title: Headspace solid-phase microextraction profiling of volatile compounds in urine: application to metabolic investigations.
abstract: Volatile compounds contribute substantially to the metabolic pool in man. Their analysis in body fluids is problematic. We investigated headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fibres and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for profiling urinary volatile components. These fibres were more sensitive for very volatile and sulfur compounds than three other phases tested. We detected a wide range of compounds in normal urine at acid and alkaline pH. Profiles presented for five individuals with metabolic disturbances demonstrate abnormal accumulation of sulfur compounds, fatty acids and plasticisers. HS-SPME can complement profiling of non-volatile compounds in metabolic investigations and could be a useful extension of the diagnostic repertoire.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000652:urine; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000652:urine*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals