Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M L Vestal

Publications and source records attributed to M L Vestal.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Combined liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer for involatile biological samples.

A new liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer has been developed in our laboratory for application to analysis of biological molecules of extremely low volatility. Oxyhydrogen flames rapidly vaporize the total liquid-chromatographic effluent, and molecular and particle beam techniques are used to efficiently transfer the sample to the ionization source of the mass spectrometer. This new instrument is comparable in cost and complexity to a combined gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, but extends the capabilities of combined chromatography/mass spectrometry to a broad range of compounds not previously accessible. We are currently testing biologically significant samples with this instrument, using reversed-phase liquid-chromatographic separation and both positive and negative ion chemical-ionization mass spectrometry. Results have been obtained from mixtures of nucleic acid components--bases, nucleosides, and nucleotides--and from amino acids, peptides, saccharides, fatty acids, vitamins, and antibiotics. In all cases investigated to date, ions indicative of molecular mass are obtained in at least one of the operating modes available. Detection limits are typically in the 1-10 ng range for full mass scans (about 80-600 amu); sub-nanogram quantities are usually detectable with single-ion monitoring.

Amino Acids↗

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the antitumor drug amonafide (NSC-308847) in humans.

Pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of Amonafide (5-amino-2-[2-(dimethylamine)ethyl]-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)- dione) were examined in seven patients who were administered 400 mg/m2 of drug as a 30-min infusion on a daily schedule for 5 consecutive days. Amonafide concentrations in plasma and urine were determined using reversed phase HPLC. Amonafide was eliminated from plasma with a terminal half-life of 3.5 hr. Renal excretion accounted for 23% of the administered dose. Amonafide pharmacokinetic parameters after the initial dose (day 1) were similar to those calculated after the fifth daily dose. Amonafide undergoes a significant amount of metabolism and eight urinary metabolites have been identified using a thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) technique. Various N-acetylated species appear to be the major metabolites, although no evidence of N-acetylation was found in urine obtained from two patients. Two of the primary metabolites, the N(N5)-acetyl and N'(N1)-oxide metabolites of Amonafide, were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity against P388 murine leukemia cells. In this test system, the N-acetyl metabolite was observed to be only slightly less cytotoxic than the parent compound. The N'-oxide of Amonafide, however, proved to be inactive. These results are discussed together with the pharmacokinetic and metabolism data of this new investigational antitumor drug.

Adenine↗