Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantitation of angiotensin (1-7), (1-8), (1-9) and (1-10) in human plasma.

Cardiovascular diseases have cast a significant negative impact on the lives of millions worldwide. Over the years, extensive efforts have been dedicated to enhancing diagnostic and prognostic tools for these diseases. A growing body of evidence indicates that the angiotensin convertase enzyme (ACE) and the angiotensin convertase enzyme 2 (ACE2), and angiotensin peptide levels could hold a pivotal role in assisting clinicians with the management of cardiovascular conditions, notably hypertension and heart failure.

On the road of dried blood spot sampling for antidoping tests: Detection of GHRP-2 abuse.

Dried blood spots (DBSs) sampling is gaining support by the antidoping community because of simplicity and cost-effective characteristics, especially in collection, transport, and storage. Nevertheless, DBS applicability demands specific studies for each of the analytes proposed for testing. Here, GHRP-2 has been selected as a representing member of the growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) family to provide further evidence of DBS suitability for GHRPs abuse detection in sport testing.

Automation of RNA-based biomarker extraction from dried blood spots for the detection of blood doping.

Transcriptomic biomarkers originating from reticulocytes measured in dried blood spots (DBSs) may be reliable indicators of blood doping. Here, we examined changes in the expression levels of the erythropoiesis-related ,  and  genes in DBS samples from elite athletes and volunteers of clinical study with recombinant erythropoietin dose. By comparing the mean intraday coefficients of variation for , ,  and between manual and automated RNA extractions, an average improvement was observed, whereas the assessment of interday variability provided comparable results for both manual and automated approaches.

If you play with fire, you may get burned.

This article reports an interesting doping case in the late 1990s involving the physical tampering of a urine sample containing a prohibited substance, by adding an alcoholic beverage. The regulations and knowledge available at that time allowed consideration of the case as a sanctioned manipulation and the prohibited substance as an additional element that explained the reasons for it. The development of the case involved some aspects that appeared for the first time in doping control.

Whole Blood Storage in CPDA1 Blood Bags Alters Erythrocyte Membrane Proteome.

Autologous blood transfusion (ABT) has been frequently abused in endurance sport and is prohibited since the mid-1980s by the International Olympic Committee. Apart from any significant performance-enhancing effects, the ABT may pose a serious health issue due to aging erythrocyte-derived "red cell storage lesions." The current study investigated the effect of blood storage in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA1) on the red blood cell (RBC) membrane proteome.

Detection of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in a single dried blood spot.

The use of dried blood spots (DBS) for anti-doping purposes would facilitate an increase in the number of blood samples because it eliminates the need for specialized personnel and involves minimal invasiveness, reduced costs, stability, and easy transportation and storage. Here, the electrophoretic methodology established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to detect erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) has been adapted to evaluate their applicability to DBS. A qualitative procedure to detect recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO), novel erythropoiesis-stimulating protein (NESP), and continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) in a single DBS was optimized and validated.

Evaluation of markers out of the steroid profile for the screening of testosterone misuse. Part II: Intramuscular administration.

In the fight against doping, the introduction of alternative markers to the steroid profile can be considered as an effective approach to improve the screening capabilities for the detection of testosterone (T) misuse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of several T metabolites (cysteinyl conjugated and glucuronoconjugated resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis) to detect both the transdermal and the intramuscular administration of T. In Part I of the study, we studied the potential of these metabolites for the detection of T transdermal administration.

Evaluation of markers out of the steroid profile for the screening of testosterone misuse. Part I: Transdermal administration.

Although the introduction by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of the steroid module of the athlete biological passport (ABP) marked an important step forward in the screening of testosterone (T) misuse, it still remains one of the most difficult challenges in doping control analysis. The urinary determination of alternative markers has been recently reported as a promising tool for improving the screening of T oral administration. However, their evaluation for other, commonly used, administration routes is still required.

Quantifying endogenous androgens, estrogens, pregnenolone and progesterone metabolites in human urine by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A method for the quantitation of 22 urinary steroids (androgens, estrogens and the main pregnenolone and progesterone metabolites) by means of gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using a triple quadrupole analyzer has been developed. Two different enzymatic hydrolysis protocols were investigated; one capable of releasing steroids present as both sulfates and glucuronides (total fraction), and another with β-glucuronidase activity only. After selecting adequate internal standards and choosing the optimal instrumental parameters, i.

Constant Ion Loss Method for the Untargeted Detection of Bis-sulfate Metabolites.

The untargeted detection of phase II metabolites is a key issue for the study of drug metabolism in biological systems. Sensitive and selective mass spectrometric (MS) techniques coupled to ultrahigh performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) systems are the most effective for this purpose. In this study, we evaluate different MS approaches with a triple quadrupole instrument for the untargeted detection of bis-sulfate metabolites.

Determination of Recent Growth Hormone Abuse Using a Single Dried Blood Spot.

Background: Although it is being increasingly applied, blood collection for drug testing in sport presents some logistic issues that complicate full applicability on a large scale. The use of dried blood spots (DBS) could benefit compliant blood testing considerably owing to its simplicity, minimal invasiveness, analyte stability, and reduced costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of DBS to the methodology approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for detection of doping by recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in serum.

Evaluation of two glucuronides resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis as markers of testosterone oral administration.

Testosterone (T) has traditionally been the most commonly reported doping agent by doping control laboratories. The screening of T misuse is performed by the quantification of six endogenous androgenic steroids and the ratio T/E included in the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). The inclusion of additional metabolites can improve the screening capabilities of ABP.

Bioanalytical techniques in discrimination between therapeutic and abusive use of drugs in sport.

The discrimination between therapeutic and abusive use of drugs in sports is performed using threshold concentrations or reporting levels, and the detection of the substances in a sample is only reported as an adverse analytical finding when the concentration exceeds the threshold or the reporting level. In this paper, the strategies of discrimination and the analytical methods used for the main groups of substances where the distinction is needed (β-2 agonists, ephedrines, glucocorticoids and morphine) will be reviewed. Nowadays, LC-MS is the method of choice for the analysis of these substances and, in most of the cases, a simple dilution of the urine sample is performed before the chromatographic analysis.

Targeting tryptophan and tyrosine metabolism by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

An imbalance in tryptophan (Trp) and tyrosine (Tyr) metabolites is associated with neurological and inflammatory disorders. The accurate and precise measurement of these compounds in biological specimens is a powerful tool to understand the biochemical state in several diseases. In this study, a rapid, accurate and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the targeted analysis of the metabolism of Trp and Tyr has been developed and validated.

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric detection of glucuronides resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis: Implications to doping control analysis.

Controversial results have been reported in the literature regarding the behavior of two testosterone (T) metabolites (3α-glucuronide-6β-hydroxyandrosterone and 3α-glucuronide-6β-hydroxyetiocholanolone) excreted after T administration. Due to their potential as biomarkers of T misuse, a UHPLC-MS/MS method for the direct quantification of these glucuronides was developed and validated. In addition, the main phase II metabolites of T that compose the steroid profile used for doping control purposes (glucuronides of T, epitestosterone, androsterone and etiocholanolone) were included.

Mass spectrometric characterisation of a condensation product between porphobilinogen and indolyl-3-acryloylglycine in urine of patients with acute intermittent porphyria.

We document the presence of a previously unknown species in the urine of patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). The compound was fully characterised by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Interpretation of both full spectrum acquisition and product ion spectra acquired in positive and negative ionisation modes by quadrupole time of flight MS allowed for the identification of a condensation product arising from porphobilinogen (PBG, increased in the urine of AIP patients) and indolyl-3-acryloylglycine (IAG, derived from indolylacrylic acid and present in human urine).

Evaluation of longitudinal steroid profiles from male football players in UEFA competitions between 2008 and 2013.

Testosterone and related compounds are the most recurrent doping substances. The steroid profile, consisting of the quantification of testosterone and its metabolites, has been described as the most significant biomarker to detect doping with pseudo-endogenous anabolic steroids. The steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) was launched by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2014.

Untargeted metabolomics in doping control: detection of new markers of testosterone misuse by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry.

The use of untargeted metabolomics for the discovery of markers is a promising and virtually unexplored tool in the doping control field. Hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) and hybrid quadrupole Orbitrap (Q Exactive) mass spectrometers, coupled to ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography, are excellent tools for this purpose. In the present work, QTOF and Q Exactive have been used to look for markers for testosterone cypionate misuse by means of untargeted metabolomics.

Factors affecting urinary excretion of testosterone metabolites conjugated with cysteine.

The implementation of the athlete steroidal passport in doping control analysis aims to detect intra-individual changes in the steroid profile related to the abuse of anabolic steroids. In this context, the study of intrinsic variations associated with each marker is of utmost importance. In the present work, the influence of several factors in the excretion of the recently reported testosterone metabolites conjugated with cysteine (Δ(1) -AED; 1,4-androstadien-3,17-dione, Δ(6) -AED; 4,6-androstadien-3,17-dione, Δ(6) -T; 4,6-androstadien-17β-ol-3-one, and Δ(15) -AD; 15-androsten-3,17-dione) is evaluated for the first time.

Urinary cysteinyl progestogens: Occurrence and origin.

The presence of two cysteinyl progestogens, 16-cysteinyl-progesterone (16-Cys-Prog) and 16-cysteinyl-pregnenolone (16-Cys-Preg), in human urine is described for the first time. Their occurrence was unequivocally confirmed by comparison with synthesized material by using mass spectrometric detectors. Several experiments were performed in order to clarify their origin.

Detection and characterization of prednisolone metabolites in human urine by LC-MS/MS.

Glucocorticosteroids are prohibited in sports when used by systemic administrations (e.g. oral), whereas they are allowed using other administration ways.

Screening for anabolic steroids in sports: analytical strategy based on the detection of phase I and phase II intact urinary metabolites by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

In order to improve the detection capabilities of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in sports, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) screening method for the simultaneous detection of AAS phase I and phase II intact urinary metabolites (glucuronides and sulfates) was developed. A total of 36 metabolites (7 unconjugated; 19 glucuronides and 10 sulfates) corresponding to 15 of the most reported AAS were included. Analytes were extracted from urine using C18 cartridges.

Screening method for stimulants in urine by UHPLC-MS/MS: identification of isomeric compounds.

A fast screening method for the detection of more than 60 stimulants in urine was developed. The method consisted of a dilution of the urine (1:5 v/v) and analysis by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, using a C18 column (1.7 µm particle size), a mobile phase containing deionized water and acetonitrile with formic acid, and gradient elution.

Detection and characterization of triamcinolone acetonide metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry after intramuscular administration.

Rationale: Glucocorticosteroids are prohibited in sports when used by systemic administrations (e.g. intramuscular, IM), whereas they are allowed using other ways of administration.