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PURPOSE: 3-indoxyl sulfate (3-IS) is an indole metabolism byproduct produced by commensal gut bacteria and excreted in the urine; low urinary 3-IS has been associated with increased mortality in bone marrow transplant recipients. This study investigated urinary 3-IS and patient outcomes in the ICU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study that collected urine samples, rectal swabs, and clinical data on 78 adult ICU patients at admission and again 72 hours later. Urine was analyzed for 3-IS by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Median urinary 3-IS levels were 17.1 μmol/mmol creatinine (IQR 9.5 to 26.2) at admission and 15.6 (IQR 4.2 to 30.7) 72 hours later. 22% of patients had low 3-IS (≤6.9 μmol/mmol) on ICU admission and 28% after 72 hours. Low 3-IS at 72 hours was associated with fewer ICU-free days (22.5 low versus 26 high, p=0.03) and with death during one year of follow-up (36% low versus 9% high 3-IS, p

Glutathione is an essential intra- and extracellular antioxidant. The level of glutathione in the body is highly related to different disease states and is a useful indicator of disease risk and oxidative stress status. We have developed a sensitive, selective, and comprehensive LC-MS/MS method for the absolute quantification and 13C-tracer analysis of total glutathione using dithiothreitol for the reduction of glutathione disulfide. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.01 μM, while the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.78 μM, with the linear (R = 0.9997) range extending up to 100 μM. The intra-run and inter-run coefficients of variation of 2.49% and 2.04%, respectively, attest to high repeatability. Mean (±SD) recoveries of three different concentrations (low, medium, high) of GSH spiked into aliquots of HCT116 cells prior to cell extraction were 108.9% (±2.1), 100.8% (±8.3), and 99.9% (±7.1), respectively. Finally, using a 20 Da wide Q1 window in MRM mode, we were able to detect and relatively quantify all isotopic labeling states of GSH extracted from HCT116 cells fed with either 13C-labeled glucose or glutamine.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) is an ionized gas near room temperature. Its anti-tumor effect can be transmitted either by direct treatment or mediated by a plasma-treated solution (PTS), such as treated standard cell culture medium, which contains different amino acids, inorganic salts, vitamins and other substances. Despite extensive research, the active components in PTS and its molecular or cellular mechanisms are not yet fully understood. The purpose of this study was the measurement of the reactive species in PTS and their effect on tumor cells using different plasma modes and treatment durations. The PTS analysis yielded mode- and dose-dependent differences in the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), and in the decomposition and modification of the amino acids Tyrosine (Tyr) and Tryptophan (Trp). The Trp metabolites Formylkynurenine (FKyn) and Kynurenine (Kyn) were produced in PTS with the 4 kHz (oxygen) mode, inducing apoptosis in Mel Im melanoma cells. Nitrated derivatives of Trp and Tyr were formed in the 8 kHz (nitrogen) mode, elevating the p16 mRNA expression and senescence-associated ß-Galactosidase staining. In conclusion, the plasma mode has a strong impact on the composition of the active components in PTS and affects its anti-tumor mechanism. These findings are of decisive importance for the development of plasma devices and the effectiveness of tumor treatment.

Mitochondria are important regulators of macrophage polarisation. Here, we show that arginase-2 (Arg2) is a microRNA-155 (miR-155) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) regulated protein localized at the mitochondria in inflammatory macrophages, and is critical for IL-10-induced modulation of mitochondrial dynamics and oxidative respiration. Mechanistically, the catalytic activity and presence of Arg2 at the mitochondria is crucial for oxidative phosphorylation. We further show that Arg2 mediates this process by increasing the activity of complex II (succinate dehydrogenase). Moreover, Arg2 is essential for IL-10-mediated downregulation of the inflammatory mediators succinate, hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and IL-1β in vitro. Accordingly, HIF-1α and IL-1β are highly expressed in an LPS-induced in vivo model of acute inflammation using Arg2−/− mice. These findings shed light on a new arm of IL-10-mediated metabolic regulation, working to resolve the inflammatory status of the cell., IL-10 can limit inflammation in part by inhibiting miR-155. Here the authors show how this axis induces mitochondrial arginase-2 to alter the mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergetics of macrophages and make these cells less pro-inflammatory.

Glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) are commonly used to assess the oxidative status of a biological system. Various protocols are available for the analysis of GSH and GSSG in biomedical specimens. In this study, we present an optimized protocol for the in situ derivatization of GSH with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) to prevent GSH autooxidation, and thus to preserve the GSH/GSSG ratio during sample preparation. The protocol comprises the incubation of cells in NEM containing phosphate buffered saline (PBS), followed by metabolite extraction with 80% methanol. Further, to preserve the use of QTOF-MS, which may lack the linear dynamic range required for the simultaneous quantification of GSH and GSSG in non-targeted metabolomics, we combined liquid chromatographic separation with the online monitoring of UV absorbance of GS-NEM at 210 nm and the detection of GSSG and its corresponding stable isotope-labeled internal standard by QTOF-MS operated with a 10 Da Q1 window. The limit of detection (LOD) for GS-NEM was 7.81 &micro, M and the linear range extended from 15.63 &micro, M to 1000 &micro, M with a squared correlation coefficient R2 of 0.9997. The LOD for GSSG was 0.001 &micro, M, and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.01 &micro, M, with the linear (R2 = 0.9994) range extending up to 10 &micro, M. The method showed high repeatability with intra-run and inter-run coefficients of variation of 3.48% and 2.51% for GS-NEM, and 3.11% and 3.66% for GSSG, respectively. Mean recoveries of three different spike-in levels (low, medium, high) of GSSG and GS-NEM were above 92%. Finally, the method was applied to the determination of changes in the GSH/GSSG ratio either in response to oxidative stress in cells lacking one or both monocarboxylate transporters MCT1 and MCT4, or in adaptation to the NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) consuming production of D-2-hydroxyglutarate in cells carrying mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase genes IDH1 and IDH2.

Objective Intestinal autoimmunity with gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction has been shown in patients with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). Patients lack entero-endocrine (EE) cells and have circulating autoantibodies (Aabs) against critical enzymes in serotonin (5-HT) biosynthesis. Design We sought to determine the serum levels of 5-HT, tryptophan (Trp) metabolites and L-DOPA in 37 Finnish APECED patients and to correlate their abundance with the presence of TPH and AADC Aabs, GI dysfunction and depressive symptoms. We also performed an exploratory analysis of the gut microbiome. Methods Serum 5-HT, L-DOPA and Trp metabolite levels were determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). TPH and AADC Aabs were measured by ELISA. Depression was assessed with a structured RBDI questionnaire. The V3–V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were sequenced for gut microbiome exploration. Results Serum 5-HT levels were significantly decreased (130 ± 131 nmol/L vs 686 ± 233 nmol/L, P Escherichia/Shigella was overrepresented in the intestinal microbiome. No correlation between serum Trp, 5-HT or l-DOPA levels and the RBDI total score, fatigue or sleep disorders was found. Conclusions This exploratory study found low serum levels of 5-HT to be associated with constipation and the presence of TPH-1 and AADC Aabs, but not with symptoms of depression. Hence, serum 5-HT, TPH1 and AADC Aabs should be determined in APECED patients presenting with GI symptoms.

Background Maintaining gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome diversity plays a key role during allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and loss of diversity correlates with acute GI graft versus host disease (GvHD) and poor outcomes. Methods In this retrospective analysis of 161 ASCT patients, we used serial analyses of urinary 3-indoxyl sulfate (3-IS) levels and GI microbiome parameters within the first 10 days after ASCT to identify potential commensal microbiota–sparing antibiotics. Based on antibiotic activity, we formed 3 subgroups (Rifaximin without systemic antibiotics, Rifaximin with systemic antibiotics, and Ciprofloxacin/Metronidazole with/without systemic antibiotics). Results Mono-antibiosis with Rifaximin revealed higher 3-IS levels (P < .001), higher Clostridium cluster XIVa (CCXIVa) abundance (P = .004), and higher Shannon indices (P = .01) compared to Ciprofloxacin/Metronidazole with/without systemic antibiotics. Rifaximin followed by systemic antibiotics maintained microbiome diversity compared to Ciprofloxacin/Metronidazole with/without systemic antibiotics, as these patients showed still higher 3-IS levels (P = .04), higher CCXIVa copy numbers (P = .01), and higher Shannon indexes (P = .01). Even for this larger cohort of patients, the outcome was superior with regard to GI GvHD (P = .05) and lower transplant-related mortality (P < .001) for patients receiving Rifaximin plus systemic antibiotics compared to other types of systemic antibiotic treatment. Antibiosis with Ciprofloxacin/Metronidazole (n = 12, P = .01), Piperacillin/Tazobactam (n = 52, P = .01), Meropenem/Vancomycin (n = 16, P = .003), Ceftazidime (n = 10, P = .03), or multiple systemic antibiotics (n = 53, P = .001) showed significantly lower 3-IS levels compared to mono-antibiosis with Rifaximin (n = 14) or intravenous Vancomycin (n = 4, not statistically significant). Conclusions Different types of antibiotic treatments show different impacts on markers of microbiome diversity. The identification of antibiotics sparing commensal bacteria remains an ongoing challenge. However, Rifaximin allowed a higher intestinal microbiome diversity, even in the presence of systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Cancer cells alter their metabolism to support their malignant properties. In this study, we report that the glucose-transforming polyol pathway (PP) gene aldo-keto-reductase-1-member-B1 (AKR1B1) strongly correlates with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This association was confirmed in samples from lung cancer patients and from an EMT-driven colon cancer mouse model with p53 deletion. In vitro, mesenchymal-like cancer cells showed increased AKR1B1 levels, and AKR1B1 knockdown was sufficient to revert EMT. An equivalent level of EMT suppression was measured by targeting the downstream enzyme sorbitol-dehydrogenase (SORD), further pointing at the involvement of the PP. Comparative RNA sequencing confirmed a profound alteration of EMT in PP-deficient cells, revealing a strong repression of TGFb signature genes. Excess glucose was found to promote EMT through autocrine TGFb stimulation, while PP-deficient cells were refractory to glucose-induced EMT. These data show that PP represents a molecular link between glucose metabolism, cancer differentiation, and aggressiveness, and may serve as a novel therapeutic target. This work was supported by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, the Deutsche Krebshilfe grant number 70112536, the IALSC Lung Cancer Young Investigator Award (to P. Ceppi), and by the Clinical Research GroupKFO262 funded by the German Research Foundation. This work was partially presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 2017 annual meeting. Special thanks to Dr. H. Wurdak (University of Leeds) for critical discussion.

Activated natural killer (NK) cells engage in a robust metabolic response that is required for normal effector function. Using genetic, pharmacological and metabolic analyses, we demonstrated an essential role for Srebp transcription factors in cytokine-induced metabolic reprogramming of NK cells that was independent of their conventional role in the control of lipid synthesis. Srebp was required for elevated glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation and promoted a distinct metabolic pathway configuration in which glucose was metabolized to cytosolic citrate via the citrate-malate shuttle. Preventing the activation of Srebp or direct inhibition of the citrate-malate shuttle inhibited production of interferon-γ and NK cell cytotoxicity. Thus, Srebp controls glucose metabolism in NK cells, and this Srebp-dependent regulation is critical for NK cell effector function.

Elevated lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression is associated with poor outcome in tumor patients. Here we show that LDHA-associated lactic acid accumulation in melanomas inhibits tumor surveillance by T and NK cells. In immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice, tumors with reduced lactic acid production (Ldhalow) developed significantly slower than control tumors and showed increased infiltration with IFN-γ-producing T and NK cells. However, in Rag2-/-γc-/- mice, lacking lymphocytes and NK cells, and in Ifng-/- mice, Ldhalow and control cells formed tumors at similar rates. Pathophysiological concentrations of lactic acid prevented upregulation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) in T and NK cells, resulting in diminished IFN-γ production. Database analyses revealed negative correlations between LDHA expression and T cell activation markers in human melanoma patients. Our results demonstrate that lactic acid is a potent inhibitor of function and survival of T and NK cells leading to tumor immune escape.

More than half of all brain metastases show infiltrating rather than displacing growth at the macro-metastasis/brain parenchyma interface (MMPI), a finding associated with shorter survival. The Lymphoid Enhancer-binding Factor-1 (LEF1) is an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factor that is commonly overexpressed in brain-colonizing cancer cells. Here, we overexpressed LEF1 in an in vivo breast cancer brain colonization model. It shortened survival, albeit without engaging EMT at the MMPI. By differential proteome analysis, we identified a novel function of LEF1 as a regulator of the glutathione (GSH) system, the principal cellular redox buffer. LEF1 overexpression also conferred resistance against therapeutic GSH depletion during brain colonization and improved management of intracellular ROS. We conclude that besides EMT, LEF1 facilitates metastasis by improving the anti-oxidative capacity of epithelial breast cancer cells, in particular during colonization of the brain parenchyma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Two mass spectrometry-based methods for the quantitative analysis of free amino acids are described. The first method uses propyl chloroformate/propanol derivatization and gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-qMS) analysis in single-ion monitoring mode. Derivatization is carried out directly in aqueous samples, thereby allowing automation of the entire procedure, including addition of reagents, extraction, and injection into the GC-MS. The method delivers the quantification of 26 amino acids. The isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) method employs the labeling of amino acids with isobaric iTRAQ tags. The tags contain two different cleavable reporter ions, one for the sample and one for the standard, which are detected by fragmentation in a tandem mass spectrometer. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography of the labeled amino acids is performed prior to mass spectrometric analysis to separate isobaric amino acids. The commercial iTRAQ kit allows for the analysis of 42 physiological amino acids with a respective isotope-labeled standard for each of these 42 amino acids.

Summary: In hypoxic and inflamed tissues, oxygen (O2)-dependent antimicrobial defenses are impaired due to a shortage of O2. To gain insight into the mechanisms that control bacterial infection under hypoxic conditions, we infected macrophages with the obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever. Our experiments revealed that hypoxia impeded C. burnetii replication in a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α-dependent manner. Mechanistically, under hypoxia, HIF1α impaired the activity of STAT3, which in turn reduced the intracellular level of TCA cycle intermediates, including citrate, and impeded C. burnetii replication in macrophages. However, bacterial viability was maintained, allowing the persistence of C. burnetii, which is a prerequisite for the development of chronic Q fever. This knowledge will open future research avenues on the pathogenesis of chronic Q fever. In addition, the regulation of TCA cycle metabolites by HIF1α represents a previously unappreciated mechanism of host defense against intracellular pathogens. : The mechanisms that control bacterial infection under hypoxic conditions are only partially understood. Hayek et al. show that hypoxia-mediated stabilization of HIF1α results in the inhibition of STAT3 activation and the reduction of TCA metabolite levels, including citrate, in macrophages. This prevents C. burnetii replication without reducing bacterial viability. Keywords: Coxiella burnetii, HIF1α, STAT3, citrate, macrophage

Arginase 1 (Arg1), which converts l-arginine into ornithine and urea, exerts pleiotropic immunoregulatory effects. However, the function of Arg1 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains poorly characterized. Here, we found that Arg1 expression correlated with the degree of inflammation in intestinal tissues from IBD patients. In mice, Arg1 was upregulated in an IL-4/IL-13(–) and intestinal microbiota–dependent manner. Tie2-Cre Arg1(fl/fl) mice lacking Arg1 in hematopoietic and endothelial cells recovered faster from colitis than Arg1-expressing (Arg1(fl/fl)) littermates. This correlated with decreased vessel density, compositional changes in intestinal microbiota, diminished infiltration by myeloid cells, and an accumulation of intraluminal polyamines that promote epithelial healing. The proresolving effect of Arg1 deletion was reduced by an l-arginine–free diet, but rescued by simultaneous deletion of other l-arginine–metabolizing enzymes, such as Arg2 or Nos2, demonstrating that protection from colitis requires l-arginine. Fecal microbiota transfers from Tie2-Cre Arg1(fl/fl) mice into WT recipients ameliorated intestinal inflammation, while transfers from WT littermates into Arg1-deficient mice prevented an advanced recovery from colitis. Thus, an increased availability of l-arginine as well as altered intestinal microbiota and metabolic products accounts for the accelerated resolution from colitis in the absence of Arg1. Consequently, l-arginine metabolism may serve as a target for clinical intervention in IBD patients.

Background & Aims Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has proven high clinical efficacy in the management of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) with cure rates of over 80% after a single treatment. Nevertheless, the reasons for failure in the remaining 20% remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate different potential predictors of response to FMT. Methods Faecal specimens of sixteen patients undergoing FMT for rCDI, as well as samples from the respective donors were collected and analyzed by 16S rRNA gene profiling, bile acid-inducible (baiCD) gene specific qPCR, and liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to quantify the concentrations of primary and secondary bile acids. Results Using the faecal concentration of the secondary bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA)within the patient specimens, we were able to predict response to FMT (accuracy 95.2%, sensitivity 100%, specificity 90.9%). By combining the faecal LCA concentration with the urinary pCS concentration, an accuracy of 100% was achieved. Conclusion LCA appears to be a promising marker candidate for prediction of clinical response to FMT. Other makers, such as urinary concentration of pCS, but not 3-IS, might be used to improve accuracy of prediction. Further studies are warranted to validate these candidate markers.

Glioblastoma remains a fatal diagnosis. Previous research has shown that metformin, which is an inhibitor of complex I of the respiratory chain, may inhibit some brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs), albeit at dosages that are too high for clinical use. Here, we explored whether a combined treatment of metformin and diclofenac, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) shown to inhibit glycolysis by interfering with lactate efflux, may lead to additive or even synergistic effects on BTICs (BTIC-8, -11, -13 and -18) and tumor cell lines (TCs, U87, and HTZ349). Therefore, we investigated the functional effects, including proliferation and migration, metabolic effects including oxygen consumption and extracellular lactate levels, and effects on the protein level, including signaling pathways. Functional investigation revealed synergistic anti-migratory and anti-proliferative effects of the combined treatment with metformin and diclofenac on BTICs and TCs. Signaling pathways did not sufficiently explain synergistic effects. However, we observed that metformin inhibited cellular oxygen consumption and increased extracellular lactate levels, indicating glycolytic rescue mechanisms. Combined treatment inhibited metformin-induced lactate increase. The combination of metformin and diclofenac may represent a promising new strategy in the treatment of glioblastoma. Combined treatment may reduce the effective doses of the single agents and prevent metabolic rescue mechanisms. Further studies are needed in order to determine possible side effects in humans.

Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes with important anti-tumour functions. Cytokine activation of NK cell glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are essential for robust NK cell responses. However, the mechanisms leading to this metabolic phenotype are unclear. Here we show that the transcription factor cMyc is essential for IL-2/IL-12-induced metabolic and functional responses in mice. cMyc protein levels are acutely regulated by amino acids; cMyc protein is lost rapidly when glutamine is withdrawn or when system l-amino acid transport is blocked. We identify SLC7A5 as the predominant system l-amino acid transporter in activated NK cells. Unlike other lymphocyte subsets, glutaminolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle do not sustain OXPHOS in activated NK cells. Glutamine withdrawal, but not the inhibition of glutaminolysis, results in the loss of cMyc protein, reduced cell growth and impaired NK cell responses. These data identify an essential role for amino acid-controlled cMyc for NK cell metabolism and function.

Background For many patients with kidney failure, the cause and underlying defect remain unknown. Here, we describe a novel mechanism of a genetic order characterized by renal Fanconi syndrome and kidney failure. Methods We clinically and genetically characterized members of five families with autosomal dominant renal Fanconi syndrome and kidney failure. We performed genome-wide linkage analysis, sequencing, and expression studies in kidney biopsy specimens and renal cells along with knockout mouse studies and evaluations of mitochondrial morphology and function. Structural studies examined the effects of recognized mutations. Results The renal disease in these patients resulted from monoallelic mutations in the gene encoding glycine amidinotransferase (GATM), a renal proximal tubular enzyme in the creatine biosynthetic pathway that is otherwise associated with a recessive disorder of creatine deficiency. In silico analysis showed that the particular GATM mutations, identified in 28 members of the five families, create an additional interaction interface within the GATM protein and likely cause the linear aggregation of GATM observed in patient biopsy specimens and cultured proximal tubule cells. GATMaggregates-containing mitochondria were elongated and associated with increased ROS production, activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, enhanced expression of the profibrotic cytokine IL-18, and increased cell death. Conclusions In this novel genetic disorder, fully penetrant heterozygous missense mutations in GATM trigger intramitochondrial fibrillary deposition of GATM and lead to elongated and abnormal mitochondria. We speculate that this renal proximal tubular mitochondrial pathology initiates a response from the inflammasome, with subsequent development of kidney fibrosis.

D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG) is released by various types of malignant cells including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts carrying isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gain-of-function mutations. D-2HG acting as an oncometabolite promotes proliferation, anoikis, and differentiation block of hematopoietic cells in an autocrine fashion. However, prognostic impact of IDH mutations and high D-2HG levels remains controversial and might depend on the overall mutational context. An increasing number of studies focus on the permissive environment created by AML blasts to promote immune evasion. Impact of D-2HG on immune cells remains incompletely understood. Here, we sought out to investigate the effects of D-2HG on T-cells as key mediators of anti-AML immunity. D-2HG was efficiently taken up by T-cells in vitro, which is in line with high 2-HG levels measured in T-cells isolated from AML patients carrying IDH mutations. T-cell activation was slightly impacted by D-2HG. However, D-2HG triggered HIF-1a protein destabilization resulting in metabolic skewing towards oxidative phosphorylation, increased regulatory T-cell (Treg) frequency, and reduced T helper 17 (Th17) polarization. Our data suggest for the first time that D-2HG might contribute to fine tuning of immune responses.

Glycolysis and fatty acid synthesis are highly active in cancer cells through cytosolic citrate metabolism, with intracellular citrate primarily derived from either glucose or glutamine via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We show here that extracellular citrate is supplied to cancer cells through a plasma membrane-specific variant of the mitochondrial citrate transporter (pmCiC). Metabolomic analysis revealed that citrate uptake broadly affected cancer cell metabolism through citrate-dependent metabolic pathways. Treatment with gluconate specifically blocked pmCiC and decreased tumor growth in murine xenografts of human pancreatic cancer. This treatment altered metabolism within tumors, including fatty acid metabolism. High expression of pmCiC was associated with invasion and advanced tumor stage across many human cancers. These findings support the exploration of extracellular citrate transport as a novel potential target for cancer therapy. Significance: Uptake of extracellular citrate through pmCiC can be blocked with gluconate to reduce tumor growth and to alter metabolic characteristics of tumor tissue. Cancer Res; 78(10); 2513–23. ©2018 AACR.

The high reliability of NMR spectroscopy makes it an ideal tool for large-scale metabolomic studies. However, the complexity of biofluids and, in particular, the presence of macromolecules poses a significant challenge. Ultrafiltration and protein precipitation are established means of deproteinization and recovery of free or total metabolite content, but neither is ever complete. In addition, aside from cost and labor, all deproteinization methods constitute an additional source of experimental variation. The Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) echo-train acquisition of NMR spectra obviates the need for prior deproteinization by attenuating signals from macromolecules, but concentration values of metabolites measured in blood plasma will not necessarily reflect total or free metabolite content. Here, in contrast to approaches that propose the determination of individual T1 and T2 relaxation times for the computation of correction factors, we demonstrate their determination by spike-in experiments with known amounts of metabolites in pooled samples of the matrix of interest to facilitate the measurement of total metabolite content. Provided that the protein content does not vary too much among individual samples, accurate quantitation of metabolites is feasible. Moreover, samples with significantly deviating protein content may be readily recognized by inclusion of a standard that shows moderate protein binding. It is also shown that urinary proteins when present in high concentrations may effect detection of common urinary metabolites prone to strong protein binding such as tryptophan.

The effects of continuous water infusion on efficiency and repeatability of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of both methyl chloroformate (MCF) and methoxime-trimethylsilyl (MO-TMS) derivatives of metabolites were evaluated using gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Water infusion at a flow-rate of 0.4 mL/h yielded not only an average 16.6-fold increase in intensity of the quasimolecular ion for 20 MCF-derivatized metabolite standards through suppression of in-source fragmentation but also the most repeatable peak area integrals. The impact of water infusion was the greatest for dicarboxylic acids and the least for (hetero-) aromatic compounds. Water infusion also improved the ability to detect reliably fold changes as small as 1.33-fold for the same 20 MCF-derivatized metabolite standards spiked into a human serum extract. On the other hand, MO-TMS derivatives were not significantly affected by water infusion, neither in their fragmentation patterns nor with regard to the detection of differentially regulated compounds. As a proof of principle, we applied MCF derivatization and GC-APCI-TOFMS to the detection of changes in abundance of metabolites in pancreatic cancer cells upon treatment with 17-DMAG. Water infusion increased not only the number of metabolites identified via their quasimolecular ion but also the reproducibility of peak areas, thereby almost doubling the number of significantly regulated metabolites (false discovery rate0.05) to a total of 23.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) accounts for a large proportion of cryptic cirrhosis in the Western societies. Nevertheless, we lack a deeper understanding of the underlying pathomolecular processes, particularly those preceding hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. In order to gain novel insights into early NASH-development from the first appearance of proteomic alterations to the onset of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, we conducted a time-course analysis of proteomic changes in liver mitochondria and membrane-enriched fractions of female C57Bl/6N mice fed either a mere steatosis or NASH inducing diet. This data was complemented by quantitative measurements of hepatic glycerol-containing lipids, cholesterol and intermediates of the methionine cycle. Aside from energy metabolism and stress response proteins, enzymes of the urea cycle and methionine metabolism were found regulated. Alterations in the methionine cycle occur early in disease progression preceding molecular signs of inflammation. Proteins that hold particular promise in the early distinction between benign steatosis and NASH are methyl-transferase Mettl7b, the glycoprotein basigin and the microsomal glutathione-transferase.

Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are pathologically and clinically distinct subtypes of aggressive non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. To learn more about their biology, we employed metabolomic and proteomic methods to study both established cell lines as well as cryopreserved and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections of BL and DLBCL. Strikingly, NMR analyses revealed DLBCL cell lines to produce and secrete significantly (padj = 1.72 × 10–22) more pyruvic acid than BL cell lines. This finding could be reproduced by targeted GC/MS analyses of cryopreserved tissue sections of BL and DLBCL cases. Enrichment analysis of an overlapping set of N = 2315 proteins, that had been quantified by nanoLC–SWATH-MS in BL and DLBCL cultured cells and cryosections, supported the observed difference in pyruvic acid content, as glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism were downregulated, while one-carbon metabolism was upregulated in BL compared to DLBCL. Furthermore, 92.1% of the overla...

Reliable identification of features distinguishing biological groups of interest in urinary metabolite fingerprints requires the control of total metabolite abundance, which may vary significantly as the kidneys adjust the excretion of water and solutes to meet the homeostatic needs of the body. Failure to account for such variation may lead to misclassification and accumulation of missing data in case of less concentrated urine specimens. Here, different pre- and post-acquisition methods of normalization were compared systematically for their ability to recover features from liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolite fingerprints of urine that allow distinction between patients with chronic kidney disease and healthy controls. Methods of normalization that were employed prior to analysis included dilution of urine specimens to either a fixed creatinine concentration or osmolality value. Post-acquisition normalization methods applied to chromatograms of 1:4 diluted urine specimens comprised normalization to creatinine, osmolality, and sum of all integrals. Dilution of urine specimens to a fixed creatinine concentration resulted not only in the least number of missing values, but it was also the only method allowing the unambiguous classification of urine specimens from healthy and diseased individuals. The robustness of classification could be confirmed for two independent patient cohorts of chronic kidney disease patients and yielded a shared set of 49 discriminant metabolite features. Graphical Abstract Dilution to a uniform creatinine concentration across urine specimens yields more comparable urinary metabolite fingerprints.

Objective. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fluid, levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol are elevated. Since synovial fibroblasts (SFs) possess all of the enzymes necessary for endocannabinoid synthesis, it is likely that these cells contribute significantly to elevated endocannabinoid levels. While glucocorticoids initiate endocannabinoid synthesis in neurons, this study was undertaken to test whether cortisol also regulates endocannabinoid levels in mesenchymal cells such as SFs, and whether this interferes with integrin-mediated adhesion. Methods. Adhesion was determined in 1-minute intervals over 60 minutes using an xCELLigence system. Slopes from individual treatment groups were averaged and compared to the control. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) were detected by immunocytochemistry, and AEA was detected by mass spectrometry. Results. Cortisol increased the adhesion of RASFs and osteoarthritis SFs with a maximum of 200% at both 10 7 M and 10 8 M. When cortisol was administered together with either cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonist (rimonabant; 100 nM), CB2 antagonist (JTE907; 100 nM), transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 (TRPV-1) antagonist (capsazepine; 1 M), FAAH inhibitor, or COX-2 inhibitor, adhesion was reduced below the level in controls. Concomitant inhibition of FAAH and COX-2 reversed these effects. Mass spectrometry revealed the presence of AEA in SFs. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that glucocorticoid-induced adhesion is dependent on CB1/ CB2/TRPV-1 activation. Since AEA is produced in SFs, this endocannabinoid is the most likely candidate to mediate these effects. Since AEA levels are regulated by COX-2 and FAAH, inhibition of both enzymes along with low-dose glucocorticoids may provide a therapeutic option to maximally boost the endocannabinoid system in RA, with possible beneficial effects.

Toxicity of aggregation-prone proteins is thought to play an important role in aging and age-related neurological diseases like Parkinson and Alzheimer’s diseases. Here, we identify tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase ( tdo-2 ), the first enzyme in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation, as a metabolic regulator of age-related α-synuclein toxicity in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Depletion of tdo-2 also suppresses toxicity of other heterologous aggregation-prone proteins, including amyloid-β and polyglutamine proteins, and endogenous metastable proteins that are sensors of normal protein homeostasis. This finding suggests that tdo-2 functions as a general regulator of protein homeostasis. Analysis of metabolite levels in C. elegans strains with mutations in enzymes that act downstream of tdo-2 indicates that this suppression of toxicity is independent of downstream metabolites in the kynurenine pathway. Depletion of tdo-2 increases tryptophan levels, and feeding worms with extra l -tryptophan also suppresses toxicity, suggesting that tdo-2 regulates proteotoxicity through tryptophan. Depletion of tdo-2 extends lifespan in these worms. Together, these results implicate tdo-2 as a metabolic switch of age-related protein homeostasis and lifespan. With TDO and Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase as evolutionarily conserved human orthologs of TDO-2, intervening with tryptophan metabolism may offer avenues to reducing proteotoxicity in aging and age-related diseases.

One of the major objectives in metabolomics is the identification of subtle changes in metabolite profiles as affected by genetic or environmental factors. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) hyphenated to a fast-acquisition mass spectrometer is a well-established analytical technique to study the composition of complex samples due to its enhanced separation capacity, sensitivity, peak resolution, and reproducibility. This review reports applications of GC × GC to metabolomics studies of sample of different types (biofluid, cells, tissue, bacteria, yeast, plants), and discusses its advantages and limitations.

The potential of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) in the quantitative analysis of amino acid enantiomers (AAEs) as their methyl chloroformate (MCF) derivatives in physiological fluids was investigated. Of the two column sets tested, the combination of an Rt-γDEXsa chiral column with a polar ZB-AAA column provided superior selectivity. Twenty AAEs were baseline resolved including L-Leu and D-Ile, which had failed separation by one-dimensional chiral GC-quadrupole-MS (GC-qMS). Lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) were in the range of 0.03-2 μM. Reproducibility of the analysis of a serum specimen in octaplicate ranged from 1.3 to 16.6%. The GC×GC-TOFMS method was validated by analyzing AAEs in 48 urine and 43 serum specimens, respectively, and by comparing the results with data obtained by a previously validated GC-qMS method. Mean recoveries ranged from 78.4% for D-Leu to 116.4% for D-Pro in urine and 72.2% for L-Thr to 129.4% for L-Ile in serum. The method was applied to the comparison of AAE serum levels in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis to a control group. Significantly increased D-AA concentrations were found for the patient group, whereas L-AA levels were slightly decreased.

Bovine serum, EDTA-plasma and EDTA-plasma fortified with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as antioxidant were compared with regard to their suitability for metabolomic studies. Metabolic fingerprints were generated from GC-TOF-MS data using the Leco ChromaTOF software in combination with the in-house retention time correction and data alignment tool INCA. A total of 6, 9 and 21 significant features with a false discovery rate of

GC-MS analysis of fluorinated and non-fluorinated chloroformate and anhydride derivatives of amino acid (AA) enantiomers on two different chiral columns was compared for the direct quantification of free L- and D-AAs in human serum and urine in a single analytical run. Best sensitivity was achieved with pentafluoropropionic anhydride/heptafluorobutanol derivatives separated on a Chirasil-L-Val column. However, the occurrence of racemization during derivatization precluded accurate quantification of AA enantiomers. Derivatization with methyl chloroformate/methanol and separation on an Rt-gammaDEXsa column did not exhibit racemization and yielded ten baseline separated racemates of proteinogenic AAs with resolution values greater than 2.4. However, protein and peptide hydrolysis occurred in serum and urine during the highly exothermal derivatization reaction under alkaline conditions. Removing serum proteins by precipitation before derivatization and performing the reaction at neutral pH enabled the determination of accurate free AA enantiomer concentrations. Accuracy of quantification was validated by an established nonchiral GC-MS method for AA analysis. Reliable quantification was achieved using stable-isotope labeled L-AAs as internal standards. Limits of detection (LOD) and lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) for the D-AAs were in the range of 3.2-446 nM and 0.031-1.95 microM, respectively. Relative standard deviations (N=6) for the measurement of AAs in urine and serum ranged from 0.49-11.10% to 0.70-3.87%, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of urine from 19 patients with renal insufficiency. In comparison to healthy probands, D-ratios of Ala, Val, Pro, Thr, Asp, and Asn were significantly increased.

Lactate dehydrogenase type A (LDH-A) is a key metabolic enzyme catalyzing pyruvate into lactate and is excessively expressed by tumor cells. Transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) is a key regulator of invasion in high-grade gliomas, partially by inducing a mesenchymal phenotype and by remodeling the extracellular matrix. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that lactate metabolism regulates TGF-beta2-mediated migration of glioma cells. Small interfering RNA directed against LDH-A (siLDH-A) suppresses, and lactate induces, TGF-beta2 expression, suggesting that lactate metabolism is strongly associated with TGF-beta2 in glioma cells. Here we demonstrate that TGF-beta2 enhances expression, secretion, and activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and induces the cell surface expression of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) receptors. In spheroid and Boyden chamber migration assays, inhibition of MMP-2 activity using a specific MMP-2 inhibitor and blocking of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) abrogated glioma cell migration stimulated by TGF-beta2. Furthermore, siLDH-A inhibited MMP2 activity, leading to inhibition of glioma migration. Taken together, we define an LDH-A-induced and TGF-beta2-coordinated regulatory cascade of transcriptional regulation of MMP-2 and integrin alpha(v)beta(3). This novel interaction between lactate metabolism and TGF-beta2 might constitute a crucial mechanism for glioma migration.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-TOF-MS) was applied to the comparative metabolic fingerprinting of a wild-type versus a double mutant strain of Escherichia coli lacking the transhydrogenases UdhA and PntAB. Using peak lists generated with the Leco ChromaTOF software as input, we developed retention time correction and data alignment tools (INCA). The accuracy of peak alignment and detection of 1.1- to 4-fold changes in metabolite concentration was validated by a spike-in experiment with 20 standard compounds. A list of 48 significant features that differentiated the two E. coli strains was obtained with an estimated false discovery rate (FDR) of

Free amino acids are typically quantified as the sum of their enantiomers, because in terrestrial organisms they mainly exist in the left-handed form. However, with increasing understanding of the biological significance of right-handed amino acids interest in enantioselective quantification of amino acids has steadily increased. Initially, electrophoretic and chromatographic methods using chiral (pseudo)-stationary phases or chiral eluents were applied to the separation of amino acid enantiomers. Later, derivatization of amino acids prior to chromatography with chiral reagents gained in popularity, because the diastereomers formed can be resolved on conventional reversed-phase columns. Novel multi-interaction chiral columns turned attention back to direct chiral chromatographic methods. Hyphenation to mass spectrometry has increasingly replaced optical detection because of superior selectivity, although this has not obviated the need for baseline resolution of amino acid enantiomers. Despite the progress made, enantioselective separation and quantification of amino acids remains an analytical challenge owing to frequently incomplete resolution of all naturally occurring enantiomers and insufficient sensitivity for the determination of the trace amounts of D-amino acids typically found in biological fluids and tissues.

The frequent deletion of the human chromosomal region 9p21, including the methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) gene, is hypothesized to lead to the intra- and/or extracellular accumulation of 5′-deoxy-5′-methylthioadenosine (MTA) in cancer cells and the subsequent promotion of tumor progression. The lack of sensitive methodology for the direct measurement of MTA in tumor cells has hampered the testing of this hypothesis to date. A liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method (LC–MS/MS) was developed for the absolute quantitative determination of MTA in cell culture media and cell extracts using stable isotope labeled MTA as an internal standard. Limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) were 62.5 pM and 2 nM, respectively, and allowed the direct measurement of MTA in biological samples without prior enrichment. Average imprecision of MTA extraction from cells and cell media, as well as LC–MS/MS analysis were 9.7, 3.8 and 1.9%, respectively. The method enabled the demonstration of the accumulation of MTA in melanoma cell culture media reaching a steady-state level within 24 h. Only a slight difference in extracellular MTA concentrations was observed between cells with and without MTAP expression. However, there was a fourfold increase in intracellular MTA concentration in melanoma cells lacking MTAP, thus confirming the hypothesized accumulation of MTA in human cancer cells harboring a chromosome 9p21 deletion.

A CE-MS method was developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of negatively charged metabolites by making use of the high mass accuracy and the quantitation capabilities of a TOF mass analyzer in combination with automated feature extraction and database search. Metabolites of the central carbon metabolism were quantified with an LOD and lower LOQ (LLOQ) of 0.2-2 and 1-4 microM, respectively. The method was used to elucidate metabolic changes in the Escherichia coli deletion mutant PntAB-UdhA that lacks nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase function, under both stationary and exponential growth conditions. The reproducibility of metabolite extraction and CE-TOF-MS analysis ranged from 3.7 to 22.7 and 7.9 to 22.6%, respectively, while the biological variance was 3.4-31.3%. We observed significant differences in metabolite abundance, particularly in the citrate cycle, between wild-type and mutant E. coli. Overall, more than 600 features were found by automated feature detection, which resulted in approximately 150 high-confidence metabolite identifications. Concomitant analyses with two different GC-MS methods allowed not only crossvalidation of the quantitative results obtained by the various methods, but also led to a more comprehensive coverage of the E. coli metabolome.

Patients with malignant gliomas have a poor prognosis with average survival of less than one year. Whereas in other tumor entities the characteristics of tumor metabolism are successfully used for therapeutic approaches, such developments are very rare in brain tumors, notably in gliomas. One metabolic feature characteristic of gliomas, in particular diffuse astrocytomas and oligodendroglial tumors, is the variable content of D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D2HG), a metabolite, which was discovered first in this tumor entity. D2HG is generated in large amounts due to various “gain-of–function” mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenases IDH-1 and IDH-2. Meanwhile, D2HG has been detected in several other tumor entities including intrahepatic bile-duct cancer, chondrosarcoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. D2HG is barely detectable in healthy tissue (< 0.1 mM), but its concentration increases up to 35 mM in malignant tumor tissues. Consequently, the “oncometabolite” D2HG has gained increasing interest in the field of tumor metabolism. To facilitate its quantitative measurement without loss of spatial resolution at a microscopical level, we have developed a novel bioluminescence assay for determining D2HG in sections of snap-frozen tissue. The assay was verified independently by photometric tests and liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The novel technique allows the microscopically resolved determination of D2HG in a concentration range of 0 – 10 µmol/g tissue (wet weight). In combination with the already established bioluminescence imaging techniques for ATP, glucose, pyruvate, and lactate, the novel D2HG assay enables a comparative characterization of the metabolic profile of individual tumors in a further dimension.

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with unknown etiology. One hypothesis regarding etiology in autism is the "opioid peptide excess" theory that postulates that excessive amounts of exogenous opioid-like peptides derived from dietary proteins are detectable in urine and that these compounds may be pathophysiologically important in autism. A selective LC-MS/MS method was developed to analyze gliadinomorphin, beta-casomorphin, deltorphin 1, and deltorphin 2 in urine. The method is based on on-line SPE extraction of the neuropeptides from urine, column switching, and subsequent HPLC analysis. A limit of detection of 0.25 ng/mL was achieved for all analytes. Analyte recovery rates from urine ranged between 78% and 94%, with relative standard deviations of 0.2-6.8%. The method was used to screen 69 urine samples from children with and without autism spectrum disorders for the occurrence of neuropeptides. The target neuropeptides were not detected above the detection limit in either sample set.

Intestinal dysbiosis has been associated with acute gastrointestinal GvHD and poor outcome following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). To assess the effect of a switch in 2012 from ciprofloxacin/metronidazole to rifaximin for gut decontamination on intestinal microbiota composition and ASCT outcome, we retrospectively analyzed 394 patients receiving ASCT from September 2008 through June 2015. In 131 and 90 patients, respectively, urinary 3-indoxyl sulfate levels and intestinal enterococcal load were measured before conditioning and weekly within the first 28 days after ASCT. The use of rifaximin correlated with lower enterococcal positivity (6.9 vs 21.9%, P=0.05) and higher urinary 3-indoxyl sulfate concentrations (10.5 vs 4.6 μmoL/mmoL crea, P

Small molecules are extensively metabolized and cleared by the kidney. Changes in serum metabolite concentrations may result from impaired kidney function and can be used to estimate filtration (e.g., the established marker creatinine) or may precede and potentially contribute to CKD development. Here, we applied a nontargeted metabolomics approach using gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry to quantify 493 small molecules in human serum. The associations of these molecules with GFR estimated on the basis of creatinine (eGFRcr) and cystatin C levels were assessed in = 0.50) with established kidney function measures: C-mannosyltryptophan, pseudouridine, N-acetylalanine, erythronate, myo-inositol, and N-acetylcarnosine. Higher C-mannosyltryptophan, pseudouridine, and O-sulfo-L-tyrosine concentrations associated with incident CKD (eGFRcr

Urinary 3-IS levels predict outcome after ASCT and are associated with antibiotics and NOD2/CARD15 variants.Publisher’s Note: There is an Inside Blood Commentary on this article in this issue.Indole, which is produced from l-tryptophan by commensal bacteria expressing tryptophanase, not only is an important intercellular signal in microbial communities, but also modulates mucosal barrier function and expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory genes by intestinal epithelial cells. Here, we hypothesized that decreased urinary excretion of 3-indoxyl sulfate (3-IS), the major conjugate of indole found in humans, may be a marker of gut microbiota disruption and increased risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) graft-versus-host-disease. Using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, 3-IS was determined in urine specimens collected weekly within the first 28 days after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in 131 patients. Low 3-IS levels within the first 10 days after ASCT were associated with significantly higher transplant-related mortality (P = .017) and worse overall survival (P = .05) 1 year after ASCT. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression models trained on log-normalized counts of 763 operational taxonomic units derived from next-generation sequencing of the hypervariable V3 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene showed members of the families of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae of the class of Clostridia to be associated with high urinary 3-IS levels, whereas members of the class of Bacilli were associated with low 3-IS levels. Risk factors of early suppression of 3-IS levels were the type of GI decontamination (P = .01), early onset of antibiotic treatment (P = .001), and recipient NOD2/CARD15 genotype (P = .04). In conclusion, our findings underscore the relevance of microbiota-derived indole and metabolites thereof in mucosal integrity and protection from inflammation.

An improved atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI II) source for gas chromatography–high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–HRTOFMS) was compared to its first-generation predecessor for the analysis of fatty acid methyl esters, methoxime-trimethylsilyl derivatives of metabolite standards, and cell culture supernatants. Reductions in gas turbulences and chemical background as well as optimized heating of the APCI II source resulted in narrower peaks and higher repeatability in particular for late-eluting compounds. Further, APCI II yielded a more than fourfold median decrease in lower limits of quantification to 0.002–3.91 μM along with an average 20 % increase in linear range to almost three orders of magnitude with R 2 values above 0.99 for all metabolite standards investigated. This renders the overall performance of GC–APCI–HRTOFMS comparable to that of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC)–electron ionization (EI)–TOFMS. Finally, the number of peaks with signal-to-noise ratios greater than 20 that could be extracted from metabolite fingerprints of pancreatic cancer cell supernatants upon switching from the APCI I to the APCI II source was more than doubled. Concomitantly, the number of identified metabolites increased from 36 to 48. In conclusion, the improved APCI II source makes GC–APCI–HRTOFMS a great alternative to EI-based GC–MS techniques in metabolomics and other fields.

A novel system for sample introduction into a Gas Chromatograph (GC) using an automated in-column pyrolysis device has been developed. The in-column pyrolysis device is suitable for use with any GC or GC-MS system. Solid samples are dissolved or emulsions can be diluted and injected into the system. Because the system is designed for introducing liquid samples, a better control of the injected sample amounts is achieved. This leads to high reproducibility of the peak areas, offering new opportunities for quantitation of polymers or other high molecular weight materials. In addition, a better statistical representation of the material to be analyzed is given if the samples are dissolved in a solvent. The system can be operated both in a normal GC injection mode, and in the pyrolysis mode. As a conventional GC injector working in on-column or Programmed Temperature Vaporization (PTV) injection mode, (without the pyrolysis function), information on the volatile fraction of a sample can be obtained. Once the volatile materials in the sample have been separated, a second analysis on the non-volatile matrix can be performed by initiating the pyrolysis sequence, yielding information on the non-volatile fraction of the sample. Both features, on column or PTV injection mode and in-column pyrolysis can be used separately or in combination. This new technology is expected to be useful for the determination of additives, monomers, solvents and other volatile components in a non volatile matrix, such as polymers, as well as in the characterization of the non-volatile matrix itself, in a single run.

This review summarizes a presentation on ambient air analysis of volatile organic compounds given at the “Trace enrichment for GC and HPLC analysis” workshop at the ISC'02. Adsorptive enrichment of volatile organic compounds has become an important technique in ambient air analysis. The paper focuses on the use of adsorptive enrichment for sampling volatile organic compounds. Different techniques for sampling and desorption are reviewed and an overview of commonly used adsorbent materials is given. Furthermore, strategies for managing interferences, such as moisture, are discussed.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) has been successfully applied to the determination of perfume components in scented candle wax, liquid laundry detergent, and fabric softener. Different fiber coatings (100 μm polydimethylsiloxane, 50/30 μm divinylbenzene/Carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane, 70 μm Carbowax/divinylbenzene, and 85 μm polyacrylate) were tested and the extraction conditions were optimized. For most compounds extraction efficiency, reproducibility, and long-term stability were highest for polydimethylsiloxane. The compatibility of SPME with fast gas chromatographic separation was investigated. The speed of conventional gas chromatography was increased by a factor of 2.5, without loss of separation efficiency, simply by reducing the column length and inner diameter and adjusting the separation conditions by use of method translation software. It was demonstrated that SPME is a suitable sample-introduction technique for fast GC if split injection is used.

This work describes methodical studies of thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation (THM) of fatty acids (FA) and triglycerides comparing different derivatization reagents, such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), tetramethylammonium acetate (TMAAc), trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH), trimethylphenylamine hydroxide (TMPAH), and (m-trifluoromethylphenyl) trimethylammonium hydroxide (MethPrep 2). The performance of these reagents using different injection techniques, such as pyrolysis, hot split injection, and programmed temperature vaporization (PTV) has been investigated.

A review is given dealing with commonly used adsorbent materials in ambient air analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The adsorbents covered in the paper are selected in consideration of their compatibility with thermal desorption. Initially, we discuss the requirements that an adsorbent should fulfill, and useful parameters for the selection and evaluation of an appropriate material. Then, the most important materials are presented considering their properties, advantages, and drawbacks. A few applications are given, but a complete review of sampling techniques and applications dealing with adsorptive enrichment and thermal desorption is beyond the scope of this paper.