Optimization of an isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the detection of endogenous estrogen metabolites in urine samples.

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for the simultaneous quantitation of ten estrogen metabolites in human urine was optimized. The method consists of initial enzymatic hydrolysis of the estrogen conjugates using beta-glucuronidase followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Sep-pak C18 columns and further sample purification by ion-exchange chromatography on QAE-Sephadex cartridges in the acetate form. QAE-Sephadex cartridges in the borate form were used to separate estrogens into two fractions: one fraction containing estrogens lacking vicinal cis-hydroxyls (Fr 1) and another containing estrogens possessing vicinal cis-hydroxyls (catecholestrogens; Fr 2).

Identification and quantitation of phenolic compounds in faecal matrix by capillary gas chromatography and nano-electrospray mass spectrometry.

Very few relevant methods have been described for the detection and quantitation of phenolic compounds in faecal matrix. Extraction with conventional organic solvents such as chloroform/methanol (2:1, Folch reagent), methanol and ethanol (72%) showed high extraction efficiency for lipids and also gave good recovery of the major phenolic compounds present in the matrix. However, in comparison with a newly developed phosphate buffer method, the yield of minor phenolics was negligible when detected by these conventional methods.

Contribution of linseed intake to urine and serum enterolignan levels in German females: a randomised controlled intervention trial.

Linseeds are a rich source of lignans, secondary plant substances which are suggested to possess chemopreventive effects inter alia with regard to breast cancer. In a randomised controlled trial 40 German women were informed about "5-a-day" and encouraged to increase their dietary intake of fruit and vegetables. Moreover 19 participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group supplemented with ground linseeds (20 g/d) over a 2-month period.

Analysis of enterolignan glucuronides in serum and urine by HPLC-ESI-MS.

A method involving the coupling of high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) for the quantitative determination of the mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol in human blood and urine has been developed. In contrast to techniques previously published, the method allows direct measurement of free enterolignans as well as their monoglucuronide conjugates in human biofluids with minimal sample preparation. Thereby the method is suitable for large-scale intervention, case-control and epidemiologic studies.

[A pilot study on the long-term effects of combined drug therapy and psychophysiologically-oriented therapy in patients with severe essential hypertension].

15 patients with a severe degree of essential hypertension, which had not responded satisfactorily to pharmacological management, received an additional regimen of psychophysiological treatment. This schedule consisted of relaxation training, self-recording of the blood pressure by the patients and conversations geared at improving stress management. After 1 year 9 patients showed a lowered mean blood pressure from 162/106 mmHg to 141/95 mmHg (responders).