Isomeric Effects in Fragmentation by Beta Decay: Monotritiated Propanes and Toluenes

Differentiating isobaric steroid hormone metabolites using multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry

Steroid hormones and their metabolites are currently undergoing clinical trials as potential therapeutics for traumatic brain injury (TBI). To support this work, it is necessary to develop improved procedures for differentiating isobaric species in this compound class. Equilin sulfate (E-S), estrone sulfate (E1-S), 17α-dihydroequilin sulfate (ADHE-S), and 17β-dihydroequilin sulfate (BDHE-S) are primary constituents in hormone replacement therapies, such as Premarin, which are among pharmaceuticals being investigated for TBI treatment. The latter three compounds are isomers and can be difficult to differentiate in trace analytical determinations. In this work, a systematic study of the fragmentation of ADHE-S, BDHE-S, E1-S, and E-S under different stages of higher order tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)) and variation of collision energy, allowed optimization of conditions for distinguishing the isomeric structures. For epimeric variants (e.g., ADHE-S versus BDHE-S; α- versus β-stereoisomerization in the C-17 position), differentiation was achieved at MS(4) and fragmentation was demonstrated through MS(5). Computational analysis was performed to further explore differences in the fragmentation pathways due to changes in stereochemistry.

Methylation of thymine and uracil with free methyl cations formed due to beta-decay of tritiated methane: possible implication in mutagenesis and carcinogenesis

Exposure of solid thymine and uracil at room temperature to free methyl cations, produced due to beta-decay of tritiated methane, resulted in formation of their 1-, O2-, 3-, O4-, and 6-methyl derivatives. In addition, uracil formed a 5-methyl derivative (thymine); tritium-containing thymine and uracil were also detected. Both thymine and uracil formed predominantly unidentified products which resulted presumably from their oligomerization. Incubation at -195 degrees C did not markedly change the pattern of reaction products. Aqueous-ammonia solutions of these pyrimidines formed methylated derivatives and considerable amounts of methanol and tritiated water. The possible implication of these reactions in mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of tritium-substituted hydrocarbons is discussed.