title: Quantitation of o-, m- and p-cresol and deuterated analogs in human urine by gas chromatography with electron capture detection.
abstract: A gas chromatographic method for the analysis of cresol metabolites of toluene and [2H8]toluene in urine was developed. Cresol glucuronides and sulfates in urine were hydrolyzed with beta-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase. Following extraction with tert.-butyl methyl ether and solvent exchange into benzene, the cresols were derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride to form the heptafluorobutyrate esters. The derivatives were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Chromatographic resolution was achieved between all cresol isomers and their 2H7 analogs. Calibration ranged from 0.001 to 500 microg/ml. Recoveries were 55-97% and showed no trend with respect to analyte concentration. Within-day precision of analyses of benchmark urine samples had a coefficient of variation of less than 4%. The assay sensitivity was limited by chromatographic background but was sufficient for quantification of the unlabeled cresols in urine from men with only environmental exposure to toluene. Average levels in urine samples from 45 men were 0.023, 0.054 and 37 microg/ml for o-, m- and p-cresol, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-7234, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Dills
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bellamy
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kalman
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001192:Arylsulfatases / Q000378:metabolism; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D003408:Cresols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000652:urine; D003903:Deuterium; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013997:Time Factors; D014050:Toluene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D003408:Cresols; D014050:Toluene; D003903:Deuterium; D001192:Arylsulfatases; D005966:Glucuronidase