Development and application of analytical procedures for the GC–MS/MS analysis of the sulfates metabolites of anabolic androgenic steroids: The pivotal role of chemical hydrolysis

Characterization of the gut microbiota in polycystic ovary syndrome with dyslipidemia

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy in childbearing-age females which can cause many complications, such as diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia. The metabolic disorders in patients with PCOS were linked to gut microbial dysbiosis. However, the correlation between the gut microbial community and dyslipidemia in PCOS remains unillustrated. Our study elucidated the different gut microbiota in patients with PCOS and dyslipidemia (PCOS.D) compared to those with only PCOS and healthy women.

RESULTS

In total, 18 patients with PCOS, 16 healthy females, and 18 patients with PCOS.D were enrolled. The 16 S rRNA sequencing in V3-V4 region was utilized for identifying the gut microbiota, which analyzes species annotation, community diversity, and community functions. Our results showed that the β diversity of gut microbiota did not differ significantly among the three groups. Regarding gut microbiota dysbiosis, patients with PCOS showed a decreased abundance of Proteobacteria, and patients with PCOS.D showed an increased abundance of Bacteroidota compared to other groups. With respect to the gut microbial imbalance at genus level, the PCOS.D group showed a higher abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 compared to other two groups. Furthermore, the abundances of Faecalibacterium and Holdemanella were lower in the PCOS.D than those in the PCOS group. Several genera, including Faecalibacterium and Holdemanella, were negatively correlated with the lipid profiles. Pseudomonas was negatively correlated with luteinizing hormone levels. Using PICRUSt analysis, the gut microbiota community functions suggested that certain metabolic pathways (e.g., amino acids, glycolysis, and lipid) were altered in PCOS.D patients as compared to those in PCOS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The gut microbiota characterizations in patients with PCOS.D differ from those in patients with PCOS and controls, and those might also be related to clinical parameters. This may have the potential to become an alternative therapy to regulate the clinical lipid levels of patients with PCOS in the future.

Simultaneous quantitation and identification of intact Nandrolone phase II oxo-metabolites based on derivatization and inject LC-MS/(HRMS) methodology

Α sensitive and selective derivatization and inject method for the quantification of intact nandrolone phase II oxo-metabolites was developed and validated using liquid chromatography - (tandem high resolution) mass spectrometry (LC-MS/(HRMS)). For the derivatization, Girard's reagent T (GRT) was used directly in natural urine samples and the analysis of the metabolites of interest was performed by direct injection into LC-MS/(HRMS) system operating in positive ionization mode. Derivatization enabled the efficient detection of nandrolone oxo-metabolites, while at the same time producing intense product ions under collision-induced dissociation (CID) conditions that are related to metabolites of the steroid backbone and not to the conjugated moieties. Glucuronide and sulfate metabolites of nandrolone were chromatographically resolved and quantified in the same run in the range of 1-100 ng mL-1, while at the same time structure identification could be performed for each metabolite. Full validation of the method was performed according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standard for Laboratories (ISL). Nandrolone oxo-metabolites were quantified in two sets of urine samples, the first set consisted of real urine samples previously detected as negative and the second set consisted of urine samples collected from two excretion studies after nandrolone decanoate administration. The results for 19-norandrosterone glucuronide (19-NAG) and 19-noretiocholanolone glucuronide (19-NEG) were compared with those obtained by traditional gas chromatography - (tandem) mass spectrometry (GC-MS/[MS]) method.

Recent advances in mass spectrometry for the detection of doping

INTRODUCTION

The analysis of doping control samples is preferably performed by mass spectrometry, because obtained results meet the highest analytical standards and ensure an impressive degree of reliability. The advancement in mass spectrometry and all its associated technologies thus allow for continuous improvements in doping control analysis.

AREAS COVERED

Modern mass spectrometric systems have reached a status of increased sensitivity, robustness, and specificity within the last decade. The improved sensitivity in particular has, on the other hand, also led to the detection of drug residues that were attributable to scenarios where the prohibited substances were not administered consciously but rather by the unconscious ingestion of or exposure to contaminated products. These scenarios and their doubtless clarification represent a great challenge. Here, too, modern MS systems and their applications can provide good insights in the interpretation of dose-related metabolism of prohibited substances. In addition to the development of new instruments itself, software-assisted analysis of the sometimes highly complex data is playing an increasingly important role and facilitating the work of doping control laboratories.

EXPERT OPINION

The sensitive analysis and evaluation of a higher number of samples in a shorter time is made possible by the ongoing developments in mass spectrometry.

Endocrine Disruptors and Estrogens in Human Prostatic Tissue

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are ubiquitous substances both in the environment and everyday products that interfere with the hormonal system. Growing evidence demonstrates their adverse effects on the organism, including the reproductive system and the prostate, owing to their (anti)estrogenic or antiandrogenic effects. Since EDs can interact with steroid hormone actions on-site, understanding the levels of intraprostatic EDs in conjunction with steroids may hold particular significance. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for determining estrogens, various groups of EDs (bisphenols, parabens, oxybenzone and nonylphenol) and phytoestrogens in their unconjugated and conjugated forms in prostate tissue by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and subsequently analyze 20 human prostate tissue samples. The method enabled 20 compounds to be analyzed: estrogens (estrone, estradiol, estriol), bisphenols (bisphenol A- BPA, BPS, BPF, BPAF, BPAP, BPZ, BPP), parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, benzyl- paraben), oxybenzone, nonylphenol and phytoestrogens (daidzein, genistein, equol) with LLOQs between 0.017-2.86 pg/mg of tissue. The most frequently detected EDs in prostate tissues were propylparaben (conjugated and unconjugated forms in 100 % of tissues), methylparaben (unconjugated in 45 % and conjugated in 100 %), ethylparaben (unconjugated in 25 % and conjugated in 100 % BPA (unconjugated in 35 % and conjugated in 60 % and oxybenzone (both forms in 45 % To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study detecting EDs, phytoestrogens and estriol conjugate (E3C) in the prostate. E3C was the most abundant estrogen in prostatic tissue. This highlights the need for further explorations into estrogen metabolism within the prostate.

Evaluation of sulfate metabolites as markers of topical testosterone administration in Caucasian and Asian populations

Sulfate metabolites of endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids (EAAS) have been shown to prolong the detection times compared with the conventional urinary markers of the steroid profile for oral and intramuscular administrations of testosterone (T). In this work, the sensitivity of sulfate EAAS markers for the detection of T gel administration has been evaluated in six Caucasian and six Asian male volunteers. Fourteen sulfate metabolites were measured in basal and post-administration samples after multiple doses of T gel (100 mg/day, three consecutive days), and the detection times based on individual thresholds for each volunteer were evaluated. Sulfate concentrations did not show adequate sensitivity, but the results of sulfate ratios were much more promising. Androsterone sulfate/testosterone sulfate (A-S/T-S), epiandrosterone sulfate/epitestosterone sulfate (epiA-S/E-S), epiA-S/T-S, and etiocholanolone sulfate/epitestosterone sulfate (Etio-S/E-S) provided the most consistent detectability for all volunteers and populations, with detection times ranging from 60 to 96 h since the first dose. Additional ratios improved detectability to up to 7 days, but only in particular volunteers. In general, sensitivity was similar to or better than the conventional testosterone/epitestosterone ratio (T/E) of the steroid profile, which further reinforces the conclusion that sulfate EAAS metabolites can be a good complement for the current steroid profile.

From polyethylene waste bottles to UIO-66 (Zr) for preconcentration of steroid hormones from river water

Metal-organic framework (UiO-66 (Zr) was synthesized using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and used as an adsorbent for extraction and preconcentration of steroid hormones in river water. Polyethylene waste bottles were used as the source of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ligands. The UIO-66(Zr), which the PET was made from recycled waste plastics, was used for the first time for the extraction and preconcentration of four different types of steroid hormones in river water samples. Various analytical characterization techniques were employed to characterize the synthesized material. The steroid hormones were detected and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The results were further validated using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Experimental variables, such as sample pH, the mass of adsorbent and extraction time, were optimized using Box-Behnken design (BBD). The dispersive solid phase extraction method combined with HPLC-DAD, displayed good linearity (0.004-1000 µg/L) low limits of detections (LODs, 1.1-16 ng/L for ultrapure water and 2.6-5.3 ng/L for river water) and limits of quantification (LOQs, 3.7-5.3 ng/L for ultrapure water and 8.7-11.0 ng/L for river water samples) and acceptable extraction recoveries (86-101%). The intraday (n = 10) and interday (n = 5) precisions expressed in terms of relative standard deviations (%RSD) were all less than 5%. The steroid hormones were detected in most of the river water samples (Vaal River and Rietspruit River). The DSPE/HPLC method offered a promising approach for simultaneous extraction, preconcentration and determination of steroid hormones in water.

Multi-omics analyses reveal the specific changes in gut metagenome and serum metabolome of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific alterations in gut microbiome and serum metabolome and their interactions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

The stool samples from 32 PCOS patients and 18 healthy controls underwent the intestinal microbiome analysis using shotgun metagenomics sequencing approach. Serum metabolome was analyzed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. An integrative network by combining metagenomics and metabolomics datasets was constructed to explore the possible interactions between gut microbiota and circulating metabolites in PCOS, which was further assessed by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in a rat trial.

Results

Fecal metagenomics identified 64 microbial strains significantly differing between PCOS and healthy subjects, half of which were enriched in patients. These changed species showed an ability to perturb host metabolic homeostasis (including insulin resistance and fatty acid metabolism) and inflammatory levels (such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways) by expressing sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1, serine/threonine-protein kinase mTOR, and 3-oxoacyl-[acyl-cattier-protein] synthase III, possibly suggesting the potential mechanisms of gut microbiota underlying PCOS. By integrating multi-omics datasets, the panel comprising seven strains (Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Pseudomonas sp. M1, Aquitalea pelogenes, Porphyrobacter sp. HL-46, Vibrio fortis, Leisingera sp. ANG-Vp, and Sinorhizobium meliloti) and three metabolites [ganglioside GM3 (d18:0/16:0), ceramide (d16:2/22:0), and 3Z,6Z,9Z-pentacosatriene] showed the highest predictivity of PCOS (AUC: 1.0) with sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 1.0. Moreover, the intestinal microbiome modifications by FMT were demonstrated to regulate PCOS phenotypes including metabolic variables and reproductive hormones.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed key microbial and metabolite features and their interactions underlying PCOS by integrating multi-omics approaches, which may provide novel insights into discovering clinical diagnostic biomarkers and developing efficient therapeutic strategies for PCOS.

Purification, Characterization, and Structural Studies of a Sulfatase from Pedobacter yulinensis

Sulfatases are ubiquitous enzymes that hydrolyze sulfate from sulfated organic substrates such as carbohydrates, steroids, and flavones. These enzymes can be exploited in the field of biotechnology to analyze sulfated metabolites in humans, such as steroids and drugs of abuse. Because genomic data far outstrip biochemical characterization, the analysis of sulfatases from published sequences can lead to the discovery of new and unique activities advantageous for biotechnological applications. We expressed and characterized a putative sulfatase (PyuS) from the bacterium Pedobacter yulinensis. PyuS contains the (C/S)XPXR sulfatase motif, where the Cys or Ser is post-translationally converted into a formylglycine residue (FGly). His-tagged PyuS was co-expressed in Escherichia coli with a formylglycine-generating enzyme (FGE) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and purified. We obtained several crystal structures of PyuS, and the FGly modification was detected at the active site. The enzyme has sulfatase activity on aromatic sulfated substrates as well as phosphatase activity on some aromatic phosphates; however, PyuS did not have detectable activity on 17α-estradiol sulfate, cortisol 21-sulfate, or boldenone sulfate.

Annual banned-substance review: Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing 2019/2020

Analytical chemistry-based research in sports drug testing has been a dynamic endeavor for several decades, with technology-driven innovations continuously contributing to significant improvements in various regards including analytical sensitivity, comprehensiveness of target analytes, differentiation of natural/endogenous substances from structurally identical but synthetically derived compounds, assessment of alternative matrices for doping control purposes, and so forth. The resulting breadth of tools being investigated and developed by anti-doping researchers has allowed to substantially improve anti-doping programs and data interpretation in general. Additionally, these outcomes have been an extremely valuable pledge for routine doping controls during the unprecedented global health crisis that severely affected established sports drug testing strategies. In this edition of the annual banned-substance review, literature on recent developments in anti-doping published between October 2019 and September 2020 is summarized and discussed, particularly focusing on human doping controls and potential applications of new testing strategies to substances and methods of doping specified the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2020 Prohibited List.

Detection of clostebol in sports: Accidental doping?

The detection of clostebol misuse in sports has been growing recently, especially in Italy, due to the ample availability of pharmaceutical formulations containing clostebol acetate (Trofodermin®) and the use of more sensitive instrumentation by the antidoping laboratories. Most of these cases have been claimed to be related to a nonconscious use of the drug or through contact with relatives or teammates using it. We have investigated, through the application of the well-known and currently used gas chromatographic mass spectrometric procedures, the likelihood of these allegations and have demonstrated that after a single transdermal administration of 5 mg of clostebol acetate and a transient contact with the application area, it is possible to generate adverse analytical findings in antidoping controls. We have reviewed the Phase I and Phase II clostebol metabolism in order to generate evidences that may help the sport authorities reviewing these cases. The main clostebol metabolite (4-chloro-androst-4-en-3α-ol-17-one, M1) generally used at the screening level as well as other three metabolites (M2-M4) are mainly excreted as glucuronides, whereas M5 (4ζ-chloro-5ζ-androstan-3β-ol-17-one) is predominantly excreted as sulfate. Neither the 5α-reductases activity (impaired by the presence of the chlorine in C4) nor specific sulfotransferases present in the skin allowed a clear distinction of the administration route. Studies with a larger number of volunteers and probably investigating another physiological fluid allowed in antidoping such as blood are needed for a deeper investigation. It is not unreasonable to establish a reporting level for M1, maybe creating some false negatives but excluding nonintentional doping scenarios.