Dietary supplement for energy and reduced appetite containing the β-agonist isopropyloctopamine leads to heart problems and hospitalisations.
In 2013 the Dutch authorities issued a warning against a dietary supplement that was linked to 11 reported adverse reactions, including heart problems and in one case even a cardiac arrest. In the UK a 20-year-old woman, said to have overdosed on this supplement, died. Since according to the label the product was a herbal mixture, initial LC-MS/MS analysis focused on the detection of plant toxins. Yohimbe alkaloids, which are not allowed to be present in herbal preparations according to Dutch legislation, were found at relatively high levels (400-900 mg kg(-1)). However, their presence did not explain the adverse health effects reported. Based on these effects the supplement was screened for the presence of a β-agonist, using three different biosensor assays, i.e. the validated competitive radioligand β2-adrenergic receptor binding assay, a validated β-agonists ELISA and a newly developed multiplex microsphere (bead)-based β-agonist assay with imaging detection (MAGPIX(®)). The high responses obtained in these three biosensors suggested strongly the presence of a β-agonist. Inspection of the label indicated the presence of N-isopropyloctopamine. A pure standard of this compound was bought and shown to have a strong activity in the three biosensor assays. Analysis by LC-full-scan high-resolution MS confirmed the presence of this 'unknown known' β3-agonist N-isopropyloctopamine, reported to lead to heart problems at high doses. A confirmatory quantitative analysis revealed that one dose of the preparation resulted in an intake of 40-60 mg, which is within the therapeutic range of this compound. The case shows the strength of combining bioassays with chemical analytical techniques for identification of illegal pharmacologically active substances in food supplements.
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Toine F H
TF
Bovee
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Hans G J
HG
Mol
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Monique E
ME
Bienenmann-Ploum
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Henri H
HH
Heskamp
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Gerard D
GD
Van Bruchem
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Leendert A
LA
Van Ginkel
b Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), AA , Utrecht , the Netherlands.
Martin
M
Kooijman
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Johan J P
JJ
Lasaroms
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Ruud
R
Van Dam
a RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Expertise Groups Biosensors & Bioassays and Contaminants & Toxins, WB , Wageningen , the Netherlands.
Ron L A P
RL
Hoogenboom
D058667:Adrenergic beta-3 Receptor Agonists / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning / Q000592:standards; D000983:Antipyrine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning / Q000592:standards; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning / Q000592:standards; D005506:Food Contamination; D005513:Food Inspection; D005515:Food Labeling; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009426:Netherlands; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning / Q000592:standards; D032068:Pausinystalia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning / Q000592:standards; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning / Q000592:standards
D058667:Adrenergic beta-3 Receptor Agonists; D000470:Alkaloids; D045930:Anabolic Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D028321:Plant Preparations; C009077:propyphenazone; D000983:Antipyrine
Biosensor; enforcement; health risks; internet; supplements; web shops