title: Analysis of beta-lyase metabolites of sulfur mustard in urine by electrospray liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
abstract: A method is described for the analysis of b-lyase metabolites of sulfur mustard, 1-methylsulfinyl-2- [2-(methylthio)ethylsulfonyl]ethane and 1,1'-sulfonylbis [2-(methylsulfinyl)ethane], in human urine. The analytes were concentrated from urine on an ENV+ solid-phase extraction cartridge and analyzed by liquid chromatography-positive ion electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode. Quantitation was performed against deuterated internal standards. Limits of detection were 0.1-0.5 ng/mL. The metabolites were detected in samples of urine from human casualties of sulfur mustard poisoning. The method provides a simpler alternative to gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, avoiding the need for reduction to less polar analytes.
authors.affiliation: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Robin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008190:Lyases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000378:metabolism*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000652:urine*; D013450:Sulfones / Q000652:urine*; D013454:Sulfoxides / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D013440:Sulfides; D013450:Sulfones; D013454:Sulfoxides; C073452:1,1'-sulfonylbis(2-(methylsulfinyl)ethane); C073451:1-methylsulfinyl-2-(2-(methylthio)ethylsulfonyl)ethane; D008190:Lyases; D009151:Mustard Gas