title: Detailed analysis of cortisol, cortisone and their tetrahydro- and allo-tetrahydrometabolites in human urine by LC-MS/MS.
abstract: Cortisol (F) and cortisone (E) are metabolized to A-ring reduced metabolites in the reactions catalyzed by 5α- and 5β-reductase. 5α-tetrahydrocortisol (alloTHF) and 5β-tetrahydrocortisol (THF) are produced from F. The metabolism of E takes place in analogy to form alloTHE and THE. Up to now, the analysis of endogenous glucocorticoids did not consider alloTHE, limiting the metabolism of E to THE only. Nevertheless, such simplification can generate inaccuracy in the assessment of the function of enzymes crucial for glucocorticoids metabolism: 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and type 2 (11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2), as well as 5α- and 5β-reductase. The paper presents the new LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous analysis of F and E with their tetrahydro- (THF and THE) and allo-tetrahydrometabolites (alloTHF and alloTHE) in urine. The method was fully validated and allows determining both the unconjugated and total concentrations of urinary glucocorticoids. The method meets the EMA's recommendations and was proved to be useful in the analysis of clinical samples. The LLOQ of 1ng/mL allows the determination of free urinary F, E, THF and THE, but not alloTHF and alloTHE, in samples obtained from pregnant women. The range of concentrations is wide enough for the analysis of total levels of F, E, THF, alloTHF, THE and alloTHE. The undisputed advantage of the method, distinguishing it among others, is the ability to determine F and E and their both 5α- and 5β-metabolites. Taking alloTHE into consideration enables the thorough analysis of the glucocorticoid equilibrium in human.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Święcickiego Street, Poznań 60-781, Poland. Electronic address: kasiakosicka@ump.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kosicka
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Święcickiego Street, Poznań 60-781, Poland. Electronic address: anna.siemiatkowska@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siemiątkowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Święcickiego Street, Poznań 60-781, Poland. Electronic address: dabrowka91@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Dąbrówka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pałka
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 33 Polna Street, Poznań 60-535, Poland. Electronic address: agatagozdziewicz@ump.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szpera-Goździewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 33 Polna Street, Poznań 60-535, Poland. Electronic address: gbrebor@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Grzegorz H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Bręborowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Święcickiego Street, Poznań 60-781, Poland. Electronic address: glowka@ump.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Franciszek K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Główka
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003348:Cortisone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D011247:Pregnancy; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D013760:Tetrahydrocortisol; D013761:Tetrahydrocortisone
chemical_list: D013761:Tetrahydrocortisone; D013760:Tetrahydrocortisol; D003348:Cortisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; 5α-reductase; Allo-tetrahydrocortisone; Bioanalysis; Glucocorticoids