1
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Sun Y, Giacomello G, Girreser U, Steff J, Bureik M, de la Torre X, Botrè F, Parr MK. Characterization and quantitation of a sulfoconjugated metabolite for detection of methyltestosterone misuse and direct identification by LC-MS. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 242:106527. [PMID: 38710312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Methyltestosterone (MT) is one of the most frequently misused anabolic androgenic steroids detected in doping control analysis. The metabolism of MT in humans leads to several phase І metabolites and their corresponding phase Ⅱ conjugates. Previous studies have postulated the 3α-sulfoconjugate of 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol (S2) as principal sulfate metabolite of MT, with a detection window exceeding 10 days. However, a final direct and unambiguous confirmation of the structure of this metabolite is missing until now. In this study, we established an approach to detect and identify S2, using intact analysis by liquid chromatography hyphenated with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) without complex sample pretreatment. An in vitro study yielded the LC-MS/MS reference retention times of all 3-sulfated 17-methylandrostane-3,17-diol diastereomers, allowing for accurate structure assignment of potentially detected metabolites. In an in vivo excretion study with a single healthy male volunteer, the presence of the metabolite S2 was confirmed after a single oral dose of 10 mg MT. The reference standard was chemically synthesized, characterized by accurate mass mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and quantified by quantitative NMR (qNMR). Thus, this study finally provides accurate structure information on the S2 metabolite and a direct analytical method for detection of MT misuse. The availability of the reference material is expected to facilitate further evaluation and subsequent analytical method validation in anti-doping research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Sun
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2 + 4, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Ginevra Giacomello
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2 + 4, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Ulrich Girreser
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel 24118, Germany
| | - Jakob Steff
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2 + 4, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Matthias Bureik
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Lu, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
| | | | - Francesco Botrè
- Laboratorio Antidoping FMSI, Largo Giulio Onesti 1, Rome 00197, Italy,; REDs - Research and Expertise on Antidoping sciences, ISSUL - Institute des sciences du sport, Université de Lausanne, Synathlon 3224 - Quartier Centre, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Maria Kristina Parr
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2 + 4, Berlin 14195, Germany,.
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2
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Fitzgerald CCJ, Bowen C, Elbourne M, Cawley A, McLeod MD. Energy-Resolved Fragmentation Aiding the Structure Elucidation of Steroid Biomarkers. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2022; 33:1276-1281. [PMID: 35791638 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.2c00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The identification and confirmation of steroid sulfate metabolites in biological samples are essential to various fields, including anti-doping analysis and clinical sciences. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) is the leading method for the detection of intact steroid conjugates in biofluids, but because of the inherent complexity of biological samples and the low concentration of many targets of interest, metabolite identification based solely on mass spectrometry remains a major challenge. The confirmation of new metabolites typically depends on a comparison with synthetically derived reference materials that encompass a range of possible conjugation sites and stereochemistries. Herein, energy-resolved collision-induced dissociation (CID) is used as part of UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis to distinguish between regio- and stereo-isomeric steroid sulfate compounds. This wholly MS-based approach was employed to guide the synthesis of reference materials to unambiguously confirm the identity of an equine steroid sulfate biomarker of testosterone propionate administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher C J Fitzgerald
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Christopher Bowen
- Mass Spectrometry Business Unit, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (Australasia), Rydalmere, New South Wales 2116, Australia
| | - Madysen Elbourne
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Adam Cawley
- Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, Racing NSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
| | - Malcolm D McLeod
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
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3
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Fitzgerald CCJ, McLeod MD. Synthesis of stable isotope labelled steroid bis(sulfate) conjugates and their behaviour in collision induced dissociation experiments. Org Biomol Chem 2022; 20:3311-3322. [PMID: 35354200 DOI: 10.1039/d2ob00375a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Steroid bis(sulfate) metabolites derived from the two-fold sulfation of unconjugated precursors represent an important yet understudied portion of the steroid profile. The investigation of these compounds in fields such as medicine or anti-doping science relies on mass spectrometry (MS) as the principal tool to identify and quantify biomarkers of interest and depends in turn on access to steroid reference materials and their stable isotope labelled (SIL) derivatives. A new [18O] stable isotope label for sulfate metabolites is reported, which allows for the selective, late-stage and 'one-pot' synthesis of a variety of SIL-steroid conjugates suitable as MS probes and internal standards. The method is applied to more comprehensively study the MS behaviour of steroid bis(sulfate) compounds through collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malcolm D McLeod
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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4
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Fitzgerald CCJ, Hedman R, Uduwela DR, Paszerbovics B, Carroll AJ, Neeman T, Cawley A, Brooker L, McLeod MD. Profiling Urinary Sulfate Metabolites With Mass Spectrometry. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:829511. [PMID: 35281273 PMCID: PMC8906285 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.829511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of urinary phase II sulfate metabolites is central to understanding the role and fate of endogenous and exogenous compounds in biological systems. This study describes a new workflow for the untargeted metabolic profiling of sulfated metabolites in a urine matrix. Analysis was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) with data dependent acquisition (DDA) coupled to an automated script-based data processing pipeline and differential metabolite level analysis. Sulfates were identified through k-means clustering analysis of sulfate ester derived MS/MS fragmentation intensities. The utility of the method was highlighted in two applications. Firstly, the urinary metabolome of a thoroughbred horse was examined before and after administration of the anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) testosterone propionate. The analysis detected elevated levels of ten sulfated steroid metabolites, three of which were identified and confirmed by comparison with synthesised reference materials. This included 5α-androstane-3β,17α-diol 3-sulfate, a previously unreported equine metabolite of testosterone propionate. Secondly, the hydrolytic activity of four sulfatase enzymes on pooled human urine was examined. This revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa arylsulfatases (PaS) enzymes possessed higher selectivity for the hydrolysis of sulfated metabolites than the commercially available Helix pomatia arylsulfatase (HpS). This novel method provides a rapid tool for the systematic, untargeted metabolic profiling of sulfated metabolites in a urinary matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rikard Hedman
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Dimanthi R. Uduwela
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Bettina Paszerbovics
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Adam J. Carroll
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Teresa Neeman
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Adam Cawley
- Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, Racing NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lance Brooker
- Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Malcolm D. McLeod
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
- *Correspondence: Malcolm D. McLeod,
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5
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Mueller JW, Vogg N, Lightning TA, Weigand I, Ronchi CL, Foster PA, Kroiss M. Steroid Sulfation in Adrenal Tumors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:3385-3397. [PMID: 33739426 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The adrenal cortex produces specific steroid hormones including steroid sulfates such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), the most abundant steroid hormone in the human circulation. Steroid sulfation involves a multistep enzyme machinery that may be impaired by inborn errors of steroid metabolism. Emerging data suggest a role of steroid sulfates in the pathophysiology of adrenal tumors and as potential biomarkers. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Selective literature search using "steroid," "sulfat*," "adrenal," "transport," "mass spectrometry" and related terms in different combinations. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS A recent study highlighted the tissue abundance of estrogen sulfates to be of prognostic impact in adrenocortical carcinoma tissue samples using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging. General mechanisms of sulfate uptake, activation, and transfer to substrate steroids are reasonably well understood. Key aspects of this pathway, however, have not been investigated in detail in the adrenal; these include the regulation of substrate specificity and the secretion of sulfated steroids. Both for the adrenal and targeted peripheral tissues, steroid sulfates may have relevant biological actions beyond their cognate nuclear receptors after desulfation. Impaired steroid sulfation such as low DHEAS in Cushing adenomas is of diagnostic utility, but more comprehensive studies are lacking. In bioanalytics, the requirement of deconjugation for gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry has precluded the study of steroid sulfates for a long time. This limitation may be overcome by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS A role of steroid sulfation in the pathophysiology of adrenal tumors has been suggested and a diagnostic utility of steroid sulfates as biomarkers is likely. Recent analytical developments may target sulfated steroids specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Wolf Mueller
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Nora Vogg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital Würzburg, University of Würzburg, Würzburg(Germany)
| | - Thomas Alec Lightning
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Isabel Weigand
- Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Cristina L Ronchi
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital Würzburg, University of Würzburg, Würzburg(Germany)
| | - Paul A Foster
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Matthias Kroiss
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital Würzburg, University of Würzburg, Würzburg(Germany)
- Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
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6
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Colicino E, Ferrari F, Cowell W, Niedzwiecki MM, Foppa Pedretti N, Joshi A, Wright RO, Wright RJ. Non-linear and non-additive associations between the pregnancy metabolome and birthweight. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 156:106750. [PMID: 34256302 PMCID: PMC9244839 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Birthweight is an indicator of fetal growth and environmental-related alterations of birthweight have been linked with multiple disorders and conditions progressing into adulthood. Although a few studies have assessed the association between birthweight and the totality of exogenous exposures and their downstream molecular responses in maternal urine and cord blood; no prior research has considered a) the maternal serum prenatal metabolome, which is enriched for hormones, and b) non-linear and synergistic associations among exposures. METHODS We measured the maternal serum metabolome during pregnancy using an untargeted metabolomics approach and birthweight for gestational age (BWGA) z-score in 410 mother-child dyads enrolled in the PRogramming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms (PRISM) cohort. We leveraged a Bayesian factor analysis for interaction to select the most important metabolites associated with BWGA z-score and to evaluate their linear, non-linear and non-additive associations. We also assessed the primary biological functions of the identified proteins using the MetaboAnalyst, a centralized repository of curated functional information. We compared our findings with those of a traditional metabolite-wide association study (MWAS) in which metabolites are individually associated with BWGA z-score. RESULTS Among 1110 metabolites, 46 showed evidence of U-shape associations with BWGA z-score. Most of the identified metabolites (85%) were lipids primarily enriched for pathways central to energy production, immune function, and androgen and estrogen metabolism, which are essential for pregnancy and parturition processes. Metabolites within the same class, i.e. steroids and phospholipids, showed synergistic relationships with each other. CONCLUSIONS Our results support that the aspects of the maternal metabolome during pregnancy contribute linearly, non-linearly and synergistically to variation in newborn birthweight.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Colicino
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - F Ferrari
- Department of Statistical Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - W Cowell
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - M M Niedzwiecki
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - N Foppa Pedretti
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Joshi
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - R O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Kravis Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - R J Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Kravis Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Rousson V, Ackermann D, Ponte B, Pruijm M, Guessous I, d’Uscio CH, Ehret G, Escher G, Pechère-Bertschi A, Groessl M, Martin PY, Burnier M, Dick B, Bochud M, Vogt B, Dhayat NA. Sex- and age-specific reference intervals for diagnostic ratios reflecting relative activity of steroidogenic enzymes and pathways in adults. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253975. [PMID: 34237094 PMCID: PMC8266106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diagnostic ratios calculated from urinary steroid hormone metabolites are used as a measure for the relative activity of steroidogenic enzymes or pathways in the clinical investigation of steroid metabolism disorders. However, population-based sex- and age-specific reference intervals and day-night differences in adults are lacking. METHODS Sixty-five diagnostic ratios were calculated from steroid metabolites measured by GC-MS in day- and night-time and in 24-hour urine from 1128 adults recruited within the Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension (SKIPOGH), a population-based, multicenter cohort study. Differences related to sex, age and day- and night-time were evaluated and reference curves in function of age and sex were modelled by multivariable linear mixed regression for diagnostic ratios and were compared to values from the literature. RESULTS Most ratios had sex- and age-specific relationships. For each ratio, percentiles were plotted in function of age and sex in order to create reference curves and sex- and age-specific reference intervals derived from 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles were obtained. Most ratios reflected a higher enzyme activity during the day compared to the night. CONCLUSIONS Sex- and age-specific references for 24 hours, day and night urine steroid metabolite ratios may help distinguishing between health and disease when investigating human disorders affecting steroid synthesis and metabolism. The day-night differences observed for most of the diagnostic ratios suggest a circadian rhythm for enzymes involved in human steroid hormones metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Rousson
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Unisanté, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Ackermann
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Belen Ponte
- Department of Specialties of Internal Medicine, Nephrology Service, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Menno Pruijm
- Nephrology Service, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Claudia H. d’Uscio
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Georg Ehret
- Department of Specialties of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Service, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Geneviève Escher
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Antoinette Pechère-Bertschi
- Department of Internal Medicine Specialties, Endocrinology Service, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael Groessl
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Yves Martin
- Department of Specialties of Internal Medicine, Nephrology Service, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michel Burnier
- Nephrology Service, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Dick
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Murielle Bochud
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Unisanté, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Vogt
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nasser A. Dhayat
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Metabolic Signatures Associated with Severity in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094794. [PMID: 33946479 PMCID: PMC8124482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical evolution of COVID-19 pneumonia is poorly understood. Identifying the metabolic pathways that are altered early with viral infection and their association with disease severity is crucial to understand COVID-19 pathophysiology, and guide clinical decisions. This study aimed at assessing the critical metabolic pathways altered with disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Forty-nine hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled in a prospective, observational, single-center study in Barcelona, Spain. Demographic, clinical, and analytical data at admission were registered. Plasma samples were collected within the first 48 h following hospitalization. Patients were stratified based on the severity of their evolution as moderate (N = 13), severe (N = 10), or critical (N = 26). A panel of 221 biomarkers was measured by targeted metabolomics in order to evaluate metabolic changes associated with subsequent disease severity. Our results show that obesity, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, as well as some analytical parameters and radiological findings, were all associated with disease severity. Additionally, ceramide metabolism, tryptophan degradation, and reductions in several metabolic reactions involving nicotinamide adenine nucleotide (NAD) at inclusion were significantly associated with respiratory severity and correlated with inflammation. In summary, assessment of the metabolomic profile of COVID-19 patients could assist in disease severity stratification and even in guiding clinical decisions.
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Lightning TA, Gesteira TF, Mueller JW. Steroid disulfates - Sulfation double trouble. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 524:111161. [PMID: 33453296 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sulfation pathways have recently come into the focus of biomedical research. For steroid hormones and related compounds, sulfation represents an additional layer of regulation as sulfated steroids are more water-soluble and tend to be biologically less active. For steroid diols, an additional sulfation is possible, carried out by the same sulfotransferases that catalyze the first sulfation step. The steroid disulfates that are formed are the focus of this review. We discuss both their biochemical production as well as their putative biological function. Steroid disulfates have also been linked to various clinical conditions in numerous untargeted metabolomics studies. New analytical techniques exploring the biosynthetic routes of steroid disulfates have led to novel insights, changing our understanding of sulfation in human biology. They promise a bright future for research into sulfation pathways, hopefully too for the diagnosis and treatment of several associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Alec Lightning
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tarsis F Gesteira
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Optimvia, LLC, Batavia, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan Wolf Mueller
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK.
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10
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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. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2020; 1155:122280. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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11
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Storbeck KH, Schiffer L, Baranowski ES, Chortis V, Prete A, Barnard L, Gilligan LC, Taylor AE, Idkowiak J, Arlt W, Shackleton CHL. Steroid Metabolome Analysis in Disorders of Adrenal Steroid Biosynthesis and Metabolism. Endocr Rev 2019; 40:1605-1625. [PMID: 31294783 PMCID: PMC6858476 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Steroid biosynthesis and metabolism are reflected by the serum steroid metabolome and, in even more detail, by the 24-hour urine steroid metabolome, which can provide unique insights into alterations of steroid flow and output indicative of underlying conditions. Mass spectrometry-based steroid metabolome profiling has allowed for the identification of unique multisteroid signatures associated with disorders of steroid biosynthesis and metabolism that can be used for personalized approaches to diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognostic prediction. Additionally, steroid metabolome analysis has been used successfully as a discovery tool, for the identification of novel steroidogenic disorders and pathways as well as revealing insights into the pathophysiology of adrenal disease. Increased availability and technological advances in mass spectrometry-based methodologies have refocused attention on steroid metabolome profiling and facilitated the development of high-throughput steroid profiling methods soon to reach clinical practice. Furthermore, steroid metabolomics, the combination of mass spectrometry-based steroid analysis with machine learning-based approaches, has facilitated the development of powerful customized diagnostic approaches. In this review, we provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the utility of steroid metabolome analysis for the diagnosis and management of inborn disorders of steroidogenesis and autonomous adrenal steroid excess in the context of adrenal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Heinz Storbeck
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lina Schiffer
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth S Baranowski
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Vasileios Chortis
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Prete
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lise Barnard
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Lorna C Gilligan
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Angela E Taylor
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Idkowiak
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Cedric H L Shackleton
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California
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12
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Schiffer L, Barnard L, Baranowski ES, Gilligan LC, Taylor AE, Arlt W, Shackleton CHL, Storbeck KH. Human steroid biosynthesis, metabolism and excretion are differentially reflected by serum and urine steroid metabolomes: A comprehensive review. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 194:105439. [PMID: 31362062 PMCID: PMC6857441 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Advances in technology have allowed for the sensitive, specific, and simultaneous quantitative profiling of steroid precursors, bioactive steroids and inactive metabolites, facilitating comprehensive characterization of the serum and urine steroid metabolomes. The quantification of steroid panels is therefore gaining favor over quantification of single marker metabolites in the clinical and research laboratories. However, although the biochemical pathways for the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones are now well defined, a gulf still exists between this knowledge and its application to the measured steroid profiles. In this review, we present an overview of steroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism by the liver and peripheral tissues, specifically highlighting the pathways linking and differentiating the serum and urine steroid metabolomes. A brief overview of the methodology used in steroid profiling is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Schiffer
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lise Barnard
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth S Baranowski
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK; Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lorna C Gilligan
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Angela E Taylor
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK; NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust & University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Cedric H L Shackleton
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Karl-Heinz Storbeck
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
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13
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Abstract
Sulfur is present in the amino acids cysteine and methionine and in a large range of essential coenzymes and cofactors and is therefore essential for all organisms. It is also a constituent of sulfate esters in proteins, carbohydrates, and numerous cellular metabolites. The sulfation and desulfation reactions modifying a variety of different substrates are commonly known as sulfation pathways. Although relatively little is known about the function of most sulfated metabolites, the synthesis of activated sulfate used in sulfation pathways is essential in both animal and plant kingdoms. In humans, mutations in the genes encoding the sulfation pathway enzymes underlie a number of developmental aberrations, and in flies and worms, their loss-of-function is fatal. In plants, a lower capacity for synthesizing activated sulfate for sulfation reactions results in dwarfism, and a complete loss of activated sulfate synthesis is also lethal. Here, we review the similarities and differences in sulfation pathways and associated processes in animals and plants, and we point out how they diverge from bacteria and yeast. We highlight the open questions concerning localization, regulation, and importance of sulfation pathways in both kingdoms and the ways in which findings from these "red" and "green" experimental systems may help reciprocally address questions specific to each of the systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Süleyman Günal
- Botanical Institute, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Cologne 50674, Germany
| | - Rebecca Hardman
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Stanislav Kopriva
- Botanical Institute, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Cologne 50674, Germany.
| | - Jonathan Wolf Mueller
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom.
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14
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Polet M, Van Gansbeke W, Albertsdóttir AD, Coppieters G, Deventer K, Van Eenoo P. Gas chromatography−mass spectrometry analysis of non‐hydrolyzed sulfated steroids by degradation product formation. Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:1656-1665. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Polet
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Doping Control LaboratoryGhent University Zwijnaarde Belgium
| | - Wim Van Gansbeke
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Doping Control LaboratoryGhent University Zwijnaarde Belgium
| | | | - Gilles Coppieters
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Doping Control LaboratoryGhent University Zwijnaarde Belgium
| | - Koen Deventer
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Doping Control LaboratoryGhent University Zwijnaarde Belgium
| | - Peter Van Eenoo
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Doping Control LaboratoryGhent University Zwijnaarde Belgium
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15
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Papathomas TG, Sun N, Chortis V, Taylor AE, Arlt W, Richter S, Eisenhofer G, Ruiz-Babot G, Guasti L, Walch AK. Novel methods in adrenal research: a metabolomics approach. Histochem Cell Biol 2019; 151:201-216. [PMID: 30725173 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-019-01772-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic alterations have implications in a spectrum of tissue functions and disease. Aided by novel molecular biological and computational tools, our understanding of physiological and pathological processes underpinning endocrine and endocrine-related disease has significantly expanded over the last decade. Herein, we focus on novel metabolomics-related methodologies in adrenal research: in situ metabolomics by mass spectrometry imaging, steroid metabolomics by gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, energy pathway metabologenomics by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics of Krebs cycle intermediates, and cellular reprogramming to generate functional steroidogenic cells and hence to modulate the steroid metabolome. All four techniques to assess and/or modulate the metabolome in biological systems provide tremendous opportunities to manage neoplastic and non-neoplastic disease of the adrenal glands in the era of precision medicine. In this context, we discuss emerging clinical applications and/or promising metabolic-driven research towards diagnostic, prognostic, predictive and therapeutic biomarkers in tumours arising from the adrenal gland and extra-adrenal paraganglia as well as modern approaches to delineate and reprogram adrenal metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Papathomas
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Na Sun
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Vasileios Chortis
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Angela E Taylor
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Susan Richter
- Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Graeme Eisenhofer
- Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gerard Ruiz-Babot
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Leonardo Guasti
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Axel Karl Walch
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany.
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16
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Pranata A, Fitzgerald CC, Khymenets O, Westley E, Anderson NJ, Ma P, Pozo OJ, McLeod MD. Synthesis of steroid bisglucuronide and sulfate glucuronide reference materials: Unearthing neglected treasures of steroid metabolism. Steroids 2019; 143:25-40. [PMID: 30513322 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2018.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Doubly or bisconjugated steroid metabolites have long been known as minor components of the steroid profile that have traditionally been studied by laborious and indirect fractionation, hydrolysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Recently, the synthesis and characterisation of steroid bis(sulfate) (aka disulfate or bis-sulfate) reference materials enabled the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) study of this metabolite class and the development of a constant ion loss (CIL) scan method for the direct and untargeted detection of steroid bis(sulfate) metabolites. Methods for the direct LC-MS/MS detection of other bisconjugated steroids, such as steroid bisglucuronide and mixed steroid sulfate glucuronide metabolites, have great potential to reveal a more complete picture of the steroid profile. However, access to steroid bisglucuronide or sulfate glucuronide reference materials necessary for LC-MS/MS method development, metabolite identification or quantification is severely limited. In this work, ten steroid bisglucuronide and ten steroid sulfate glucuronide reference materials were synthesised through an ordered combination of chemical sulfation and/or enzymatic glucuronylation reactions. All compounds were purified and characterised using NMR and MS methods. Chemistry for the preparation of stable isotope labelled steroid {13C6}-glucuronide internal standards has also been developed and applied to the preparation of two selectively mono-labelled steroid bisglucuronide reference materials used to characterise more completely MS fragmentation pathways. The electrospray ionisation and fragmentation of the bisconjugated steroid reference materials has been studied. Preliminary targeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis of the reference materials prepared revealed the presence of three steroid sulfate glucuronides as endogenous human urinary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Pranata
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | | | - Olha Khymenets
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Group, IMIM, Hospital del Mar, Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erin Westley
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Natasha J Anderson
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Paul Ma
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Group, IMIM, Hospital del Mar, Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Malcolm D McLeod
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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17
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Shackleton C, Pozo OJ, Marcos J. GC/MS in Recent Years Has Defined the Normal and Clinically Disordered Steroidome: Will It Soon Be Surpassed by LC/Tandem MS in This Role? J Endocr Soc 2018. [PMID: 30094411 DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00135.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been used for steroid analysis since the 1960s. The advent of protective derivatization, capillary columns, and inexpensive electron ionization bench-top single quadrupole soon made it the method of choice for studying disorders of steroid synthesis and metabolism. However, the lengthy sample workup prevented GC/MS from becoming routine for steroid hormone measurement, which was dominated by radioimmunoassay. It was the emergence of liquid chromatography/tandem MS (LC/MS/MS) that sparked a renewed interest in GC/MS for the multicomponent analysis of steroids. GC/MS is excellent at providing an integrated picture of a person's steroid metabolome, or steroidome, as we term it. We review the recent work on newly described disorders and discuss the technical advances such as GC coupling to triple quadrupole and ion trap analyzers, two-dimensional GC/MS, and alternative ionization and detection systems such as atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and time of flight. We believe that no novel GC/MS-based technique has the power of GC(electron ionization)/MS/MS as a "discovery tool," although APCI might provide ultimate sensitivity, which might be required in tissue steroidomics. Finally, we discuss the role of LC/MS/MS in steroidomics. This remains a challenge but offers shorter analysis times and advantages in the detection and discovery of steroids with a known structure. We describe recent advances in LC/MS steroidomics of hydrolyzed and intact steroid conjugates and suggest the technique is catching up with GC/MS in this area. However, in the end, both techniques will likely remain complementary and both should be available in advanced analytical laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric Shackleton
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Marcos
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Foster PA, Mueller JW. SULFATION PATHWAYS: Insights into steroid sulfation and desulfation pathways. J Mol Endocrinol 2018; 61:T271-T283. [PMID: 29764919 DOI: 10.1530/jme-18-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sulfation and desulfation pathways represent highly dynamic ways of shuttling, repressing and re-activating steroid hormones, thus controlling their immense biological potency at the very heart of endocrinology. This theme currently experiences growing research interest from various sides, including, but not limited to, novel insights about phospho-adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate synthase and sulfotransferase function and regulation, novel analytics for steroid conjugate detection and quantification. Within this review, we will also define how sulfation pathways are ripe for drug development strategies, which have translational potential to treat a number of conditions, including chronic inflammatory diseases and steroid-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Foster
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR)University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for EndocrinologyDiabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jonathan Wolf Mueller
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR)University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for EndocrinologyDiabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
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19
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Shackleton C, Pozo OJ, Marcos J. GC/MS in Recent Years Has Defined the Normal and Clinically Disordered Steroidome: Will It Soon Be Surpassed by LC/Tandem MS in This Role? J Endocr Soc 2018; 2:974-996. [PMID: 30094411 PMCID: PMC6080058 DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been used for steroid analysis since the 1960s. The advent of protective derivatization, capillary columns, and inexpensive electron ionization bench-top single quadrupole soon made it the method of choice for studying disorders of steroid synthesis and metabolism. However, the lengthy sample workup prevented GC/MS from becoming routine for steroid hormone measurement, which was dominated by radioimmunoassay. It was the emergence of liquid chromatography/tandem MS (LC/MS/MS) that sparked a renewed interest in GC/MS for the multicomponent analysis of steroids. GC/MS is excellent at providing an integrated picture of a person's steroid metabolome, or steroidome, as we term it. We review the recent work on newly described disorders and discuss the technical advances such as GC coupling to triple quadrupole and ion trap analyzers, two-dimensional GC/MS, and alternative ionization and detection systems such as atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and time of flight. We believe that no novel GC/MS-based technique has the power of GC(electron ionization)/MS/MS as a “discovery tool,” although APCI might provide ultimate sensitivity, which might be required in tissue steroidomics. Finally, we discuss the role of LC/MS/MS in steroidomics. This remains a challenge but offers shorter analysis times and advantages in the detection and discovery of steroids with a known structure. We describe recent advances in LC/MS steroidomics of hydrolyzed and intact steroid conjugates and suggest the technique is catching up with GC/MS in this area. However, in the end, both techniques will likely remain complementary and both should be available in advanced analytical laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric Shackleton
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Marcos
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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