SANIST: optimization of a technology for compound identification based on the European Union directive with applications in forensic, pharmaceutical and food analyses

Electrospray Ionization and collision induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry are usually employed to obtain compound identification through a mass spectra match. Different algorithms have been developed for this purpose (for example the nist match algorithm). These approaches compare the tandem mass spectra of the unknown analyte with the tandem mass spectra spectra of known compounds inserted in a database. The compounds are usually identified on the basis of spectral match value associated with a probability of recognition. However, this approach is not usually applied to multiple reaction monitoring transition spectra achieved by means of triple quadrupole apparatus, mainly due to the lack of a transition spectra database. The Surface Activated Chemical Ionization-Electrospray-NIST Bayesian model database search (SANIST) platform has been recently developed for new potential metabolite biomarker discovery, to confirm their identity and to use them for clinical and diagnostic applications. Here, we present an improved version of the SANIST platform that extends its application to forensic, pharmaceutical, and food analysis studies, where the compound identification rules are strict. The European Union (EU) has set directives for compound identification (EU directive 2002/657/EC). We have applied the SANIST method to identification of 11-nor-9-carboxytetrahydro-cannabinol in urine samples (an example of a forensic application), circulating levels of the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus in blood (an example of a pharmaceutical application) and glyphosate in fruit juice (an example of a food analysis application) that meet the EU directive requirements. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Surface-activated chemical ionization combined with electrospray ionization and mass spectrometry for the analysis of cannabinoids in biological samples. Part I: analysis of 11-nor-9-carboxytetrahydro-cannabinol

Recently, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) has been widely used for the identification of drugs of abuse and their metabolites in biological samples. However, the sensitivity and selectivity of this technique are commonly inadequate for the analysis of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its metabolites at very low levels, such as those sometimes required in forensic and clinical-legal applications. We coupled electrospray ionization and surface-activated chemical ionization (ESI-SACI) to various types of mass analyzers (ion trap, triple quadrupole and orbitrap) (ESI-SACI-MS) to improve the detection of 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), the most common marker of THC abuse. The benefits of this approach in terms of sensitivity and selectivity compared with a common ESI-MS approach are clearly demonstrated.

The hydrogen sulphide-releasing derivative of diclofenac protects against ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the isolated rabbit heart

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) is an endogenous gaseous mediator active in the multilevel regulation of pathophysiological functions in mammalian cardiovascular tissues.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

This study investigated the pharmacological activity of a new H(2)S-releasing derivative of diclofenac, S-diclofenac (2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]benzeneacetic acid 4-(3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione-5-yl)-phenyl ester) in the isolated rabbit heart submitted to low-flow ischaemia-reperfusion damage.

KEY RESULTS

S-diclofenac (3, 10 and 30 microM), despite inhibiting prostacyclin generation by cardiac tissues, achieved dose-dependent normalization of coronary perfusion pressure, reducing left ventricular contracture during ischaemia and improving left ventricular developed pressure and +/-dP/dt(max) at reperfusion. Creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities in heart perfusates were significantly reduced during reperfusion. These effects were accompanied by substantial release of reduced glutathione (GSH), indicating that the H(2)S moiety may have up-regulated cysteine transport. The anti-ischaemic activities of S-diclofenac and the H(2)S-donor sodium hydro sulphide (NaHS) were partially prevented by the K(ATP) channel antagonist glibenclamide, suggesting a mechanism similar to H(2)S-induced cardioprotection in metabolic ischaemic preconditioning. Perfusion with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine worsened the myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion damage, but this was dose-dependently prevented by S-diclofenac and NaHS, suggesting that the released H(2)S may have overcome NO deficiency.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

These data show that S-diclofenac had marked anti-ischaemic activity in ischaemic-reperfused rabbit hearts despite inhibition of prostaglandin generation. Increased GSH formation leading to activation of K(ATP) channels may have contributed to this beneficial effect. The pharmacological profile of S-diclofenac and its anti-inflammatory activity, with diminished gastrointestinal side effects, offer therapeutic applications in cardiovascular disease.

Anticancer drug delivery with nanoparticles

Nanotechnology provides a variety of nanoscale tools for medicine. Among them nanoparticles are revolutionizing the field of drug delivery. These drug nanocarriers have the potential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of a drug, since they can be engineered to modulate the release and the stability and to prolong the circulation time of a drug, protecting it from elimination by phagocytic cells or premature degradation. Moreover, nanoscale carriers can be tailored to accumulate in tumour cells and tissues, due to enhanced permeability and a retention effect or by active targeting using ligands designed to recognize tumour-associated antigens. Could these nanomedicine tools mark an end to the necessity for loco-regional drug delivery?

Clinical pharmacology of intraperitoneal cisplatin-based chemotherapy

The management of intraperitoneal tumors, especially when confined to the peritoneal cavity and/or associated with malignant ascites, requires the use of intraperitoneal (i.p.) cisplatin-based chemotherapy. This therapeutic approach, enabling high concentrations of drug and long duration of tumor tissue exposure, while generating a systemic exposure similar to that obtained with intravenous (i.v.) infusion, significantly improves therapeutic ratio. Nowadays, as feasibility issues are easy to overcome, intraperitoneal chemotherapy provides a safe, effective treatment for the management of peritoneal disease, particularly ovarian carcinoma. In this paper we review pharmacological issues of intraperitoneal cisplatin-based chemotherapy in order to provide a ready to use information collection for clinical practice and ongoing research.