Enhanced UHPLC-MS/MS screening of selective androgen receptor modulators following urine hydrolysis

Analytical advances in horseracing medication and doping control from 2018 to 2023

The analytical approaches taken by laboratories to implement robust and efficient regulation of horseracing medication and doping control are complex and constantly evolving. Each laboratory's approach will be dictated by differences in regulatory, economic and scientific drivers specific to their local environment. However, in general, laboratories will all be undertaking developments and improvements to their screening strategies in order to meet new and emerging threats as well as provide improved service to their customers. In this paper, the published analytical advances in horseracing medication and doping control since the 22nd International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians will be reviewed. Due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the worldwide economy, the normal 2-year period of this review was extended to over 5 years. As such, there was considerable ground to cover, resulting in an increase in the number of relevant publications included from 107 to 307. Major trends in publications will be summarised and possible future directions highlighted. This will cover developments in the detection of 'small' and 'large' molecule drugs, sample preparation procedures and the use of alternative matrices, instrumental advances/applications, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, the detection and prevalence of 'endogenous' compounds and biomarker and OMICs approaches. Particular emphasis will be given to research into the potential threat of gene doping, which is a significant area of new and continued research for many laboratories. Furthermore, developments in analytical instrumentation relevant to equine medication and doping control will be discussed.

Advances in SARMs anti-doping analysis

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) that stimulate anabolism, increase muscle mass and strength and promote recovery from exercise. The use of SARMs in sports is considered doping and is strictly prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). To monitor the abuse of SARMs in sports, it is essential to develop advanced, selective and sensitive analytical methods that provide reliable results. This review evaluates the advances in this area, with a focus on the identification of target analytes related to SARMs, such as SARMs, their metabolites or markers. The aim is to identify targets that could extend the detection windows of SARMs, provide scientific support for results management and/or offer an indirect biomarker-based approach to doping control. This review also aims to evaluate the current liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods developed for the monitoring of SARMs in different biological matrices, including traditional matrices such as urine and serum/plasma samples, as well as alternative matrices such as dried blood spots, hair and nail samples.

An Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method with Online Solid-Phase Extraction Sample Preparation for the High-Throughput and Sensitive Determination of Ostarine in Human Urine

Ostarine is frequently misused as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) in sports. Consequently, there is a pressing need for reliable and simple approaches to monitor its presence in biological systems. In this work, we developed a two-dimensional analytical method utilizing online solid-phase extraction (online-SPE) in conjunction with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (triple quadrupole). This automated 2D separation approach is characterized by minimum manual steps in the sample preparation (only dilute-and-shoot), reflecting high sample throughput and the reliability of analytical data. It provides favorable performance parameters, including a limit of detection of 0.5 pg/mL, high accuracy (relative error = 1.6-7.5%), precision (relative standard deviation = 0.8-4.5%), and sensitivity. Additionally, it demonstrates excellent linearity (r2 = 0.9999) in the calibration range of 0.05 to 25 ng/mL and robustness, with no carryover effects observed. This comparative study revealed a two-decadic-order-lower LOD of the SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS method to the corresponding UHPLC-MS/MS method and the lowest one in the group of currently published LC-MS methods. The World Anti-Doping Agency screening and confirmation criteria were met through the analysis of spiked urine samples from ten healthy volunteers. Accordingly, the proposed method is suitable for routine use in antidoping laboratories.

Metabolic study of selective androgen receptor modulator LY2452473 in thoroughbred horses for doping control

RATIONALE

Since 2010, there has been an increasing number of adverse analytical findings related to selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) in competitive sports. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive doping control analytical procedures that are capable of detecting SARM misuse.

METHODS

In this study, it is described how LY2452473, a SARM, was metabolized in thoroughbred horses after a single-dose oral administration and in vitro with equine liver microsome preparations. An investigation of the metabolism of LY2452473 in horses' urine, plasma, and hair matrices was carried out during the study. The plausible structures of the detected metabolites were postulated using high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Under the experimental conditions 15 metabolites (12 phase I and three conjugates of phase I) were detected (M1-M15). The major phase I metabolites identified were formed by hydroxylation. Side-chain dissociated and methylated metabolites were also detected. In phase II, the glucuronic acid and sulfonic acid conjugates of hydroxy LY2452473 were detected as the major metabolites. In vitro analysis has confirmed the presence of all metabolites found in vivo except for the methylated analogs M11 and M12. A peak concentration of LY2452473 (0.5 pg/mg) in proximal hair segments was achieved 4 weeks after administration, according to hair analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Data obtained will aid in identifying LY2452473 and related substances faster. Furthermore, the results will assist in checking for the illegal use of these substances in competitive sports.

Investigation of in vitro generated metabolites of GLPG0492 using equine liver microsomes for doping control

An effective alternative to testosterone therapy is selective androgen receptor modulators, a class of compounds that has a tissue-specific effect on muscle and bone. These drugs, which enhance performance, pose a severe abuse risk in competitive sports. GLPG0492 is one of the selective androgen receptor modulators discovered in recent decades. This compound has a unique tissue-specific action for muscle and bone against steroid receptors and acts as a partial agonist for androgen receptors. This study examined GLPG0492 and its metabolites in vitro using equine liver microsomes. Liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry was utilized to determine the probable structures of detected metabolites. This study identified 39 metabolites of GLPG0492 (21 phase I and 18 phase II). The hydroxylation of GLPG0492 results in monohydroxylated and dihydroxylated metabolites. Additionally, the study detected dissociated side chains (3-methyl and 4-(hydroxymethyl)) and corresponding hydroxylated metabolites. A series of glucuronic acid- and sulfonic acid-conjugated analogs of GLPG0492 were detected during phase II of the study. The findings might help in the detection of GLPG0492 and the elucidation of its illegal use in equestrian sports.

Application of predicted fragmentation pathways and fragment ion structures for detecting steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators in dietary supplements using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Dietary supplements advertised to strengthen muscles have earned fame among athletes. However, several products containing unauthorized compounds are often detected, which can cause a public health risk. Particularly, steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) can cause serious side effects as hormone modulators. In this study, we analyzed 15 steroids and 20 SARMs using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOFMS) to provide fundamental information about fragmentation pathways and fragment ion structures.

METHODS

The optimal conditions of LC/QTOFMS were explored to obtain fragmentation patterns for each compound. The optimal conditions were established by comparing the area and height of the precursor ion peak at 125 or 175 V as a fragmentor energy. Furthermore, the optimized spectra were acquired by applying collision energy ranging from 1 to 50 eV. The energy value was selected under the condition that the mass error of precursor ions was less than 10 ppm.

RESULTS

The 35 compounds were classified on the basis of their chemical core structures: arylpropionamide (3 compounds), quinolinone (2), pyrrolidinylbenzonitrile (1), indole (2), tropanol (2), phenylaxadaizole (1), hydantoin (2), phenylthiazole (1), nitrothiophene (1) and steroidal derivative (20). Fragmentation pathways and the chemical structure of each product ion were predicted and identified. Furthermore, the obtained structural information was applied to screen seized samples. As a result, 10 seized samples were confirmed to contain one or more SARMs by comparing each precursor ion and fragmentation pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

The application to real samples for accurate screening indicated that the same fragmentation patterns and product ions as one or more SARM standards were detected and identified in the seized samples advertised as muscle building. Therefore, this study can contribute to ensuring the safety of public health through providing fundamental information about the risk of illegal adulteration.

Olympic anti-doping laboratory: the analytical technological road from 2016 Rio De Janeiro to 2021 Tokyo

The summer Olympic Games is the major mega sports event since the first modern era Olympiad, held in Athens, Greece in 1896. International Olympic Committee (IOC) has the responsibility of the organization of the summer and winter Games ensuring the broadcast in all corners of earth. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the responsible organization of the fight against doping in sports. IOC and WADA support the event's country WADA Accredited Laboratory to incorporate the maximum of the new analytical technologies to become applicable during the event's antidoping testing. The current study reviewed the last 5 years progresses of the antidoping system with emphasis on the laboratory field.

Development and validation of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for screening six selective androgen receptor modulators in dietary supplements

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are compounds with specific androgenic properties that have been investigated for the treatment of conditions such as muscle wasting disease. The reported androgenic properties have resulted in their use by athletes, and consequently they have been on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list for more than a decade. To minimise the chance of an unattended positive doping test and to avoid potential serious health problems, adequate screening methods for the detection of a wide range of SARMs in these supplements is necessary. In this study, a rapid and accurate liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated simultaneously to screen and quantify six SARMs in dietary supplements, with confirmation by liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF/MS). The validated method was applied to 60 dietary supplements obtained by on-line and direct purchase from international vendors in 2020. Various SARMs were detected at high concentrations in 20 products which were advertised as having androgenic properties. For example, andarine was present at 7.2% in one product, and GW501516 was found at 3.49% in the another product. Furthermore, MK-677 and YK-11, not disclosed on the label, were detected in some products. YK-11 is easily hydrolysed in just a few hours. Although YK-11 is particularly unstable, such that the protonated ion [M + H]⁺ at m/z 431 for YK-11 was not detected, mass fragmentation, and a [M+ Na]⁺ ion at m/z 453.3 confirmed the presence of YK-11. Additionally, hydrolysed YK-11 under acidic conditions was confirmed by NMR spectral data, and ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral data for YK-11 were in good agreement with literature data. This rapid and accurate LC-MS/MS method can therefore be successfully applied to screen and identify SARMs for the continuous control and supervision of dietary supplements.

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.