Improved detection of glucuronide and glutathione conjugates with thermospray ionization following esterification.

Analysis by thermospray of glucuronide and glutathione conjugates as the corresponding methyl-, propyl-, or hexyl esters is demonstrated to yield a remarkable increase in positive pseudomolecular ion production and to result in a dramatic improvement in detectability of these thermally labile compounds as intact molecular structures. In the most extreme examples a 450-fold increase in the [M+NH4]+ ion intensity was observed for mycophenolic acid glucuronide bis-propyl esters vs. the native conjugate and an 860-fold increase in the [M+H]+ ion intensity was achieved for acetaminophen glutathione bis-hexyl ester vs. the native conjugate. Following esterification, seventeen of the eighteen glucuronide esters analyzed demonstrated an increase in total-ion-current yield ranging from 1.1- to 8.3-fold while eighteen of the twenty-one glutathione esters examined demonstrated an increase in total-ion-current yield from 2.0- to 26.3-fold. For both types of conjugates a trend in increased relative abundance of the positive pseudomolecular ion intensity is observed as the hydrophobicity of the ester increases from methyl to hexyl. For the glutathione conjugate esters, base peak in the mass spectra of the majority of samples analyzed. This approach improves the protonated- or ammoniated-molecular-ion abundances of the conjugates to such an extent that it provides a means for unambiguous molecular weight assignments to be made. Although the exact mechanism(s) for the observed phenomenon is not known, it appears that the improvement in sensitivity for the conjugate esters over the corresponding native conjugates involves an increase in pseudomolecular-ion stability and also in part an increased ionization efficiency of the esterified molecule.

Disposition of RS-26306, a potent luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist, in monkeys and rats after single intravenous and subcutaneous administration.

The metabolic disposition of RS-26306, a new potent luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist, was studied in rats and monkeys after single i.v. and sc administration with the 3H-labeled compound. Plasma pharmacokinetics after iv administration were: CLs = 2.5 ml/min/kg, Vd beta = 0.29 liter/kg, t1/2 = 1.4 hr (rats), and CLs = 0.8 ml/min/kg, Vd beta = 0.32 liter/kg, t1/2 = 5.1 hr (monkeys). Cmax and Tmax in rats were 0.53 micrograms/ml and 4 hr after the 1 mg/kg sc dose, and were 1.07 micrograms/ml and 12 hr after the 10 mg/kg sc dose. AUC0-infinity after the 10 mg/kg sc dose in rats was seven times that after the 1 mg/kg sc dose. Apparent plasma disappearance t1/2 in rats were 3.6 and 15.2 hr, respectively, after the 1 and 10 mg/kg sc doses. An average of 12 and 4% of dose radioactivity remained at the injection site in rats 3 and 10 days, respectively, after a 10 mg/kg sc dose. In monkeys, Tmax after a 1 mg/kg sc dose was 0.5 hr for three animals but was 24 hr for the fourth animal, although plasma of this monkey contained substantial levels of RS-26306 between 15 min and 24 hr. Apparent plasma t1/2 in monkeys after a 1 mg/kg sc dose was at least 19 hr. Our data suggest depot formation after sc doses. In vitro plasma binding amounted to 82-84%. Excretion was mainly biliary: 12-25 and 55-84% of dose radioactivity was recovered in urine and feces, respectively, in both species. The biological samples contained only traces of 3H2O. Three metabolites, which were truncated peptides of the parent decapeptide, were identified in the rat bile. One of these was also present in the monkey plasma. The restricted enzymatic degradation of RS-26306, extensive plasma binding, and long circulating t1/2 of RS-26306 contribute to its prolonged activity in animal models and in humans.

Isotopic exchange during derivatization of platelet activating factor for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

One approach to the quantitative analysis of platelet activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine; also referred to as AGEPC, alkyl glyceryl ether phosphocholine) is hydrolytic removal of the phosphocholine group and conversion to an electron-capturing derivative for gas chromatography-negative ion mass spectrometry. [2H3]Acetyl-AGEPC has been commonly employed as an internal standard. When 1-hexadecyl-2-[2H3]acetyl glycerol (obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of [2H3]-C16:0 AGEPC) is treated with pentafluorobenzoyl chloride at 120 degrees C, the resulting 3-pentafluorobenzoate derivative shows extensive loss of the deuterium label. This exchange is evidently acid-catalyzed since derivatization of 1-hexadecyl-2-acetyl glycerol under the same conditions in the presence of a trace of 2HCl results in the incorporation of up to three deuterium atoms. Isotope exchange can be avoided if the reaction is carried out at low temperature in the presence of base. Direct derivatization of [2H3]-C16:0 AGEPC by treatment with pentafluorobenzoyl chloride or heptafluorobutyric anhydride also results in loss of the deuterium label. The use of [13C2]-C16:0 AGEPC as an internal standard is recommended for rigorous quantitative analysis.

Characterization of impurities in a synthetic renin substrate peptide by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry and hybrid tandem mass spectrometry.

Fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry of a synthetic renin substrate decapeptide (Pro-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Val-Ile-His-D-Lys) indicated the presence of several side-products, including a component 12 Da higher in mass. Low-energy collisionally activated decomposition analyses were performed using a hybrid tandem instrument and demonstrated that the heavier side product had two components, in which the structural modification was either at the N- or the C-terminus. Additional analyses of the N-acetyl derivative indicated that for each component the structural modification blocked a site of N-acetylation. It is suggested that the formation of these side products is attributable to the generation of formaldehyde, during removal of the histidine protecting group (benzyloxymethyl), which reacts with the N-terminus of the peptide to give an imidazolidinone structure or with the D-lysine epsilon-amine group to yield an imine. While the precise genesis of the side-products remains speculative, it is clear that the combined strategy of derivatization and tandem mass spectrometry has allowed structural conclusions concerning individual components of an isobaric mixture.

Quantitative analysis of platelet activating factor using fast atom bombardment/tandem mass spectrometry.

A procedure is described for the quantitative determination of platelet activating factor (PAF) using stable isotope dilution and fast atom bombardment/tandem mass spectrometry. Low-energy collisional activation of the [M + H]+ ion of PAF yields a single daughter ion of m/z 184, characteristic of phosphocholine derivatives. For precise and accurate quantification, the internal standard is (2H3)acetyl-hexadecyl PAF, which yields an analogous daughter ion of m/z 185. Quantitative analyses are based on limited mass-range parent ion scanning with transmission of daughters of m/z 184 and 185 during alternate scans; all scans are accumulated into a single data file to facilitate determination of the analyte/internal standard response ratio. Analysis of authentic hexadecyl PAF indicates a low-picogram detection limit. The method has been applied to the determination of PAF in preparations of human neutrophils stimulated by addition of a calcium ionophore. Concentrations of PAF of 7-17 ng/10(6) cells were observed, in keeping with earlier reports. The method has been validated by standard addition and dilution experiments. Comparison of data obtained by the new procedure and those obtained by a method involving gas chromatography/electron capture mass spectrometry of dephosphorylated and derivatized PAF showed excellent agreement.

Collisionally activated decomposition of modified peptides using a tandem hybrid instrument.

Analyses are described of small peptides and related compounds using a tandem hybrid mass spectrometer of BEQQ geometry. Collisionally activated decomposition of [M + H]+ ions, generated by fast atom bombardment, was performed in the radio frequency (rf)-only quadrupole. Interpretation of fragmentation was greatly facilitated by analysis of labeled analogs, obtained by 18O exchange of carboxyl oxygens. N-Acetylation was also valuable although significant changes in fragmentation resulted from derivatization. Daughter ion spectra of [M + H]+ ions of angiotensin III showed diagnostic fragmentations throughout the peptide chain.

Characterization of glutathione conjugates by fast atom bombardment/tandem mass spectrometry.

The collisionally activated decomposition of [M + H]+ ions, generated by fast atom bombardment (FAB) of glutathione conjugates, has been studied by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using hybrid sector/quadrupole instruments. Abundant fragments of diagnostic utility were present in the daughter ion spectra. Common fragmentation modes were observed but their relative importance was strongly dependent on the nature of the conjugated species. As an example of a general approach to the characterization of glutathione conjugates in biological samples, the acetaminophen-glutathione conjugate was identified in rat bile, following coadministration of (2H0)- and (2H3)acetaminophen, using the experimental sequence: (i) conventional FAB mass spectrometric analysis, (ii) MS/MS using constant neutral loss (129 u) scanning to identify parent ions corresponding to glutathione conjugates, (iii) MS/MS to yield daughter ion spectra of parents so identified and corresponding to (2H0)- and (2H3)-labeled conjugates.

Analysis of phospholipid molecular species in rat lung as dinitrobenzoate diglycerides by electron capture negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

The use of electron capture negative ion desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry was demonstrated in the analysis of phospholipid molecular species at the 1,3-dinitrobenzoate (DNB) diglyceride derivative. Modification of phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) by phospholipase C treatment and acylation of the resultant diglyceride with 3,5-dinitrobenzoylchloride afforded separation of the alkylacyl, alkenylacyl, and diacyl dinitrobenzoate subclasses by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Separation of alkylacyl DNB into individual molecular species by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RPHPLC) was demonstrated. Electron capture desorption chemical ionization of individual molecular species (10-25 ng) from a direct probe yielded a mass spectrum characterized by an intense molecular anion. This molecular anion was the base peak of the spectrum accounting for greater than 80% of the total ionization. From this molecular anion the total carbon number and degree of unsaturation of the fatty chains could be determined. Analysis of fatty acid content of the molecular species allowed unequivocal assignment of structure for the alkyl ether phospholipids. Using selected ion monitoring as little as 0.5 pmol of these species could be detected with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than or equal to 3. This technique was useful in the analysis of low picomolar amounts of molecular species of ether phospholipids in the rat lung. Given an appropriate internal standard, analysis of dynamic changes in turnover, metabolism and precursor product relationships could be undertaken.

Metabolism of platelet-activating factor in isolated perfused rat lung.

The administration of platelet-activating factor (PAF) into the airway system of the lung is known to cause profound effects, yet little is known about the metabolism of this active lipid mediator. 3H-Labeled PAF administered into the airway of isolated rat lungs was rapidly and extensively metabolized. The tissue retained 96% of the administered radiolabel while the perfusate contained 4%. Characterization of the tissue retained lipid indicated metabolism into lyso-PAF (3.3%), phosphatidylcholine (82.3%), neutral lipid (1.7%) and intact PAF (10.2%). Analysis of tissue phosphatidylcholine by mass spectrometric techniques revealed metabolism of PAF to 1-0-hexadecyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC, which represented 20-23% of the administered radiolabeled hexadecyl-PAF. These findings support the hypothesis that a relationship between PAF and arachidonate metabolism exists at the intact organ level. Autoradiographic analysis of the cellular distribution of the radiolabeled PAF metabolites in the lung tissue indicated labeling of two cell types, the alveolar type II cell and the nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial cell (Clara cell).

Quantitation of lyso-platelet activating factor molecular species from human neutrophils by mass spectrometry.

Two physicochemical methods have been developed for the quantitative analysis of lyso-platelet activating factor (lyso-PAF) based on gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC/MS) and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry (FAB/MS) using stable isotope dilution. After addition of deuterated internal standards, lyso-PAF produced from neutrophils was purified by silicic acid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The GLC/MS assay employed phospholipase C or hydrofluoric acid for hydrolysis of the phosphocholine moiety to yield ether monoglycerides. Condensation of monoglycerides with acetone yielded the 1-O-alkyl-2,3-isopropylidene glycerol which could be analyzed by GLC/MS. The ions corresponding to M-15 fragments for both the labeled and unlabeled derivatives were monitored in a selected ion recording mode. Standard curves were found to be linear over the range tested (10-2000 ng) with a limit of detection found to be below 200 pg injected on column. For the FAB/MS assay, the unmodified lyso-PAF was well suited for direct analysis; however, the limit of detection (S/N greater than 3) using a glycerol matrix was found to be 5 ng placed on the probe tip. It was found that human neutrophils contain approximately 300 pg/10(6) cells which increased 2-3-fold during the 5-min period following challenge with 1.9 microM calcium ionophore, A23187. Two molecular species of lyso-PAF were identified as hexadecyl and octadecyl ethers at sn-1 with the octadecyl molecular species of lyso-PAF predominating in abundance after stimulation.

Presynaptic dopaminergic activity of phencyclidine in rat caudate.

This study tested the hypothesis that phencyclidine (PCP) is an indirect dopamine (DA) agonist in the caudate nucleus. Single caudate neurons in rats anesthetized with urethane were recorded extracellularly with multibarrel micropipettes. Effects of drug solutions, applied by pressure microejection, were measured as changes in spontaneous and evoked neuronal activity. Caudate neurons were classified according to their latency-to-discharge in response to supramaximal cortical stimulation. PCP inhibited the spontaneous activity of 92% of neurons with latencies less than 13 msec, while DA inhibited 87%. Both drugs inhibited evoked activity significantly less than spontaneous activity (P less than .01). Neurons with latencies greater than 13 msec were excited by DA significantly more often (45%) than by PCP (13%; P less than .05). Receptor stereospecificity is suggested by the finding that the (+)-isomer of the 3-methyl piperidine derivative of PCP was significantly more potent than the (-)-isomer for inhibition of spontaneous activity. Mg++, which blocks presynaptic release of neurotransmitter, significantly antagonized inhibitory effects of PCP on spontaneous activity, which suggests a presynaptic effect of PCP. DA, which acts postsynaptically, was much less affected by Mg++. The potency of PCP was significantly less in rats treated with reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine than in control rats, suggesting the endogenous DA is required for the action of PCP. Fluphenazine and (+)-butaclamol, potent DA-receptor antagonists, blocked the effect of PCP, but (-)-butaclamol did not. These results support the hypothesis that PCP facilitates release and/or inhibits reuptake of DA in nerve terminals and thereby acts as an indirect DA agonist in the caudate. However, there may be a subpopulation of caudate neurons in which PCP acts by a nondopaminergic mechanism.

Disposition of (R,S)-tocainide. Some stereoselective aspects.

We have undertaken to study the stereoselective disposition of (R,S)-tocainide, a new antiarrhythmic agent. To determine the enantiomeric composition of tocainide extracted from urine or blood serum, the drug was converted to diastereomeric derivatives by reaction with (S)-alpha-methoxy-alpha-trifluoromethylphenylacetyl chloride, and the diastereomers were separated by gas chromatography. The stereoselective excretion of tocainide in the 24-hr urine of male and female rats and mice was studied after 20-mg/kg ip doses of the racemic drug. The (R)/(S) ratio of excreted drug was greater than 1.0 in mice and less 1.0 in rats. Sex differences were also found. Pretreatment with phenobarbital significantly reduced the excretion of the (S) isomer in male and female mice and in male rats, and significantly reduced the excretion of the (R) enantiomer in male rats only. The (R)/(S) ratio of circulating tocainide in the serum of patients receiving the drug was significantly different from 1.0 in several samples analyzed. The reduction of 2-oxopropiono-2',6'-xylidide, the product of the oxidative deamination of tocainide, to 2-hydroxypropiono-2',6'-xylidide, a known circulating metabolite of tocainide in humans, was catalyzed by rabbit- and rat-liver cytosol, and the reduction proceeded with high stereoselectivity to give predominantly or exclusively the (S)-alcohol.