title: Quantitative determination of taxine B in body fluids by LC-MS-MS.
abstract: A new specific and sensitive LC-MS-MS method for the detection of taxine B and isotaxine B, the main toxic pseudo-alkaloids from yew (Taxus sp.), in biological samples (blood, urine, gastric content) was developed. Biological samples were prepared for LC-MS-MS by means of solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure and yielded a recovery of 86%. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an RP(18) column. Detection of taxine B and isotaxine B was performed using multiple reaction monitoring with m/z 584.2 as precursor ion, i.e. [M+H](+), of both isomers and m/z 194.3 and m/z 107.1 as product ions after collision-induced dissociation. Docetaxel was applied as internal standard. The method was fully validated for the analysis of blood samples. Linearity was proven in the range from 0.1-500 ng/g. The limit of detection and the limit of quantitation are 0.4 and 2 ng/g, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of taxine B and isotaxine B in four fatal cases (two humans, two horses) with suspected yew intoxication. Blood levels were 105, 168, 174 and 212 ng/g.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Röntgenstrasse, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frommherz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kintz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kijewski
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brinkmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beike
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D043823:Taxoids; C047703:taxine