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Malodorants comprise notoriously smelling mercaptans and might be applied for crowd control. Because exposure to malodorants may lead to irritation of the respiratory system, choking, and coma, bioanalytical verification of poisoning might be required in a medical and forensic context. We herein present the detection and identification of novel biomarkers of exposure to ethyl mercaptan, n-butyl mercaptan, tert-butyl mercaptan, and iso-amyl mercaptan. These alkyl thiol compounds were found to form disulfide adducts in human serum albumin (HSA) in plasma in vitro with the only non-disulfide-bridged Cys 34 residue and with other residues being part of the disulfide-bridged pattern in HSA. After proteinase K-catalyzed proteolysis, adducts of all mercaptans were detected simultaneously as the tripeptide Cys 34 *ProPhe and the dipeptides Cys 369 *Tyr, ValCys 316 *, and Cys x *Ala (x denominates either Positions 91, 200, 253, 361, and/or 448) by a sensitive micro-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (μLC-ESI MS/MS) method working in the scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) mode. Time- and concentration-dependent adduct formations while exposure and proteolysis were investigated and the suitability of adducts as biomarkers of exposure was elaborated. Adducts at Cys 34 showed the lowest limits of identification (LOIs, 6 nM to 1.2 μM mercaptan in plasma) and superior stability in plasma at 37°C. Therefore, Cys 34 *ProPhe appears as the most promising target to prove exposure to mercaptans at least in vitro., (© 2024 The Author(s). Drug Testing and Analysis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Chemical warfare agents represent a continuous and considerable threat to military personnel and the civilian population. Such compounds are prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which adherence by the member states is strictly controlled. Therefore, reliable analytical methods for verification of an alleged use of banned substances are required. Accordingly, current research focuses on long-term biomarkers derived from covalent adducts with biomolecules such as proteins. Recently, we have introduced a microbore liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry method allowing for the investigation of two different classes of adducts of the nerve agent VX with human serum albumin (HSA). Phosphonylated tyrosine residues and novel disulfide adducts at cysteine residues of HSA were produced by enzymatic cleavage with pronase and detected simultaneously. Notably, the thiol containing leaving group of VX (2-(diisopropylamino)ethanethiol, DPAET) formed disulfide adducts that were released as cysteine and proline containing dipeptides originating from at least two different sites of HSA. Aim of this study was to identify assumed and novel adducts of DPAET with HSA using synthetic peptide reference compounds. Two novel tripeptides were identified representing disulfide adducts with DPAET (Met-Pro-Cys-DPAET, MPC-DPAET and Asp-Ile-Cys-DPAET, DIC-DPAET). MPC-DPAET was shown to undergo partial in-source decay during electrospray ionization for MS detection thereby losing the N-terminal Met residue. This results in the more stable Pro-Cys-DPAET (PC-DPAET) dipeptide detectable as protonated ion. The limit of detection for MPC-DPAET was evaluated, revealing toxicologically relevant VX plasma concentrations. The results provide novel insights into the reactivity of VX and its endogenous targets. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

In the case of poisoning by organophosphorus nerve agents or pesticides, there is still a lack of pharmacological treatment of the cholinergic crisis selectively targeting the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Recently, the compound MB327 was identified as a potential novel lead structure to close this gap, thus demanding a quantitative assay for initial pharmacokinetic (PK) studies. MB327 is a salt consisting of the dicationic bispyridinium compound (BPC) 1,1´-(propane-1,3-diyl)bis(4-tert-butylpyridinium) and two iodide counter ions. Due to the permanent positive charge of the BPC, an isocratic reversed-phase ion-pair chromatographic separation (RPIPC) was developed using heptanesulfonic acid as ion-pairing reagent and 45% v/v methanol as organic modifier (1 mL/min). Selective UV-detection (230 nm) was done by a diode array detector (DAD) for reliable, rugged, precise (RSD < 7%) and accurate (96-104%) quantitative analysis of 50 μL swine plasma (linear range 1-1000 µg BPC/mL plasma, lower limit of quantification 2 µg/mL). During method validation, diverse parameters essential for the chromatographic process were investigated to generate van´t Hoff, van Deemter and width plots allowing calculation of thermodynamic data like the distribution constant K (5.7 ± 0.3), change in enthalpy, ΔH(0) : -23.66 kJ/mol, and entropy, ΔS(0) : -65 J/(mol*K). In addition, RPIPC-DAD analysis enabled calculation of molar absorptivities of the BPC, ε230 : 17 400 ± 1100 L/(mol*cm), and iodide, ε230 : 9900 ± 400 L/(mol*cm), which determination was hampered by interference with each other in conventional cuvette UV-spectrophotometric measurements. Finally, the RPIPC-DAD procedure was applied to samples from an in vivo study of swine., (Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) is a serine hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.8) present in all mammalian tissues and the bloodstream. Similar to acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme reacts with organophosphorus compounds (OP) like nerve agents or pesticides that cause enzyme inhibition (BChE adducts). These adducts represent valuable biomarkers for analytical verification of OP exposure. For establishment of these mass spectrometry based methods sufficient amounts of hBChE in high purity are required. Unfortunately, commercial lots are of inappropriate purity thus favouring in-house isolation. Therefore, we developed a small scale procedure to isolate hBChE from citrate plasma. After precipitation by polyethylene glycol (8% w/v and 20% w/v PEG 6000) hBChE was purified from plasma by four consecutive chromatographic steps including anion exchange, affinity extraction and size exclusion. Protein elution was monitored on-line by UV-absorbance (280 nm) followed by continuous fractionation for off-line analysis of (1) hBChE enzyme activity by Ellman assay, (2) protein purity by gel electrophoresis, and (3) protein identity by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). Numerous major impurities separated from hBChE were identified. The purified material was used for in vitro incubation with diverse OP to establish a μ-liquid chromatography-ultra violet detection/electrospray ionization tandem-mass spectrometric method (μLC-UV/ESI MS/MS) for detection of hBChE adducts suitable for verification analysis. Analytical data for diverse OP pesticides including deuterated analogues as well as G- and V-type nerve agents and their precursor are summarized. This method was successfully applied to plasma samples provided by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the 4th Biomedical Exercise., (Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

S-hyoscyamine (S-hyo) is a natural plant tropane alkaloid acting as a muscarinic receptor (MR) antagonist. Its racemic mixture (atropine) is clinically used in pre-anaesthesia, ophthalmology and for the antidotal treatment of organophosphorus (OP) poisoning with nerve agents or pesticides even though R-hyo exhibits no effects on MR. Further investigative research is required to optimize treatment of OP poisoning. Swine are often the animal model utilized due to similarities in physiology and antidote response to humans. However, no studies have been reported that elucidated differences in the kinetics of R- and S-hyo. Therefore, the concentration-time profiles of total hyo as well as both enantiomers were analyzed in plasma after intravenous administration of atropine sulfate (Atr(2) SO(4) , 100 µg/kg) to anaesthetized swine. For quantification plasma samples were incubated separately with human serum (procedure A) and rabbit serum (procedure B). The rabbit serum used contained atropinesterase, which is suitable for stereoselective hydrolysis of S-hyo, while human serum does not hydrolyze either enantiomer. After incubation samples were precipitated and the supernatant was analyzed by RP-HPLC-ESI MS/MS. Procedure A allowed determination of total hyo and procedure B remaining R-hyo concentrations. S-hyo was calculated as the difference of the two procedures. Concentration data were regressed by a two-phase decay according to a two-compartment open model revealing similar kinetics for both enantiomers thus indicating distribution, metabolism and elimination without obvious stereoselective preference in tested swine., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

HI-6 exhibits superior efficacy in the therapy of intoxication by different highly toxic organophosphorus nerve agents. Therefore HI-6 is a promising candidate for the development of new antidotes against nerve agents. For ethical and safety reasons antidotes containing HI-6 should get marketing authorization. Active pharmaceutical ingredients of medicinal products have to fulfil regulatory conditions in terms of purity and stability. Photostability is an essential parameter in this testing strategy. HI-6 was tested under conditions of ICH Q1B 'Photostability testing of new drug substances and products'. The data showed a marked degradation of HI-6 after exposure to daylight. The mechanism of degradation could be detected as photoisomerism. The light burden dependent rate of photoisomerism was followed quantitatively. Based on these quantitative results on the amount of light induced isomeric product a pharmacological qualification was made. A standardized in vitro test showed a decreased ability of light exposed HI-6 to reactivate sarin- and paraoxon-inhibited human acetylcholinesterase. These results have an impact on the further development of antidotes containing HI-6, as light protection will probably be necessary during handling, packaging, storage and application., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Pralidoxime (2-PAM) is a monopyridinium oxime used as an antidote for the treatment of poisoning with organophosphorus (OP) compounds, for example, pesticides and nerve agents, reactivating OP-inhibited acetylcholinesterase. However, appropriate dosing and efficacy remains a matter of discussion requiring experimental data. Therefore, we developed and validated an ion pair chromatography-diode array detection (IPC-DAD) method suitable for quantitative analysis of 2-PAM in human and porcine urine. Before injection of 20 µl, urine was acidified with trichloroacetic acid, mixed with internal standard (pyridine-4-aldoxime, 4-PAO), and diluted with IPC solvent yielding a total dilution of 1:49.5 and a 100% recovery. Isocratic separation was carried out at 25 °C on a LiChrospher 60 RP-select B column (125 x 4.0 mm I.D.) using phosphate buffer (7.5 mM Na(2) HPO(4) , 7.5 mM KH(2) PO(4) , pH 2.6) mixed with octanesulfonate (2.5 mM) as ion pair reagent and acetonitrile (6% v/v) as organic modifier (1 ml/min). 2-PAM was detected at 293 nm and 4-PAO at 275 nm. The method is rugged, selective, and characterized by good intra-day and inter-day precision (RSD, 1.3-6.0%) and accuracy (88-100%) with a limit of detection at 4.9 µg/ml, a limit of quantification at 9.8 µg/ml, and a broad calibration range from 4.9-2500 µg/ml. The procedure was applied to urine samples obtained from dimethoate poisoned minipigs receiving 2-PAM therapy (intravenous bolus injection and infusion). Results indicate that 60-80% of infused 2-PAM is rapidly (within 1-2 h) excreted in the urine., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the main mechanism of action of organophosphorus compounds (OP), and AChE reactivators (oximes) are at present the only causal therapeutic approach. Being the key target of OP toxicity, AChE may serve as a valuable tool for diagnosis of OP exposure as well as for the investigation of the kinetics of interactions between OP and oximes. At present, the rapid, simple, and cheap spectrophotometric Ellman assay is widely used for diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring and in vitro kinetic investigations. Application of the assay for investigation of the interactions between AChE, inhibitors, and oximes requires the consideration of potential matrix effects (e.g. hemoglobin), side reactions (e.g. oximolysis of substrate) and other determinants (e.g. pH, temperature). By taking these factors into account, the Ellman assay allows the precise and reproducible determination of kinetic constants as a basis for the understanding of toxic OP effects and for the development of improved therapies against poisoning by OP. In addition, advanced applications of the Ellman assay, for example, in a dynamic in vitro model for the real-time activity determination of membrane-bound AChE, enables the proper investigation of relevant tissue, primarily respiratory muscle, and extends the applicability of this method., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (OP), e.g. pesticides and nerve agents, causes inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by phosphylation of the active site serine residue. Consequently, accumulation of stimulating acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft induces cholinergic crisis which ultimately may lead to death. For standard causal therapy, enzyme reactivators are administered representing oxime derivatives of quarternary pyridinium compounds, e.g. pralidoxime (2-PAM), obidoxime and HI 6. The mechanism of action includes removal of the phosphyl moiety by a nucleophilic attack of the oximate molecule substituting the enzyme and forming a phosphylated oxime (POX). POX is produced in stoichiometric amounts of reactivated enzyme and exhibits a significantly enhanced toxicity (inhibition rate constant) when compared to the parent OP. However, stability of POX under physiological conditions appears to be highly limited. Nevertheless, the presence of POX reveals a potential critical issue for both therapeutic efficacy in vivo and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modelling based on cholinesterase activity data. Detailed characterization represents an important need for elaboration of the entire oxime pharmacology.Nevertheless, reports on POX toxicity and analysis are quite rare and may therefore be indicative of the challenge of POX analysis. This review provides a concise overview of chromatographic approaches applied to POX separation. Chromatography represents the key technology for POX purification and quantification in kinetic in vitro studies using buffers and biological fluids. Applications based on reversed-phase chromatography (RPC), ion pair chromatography (IPC) and an affinity approach as well as thin layer chromatography (TLC) are discussed and novel applications and data are presented., (Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)