, (3β)‐3,23,28‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐11‐one ( 2 ), together with three known oleanane‐type triterpenoids, β‐amyrin ( 3 ), erythrodiol ( 4 ), and (3β)‐olean‐12‐ene‐3,23,28‐triol ( 5 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Aster yomena (Asteraceae). Their structures were identified based on 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analysis, including ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY techniques.     

Substrate Range of the Titanium TADDOLate Catalyzed Asymmetric Fluorination of Activated Carbonyl Compounds

The substrate range of the [TiCl₂(TADDOLate)] (TADDOL=α,α,α′,α′‐tetraaryl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4,5‐dimethanol)‐catalyzed asymmetric α‐fluorination of activated β‐carbonyl compounds has been investigated. Optimal conditions for catalysis are characterized by using 5 mol‐% of TiCl₂(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐TADDOLate) as catalyst in a saturated (0.14 mol/l) MeCN solution of F‐TEDA (1‐(chloromethyl)‐4‐fluoro‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis‐[tetrafluoroborate]) at room temperature. A series of α‐methylated β‐keto esters (3‐oxobutanoates, 3‐oxopentanoates) with bulky benzyl ester groups (60–90% ee) or phenyl ester (67–88% ee) have been fluorinated readily, whereas α‐acyl lactones were also readily fluorinated, but gave lower inductions (13–46% ee). Double stereochemical differentiation in β‐keto esters with chiral ester groups raised the stereoselectivity to a diastereomeric ratio (dr) of up to 96.5 : 3.5. For the first time, β‐keto S‐thioesters were asymmetrically fluorinated (62–91.5% ee) and chlorinated (83% ee). Lower inductions were observed in fluorinations of 1,3‐diketones (up to 40% ee) and β‐keto amides (up to 59% ee). General strategies for preparing activated β‐carbonyl compounds as important model substrates for asymmetric catalytic α‐functionalizations are presented (>60 examples).     

Quantitative assessment of metal dysregulation in β‐thalassemia patients in comparison with healthy controls by ICP‐MS and chemometric analyses

β‐Thalassemia is one of the most common inherited disorders and is widely distributed throughout the world. Owing to severe deficiencies in red blood cell production, blood transfusion is required to correct anemia for normal growth and development but causes additional complications owing to iron overload. The aim of this study is to quantify the biometal dysregulations in β‐thalassemia patients as compared with healthy controls. A total of 17 elements were analyzed in serum samples of β‐thalassemia patients and healthy controls using ICP‐MS followed by chemometric analyses. Out of these analyzed elements, 14 showed a significant difference between healthy and disease groups at p < 0.05 and fold change >3. A PLS‐DA model revealed an excellent separation with 89.8% sensitivity and 97.2% specificity and the overall accuracy of the model was 92.2%. This metallomic study revealed that there is major difference in metallomic profiling of β‐thalassemia patients specifically in Co, Mn, Ni, V and Ba, whereas the fold changes in Co, Mn, V and Ba were found to be greater than that in Fe, providing evidence that, in addition to Fe, other metals are also altered significantly and therefore chelation therapy for other metals may also needed in β‐thalassemia patients.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(ethylene oxide)‐loaded hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin nanofibers

Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) is a modified β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) derivative, which is toxicologically harmless to mammals and other animals. HP‐β‐CD is electrospun from an aqueous solution by blending with a non‐toxic, biocompatible, synthetic polymer poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Aqueous solutions containing different HP‐β‐CD/PEO blends (50:50–80:20) with variable concentrations (4 wt%–12 wt%) were used. Scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the morphology of the fibers, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of HP‐β‐CD in the fiber. Uniform nanofibers with an average diameter of 264, 244, and 236 nm were obtained from 8 wt% solution of 50:50, 60:40, and 70:30 HP‐β‐CD/PEO, respectively. The average diameter of the fiber was decreased with increasing of HP‐β‐CD/PEO ratio. However, a higher proportion of HP‐β‐CD in the spinning solution increased beads in the fibers. The polymer concentration had no significant effect on the fiber diameter. The most uniform fibers with the narrowest diameter distribution were obtained from the 8 wt% of 50:50 solution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and evaluation of a hydrophilic poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide) monolithic column for pressurized capillary electrochromatography

A polar polymethacrylate‐based monolithic column was introduced and evaluated as a hydrophilic interaction CEC stationary phase. The monolithic stationary phase was prepared by in situ copolymerization of a neutral monomer 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and a polar cross‐linker N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide in a binary porogenic solvent consisting of dodecyl alcohol and toluene. The hydroxyl and amino groups at the surface of the monolithic stationary phase provided polar sites which were responsible for hydrophilic interactions. The composition and proportion of the polymerization mixture was investigated in detail. The mechanical stability and reproducibility of the obtained monolithic column preformed was satisfied. The effects of pH and organic solvent content on the EOF and the separation of amines, nucleosides, and narcotics on the optimized monolithic column were investigated. A typical hydrophilic interaction CEC was observed on the neutral polar stationary phase. The optimized monolithic column can obtain high‐column efficiencies with 62 000–126 000 theoretical plates/m and the RSDs of column‐to‐column (n = 9), run‐to‐run (n = 5), and day‐to‐day (n = 3) reproducibility were less than 6.3%. The calibration curves of these five narcotics exhibited good linearity with R in the range of 0.9959–0.9970 and linear ranges of 1.0–200.0 μg/mL. The detection limits at S/N = 3 were between 0.2 and 1.2 μg/mL. The recoveries of the separation of narcotics on the column were in the range of 84.0–108.6%. The good mechanical stability, reproducibility, and quantitation capacity was suitable for pressure‐assisted CEC applications.     

Five New β‐Carboline‐Type Alkaloids from Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata

Five new β‐carboline‐type alkaloids, dichotomines F–J ( 1 – 5 , resp.), along with nine known compounds, dichotomides I, III, V, and VII ( 6 – 9 , resp.), stellarines A and C ( 10 – 11 , resp.), dichotomine B ( 12 ), glucodichotomine B ( 13 ), and 1‐acetyl‐3‐carboxy‐β‐carboline ( 14 ), were isolated from the roots of Chinese medicinal plant Stellaria dichotoma L. var. lanceolata. Their structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic means. Compounds 12 and 13 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity.     

Synthesis,and Helix or Hairpin‐Turn Secondary Structures of ‘Mixed’ α/β‐Peptides Consisting of Residues with Proteinogenic Side Chains and of 2‐Amino‐2‐methylpropanoic Acid (Aib)

Twelve peptides, 1 – 12 , have been synthesized, which consist of alternating sequences of α‐ and β‐amino acid residues carrying either proteinogenic side chains or geminal dimethyl groups (Aib). Two peptides, 13 and 14 , containing 2‐methyl‐3‐aminobutanoic acid residues or a ‘random mix’ of α‐, β²‐, and β³‐amino acid moieties were also prepared. The new compounds were fully characterized by CD (Figs. 1 and 2), and ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HR‐MS). In two cases, 3 and 14 , we discovered novel types of turn structures with nine‐ and ten‐membered H‐bonded rings forming the actual turns. In two other cases, 8 and 11 , we found 14/15‐helices, which had been previously disclosed in mixed α/β‐peptides containing unusual β‐amino acids with non‐proteinogenic side chains. The helices are formed by peptides containing the amino acid moiety Aib in every other position, and their backbones are primarily not held together by H‐bonds, but by the intrinsic conformations of the containing amino acid building blocks. The structures offer new possibilities of mimicking peptide–protein and protein–protein interactions (PPI).