Mass spectral fragmentation reactions of a therapeutic 4-azasteroid and related compounds

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry provides screening of selective androgen receptor modulators

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry allows for analysis of samples in their natural state, i.e., with no sample pre-treatment. It can be viewed as a fast, simple, and economical analysis, but its main disadvantages include a lower analytical performance due to the presence of complex sample matrix and the lack of chromatographic separation prior to the introduction of the sample into the mass spectrometer. Here we present an application of two ambient ionization mass spectrometry techniques, i.e., Desorption Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization and Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization, for the analysis of known Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, which represent common compounds of abuse in professional and semiprofessional sport. Eight real samples of illegal food supplements, seized by the local law enforcement, were used to test the performance of the ambient mass spectrometry and the results were validated against a newly developed targeted LC-UV-MS/MS method performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode with an external calibration for each analyte. In order to decide whether or not the compound can be declared as present, we proposed a system of rules for the interpretation of the obtained spectra. The criteria are based on mass spectrum matching (5-10 ppm accuracy from the theoretical exact mass and a correct isotopic pattern), duration of the mass signal (three or five consecutive scans, depending on the instrumentation used), and intensity above the background noise (threefold increase in intensity and absolute intensity above 5E4 or 1E5, depending on the instrumentation). When applying these criteria, good agreement was found between the tested methods. Ambient ionization techniques were effective at detecting SARMs at pharmacologically relevant doses, i.e., approximately above 1 mg per capsule, although they may fail to detect lower levels or isomeric species. It is demonstrated that when adhering to a set of clear and consistent rules, ambient mass spectrometry can be employed as a qualitative technique for the screening of illegal SARMs with sufficient confidence and without the necessity to perform a regular LC-MS analysis.

Fragmentation of Polyfunctional Compounds Recorded Using Automated High-Throughput Desorption Electrospray Ionization

Using desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) as part of an automated high-throughput system, tandem mass spectra of the compounds in a pharmaceutical library were recorded in the positive mode under standardized conditions. Quality control filtering yielded an MS/MS library of 16 662 spectra. Fragmentation of subsets of the compounds in the library chosen to contain a single instance of a particular functional group (amide, piperazine, sulfonamide) was predicted by experts, and the results were compared with the experimental data. Expert performance was good to excellent for all the cases evaluated. Substituents on the functional groups were found to exert important secondary control over the fragmentation, with the main effect observed being product ion stabilization by aromatic substitution, which was consistent across the different groups evaluated. These substituent effects are generally explicable in terms of standard physical organic chemistry considerations of product ion stability as controlling fragmentation. A somewhat unexpected feature was the incidence of homolytic cleavages, driven by the stability of substituted amine radical cations. The findings of this study are intended to lay the groundwork for machine learning approaches to performing MS/MS spectrum → structure and structure → MS/MS spectrum operations on the same experimental data set. The effort involved and the success achieved in computer-aided interpretation, now underway, will be compared with the expert performance as described here.

Can ion mobility mass spectrometry and density functional theory help elucidate protonation sites in 'small' molecules?

RATIONALE

Ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) offers an opportunity to combine measurements and/or calculations of the collision cross-sections and subsequent mass spectra with computational modelling in order to derive the three-dimensional structure of ions. IMS-MS has previously been reported to separate two components for the compound norfloxacin, explained by protonation on two different sites, enabling the separation of protonated isomers (protomers) using ion mobility with distinguishable tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) data. This study reveals further insights into the specific example of norfloxacin and wider implications for ion mobility mass spectrometry.

METHODS

Using a quadrupole ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometer, the IMS and MS/MS spectra of norfloxacin were recorded and compared with theoretical calculations using molecular modelling (density functional theory), and subsequent collision cross-section calculations using projection approximation.

RESULTS

A third significant component in the ion mobilogram of norfloxacin was observed under similar experimental conditions to those previously reported. The presence of the new component is convoluted by co-elution with another previously observed component.

CONCLUSIONS

This case demonstrates the potential of combined IMS-MS/MS with molecular modelling information for increased understanding of 'small-molecule' fragmentation pathways.

Comparison of the internal energy deposition of direct analysis in real time and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The internal energy (E(int)) distributions of a series of p-substituted benzylpyridinium ions generated by both direct analysis in real time (DART) and electrospray ionization (ESI) were compared using the "survival yield" method. DART mean E(int) values at gas flow rates of 2, 4, and 6 L min(-1), and at set temperatures of 175, 250, and 325 degrees C were in the 1.92-2.21 eV range. ESI mean E(int) at identical temperatures in aqueous and 50% methanol solutions ranged between 1.71 and 1.96 eV, and 1.53 and 1.63 eV, respectively. Although the results indicated that ESI is a "softer" ionization technique than DART, there was overlap between the two techniques for the particular time-of-flight mass spectrometer used. As a whole, there was an increase in E(int) with increasing reactive and drying gas temperatures for DART and ESI, respectively, indicating thermal ion activation. Three dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations in combination with direct temperature measurements within the DART ionization region revealed complex inversely coupled fluid-thermal phenomena affecting ion E(int) values during atmospheric transport. Primarily, that DART gas temperature in the ionization region was appreciably less than the set gas temperature of DART due to the set gas flow rates. There was no evidence of E(int) deposition pathways from metastable-stimulated desorption, but fragmentation induced by high-energy helium metastables was observed at the highest gas flow rates and temperatures.

Are liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem quadrupole fragmentation ratios unequivocal confirmation criteria?

Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) ratios as provided by tandem mass spectrometers are used to confirm positive residue findings (e.g. veterinary drugs or pesticides). The Commission Decision 2002/657/EEC defines tolerance levels for MRM ratios, which are intended to prevent the reporting of false positives. This paper reports findings where blank sample extracts have been spiked by a drug (difloxacin) and the corresponding measured MRM ratios significantly deviated from MRM ratios observed in matrix-free solution. The observation was explained by the formation of two different [M+H](+) analyte ions within the electrospray ionization (ESI) interface. These two ions vary only by the site of analyte protonation. Since they are isobaric, they are equally transmitted through the first quadrupole, but are differently fragmented in the collision chamber. The existence of two isobaric ions was deduced by statistical data and the observation of a doubly charged analyte ion. It was hypothesized that the combined presence of [M+H](+) and [M+2H](2+) implies the existence of two different singly charged ion species differing only by the site of protonation. Low- and high-energy interface-induced fragmentation was performed on the samples. The surviving precursor ion population was mass selected and again fragmented in the collision chamber. Equal product ion spectra would be expected. However, very different product ion spectra were observed for the two interface regimes. This is consistent with the assumption that the two postulated isobaric precursor ions show different stability in the interface. Hence the abundance ratio among the two types of surviving precursor ions will shift and change the resulting product ion spectra. The existence of the postulated singly charged ions with multiple chargeable sites was finally confirmed by successful ion mobility separation.

Targeted chiral lipidomics analysis by liquid chromatography electron capture atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ECAPCI/MS)

The corona discharge used to generate positive and negative ions under conventional atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) conditions also provides a source of low-energy gas-phase electrons. This is thought to occur by displacement of electrons from the nitrogen sheath gas. Therefore, suitable analytes can undergo electron capture in the gas phase in a manner similar to that observed for gas chromatography/electron capture negative chemical ionization/mass spectrometry (MS). This technique, which has been named electron-capture APCI (ECAPCI)/MS, mass spectrometry provides an increase in sensitivity of two orders of magnitude when compared with conventional APCI methodology. It is a simple procedure to tag arachidonic acid- and linoleic acid-derived oxidized lipids with an electron-capturing group such as the pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) moiety before analysis. PFB derivatives have previously been used as electron-capturing derivatives because they undergo dissociative electron capture in the gas phase to generate negative ions through the loss of a PFB radical. A similar process occurs under ECAPCI conditions. By monitoring the negative ions that are formed, it is possible to obtain extremely high sensitivity for PFB derivatives of oxidized lipids derived from arachidonic and linoleic acid. A combination of stable isotope dilution methodology and chiral liquid chromatography-ECAPCI/MS makes it possible to resolve and quantify complex mixtures of regioisomeric and enantiomeric oxidized lipids.

Targeted chiral lipidomics analysis

Genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics are proving to be very useful techniques, which have impacted significantly on our understanding mechanisms of human disease. However, this systems biology approach has several drawbacks than can be overcome by the integration of metabonomics and lipidomics. We have developed a targeted lipidomics approach that makes it possible to directly analyze chiral lipids generated in cellular systems. Bioactive lipids are usually present in trace amounts as enanatiomers and regioisomers that require separation before they can be analyzed by mass spectrometry. Normal phase chiral chromatography is generally used to resolve bioactive lipid enanatiomers. However, conventional electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/tandem mass spectrometry have limited sensitivity when normal phase solvents are used, which makes it difficult to conduct studies when only trace amounts of the bioactive lipids are present. The use of electron capture atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/tandem mass spectrometry overcomes this problem. Enantiomers and regioisomers of targeted bioactive lipids can be quantified using stable isotope dilution methodology coupled with normal phase chiral chromatography and electron capture atmospheric chemical ionization/tandem mass spectrometry. A targeted lipidomics profile from rat epithelial cells transfected with cyclooxygenase-2 and maintained in culture was obtained. Inhibition with the non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor aspirin increased the formation of 15(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in the cells although it completely inhibited formation of the 15(S)-enantiomer and prostaglandin E2. New mass spectrometry instrumentation with an improved atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source was found to be an order of magnitude more sensitive than existing instruments for analysis of bioactive lipids using electron capture methodology. This type of mass spectrometer will permit a more detailed analysis of cellular bioactive lipid production than has been possible previously. It will also permit in vivo targeted lipidomics studies to be conducted using biological fluids derived from animal models and human subjects.

Internal energy and fragmentation of ions produced in electrospray sources

This review addresses the determination of the internal energy of ions produced by electrospray ionization (ESI) sources, and the influence of the internal energy on analyte fragmentation. A control of the analyte internal energy is crucial for several applications of electrospray mass spectrometry, like structural studies, construction of reproducible and exportable spectral libraries, analysis of non-covalent complexes. Sections II and III summarize the Electrospray mechanisms and source design considerations which are relevant to the problem of internal energy, and Section IV gives an overview of the inter-relationships between ion internal energy, reaction time scale, and analyte fragmentation. In these three sections we tried to make the most important theoretical elements understandable by all ESI users, and their understanding requires a minimal background in physical chemistry. We then present the different approaches used to experimentally determine the ion internal energy, as well as various attempts in modeling the internal energy uptake in electrospray sources. Finally, a tentative comparison between electrospray and other ionization sources is made. As the reader will see, although many reports appeared on the subject, the knowledge in the field of internal energy of ions produced by soft ionization sources is still scarce, because of the complexity of the system, and this is what makes this area of research so interesting. The last section presents some perspectives for future research.

Selective and rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay of dutasteride in human plasma

A simple, rapid, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for quantification of dutasteride (I), a potent and the first specific dual inhibitor of 5alpha-reductase, in human plasma. The analyte and internal standard (finasteride (II)) were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether/dichloromethane (70/30, v/v) using a Glas-Col Multi-Pulse Vortexer. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reverse phase Xterra MS C18 column with a mobile phase of 10 mM ammonium formate/acetonitrile (15/85, v/v, pH adjusted to 3.0 with formic acid). The protonated analyte was quantitated in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The mass transitions m/z 529.5 --> 461.5 and m/z 373.3 --> 317.4 were used to measure I and II, respectively. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.1-25.0 ng/mL for dutasteride in human plasma. The lower limit of quantitation was 100 pg/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 15%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve ranges. A run time of 1.2 min for each sample made it possible to analyze a throughput of more than 400 human plasma samples/day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.

Targeted lipidomics using electron capture atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

There is an increasing need to be able to conduct quantitative lipidomics analyses as a complement to proteomics studies. The highest specificity for proteomics analysis can be obtained using methodology based on electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) coupled with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). For lipidomics analysis it is often necessary to be able to separate enantiomers and regioisomers. This can be very challenging when using methodology based on conventional reversed-phase chromatography. Normal-phase chromatography using chiral columns can provide dramatic improvements in the resolution of enantiomers and regioisomers. However, conventional ESI- and APCI-MS/MS has limited sensitivity, which makes it difficult to conduct studies in cell culture systems where only trace amounts of non-esterified bioactive lipids are present. The use of electron capture APCI-MS/MS overcomes this problem. Enantiomers and regioisomers of diverse bioactive lipids can be quantified using stable isotope dilution methodology coupled with normal-phase chiral chromatography and electron capture APCI-MS/MS. This methodology has allowed a lipidomics profile from rat epithelial cells maintained in culture to be delineated and allowed the effect of a non-selective lipoxygenase inhibitor to be assessed.

A comparison of accurate mass techniques for the structural elucidation of fluconazole

Mass spectrometry plays a major role in the structural elucidation and characterisation of drug candidates and related substances. Accurate mass data allow the mathematical prediction of molecular formula of both precursor and fragment ions. In this paper, a comparison of the accurate mass data obtained for the fragmentation of fluconazole, an antifungal drug, by three different methods is made: electron ionisation (EI) using a magnetic sector instrument; electrospray ionisation (ES) using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometer (FTICRMS); and ES using a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Q-ToF). It is clear from the data obtained that mass accuracy is not simply a function of instrument resolution. The subtle differences observed between collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) and sustained off-resonance collisionally activated dissociation (SORI-CAD) spectra are explained as a consequence of the excitation process. The advantages and disadvantages of the three techniques are discussed within the context of structural elucidation.