The influence of temperature on the multiple separation of estrogenic steroids using mobile phases modified with beta-cyclodextrin in high-performance liquid chromatography

A Review on Cyclodextrins/Estrogens Inclusion Complexes

This review focuses on the methods of preparation and biological, physiochemical, and theoretical analysis of the inclusion complexes formed between estrogens and cyclodextrins (CDs). Because estrogens have a low polarity, they can interact with some cyclodextrins' hydrophobic cavities to create inclusion complexes, if their geometric properties are compatible. For the last forty years, estrogen-CD complexes have been widely applied in several fields for various objectives. For example, CDs have been used as estrogen solubilizers and absorption boosters in pharmaceutical formulations, as well as in chromatographic and electrophoretic procedures for their separation and quantification. Other applications include the removal of the endocrine disruptors from environmental materials, the preparation of the samples for mass spectrometric analysis, or solid-phase extractions based on complex formation with CDs. The aim of this review is to gather the most important outcomes from the works related to this topic, presenting the results of synthesis, in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analysis.

Determination of association constants of inclusion complexes of steroid hormones and cyclodextrins from their electrophoretic mobility

CE estimation of the association constants of several steroid hormones with beta-CD and gamma-CD and their hydroxypropyl derivative is presented. Estriol, 17beta-estradiol, ethynylestradiol, estrone, progesterone, mestranol and norethindrone are among the target analytes. The calculation of the cyclodextrin:analyte association constants were performed from the electrophoretic mobility values of steroids at different concentration of CDs in the run buffer. The reliability of the final data was ensured by employing three different linearisation plots (double reciprocal fit, Y-reciprocal fit and X-reciprocal fit). The highest inclusion affinity of target analytes was observed towards gamma-CD and its hydroxypropyl derivative, which is demonstrated by high association constant values and corresponding good linearity of the plots. The affinity of steroids towards a particular CD type based on physical and structural characteristics is explored.

Gradient elution of organic acids on a β-cyclodextrin column in the polar organic mode and its application to drug discovery

A high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed that separated organic acids using the polar organic mode. The separation was obtained using a beta-cyclodextrin stationary phase with a mobile phase that was composed of acetonitrile/methanol/triethylamine (TEA)/acetic acid. The compounds were eluted under gradient conditions and the elution order depended on the number, type and position of the hydrogen bonding functional groups present in the molecule. Adjusting the acid to base ratio resulted in the biggest change in selectivity. In addition, increasing the methanol concentration decreased the retention times of the analytes, which had little effect on the selectivity. Using a certain set of conditions one could separate a large number of organic acids, which allowed these acids to be detected by UV and mass spectrometry. These conditions were used to evaluate the purity of potential pharmaceutical drug candidates that showed activity towards a kinase target vascular endothieal growth factor (Vegf). Each compound contained a carboxylic acid group that was critical to the activity. The method was able to give purity estimates of these samples, which were difficult to determine by other HPLC methods.

Chromatographic behaviour of selected steroids and their inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin on octadecylsilica stationary phases with different carbon loads

Retention and separation studies of selected estrogens, progestogens and their inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin were conducted using two C18 HPLC columns with different carbon loads. The difference in carbon load between investigated octadecylsilica packing materials was about 50%. The mobile phases were composed of a 30% v/v acetonitrile-water mixture without and with addition of beta-cyclodextrin at a concentration of 12 mM. The experimental data revealed that retention of the steroids was significantly reduced on the column with the lower carbon load. Moreover, it was found that this column offers better separation power and shorter analysis time at the temperatures studied. However, the calculated values of the retention factor ratios (k0(mMCD))/k(12mMCD)) of the steroids were similar for both columns investigated. This observation suggests that the stationary phase structure appears to have little effect on the formation of host-guest complexes if the complexation process is localised to the chromatographic mobile phase. From a practical point of view, when the mobile phase is modified with beta-cyclodextrin, the separation of the steroids is strongly influenced by temperature. The best chromatographic conditions were determined for the separation of multicomponent samples on the column with lower carbon load. A possible retention mechanism for components of interest in the presence of macrocyclic additives is discussed.

Influence of organic solvent on the behaviour of camphor and alpha-pinene enantiomers in reversed-phase liquid chromatography systems with alpha-cyclodextrin as chiral additive

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography has been applied in order to gain insight into the alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD)-solute complexation process, which occurs in the aqueous mobile phases containing a secondary achiral modifier. The model compounds tested were (+/-)-camphor and (+/-)-alpha-pinene. Methanol, ethanol, and 1 or 2-propanol were used as secondary modifiers. Retention factors and enantioseparation factors have been determined on a RP 18 stationary phase as a function of the alpha-CD concentration, secondary modifier content, and temperature changes. The shortest retention and the best separation of studied compounds were achieved for aqueous-methanol eluents. Apparent stability constants in various binary aqueous-organic solvent mixtures have been evaluated for alpha-CD complexes of camphor enantiomers. Using the competition concept, values for the stability constants in pure water have been calculated. It has been found that: (1) the quotient of the stability constants for both enantiomers, denoted as absolute enantioselectivity E, always remains constant at a fixed value (E approximately 1.9), which may indicate that the complex composition does not change, (2) only the first step in the complexation process is altered by changing the solvent, which does not seem to affect the separation of the enantiomers, (3) the remarkable enantioselectivity that is observed results from the second step in the complexation process, (4) enthalpy changes are much more favourable for camphor-alpha-cyclodextrin complex formation than for the transfer of camphor to the stationary phase, which means that complexation dominates over adsorption and retention is shorter at lower temperatures, (5) the difference in free energy changes of complexation (AAG) between the enantiomers of camphor is about 1.5 kJ/mol at 20 degrees C.

Separation of steroids using temperature-dependent inclusion chromatography

The influence of temperature on retention and separation of estrogens, progesterone derivatives and beta-cyclodextrin in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography has been studied. Steroids were detected using direct UV detection at 240 and 280 nm. Detection of beta-cyclodextrin was achieved using a post-column indirect photometric method. Chromatographic experiments were performed using an acetonitrile-water mobile phase (30%, v/v) and a wide range of column temperatures from 0 to 80 degrees C with 20 degrees C steps. Linear Van't Hoff plots were observed for steroids and beta-cyclodextrin when an unmodified binary mobile phase was applied. The retention of steroids was strongly influenced by temperature when the mobile phase was modified with beta-cyclodextrin at a concentration of 12 mM. Particularly, for 17beta-estradiol and 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone a strong deviation from the linear Van't Hoff plots and a remarkable affinity for beta-cyclodextrin was observed. Polynomial regression calculations were performed to fit the set of experimental data points. Using third-order polynomial equations, minimum separation factor values (alphamin) were calculated for temperatures from -10 to + 100 degrees C with 1 degrees C steps. The best chromatographic conditions for separation of multicomponent samples were chosen. A possible retention mechanism for solutes in the presence of macrocyclic additives is discussed. The results presented describe the role of temperature in high-performance liquid chromatography systems in which the mobile phase is modified with an inclusion agent.

Clinical measurement of steroid metabolism

Analysis of steroids in biological samples is used routinely in the diagnosis of endocrine disorders. Binding assays (radioimmunoassays, immunosorbant immunoassays and non-radioactive immunoassays) are reported often for the analysis of single steroids in plasma and urine. Chromatographic methods (high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography) are used for steroid profiling where complex mixtures of steroids are analysed and the activity of biosynthetic and metabolic pathways deduced. Mass spectrometry is the ideal reference technique for detection of steroids, allowing high specificity and sensitivity. This review describes the practical issues concerning the quality of the assays performed and the potential pitfalls facing the analyst in the design of such methods. Novel approaches for the quantification of steroids, including microarrays and stable-isotope tracers are described, with these being applied in the research environment as opposed to routine biochemical laboratories.

Retention and separation studies of cholesterol and bile acids using thermostated thin-layer chromatography

The influence of temperature on retention and separation of cholesterol and bile acids, using reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography, was studied. As mobile phases methanol-water mixtures of various compositions were used. Chromatographic experiments were performed using vapor-saturated chambers at temperatures ranging from 5 to 60 degrees C. A linear relationship between R(M) values and temperature (1/T) as well as mobile phase composition was observed. The elution order of steroids under the conditions investigated was discussed. Each chromatogram was evaluated using simple optimization parameters and the best chromatographic conditions for the separation of multicomponent samples were chosen.

The equilibrium constant of beta-cyclodextrin-phenolphtalein complex; influence of temperature and tetrahydrofuran addition

The temperature influence on creation of a supramolecular complex in which beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) is the host molecule and phenolphtalein (PP) is the guest has been studied in aqueous solution by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The decrease of temperature of beta-cyclodextrin-phenolphtalein system resulted in a decrease in absorbance of the UV-vis spectrum. Under favourable conditions (0.1 mM beta-CD, 30 microM PP) the termochromic effect is very significant (approximately =0.1 U of absorbance/10 degrees C). The formation constant of inclusion complex was determined at various temperatures (from 10 to 70 degrees C) using Scott's equation. The association constants (K11) for the binding in 0.02 M sodium carbonate (pH 10.5) at 10 and 70 degrees C are 7.44 and 0.26 x 10(4) M(-1) respectively. The stoichiometric ratio of investigated complex was found to be 1:1 on wide range of beta-cyclodextrin:phenolphtalein concentration ratio (from 0.8:1 to 427:1). Additionally, strong interaction between cyclodextrin and tetrahydrofuran (THF) was observed and the inhibitory effect of tetrahydrofurane on the association of beta-CD PP complex was studied. From linear Van't Hoff plots thermodynamic parameters such as: the change of enthalpy (deltaH(o)) and change of entropy (deltaS(o)) were estimated and interpreted.