Studies of the pharmacokinetics of morroniside and loganin in rat after oral administration of raw and wine-processed Corni fructus by UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS

Purpose: To study the pharmacokinetics of morroniside (MR) and loganin (LG) in rats after oral administration of raw and wine-processed Corni fructus by UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS. Methods: Arctiin (AT) was used as internal standard, and the plasma or tissue samples were extracted twice using ethyl acetate. Electrospray ionization (ESI) negative ion mode was used, and the multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) was set in acquisition mode. The extraction and detection method is supported by selectivity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, stability, extraction, recovery and matrix effect. The non-atrioventricular model of das2.0 software was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. Results: The absorption rate of MR (PTmax=0.092) and LG (PTmax=0.092) in Corni Fructus after wine-processing was faster in rats. The mean residence time was longer, and distribution of MR (PMRT0~t = 0.294) and LG (PMRT0~t = 0.000) in wine-processed Corni Fructus group increased in liver and kidneys. Conclusion: The proposed method has been successfully validated and is suitable for studying the pharmacokinetics of the two analytes in rats.

UHPLC-HRMS-Based Untargeted Lipidomics Reveal Mechanism of Antifungal Activity of Carvacrol against Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus is a common contaminant in grain, oil and their products. Its metabolite aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been proved to be highly carcinogenic. Therefore, it is of great importance to find possible antifungal substances to inhibit the growth and toxin production of Aspergillus flavus. Carvacrol (CV) was reported as a potent antifungal monoterpene derived from plants. In this paper, the antifungal effects and mechanism of CV on Aspergillus flavus were investigated. CV was shown good inhibition on the growth of Aspergillus flavus and the production of AFB1. CV used in concentrations ranging from 0, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL inhibited the germination of spores, mycelia growth and AFB1 production dose-dependently. To explore the antifungal mechanism of CV on Aspergillus flavus, we also detected the ergosterol content of Aspergillus flavus mycelia, employed Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to observe mycelia morphology and utilized Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) to explore the lipidome profiles of Aspergillus flavus. The results showed that the production of ergosterol of mycelia was reduced as the CV treatment concentration increased. SEM photographs demonstrated a rough surface and a reduction in the thickness of hyphae in Aspergillus flavus treated with CV (200 µg/mL). In positive ion mode, 21 lipids of Aspergillus flavus mycelium were downregulated, and 11 lipids were upregulated after treatment with 200-µg/mL CV. In negative ion mode, nine lipids of Aspergillus flavus mycelium were downregulated, and seven lipids upregulated after treatment with 200-µg/mL CV. In addition, the analysis of different lipid metabolic pathways between the control and 200-µg/mL CV-treated groups demonstrated that glycerophospholipid metabolism was the most enriched pathway related to CV treatment.

Lipidomic profile of seminal plasma in non-obstructive azoospermia with sperm maturation arrest

Introduction. The difference between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia with sperm maturation arrest is important for the choice of treatment tactics and adequate counseling of a married couple.Purpose of the study. The study aimed to assess the semen lipid profile in patients with sperm maturation arrest. Materials and methods. Samples of seminal plasma for lipid composition of 24 men with normozoospermia and 64 men with azoospermia were studied. Patients with azoospermia underwent microdissection testicular biopsy followed by the detection of testicular tissue pathology. Lipid extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Lipid data were compared with the results of pathomorphological studies.Results. Comparison of two groups revealed a statistically significant concentration differences for 22 lipids detected in positive-ion mode and 11 lipids detected in negative-ion mode. Those lipids mainly belong to the classes hexosylceramides, sphingomyelins and phosphatidylcholines — simple ethers and oxidized lipids. In multivariate analysis, the following lipids were found to be statistically significant predictors of sperm maturation arrest: PC 16: 0_22: 6 lipid (β-coefficient: -0.73; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): -1.42 to -0.27; odds ratio (OR): 0.48; OR CI: 0.24 to 0.76; Wald's test: -2.58; p = 0.01), SM d20: 1/22:2 lipid (β-coefficient 4.96; 95% CI 2.29 to 9.13; OR: 142.31; OR CI: 9.90 to 9.22^103; Wald's test: 2.93; p = 0.003); PG 20:3_22: 6 lipid (β-coefficient 2.52; 95% CI 1.13 to 4.49; OR: 12.37; OR CI: 3.10 to 89.27; Wald's test: 3.02; p = 0.002); PC O- 16: 1/16:0 lipid (β-coefficient 1.96; 95% CI -4.12 to 0.27; OR: 0.14; OR CI: 0.02 to 0.76; Wald's test: -2.05; p = 0.04). The prediction model characteristics of sperm maturation arrest, obtained during cross-validation in the positiveion mode composed: sensitivity 91%, specificity 85%; in negative-ion mode: sensitivity 75%; specificity 81%.Conclusions. Even though early stages of spermatogenesis are equally preserved in both fertile men and men with homogeneous sperm maturation arrest, the semen in the studied group of patients differed in its lipid profile. Patients with non-obstructive azoospermia, associated with meiosis arrest, may have unique lipidomic characteristics of seminal plasma, which in the future will make it possible to differentiate various variants of severe male infertility using non-invasive methods.

Application of a HPLC-Q/TOF method with post-column compensation for separation and identification of polar impurities in Cytidine disodium triphosphate for injection

Background: Cytidine Disodium Triphosphate (CTP-2Na) for injection is mainly used for treating nervous system diseases. Currently, there are few studies focused on the separation and identification of polar impurities in CTP-2Na for injection, which is important for ensuring drug safety and efficacy. Objective: The study aimed to establish an HPLC-Q/TOF method for the separation and identification of polar impurities in CTP-2Na for injection. Methods: Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters Atlantis T3 column using 5 mM aqueous ammonium acetate solution as the mobile phase in an isocratic elution mode. A postcolumn compensation technology was used to improve the ionization efficiency of impurities in the spray chamber. Results: Three polar impurities (disodium cytidine tetraphosphate, disodium cytidine diphosphate, disodium cytidine monophosphate) were detected in CTP-2Na for injection. The former one is probably the overreaction product during the production of CTP-2Na, the latter two were reported as degradation products. The fragmentation patterns of cytidine phosphate compounds in negative ion mode are summarized. Conclusion: This study provides a good reference for the separation and identification of polar impurities in nucleotide drugs.

Development and Validation of UPLC-MS / MS Method for Obtaining Favipiravir Tablet Dosage form and Evaluation of its Behavior Under forced Conditions

Aims: Favipiravir (FVP) is a drug developed against RNA viruses. It is a drug that is used actively in the treatment of coronavirus. In vitro and in vivo investigations have shown that it inhibits the virus. In this study, a recovery study of tablet formulations was carried out by developing a UPLC-MS/MS method, which is used extensively in pandemic conditions. In addition, stability studies of favipiravir agent under forced conditions were conducted. The validated method is selective, robust, simple and applicable for tablet analysis. C18 (4.6 mm × 50 mm, 2.7 μm) column was used as the stationary phase and water-methanol (80-20 v/v) containing 0.1% formic acid was used as the mobile phase. UPLC optimization; It was conducted at a wavelength of 222 nm and a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min at 40 °C, retention time was 1.155 min. The electrospray jet stream ionization source was analyzed using mass spectrometry in negative ion mode. The molecular peak for Favipiravir was [M-1] 155.9, and the daughter ion determined 112.6. The stability test method was carried out in accordance with the ICH procedure. Reaction and degradation rates of the active substance under various forced conditions (acidic, basic, oxidative, UV light and thermal conditions) were investigated. The products formed by the decomposition of the active substance under stress conditions were determined by mass spectroscopy.

Non-Target Detection of Diversity of Volatile Chlorine Compounds in Frying Oil and Study on the Influencing Factors of Their Formation

Headspace-gas-chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) proved the diversity of volatile chlorinated compounds (VCCs) in frying oil in this work. First, the VCCs were obtained by headspace by heating the frying oil at 80 °C for 30 min. Then, those compounds were separated by GC capillary column in the first dimension and by IMS in the second dimension, respectively. And at last, those compounds were detected in negative ion mode for non-targeting. The study results indicated that VCCs' formation depends on the contents of NaCl and water, heating temperature and time, and the types of oil. The refining process does not affect the detection of VCCs, indicating the durability of such targets as indicators for assessing deep-frying oil. Using HS-GC-IMS, the VCCs were detected to evaluate 16 authentic refined deep-frying oils from the market with an accuracy of 100%.

Simultaneous Quantification of Propylthiouracil and Its N-β-d Glucuronide by HPLC-MS/MS: Application to a Metabolic Study

Propylthiouracil (PTU) is commonly prescribed for the management of hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. Although the exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, PTU is associated with hepatoxicity in pediatric population. Glucuronidation mediated by uridine 5′-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), which possess age-dependent expression, has been proposed as an important metabolic pathway of PTU. To further examine the metabolism of PTU, a reliable HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of PTU and its N-β-D glucuronide (PTU-GLU) was developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a ZORBAX Extend-C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.8 μm) through gradient delivery of a mixture of formic acid, methanol and acetonitrile. The electrospray ionization (ESI) was operated in its negative ion mode while PTU and PTU-GLU were detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). This analytical method displayed excellent linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, recovery and stability while its matrix effect and carry-over were insignificant. Subsequently, the in vitro metabolism of PTU was assessed and UGT1A9 was identified as an important UGT isoform responsible for the glucuronidation of PTU. The information obtained from this study will facilitate future mechanistic investigation on the hepatoxicity of PTU and may optimize its clinical application.

Intestinal Metabolomics of Juvenile Lenok (Brachymystax Lenok) in Response to Heat Stress

Changes in the metabolic profile within the intestine of lenok (Brachymystax lenok) when challenged to acute and lethal heat stress (HS) are studied using no-target HPLC-MS/MS metabonomic analysis. Of 51 differentially expressed metabolites identified in response to HS, 34 occurred in the positive ion mode and 17 in negative ion mode (VIP > 1, P < 0.05). Changes in metabolites (i.e. alpha-D-glucose, stachyose and L-lactate) related to carbohydrate and glycolysis are identified in HS-treated lenok. Fatty acid β-oxidation in HS-treated lenok was inhibited by accumulation of acetyl carnitine, palmitoylcarnitine, carnitine, and erucic acid. Many amino acids (L-tryptophan, D-proline, L-leucine, L-phenylalanine, L-aspartate, L-tyrosine, L-methionine, L-histidine and L-glutamine) decreased to support energy demands in HS-treated lenok. Oxidative damage in HS-treated lenok was indicated by decreased glycerophospholipid metabolites (i.e. glycerophosphocholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and 1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine), and increased oxylipin production (12-HETE and 9R, 10S-EpOME). Oxidative stress increased formation of eicosanoids and dicarboxylic acids, overwhelming the mitochondrial β-oxidation pathway, while minor oxidative pathways (omega-oxidation and peroxisomal beta-oxidation) were likely to be activated in HS-treated lenok.

Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry as a Potential Tool for Evaluation of Hydroxylation Degree of Various Types of Titanium Dioxide Materials

For many applications, TiO2 must have a unique surface structure responsible for its desirable physicochemical properties. Therefore the fast and easy methods of TiO2 surface characterization are of great interest. Heated TiO2 samples and dye-modified TiO2 samples were analyzed by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. In the negative ion mode, two types of ions were detected, namely (TiO2)n− and (TiO2)nOH−. It has been established that the samples can be differentiated based on the relative ion abundances, especially with respect to the free hydroxyl group population. It indicates that laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry has the potential for the investigation of the surface properties of various TiO2 materials.

Evaluation of 6 MALDI-Matrices for 10 μm lipid imaging and on-tissue MSn with AP-MALDI-Orbitrap

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a technique uniquely suited to localize and identify lipids in a tissue sample. Using an AP-MALDI UHR source coupled to an Orbitrap Elite, numerous lipid locations and structures can be determined in high mass resolution spectra and at cellular spatial resolution, but careful sample preparation is necessary. We tested 11 protocols on serial brain sections for the commonly used MALDI matrices, CHCA, Norharmane, DHB, DHAP, THAP, and DAN, in combination with tissue washing and matrix additives, to determine the lipid coverage, signal intensity, and spatial resolution achievable with AP-MALDI. In positive ion mode, the most lipids could be detected with CHCA and THAP, while THAP and DAN without additional treatment offered the best signal intensities. In negative ion mode, DAN showed the best lipid coverage and DHAP performed superior for Gangliosides. DHB produced intense cholesterol signals in the white matter. 155 lipids were assigned in positive (THAP), 137 in negative ion mode (DAN) and 76 lipids were identified using on tissue tandem-MS. The spatial resolution achievable with DAN was 10 μm, confirmed with on tissue line-scans. This enabled the association of lipid species to single neurons in AP-MALDI images. The results show that the performance of AP-MALDI is comparable to vacuum MALDI techniques for lipid imaging.