Simone Esposito

In vivo and in vitro metabolism of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH‐200

RATIONALE The synthetic cannabinoid JWH-200 (1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)-indole) appeared on the market around 2009. In order to identify markers for misuse of this compound and allow for the development of adequate routine methods, the metabolism of this compound was investigated using two models. METHODS In vitro and in vivo (both with and without enzymatic hydrolysis) samples were purified by solid-phase extraction and analyzed using liquid chromatography. Electrospray ionization high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used for the identification of the metabolites. To confirm the results in vivo, triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry was employed RESULTS In the in vitro model, using human liver microsomes, 22 metabolites were detected which could be divided into 11 metabolite classes. By using the chimeric mouse model with humanized liver, most of these metabolites were confirmed in vivo. It was found that all metabolites are excreted in urine as conjugates, mostly as glucuronides with varying conjugation rates. CONCLUSIONS The metabolite formed by consecutive morpholine cleavage and oxidation of the remaining side chain to a carboxylic group was detected in the highest amounts with the longest detection time. Therefore, it is the best candidate metabolite to detect JWH-200 abuse in urine.

Characterization and identification of a C‐terminal amidated mechano growth factor (MGF) analogue in black market products

RATIONALE Mechano growth factor (MGF) is a splice variant of insulin-like growth factor that possesses anabolic properties and has not yet been approved for therapeutic use. Nevertheless, it is readily available on the black market. Although the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned the use of MGF in sports, no routinely performed methods have been reported for its detection. In this work, two preparations from the black market containing an unknown MGF analogue were characterized. METHODS Mass spectrometry characterizations of unknown preparations and a reference human MGF were performed on an Orbitrap and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometers after separation by liquid chromatography. High accuracy measurements allowed protein identification from full scan MS data, and low-resolution full scan MS/MS provided further information on fragmentation. RESULTS HCD scans of the analytes showed the presence of common b series product ions in the black market preparations and the human MGF reference standard, but all the y series ions starting from (y(1))(+) exhibited a difference of 1 m/z unit in nominal mass. This difference was demonstrated to be due to a C-terminal amidation of MGF. High-resolution data demonstrated that the black market products were both C-terminal amidated analogues of human MGF. In addition, low-resolution MS/MS characterization revealed a potentially diagnostic transition (m/z 717.8 → 431.1) for the discrimination of C-amidated MGF from the endogenous form. CONCLUSIONS Qualitative identification of a MGF C-terminal amidated analogue in two black market products was successfully achieved. This report demonstrates that illegal MGF preparations are commercially available for use as doping agent in sports.

Synthesis and characterization of the N-terminal acetylated 17-23 fragment of thymosin beta 4 identified in TB-500, a product suspected to possess doping potential

The formulation TB-500 is suspected to be used as doping agent in sport. This work describes the detection and the identification of the N-terminal acetylated 17-23 fragment of human thymosin beta 4 (Ac-LKKTETQ) in TB-500 by means of high-performance liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry using an Orbitrap Exactive benchtop mass spectrometer. Ac-LKKTETQ was also synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis, and an analytical strategy for detection in plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography/low resolution triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry was suggested.

Doping control analysis of desmopressin in human urine by LC-ESI-MS/MS after urine delipidation.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently added desmopressin, a synthetic analogue of the endogenous peptide hormone arginine vasopressin, to the Prohibited List, owing to the potential masking effects of this drug on hematic parameters useful to detect blood doping. A qualitative method for detection of desmopressin in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) has been developed and validated. Desmopressin purification from urine was achieved by means of delipidation with a 60:40 di-isopropyl ether/n-butanol and solid-phase extraction with WCX cartridges. The lower limit of detection was 25 pg/mL. Extraction recovery was determined as 59.3% (SD 29.4), and signal reduction owing to ion suppression was estimated to be 42.7% (SD 12.9). The applicability of the method was proven by the analysis of real urine samples obtained after intravenous, oral and intranasal administration of desmopressin, achieving unambiguous detection of the peptide in all the cases.

In vitro models for metabolic studies of small peptide hormones in sport drug testing.

Peptide hormones represent an emerging class of potential doping agents. Detection of their misuse is difficult due to their short half‐life in plasma and rapid elimination. Therefore, investigating their metabolism can improve detectability. Unfortunately, pharmacokinetic studies with human volunteers are often not allowed because of ethical constraints, and therefore alternative models are needed. This study was performed in order to evaluate in vitro models (human liver microsomes and S9 fraction) for the prediction of the metabolism of peptidic doping agents and to compare them with the established models. The peptides that were investigated include desmopressin, TB‐500, GHRP‐2, GHRP‐6, hexarelin, LHRH and leuprolide. Several metabolites were detected for each peptide after incubation with human liver microsomes, S9 fraction, and serum, which all showed endopeptidase and exopeptidase activity. In vitro models from different organs (liver vs. kidney) were compared, but no significant differences were recorded. Deamidation was not observed in any of the models and was therefore evaluated by incubation with α‐chymotrypsin.

Identification of the growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue [Pro1, Val14]-hGHRH with an incomplete C-term amidation in a confiscated product.

In this work, a modified version of the 44 amino acid human growth hormone-releasing hormone (hGHRH(1-44)) containing an N-terminal proline extension, a valine residue in position 14, and a C-terminus amidation (sequence: PYADAIFTNSYRKVVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSRQQGESNQERGARARL-NH2 ) has been identified in a confiscated product by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Investigation of the product suggests also an incomplete C-term amidation. Similarly to other hGHRH analogues, available in black markets, this peptide can potentially be used as performance-enhancing drug due to its growth hormone releasing activity and therefore it should be considered as a prohibited substance in sport. Additionally, the presence of partially amidated molecule reveals the poor pharmaceutical quality of the preparation, an aspect which represents a big concern for public health as well.

INVESTIGATION OF URINARY EXCRETION OF HYDROXYETHYL STARCH AND DEXTRAN BY UHPLC-HRMS IN DIFFERENT ACQUISITION MODES

Plasma volume expanders (PVEs) such as hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and dextran are misused in sports because they can prevent dehydration and reduce haematocrit values to mask erythropoietin abuse. Endogenous hydrolysis generates multiple HES and dextran oligosaccharides which are excreted in urine. Composition of the urinary metabolic profiles of PVEs varies depending on post-administration time and can have an impact on their detectability. In this work, different mass spectrometry data acquisition modes (full scan with and without in-source collision-induced dissociation) were used to study urinary excretion profiles of HES and dextran, particularly by investigating time-dependent detectability of HES and dextran urinary oligosaccharide metabolites in post-administration samples. In-source fragmentation yielded the best results in terms of limit of detection (LOD) and detection times, whereas detection of HES and dextran metabolites in full scan mode with no in-source fragmentation is related to recent administration (< 24 hours). Urinary excretion studies showed detection windows for HES and dextran respectively of 72 and 48 hours after administration. Dextran concentrations were above the previously proposed threshold of 500 µg · mL−1 for 12 hours. A “dilute-and-shoot” method for the detection of HES and dextran in human urine by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-high resolution Orbitrap™ mass spectrometry was developed for this study. Validation of the method showed an LOD in the range of 10-500 µg · mL−1 for the most significant HES and dextran metabolites in the different modes. The method allows retrospective data analysis and can be implemented in existing high-resolution mass spectrometry-based doping control screening analysis.

Liposomes as potential masking agents in sport doping. Part 2: Detection of liposome-entrapped haemoglobin by flow cytofluorimetry

This work presents an analytical procedure for the identification and characterization of liposome-entrapped haemoglobins, based on flow cytofluorimetry. Flow cytofluorimetric detection is carried out following labelling by two distinct fluorescent reagents, an anti-haemoglobin antibody, fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated, and an anti-poly(ethylene glycol) antibody, streptavidin-phycoerythrin conjugated. This experimental strategy allows the detection of liposome-entrapped haemoglobins in aqueous media, including plasma; the efficacy of the proposed approach has been verified on whole blood samples added with the liposomal formulation (ex-vivo). Additionally, the proposed technique allows the characterization of several key parameters in the study of liposomal haemoglobins, including, for instance (1) the determination of the degree of haemoglobin entrapment by liposomes; (2) the poly(ethylene glycol) insertion efficiency; and (3) the evaluation of liposome-entrapped haemoglobins stability following storage at 4 °C, allowing to follow both the process of haemoglobin loss from liposomes and the liposome degradation. The procedure is proposed for the detection and characterization of liposome-entrapped haemoglobin formulations to control their misuse in sport, but is also suggested for further applications in biological and clinical laboratory investigations. Copyright

A liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry in vitro assay to assess metabolism at the injection site of subcutaneously administered therapeutic peptides

Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available. HighlightsAn in vitro LC‐HRMS assay to predict peptide subcutaneous metabolism.in vitro half‐life is calculated and metabolites are identified in a single assay.Good in vitro/in vivo correlation was obtained for human and preclinical species.The assay can be used to improve peptide subcutaneous bioavailability. ABSTRACT Subcutaneous (SC) injection is the most common administration route for peptide therapeutics. Catabolism at the injection site can be a specific and major degradation pathway for many SC administered peptides. In some cases, it can significantly affect pharmacokinetics, particularly bioavailability, and have detrimental effects on the efficacy of the drug. This work describes a liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry based in vitro assay to assess peptide metabolism in the SC tissue (SCiMetPep assay). The SCiMetPep assay was developed using human, Sprague‐Dawley rat and Göttingen minipig SC tissue homogenate supernatant, and allows for both determination of degradation rate (half‐life) of the parent peptide and identification of metabolites generated from enzymatic proteolysis. The assay was developed and validated using known peptides including human insulin and four GLP‐1 analogues (lixisenatide, exenatide, liraglutide and semaglutide). Different experimental parameters were evaluated in order to optimize the homogenization process of the SC tissue and the peptide incubation conditions. In vitro metabolism of these peptides was in good agreement with in vivo data reported in the literature. Finally, when SCiMetPep assay was applied on a series of structurally related peptides, a fairly good correlation was found between SC metabolic stability and bioavailability, suggesting that catabolism at the injection site can have a major role in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of peptide therapeutics. The SCiMetPep showed the ability to identify analogs with improved SC metabolic stability and hence higher bioavailability. The assay can be used in the early phases of drug discovery to identify peptide metabolic soft spots at the injection site and guide the peptide drug discovery process.

Liposomes as potential masking agents in sport doping. Part 1: analysis of phospholipids and sphingomyelins in drugs and biological fluids by aqueous normal‐phase liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

In the present work, aqueous normal-phase liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), in different acquisition modes, was employed for the direct analysis and profiling of nine phospholipid classes (phosphatidic acids, phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylethanolamines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylglycerols, phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins) in biological and pharmaceutical matrices. After chromatographic separation by a diol column, detection and elucidation of phospholipid and sphingomyelin classes and molecular species were performed by different scan acquisition modes. For screening analysis, molecular ions [M + H]+ were detected in positive precursor ion scan of m/z 184 for the classes of phosphatidylcholines, lyso-phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins; while phosphatidylethanolamines and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamines were detected monitoring neutral loss scan of 141 Da; and phosphatidylserines detected using neutral loss scan of 184 Da. Molecular ions [M-H]- were instead acquired in negative precursor ion scan of m/z 153 for the classes of phosphatidic acids and phosphatidylglycerols; and of m/z 241 for the phosphatidylinositols. For the identification of the single molecular species, product ion scan mass spectra of the [M + HCOO]- ions for phosphatidylcholines and [M + H]+ ions for the other phospholipids considered were determined for each class and compared with the fragmentation pattern of model phospholipid reference standard. By this approach, nearly 100 phospholipids and sphingomyelins were detected and identified. The optimized method was then used to characterize the phospholipid and sphingomyelin profiles in human plasma and urine samples and in two phospholipid-based pharmaceutical formulations, proving that it also allows to discriminate compounds of endogenous origin from those resulting from the intake of pharmaceutical products containing phospholipidic liposomes. Copyright