Hair analysis of histamine after fluorescence labeling by column-switching reversed-phase liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and application to human hair

Development of Highly Sensitive Analysis Method for Histamine and Metabolites in Pregnant Women's Fingernail by UPLC-ESI-MS

In this study, a highly sensitive analysis method for the rapid detection of histamine (HA), imidazole-4-acetic acid (IAA) and 1-methylhistamine (MHA) in pregnant women's fingernails was developed using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). HA and MHA were connected with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-F) as the derivation reagent for the first time. IAA was derivatized with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-piperazino-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-PZ) successfully. The derivative mixtures were simultaneously separated within 8 min on an ACQUITY UPLC^TM BEH C18 column (1.7 μm, 100 × 2.1 mm i.d.) by isocratic elution using a mixture of 20 mM HCOONH₄ and CH₃CN (82:18) as the mobile phase, and sensitively detected by selected reaction monitoring (SRM). The quantitative analysis of HA, IAA, and MHA are performed by SRM using the fragmentation transitions of m/z 337.2 → 292.1, 420.6 → 375.1 and 351.2 → 306.0 under the positive ESI mode. The calibration curves for HA, IAA and MHA are presented herein, and their correlation coefficient were found to be above 0.9998, the measured detection limit for derivatized histamine and metabolites ranged from 0.06 to 0.15 fmol, and the relative standard derivation of intra-day and inter-day assays was 6.3%. Furthermore, the mean recoveries (%) of the standards added to human fingernails were in the range of 90.2 - 100.5%. The validated method was successfully applied to analyze human fingernail samples from three pregnant women and three healthy non-pregnant women. To the best of our knowledge, this report about the detection of histamine and metabolites in the fingernails of pregnant women's fingernails is the first published.

Highly sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography method for bioequivalence study of cefpodoxime proxetil in rabbit plasma via fluorescence labeling of its active metabolite

Cefpodoxime proxetil (CFP), a broad-spectrum third-generation cephalosporin, has been used most widely in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections. For bioequivalence study of CFP in rabbit plasma, it was necessary to develop a highly sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence (FL) detection. The pre-column labeling of cefpodoxime acid (CFA) (active metabolite) with an efficient benzofurazan type fluorogenic reagent, 4-N,N-dimethyl aminosulfonyl-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-F) was carried out in the present study in 100mM borate buffer (pH=8.5) at 50°C for 15min. The obtained fluorescent products were separated on C18 column with an isocratic elution of the mobile phase, which consists of 10mM phosphate buffer (pH=3.5)/CH3CN (70:30, v/v). The fluorescent product (DBD-CFA) was detected fluorimetrically at 556nm with an excitation wavelength of 430nm. Cefotaxime sodium was used as internal standard. The method was validated according to the requirements of US-FDA guidelines. The correlation coefficient of 0.999 was obtained in the concentration ranges of 10-1000ngmL(-1). The limits of detection and quantification (S/N=3) were 3 and 10ngmL(-1), respectively. Plasma CFA levels were successfully determined in rabbit with satisfactory precision and accuracy. The proposed HPLC-FL method was successfully applied to study bioequivalence in rabbits for two formulations of different brands contained CFP (prodrug) in a randomized, two-way, single-dose, crossover study and all pharmacokinetic parameters for the two formulations were assessed.

Highly sensitive and selective derivatization-LC method for biomolecules based on fluorescence interactions and fluorous separations

A fluorescence derivatization LC method is a powerful tool for the analysis with high sensitivity and selectivity of biological compounds. In this review, we introduce new types of fluorescence derivatization LC analysis methods. These are (1) detection-selective derivatization methods based on fluorescence interactions generated from fluorescently labeled analytes: excimer fluorescence derivatization and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) derivatization; (2) separation-selective derivatization methods using the fluorous separation technique: fluorous derivatization, F-trap fluorescence derivatization, and fluorous scavenging derivatization (FSD).

Rapid, sensitive and simultaneous determination of fluorescence-labeled polyamines in human hair by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The rapid, sensitive and simultaneous determination of six polyamines, i.e., ornithine (ORN), 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP), putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM), in human hairs was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with fluorescence (FL) detection and electrospray-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS). The primary (-NH(2)) and secondary (-NH) amines in the polyamine structures were first labeled with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-F) at 60 degrees C for 30 min in the mixture of 0.1M borax (pH 9.3) and acetonitrile (CH(3)CN). The resulting derivatives were perfectly separated using an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C(18) column (1.7 microm, 100 mm x 2.1mm i.d.) by a gradient elution with a mixture of water-acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid (HCOOH). The separated polyamine derivatives were sensitively detected with both FL and TOF-MS. The detection limits in FL and TOF-MS were 11-86 and 2-5 fmol, respectively. However, the determination of several polyamines by FL detection was interfered with by endogenous substances in the hair. Therefore, the simultaneous determination in hair was carried out by the combination of UPLC separation and the ESI-TOF-MS detection. The structures of the polyamines were identified from the protonated-molecular ions [M+H](+) obtained from the TOF-MS measurement. A good linearity was achieved from the calibration curves, that was obtained by plotting the peak area ratios of the analytes relative to the internal standard (IS), i.e., 1,6-diaminohexane (DAH), against the injected amounts of each polyamine (0.05-50 pmol, r(2)>0.999). The proposed method was applied to the determination in the hairs of healthy volunteers. The mean concentrations of ORN, DAP, PUT, CAD, SPD and SPM in 1mg of human hairs (n=20) were 1.46, 0.18, 1.18, 0.11, 1.97 and 0.98 pmol, respectively. Because the proposed method provides a good mass accuracy and the trace detection of the polyamines in hair, this analytical technique seems to be applicable for the determination of various biological compounds in hair.

Hair analysis of histamine and several metabolites in C3H/HeNCrj mice by ultra performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-TOF-MS): Influence of hair cycle and age

BACKGROUND

According to a previous study, the concentration of HA in the hair of SD rats was similar in each rat and the variation in HA concentration was not so great. However, the concentration in human hair was fairly different in each person. As possible reasons for the higher variation in human hair, the differences in hair cycles and age in each person may be considerable. Based on this idea, the studies using C3H/HeNCrj mice who can synchronize their hair cycle were performed for resolution of the influence of hair cycle and age.

METHODS

The effects of hair cycle and age on the concentration of histamine (HA) and several metabolites, i.e., 1-methylhistamine (MHA), imidazole-4-acetic acid (IAA), and 1-methyl-4-imidazole-acetic acid (MIAA), in C3H/HeNCrj mice hair were investigated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS). HA and the metabolites were labeled with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-F) and 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-piperazino-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-PZ). The resulting derivatives were separated by UPLC and determined with ESI-TOF-MS.

RESULTS

A good linearity was achieved from the calibration curves, obtained by plotting the peak area ratios of the analytes relative to the internal standard (IS), i.e., histamine-alpha,alpha,beta,beta-d4 (HA-d4) or 4-imidazolecarboxylic acid (ICA), against the injected amounts of each compound. The detection limits of HA, MHA, IAA, and MIAA on mass chromatograms were 0.21, 1.0, 0.17, and 0.11 pmol, respectively. The concentrations of HA and the metabolites in the hair shafts and hair root of C3H/HeNCrj mice were determined by this method. The concentration of HA in the hair shaft was relatively higher in the telogen phase. In contrast, the HA content in the anagen phase was increased only in the hair root of old mice.

CONCLUSION

HA appears to possess some effect on hair growth, although the exact reason was not obvious. The HA metabolites, i.e., MHA, MIAA and IAA, were also determined the same as HA; however, the difference in the metabolite concentrations between the hair cycle and age was not clear in both hair shaft and hair root. Such studies of the effect of hair cycle and age on these concentrations are the first report. This analytical technique may be applicable to the determination of various biological compounds in hair.

Rapid determination of histamine and its metabolites in mice hair by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The rapid determination of histamine (HA) and several metabolites, i.e., 1-methylhistamine (MHA), imidazole-4-acetic acid (IAA), and 1-methyl-4-imidazole-acetic acid (MIAA), in mice hairs was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS). HA and MHA, having a primary amino group (NH(2)) in their structures, were first labeled with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-F) at 60 degrees C for 45 min in the mixture of 0.1M borax (pH 9.3) and acetonitrile (CH(3)CN). On the other hand, 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-piperazino-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-PZ) was used for the labeling of a carboxylic acid group (COOH) in IAA and MIAA in the presence of 2,2'-dipyridyl disulfide (DPDS) and triphenylphosphine (TPP). The reaction with DBD-PZ was completed at 50 degrees C after 2h. The resulting derivatives of HA and the metabolites were perfectly separated using an ACQUITY UPLCtrade mark BEH C(18) column (1.7 microm, 100 x 2.1mm, i.d.) with the mixture of 20 mM HCOONH(4) and CH(3)CN (8:2). The structures of HA and the metabolites were identified from the protonated-molecular ions [M+H](+) and the de-protonated-molecular ions [M-H](-) of authentic compounds, obtained from TOF-MS measurement. A good linearity was achieved from the calibration curves, obtained by plotting the peak area ratios of the analytes relative to the internal standard (IS), i.e., histamine-alpha,alpha,beta,beta-d(4) (HA-d(4)) or 4-imidazolecarboxylic acid (ICA), against the injected amounts of each compound (1.0-25 pmol, r(2)=0.998). The detection limits of HA and the metabolites were less than 1 pmol. The proposed method was applied to the determination in the hair shafts of C3H mice. The average concentrations of HA, MHA, IAA and MIAA in 1mg of the hair shafts were 16.3 pmol (n=7), 21.6 pmol (n=3), 6.6 pmol (n=3) and 7.1 pmol (n=3), respectively. Because the proposed method provides good mass accuracy and the trace detection of HA and several metabolites in hair, this analytical technique seems to be applicable for the determination of various biological compounds in hair.