RESUMO
Cats and dogs can suffer from multiple autoimmune diseases. Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a potentially useful immunosuppressant drug in cats and dogs, because of its well-documented efficacy in controlling autoimmune disease in humans. However, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in these species remain to be determined. We have developed and validated a sensitive, precise, accurate and reproducible method that provides consistent quantification of MPA and its major derivatives, MPA phenol glucoside and MPA phenol glucuronide, in canine and feline plasma using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to an ultraviolet detector. The main advantages of this novel method include a small sample volume, easy sample preparation, a short chromatographic analysis time and the option to select either phenolphthalein ß-d-glucuronide or mycophenolic acid carboxybutoxy ether as internal standard. Results of validation indicate that this analytical method is suitable to study the plasma disposition of MPA and its derivatives in dogs and cats.
Assuntos
Gatos/sangue , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão/métodos , Cães/sangue , Glucuronídeos/sangue , Glicosídeos/sangue , Imunossupressores/sangue , Ácido Micofenólico/sangue , Animais , Gatos/metabolismo , Cães/metabolismo , Glucuronídeos/metabolismo , Glicosídeos/metabolismo , Imunossupressores/metabolismo , Limite de Detecção , Ácido Micofenólico/metabolismoRESUMO
A fast method was developed to determine carotenoid content in transgenic maize seeds. The analysis was carried out using an ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatograph coupled to a photodiode array detector and a mass spectrometer (UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS). Sixteen carotenoid pigments were detected and quantified in <13 min. In addition, it was possible to obtain good resolution of both polar xanthophylls and nonpolar carotenes. The method exhibited (a) a high degree of repeatability (%RSD < 13%), (b) linear calibration curves (R² > 0.9952), (c) satisfactory recoveries for most of the pigments (between 82 and 108%), and (d) low detection (from 0.02 to 0.07 µg/mL) and quantification limits (from 0.05 to 0.20 µg/mL) (LOD and LOQ, respectively). The methodology was applied to the analysis of transgenic maize lines TM1, TM2, and TM3, expressing several carotenogenic genes.
Assuntos
Carotenoides/análise , Produtos Agrícolas/química , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas/química , Sementes/química , Zea mays/química , Animais , Carotenoides/biossíntese , Carotenoides/química , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Produtos Agrícolas/genética , Produtos Agrícolas/metabolismo , Humanos , Estrutura Molecular , Valor Nutritivo , Processos Fotoquímicos , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas/genética , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas/metabolismo , Sementes/genética , Sementes/metabolismo , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por Electrospray , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem , Zea mays/genética , Zea mays/metabolismoRESUMO
Malnutrition is a prevalent and entrenched global socioeconomic challenge that reflects the combined impact of poverty, poor access to food, inefficient food distribution infrastructure, and an over-reliance on subsistence mono-agriculture. The dependence on staple cereals lacking many essential nutrients means that malnutrition is endemic in developing countries. Most individuals lack diverse diets and are therefore exposed to nutrient deficiencies. Plant biotechnology could play a major role in combating malnutrition through the engineering of nutritionally enhanced crops. In this article, we discuss different approaches that can enhance the nutritional content of staple crops by genetic engineering (GE) as well as the functionality and safety assessments required before nutritionally enhanced GE crops can be deployed in the field. We also consider major constraints that hinder the adoption of GE technology at different levels and suggest policies that could be adopted to accelerate the deployment of nutritionally enhanced GE crops within a multicomponent strategy to combat malnutrition.
