Kaoqi Lian

A novel derivatization approach for determination of ketamine in urine and plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A new method was developed for determination of ketamine (KT) in urine and plasma samples by derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In this article, KT was first derivatized with sodium nitrite to volatile N-nitrosamines under acidic condition. Then the derivative had been identified by the mass spectra. The derivatization conditions including the amount of hydrochloric acid, the amount of sodium nitrite, reaction temperature, reaction time and the extraction reagents were optimized. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.04-20 μg mL(-1) for KT, and the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 0.01 μg mL(-1) and 0.04 μg mL(-1), respectively. The results of recovery indicated that the method had good precision and reproducibility. Compared with existing derivatization methods, this method provided a rapid, convenient, effective and low-cost way for gas chromatography method of KT quantification.

Highly selective and sensitive determination of several antioxidants in human breast milk using high-performance liquid chromatography based on Ag(III) complex chemiluminescence detection

Ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and glutathione (GSH) are the most important water-soluble antioxidants. The concentrations of GSH and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and their molar ratio are the indicators of oxidative stress. Little is known about the contents of UA, GSH and GSSG in human milk; a reliable and sensitive method to monitor the concentrations of the four compounds simultaneously in human milk is of critical importance. A new method for separation and quantification of these water-soluble antioxidants by HPLC coupled with Ag(III) chemiluminescence detector has been developed in this work with better recoveries. The antioxidants contents were determined in different times of lactation utilizing this method. The results show that the levels of AA, UA, GSH and GSH/GSSG of human colostrum are significantly higher than those of mature milk (P<0.05). It is concluded that colostrum contains more water-soluble antioxidants than mature milk.

Elevation of cortical C26:0 due to the decline of peroxisomal β-oxidation potentiates amyloid β generation and spatial memory deficits via oxidative stress in diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus correlates with subsequent development of Alzheimers disease (AD). An accumulation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) was observed in AD brains. We found previously that inhibiting peroxisomal β-oxidation by an inhibitor caused increases in VLCFA and β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in the cortex and primary cultured neurons of rats. Therefore, we investigated whether there was an impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation and elevated VLCFA related to the increased Aβ in the diabetic brain. This study was conducted in a type 2 diabetic rat model induced by a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin. A decrease in peroxisomal β-oxidation activity caused by down-regulated thiolase expression and a consequent increase in C26:0 were observed. Meanwhile, decreases in eicosapentenoic acid (EPA) and increases in oxidative stress [indicated by levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the protein expression of NOX4, p47(phox) and HO-1], Aβ, and the expression of AβPP and BACE1, two proteins involved in Aβ production, were observed. C26:0 levels were positively correlated with Aβ and MDA. This work suggests that in addition to decreases in EPA, increases in C26:0 by impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation can be a potential risk factor contributing to the progression of AD in diabetic brains via inducing oxidative stress.

Polymorphisms of rs174616 in the FADS1-FADS2 gene cluster is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in northern Han Chinese people.

AIMS Several studies have shown associations between the composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in various tissues and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) development in European populations. Genetic variants of fatty acid desaturase (FADS) contribute to the variations of PUFA composition. Here we have explored whether similar correlations are also true among Chinese Han people. METHODS A case-control study was employed to examine this correlation in Han Chinese people. The study included 421 healthy adults and 331 T2DM patients. RESULTS The ratio of arachidonic acid/linoleic acid (AA/LA), which reflects Δ6 desaturase activity, was significantly increased in T2DM patients. Furthermore, the ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid/α-linolenic acid (EPA/ALA), which reflects Δ5 desaturase activity, was markedly decreased in T2DM patients. Importantly, among four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs174545, rs2072114, rs174602 and rs174616) in the FADS1-FADS2 gene cluster, only minor allele (T) of rs174616 was associated with decreased risk of T2DM in both codominant and dominant models after adjustment for age, gender and BMI. Furthermore, the ratio of AA/LA in both controls and T2DM was reduced in T carriers while an increased proportion of LA was seen in T2DM patients compared with control patients. CONCLUSION These data suggest that in northern Han Chinese people, the minor allele (T) of rs174616 in the FADS1-FADS2 gene cluster is associated with a decreased conversion rate of LA to AA, which may contribute to decreased reduced risk of developing T2DM.

Characterization of poly (safranine T)-modified electrode and application for simultaneous determination of epinephrine and uric acid coexisting with ascorbic acid

A poly(safranine T) modified glassy carbon electrode was used for the simultaneous determination of epinephrine (EP) and uric acid (UA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). Enhanced electrocatalytic currents and well-separated potentials for EP and UA were observed. The anodic peak currents of EP and UA were linear to the corresponding concentrations in the range of 6.0×10-6-1.0×10-4 mol L-1. In addition, the modified electrode showed good sensitivity and stability. Satisfactory results were achieved for the determination of EP and UA in injection solutions of EP and in human urine samples.

Trace level determination of 5-hydroxytryptamine and its related indoles in amniotic fluid by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

&NA; 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and its derivatives are endogenously active substances involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes. A novel method of detetermining 5‐hydroxyindole ethanol (5‐HTOL), 5‐hydroxyindole acetic acid (5‐HIAA), 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HTP) and 5‐HT in amniotic fluid by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was established based on a modified method of derivatization by silanization, in combination with solid‐phase extraction pretreatment. Good linearity was achieved in the tested calibration range. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.05, 0.08, 0.56, 0.43 &mgr;g/L for 5‐HTOL, 5‐HIAA, 5‐HTP and 5‐HT, respectively. Accuracy (92.4‐103.3) and precision (RSD < 5.4%) for all analytes was also determined. Then the method was used to analyze samples of amniotic fluid from 12 patients carrying foetuses with trisomy 21 and 12 healthy controls. Compared with normal fetuses, the levels of 5‐HTOL, 5‐HTP and 5‐HT in the amniotic fluid were significantly altered in the fetuses with trisomy 21 (P < 0.01); the level of 5‐HIAA showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). This is a rapid, sensitive and reliable method for the determination of 5‐HTOL, 5‐HIAA, 5‐HTP and 5‐HT, and the study provide both potential trisomy 21 markers and elucidation of the physiological and pathological roles of 5‐HT. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available. Highlights5‐HT and its related indoles play important physiological roles.A novel GC–MS method of detecting 5‐HTOL, 5‐HIAA, 5‐HTP and 5‐HT in amniotic fluid was established.5‐HT and its related indoles in the T21 had been explored by the proposed method.The sensitive method may be used in studies focusing on clinical pathogenesis of T21.

Development of a derivatization method for the quantification of hydrogen sulfide and its application in vascular calcification rats

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays major functional and structural roles in diverse physiological functions and the pathogenesis of a variety of disorders in biological matrices. The significance of H2S has prompted the development of sensitive and selective methods to determine its concentration in biological samples. The fluorescent reagent monobromobimane (MBB) has been widely used to measure various thiol-containing species through alkylation. MBB may prevent the oxidation of sulfide and the reaction of sulfide with several different species (such as superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite). An isomers of MBB, 3-(bromomethyl)-2, 6, 7-trimethyl-1H, 5H-pyrazolo [1,2-a] pyrazole-1, 5-dione (MMB), is cheaper than MBB and its use in the analysis of H2S has not previously been reported. In the present study, we compared the derivatization reactions of hydrogen sulfide with MMB and MBB and developed a sensitive method to quantify H2S in blood. In our method, H2S was incubated in the dark with excess MMB in 0.1M Tris-HCl buffer (pH 10.1) at 50°C for 120min. 50μL aliquots of the derivatized product were analyzed using HPLC system with gradient elution of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid-acetonitrile. The limit of detection for the derivatized product was 0.03nmol/mL. The derivatization reaction was suitable for detecting low concentrations of H2S. The derivate product is stable over time, permitting batch storage and analysis.

Studies on the metabolism and degradation of vancomycin in simulated in vitro and aquatic environment by UHPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS

Vancomycin is one of the most commonly used glycopeptide antiobiotics, and as such is an important emerging environmental contaminant. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), such as antibiotics, are problematic since wastewater treatment processes are not completely effective at removing these chemical compounds. Since wastewater treatment processes are not completely effective, vancomycin occurs in surface water. Vancomycin and its metabolites in vivo and degradation products in aquatic environment may lead to undesirable ecological effects that threaten the environment or cause undesirable reactions that affect human health. We aimed to study vancomycin metabolism in vitro and its natural degradation in aquatic environment, as well as explore for related metabolites and degradation products. Accordingly, we established four systems, using a constant temperature oscillator at 37 °C for 10 days for vancomycin in activated rat liver microsomes (experimental system), inactivated rat liver microsomes (control system), phosphate buffer saline (PBS system) and pure water (pure water system), as well as an additional system of activated rat liver microsomes without vancomycin (blank system). The metabolism and degradation of vancomycin were studied using a high resolution and high sensitivity ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-Triple-time of flight (TOF)-mass spectrometry (MS) method in positive ion mode. The compared result of activated rat liver microsomes system and inactivated rat liver microsomes system confirms that vancomycin is not metabolized in the liver. Vancomycin was degraded in the four non-blank incubation systems. The MetabolitePilot 2.0 software was used for screening the probable degradation products, as well as for establishing its associated degradation pathways. Eventually, four degradation products were identified and their chemical structures were deduced. The results of this study provide a foundation for evaluation of the effects of vancomycin and its degradation products on environmental safety and human health in the future.

Profile of cardiac lipid metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic mice

BackgroundLipotoxicity contributes to diabetic myocardial disease. In this study, we investigated the lipid species contributing to lipotoxicity and the relationship with peroxisomal β-oxidation in the heart of diabetic mice.MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a Diabetic group (intraperitoneal injection of STZ) and a Control group (saline). Cardiac function indexes [ejection fraction (EF%) and fractional shortening (FS%)] were evaluated by echocardiography. Morphological changes in the myocardial tissues and mitochondria were assessed by electron microscopy following hematoxylin and eosin staining. Blood myocardial injury indexes and lipids were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Cardiac ATP levels were analyzed using a commercially available kit. mRNA levels of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), palmitoyl transferase 1α (CPT-1α), acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (AOX1), D-bifunctional protein (DBP), 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase A (THLA), uncoupling protein (UCP) 2 and UCP3 were investigated by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. FABP3 protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting. Non-targeted metabolomics by LC-MS/MS was applied to evaluate profile of lipid metabolism in heart.ResultsCompared with controls, EF% and FS% were significantly reduced in diabetic mice. Furthermore, blood myocardial injury indexes and lipids, as well as myocardial mitochondrial cristae fusion were significantly increased. In the diabetic heart, GLUT4 expression was decreased, while expression of FABP3, CPT-1α, AOX1, DBP, THLA, UCP2 and UCP3 was increased, and ATP levels were reduced. In total, 113 lipids exhibited significant differential expression (FC > 2, P < 0.05) between the two groups, with sphingolipid metabolism identified as the top-ranking affected canonical pathway. In the diabetic heart, long-chain hydroxyl-acylcarnitines (8/8) and acylcarnitines (6/11), triglycerides (2/5), and diacyglycerol (3/7) were upregulated, while very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (5/6) including eicosapentaenoate, docosahexaenoate, phosphocholine (11/19), lysophosphocholine (5/9), phosphoethanolamine (7/11), lysophosphoethanolamine (7/10), phosphatidylglycerol (6/8), phosphoserine (6/8), phosphatidylinositol (2/2), phosphatidic acid (1/1), lysophosphatidic acid (1/1) and sphingomyelin (6/6) were downregulated.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the increase in toxic lipid species and decreased in PUFAs undergoing peroxisomal β-oxidation, combined with the reduction in phospholipids cause mitochondrial injury and subsequent uncoupling of phosphorylation and ATP deficiency; thereby leading to diabetic heart dysfunction.

Derivatization method for the quantification of lactic acid in cell culture media via gas chromatography and applications in the study of cell glycometabolism

Lactic acid represents an important metabolite that reflects mitochondria function and may further serve as energy source for cancer cells. In light of this physiological and pathological significance, we developed a novel and sensitive gas chromatography method to detect lactic acid in cell culture media. Here, ethyl chloroformate was selected as derivative reagent and the derivatization process was further optimized in terms of number of reagents and reaction time as well as extraction reagents. Under optimal conditions, good linearity was achieved in the tested calibration range. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 0.67 μmol/L, the recovery rates were 99.6%-106% and the precision rate RSD was <5.49%. Furthermore, this method has been applied to quantify the secretion of lactic acid in cells exposed to mono‑2‑ethylhexyl phthalate at different doses and in cancer cells over time. Taken in concert, our method proved to be both sensitive and reliable and may be applied for studies on mitochondrial function and cell glycolysis conditions.