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Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS assay for the quantification of allopregnanolone and its progesterone-derived isomers, precursors, and cortisol/cortisone in pregnancy. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:5427-5438. [PMID: 34279681 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03523-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids are potent neuromodulators that play a critical role in both maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. These stress-responsive compounds are reportedly low in women with perinatal depression and may be associated with poor pregnancy outcomes in animal models. Chronic stress is a risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. Simultaneous quantification of neuroactive steroids, in combination with stress hormones cortisol/cortisone, provides an opportunity to investigate the synergistic relationship of these analytes within the convenience of one assay. A simple, reliable, and sensitive method for quantifying these endogenous compounds is necessary for further research with the potential to advance clinical diagnostic tools during pregnancy. Analytes were extracted from serum with a simple protein precipitation using methanol and then separated and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). After online extraction, analytes were separated using an Agilent Poroschell 120, 50 × 4.6 mm, 2.7 μm particle size, EC-C18 analytical column. The reliable quantification range was from 0.78 to 1000 ng/mL. QC sample inter- and intraday trueness was between 90 and 110% while inter- and intraday imprecision was less than 10%. Extracted samples were stable up to 7 days at 4 °C and extraction recovery was above 95%. Serum samples from 54 women in pregnancy were analyzed using this method. Here, we provide a validated, fast, and specific assay with sufficient sensitivity that allows for simultaneous quantification of blood serum concentrations of allopregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one), pregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one), epipregnanolone (3β-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one), pregnenolone, progesterone, cortisol, and cortisone in pregnancy for clinical study samples and clinical diagnostics.
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Koverech A, Cicione C, Lionetto L, Maestri M, Passariello F, Sabbatini E, Capi M, De Marco CM, Guglielmetti M, Negro A, Di Menna L, Simmaco M, Nicoletti F, Martelletti P. Migraine and cluster headache show impaired neurosteroids patterns. J Headache Pain 2019; 20:61. [PMID: 31132992 PMCID: PMC6734521 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-019-1005-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Perturbation of neuronal excitability contributes to migraine. Neurosteroids modulate the activity of γ-aminobutyric acid A and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, and might be involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. Here, we measured plasma levels of four neurosteroids, i.e., allopregnanolone, epiallopregnanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and deydroepiandrosterone sulfate, in patients affected by episodic migraine, chronic migraine, or cluster headache. Methods Nineteen female patients affected by episodic migraine, 51 female patients affected by chronic migraine, and 18 male patients affected by cluster headache were recruited to the study. Sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects (31 females and 16 males) were also recruited. Patients were clinically characterized by using validated questionnaires. Plasma neurosteroid levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results We found disease-specific changes in neurosteroid levels in our study groups. For example, allopregnanolone levels were significantly increased in episodic migraine and chronic migraine patients than in control subjects, whereas they were reduced in patients affected by cluster headache. Dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were reduced in patients affected by chronic migraine, but did not change in patients affected by cluster headache. Conclusion We have shown for the first time that large and disease-specific changes in circulating neurosteroid levels are associated with chronic headache disorders, raising the interesting possibility that fluctuations of neurosteroids at their site of action might shape the natural course of migraine and cluster headache. Whether the observed changes in neurosteroids are genetically determined or rather result from exposure to environmental or intrinsic stressors is unknown. This might also be matter for further investigation because stress is a known triggering factor for headache attacks in both migraineurs and cluster headache patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Koverech
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University and Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy.,Residency Program of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00189, Rome, Italy.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Cicione
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, IRCSS Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | - Luana Lionetto
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, IRCSS Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, 00167, Rome, Italy.,Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Maestri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University and Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Passariello
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University and Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Sabbatini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University and Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Matilde Capi
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, IRCSS Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, 00167, Rome, Italy.,Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Martina Guglielmetti
- Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea Negro
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University and Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy.,Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Simmaco
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Sapienza University, 00189, Rome, Italy.,Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Martelletti
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University and Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy. .,Residency Program of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00189, Rome, Italy. .,Regional Referral Headache Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy.
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VITKU J, KOLATOROVA L, RICCO C, FERROUD C, HENNEBERT O, SKODOVA T, HERACEK J, STARKA L. The Quantitation of 7β-Hydroxy-Epiandrosterone in the Plasma and Seminal Plasma of Men With Different Degrees of Fertility. Physiol Res 2018; 67:S511-S519. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
7β-hydroxy-epiandrosterone (7β-OH-EpiA) is an endogenous androgen metabolite that has been shown to exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-estrogenic effects. However, to the best of our knowledge no information is available about this androgen steroid in relation to sperm quality. We analyzed 7β-OH-EpiA in plasma and seminal plasma using a newly developed isotope dilution ultra-high performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry method. Validation met the requirements of FDA guidelines. Levels of 7β-OH-EpiA were measured in 191 men with different degrees of infertility. One-way analysis of variance followed by multiple comparison and correlation analysis adjusted for age, BMI and abstinence time were performed to evaluate the relationships between this steroid and sperm quality. Concentrations of 7β-OH-EpiA in seminal plasma were significantly higher in severely infertile men in comparison with healthy men and slightly infertile men. The same trend was found when blood plasma was evaluated. Furthermore, plasma 7β-OH-EpiA negatively correlated with sperm concentration (-0.215; p<0.01) and total count (-0.15; p<0.05). Seminal 7β-OH-EpiA was negatively associated with motility (-0.26; p<0.01), progressively motile spermatozoa (-0.233; p<0.01) and nonprogressively motile spermatozoa (-0.188; p<0.05). 7β-OH-EpiA is associated with lower sperm quality and deserves more research in that respect.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. VITKU
- Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
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