Application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to assess in vivo synthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxane, leukotrienes, isoprostanes and related compounds in humans

Prostaglandins, thromboxane, leukotrienes, isoprostanes and other arachidonic acid metabolites are structurally closely related, potent, biologically active compounds. One of the most challenging tasks in eicosanoids research has been to define the role of the various eicosanoids in human health and disease, and to monitor the effects of drugs on the in vivo synthesis of these lipid mediators in man. Great advances in instrumentation and ionization techniques, in particular the development of tandem mass spectrometry and negative-ion chemical ionization (NICI), in gas chromatography and also advances in methodologies for solid-phase extraction and sample purification by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography have been made. Now gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-tandem MS in the NICI mode are currently indispensable analytical tools for reliable routine quantitation of eicosanoid formation in vivo in humans. In this article analytical methods for eicosanoids based on GC-MS and GC-tandem MS are reviewed emphasizing the quantitative measurement of specific index metabolites in human urine and its importance in clinical studies in man. Aspects of method validation and quality control are also discussed.

Measurement of 12(S)-hydroxy-5Z,8E,10E-heptadecatrienoic acid and its metabolite 12-oxo-5Z,8E,10E-heptadecatrienoic acid in human plasma by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Thromboxane A2, the predominant product of arachidonic acid metabolism in the blood platelet, is a potent vasoconstrictor and platelet agonist. During its biosynthesis from cyclic endoperoxide, 12(S)-hydroxy-5Z,8E,10E-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT) is formed in equal amounts. The further metabolism of HHT, catalyzed by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase, leads to 12-oxo-5Z,8E,10E-heptadecatrienoic acid (Oxo-HT). Sample workup procedures are described which allow for the sensitive and reproducible determination of these two arachidonic acid metabolites in human plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the presence of deuterated analogues as internal standards. HHT is derivatized to the pentafluorobenzyl ester tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether. In order to enable quantification of low concentrations of about 10 pg/ml in nonstimulated human plasma, the samples have to be purified by HPLC. Oxo-HT is derivatized to the pentafluorobenzyl ester, which is purified by HPLC, and then derivatized to the trimethylsilyloxime. The method allows quantification of Oxo-HT in concentrations down to 10 pg/ml plasma. The reported methods have been used to measure HHT and Oxo-HT in stimulated platelet rich plasma and to quantify HHT in nonstimulated plasma. Determination of endogenous levels of these two arachidonic acid metabolites may give new insights into the overall biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 in man.

Preparation of omega trideuterated sulfidopeptide leukotrienes: analysis by FAB/MS

C-20 Trideuterated leukotriene A4 methyl ester was prepared by Wittig condensation of a deuterated C9-phosphonium salt with a C11-epoxydienal. It was then treated separately with glutathione, cysteinylglycine and cysteine. The resulting esters were saponified to give C-20 trideuterated leukotrienes C4, D4 and E4 respectively. Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry showed that the synthetic compounds contained from 0.5 to 1.0% protium impurity. Introduction of deuterium at C-20 ensures that it is stable to a wide variety of reagents and reaction conditions. The deuterated leukotrienes will serve as internal standards for the quantitative analysis by mass spectrometry of endogenous sulfidopeptide leukotrienes present in biological fluids.

Negative ion chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry of prostanoid pentafluorobenzyl ester/methoxime/trimethylsilyl ether derivatives

Negative ion chemical ionization mass spectra of prostaglandin F2 alpha, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin D2, 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha, 2,3-dinor-6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane B2, 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B2, and 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 pentafluorobenzyl ester (PFB)/methoxime/trimethylsilyl ether derivatives are presented. Collisionally activated decomposition mass spectra of the [M-PFB]- ions at collision energies of 8-24 eV and argon collision gas pressures of 1-2m Torr almost show only fragmentation of trimethylsilanol, (CH3)2Si = CHOH, (CH3)2Si = CH2 and methanol whereas, except for carbon dioxide loss, only few low-intensity fragments from the carbon skeleton of the prostanoids are observed.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry of methyl ester/methoxime/trimethylsilyl ether derivatives of prostaglandins

Electron impact mass spectra of methyl ester/trimethylsilyl ether derivatives of prostaglandin F2 alpha and methyl ester/methoxime/trimethylsilyl ether derivatives of prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin D2, 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha and 2,3-dinor-6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha are presented. Most of the prostaglandins studied have additionally been 2H-labelled at different sites in order to assign the corresponding fragment ions. Collisionally activated decomposition mass spectra of the most intense parent ions in the high-mass region were taken. High-intensity, prostaglandin-characteristic daughter fragments will allow a reliable quantification of prostaglandins in biological fluids and a reduction of sample clean-up.