755
CANlpsFLID.,1523w.3rd Aw2. B.C., Gmada, V&l lJ8 Received 9-2&-85 V-,
.
Wthylprednisolone and three metabolites, 17,2l,+hydroxy-6a -methyl-l+pregnadien3,11,2Gtrione, 6a-methyl-17,206,21-trihydroxyl,bpregnadiene-3,1Ldione, and 6o-mxhyl-118,17,20B,21-tetrahydroxyl,bpregnadier+3-one wx-e detected in equine urine after intraarticular administration of rrr?thylprednisolone acetate. All four ccrrpourds wre excreted both in the mconjugated form and as glucuronic acid conjugates. They were identified by carparing data obtained fran analyses by high performance liquid chramtography, thin-layer chranatography, ultraviolet spectroscopy and gas chranatography/mass spectranetry to those of the synthesized standards. The presence of trace amounts of a fourth mtabolite, 6o-n-ethyl-118,17,2Oo,21-tetrahydroxy-l,4-pregnadier+Sone, t-as indicated by high performance liquid chrcnmtography but confirmation has not been attained by the other methods.
Methylprednisolone diene-3,ZGdione) orally or
in
(L)
is tablet
a solution
of
and
its
saliun
succinate
action
is
the
blood is
phamecokinetics
Mthylprednisolone its in tion,
long the
horse, facilitate
of
prednisolone
August, September
of
ard
metabolism
(1113,17
1985
is
if of
between of in
of
these used
and
is
of
of
are n&as
water
horses
a study
race
The
large
tracks
XXI mg daily
for
local
its
metabolites.
dosages
to metabolize
of
imperative.
.
,21-trihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-1,2CI-dione),
the
given.
Canadian
expected
Steroids
dose
in
and
ester
anti-inflannatory
acetate
drugs
acetate
concentrations
racehorses
methylprednisolone horses
its
administered
at
availability 10
rapid
the
is
of
prolonged
in
currently
and
drug
an intravenous
corticosteroids
action
detection
If
and
injections
use
typically
Methylprednisolone
required,
local
acetate
duration
salt.
administered
then
extensive
are
The
as a suspension
succinate
in
,21-trihydroxy-l,bpregna-
glucocorticoid.
parenterally
salt
required,
The
a synthetic
form
methylprednisolone soluble
(6a-methyl-llB,17
due
to
required administra-
similarly in
LO jklich
S
756
WE=OXDI
the c-20 oxo group is reduced to a 2OBalcoho1, is oxidized [l].
to a ketone,
‘Ihe correspordiqg
hydranethylprednisolone pregnadien-k),
arid both C&20 reduction methylprrxlnisolom
the Gil
hydroxy fmctioo
amI C-11 oxidation
mtabolites
would be ZOe-di-
(2) (Q-methyl-1&l7,2O6,2l-tetrahydroxy-l,G methylprednisone
pregnsdiene-3,11,2Gtriooe)
(2) (17,2ldihydroxyAo+mthyl-1,G
and 2C&dihydranethylprednisone
(5) (6
-methyl-17,2~,21-trihydroxy-l,4-pregnadieoe-3,ll~ione).
and man [3] mthylprednisoloce vitro
studies
OCCUT
is oxidized
In rabbits
[2]
and -in [4] have shcxm that the G20 0x0 group of methylprednisolone
is reduced by dihydronicotinmide-adenioe presence of 3a,2Whydroxysteroid
to mthylprednisone,
dimcleotide
dehydrogenase
to yield
comzyme in the 2Wdihydrw
methylprednisolone.
Ihe trivial wanes ard abbreviations of the steroids are defined as follcws: Mp = tkthylprednisolone= Cxwrethyl-116,17 ,21-trihydroxy-l-&pregnadiene3,2O-diooe 2GCX-iMP= 2O-dihydrunethylprednisolone= Q-mthyl-116,17,20,21-tetrahydroxy-l+pregnadiewkme MRI = tkthylprednisone = 17,2l-dihydroxy&-mthyl-l,+regnadiene-3,11, 2Gtrione 2O-DHMFU= 2Odihydranethylprednisow = &nrsthyl-17,20,21-trihydroxyl&-pregnadiene-3,ll-dioue
Veterinary Depdledrol (Upjohn), a sterile suspension of Mp acetate used in the drug administration, was obtained fran ‘lko Products Carpany, Oraogeville, Ontario. MT was procured trun Upjohn Co., Kalamzoo, Michigan. hta-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase type H-2 fran Helixprmatia
S crude solution
was purchased
WDEOXDI
fran
Signs Chemical Co., Missouri.
The expected metabolites, 2Oo-and 2OWHMP, MKI and 2O&lIHMFO wzre synthesized fran MP , following chronic acid oddation and sodiun borohydride reduction procedures of related steroids [1,5,6,7]. The mthcxim-trimethylsilyl (t-&m) derivatives of MP and MFO, 1 and 6 respectively, were prepared fran mthoxylamine hydrochloride and N-tr~thylsilylimidazole (Pierce Chemicals Co., Rockford, Ill.) [8]. The acetonide derivatives of 2oDHW and 2O-DHNQ, Land 8 respectively, were prepared in acetone solution using p-toluenesulphonic acid as a catalyst and scdiun sulfate to remve water Eon-& during the reaction [6,7].
Sodiun acetate buffer was prepared by adjusting a 3&l sodiun acetate solution to pH 4.5-5.0 with concentrated acetic acid. Borate buffer ms prepared by adding a 1M sodiun carbonate solution to a 1M boric acidpotassium chloride solution until p+i 9.0.
Analytical ard preparative TLC was acccnplished on 0.25 mn precoated silica gel 60 F-254 plates (FM Laboratories, Damtadt, Cermwy). Chruttatogrm were developed to a height of 7 cm in 9:l (v/v) chlorofonm/mrx~ anol. carpounds were located by observation of fluorescence or quenching with IJV light at 254 III-I and xere visualized by spraying the plate heavily with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) spray reagent (1% w/v in ethanol) or tetrazolium blue (‘IZB) spray reagent (0.07% w/v in 1:2 v/v of ethanol/K% NaOH), follwd by heating the plate for 15 min. PTA reacts to produce a bright yellow color a,rd TZB produces a purple color. See Table 1 for details. For preparative TLC the appropriate zone was scraped off and the silica gel eluted twice with 2 mL of either methanol or acetone. Florisil
Cblum
Qrumtog&y
Four percent water deactivated Florisil (w/w) was made by adding 4 g of deionized water to 96 g of Florisil (W-100 mesh; Supelco Canada Ltd.), which had been previously activated at 170°C for 16 hr arrl cooled to room temperature in a desiccator. The mixture was shaken for 30 min and allowed to equilibrate overnight.
757
The colum of Florisil (1.1 cm internal diameter x 17011 gkss colum; 4g of 4% Florisil) ws washed with 10 I& of 95:5 dichloranethane /ethanol an3 was standardized by eluting Mf’ and the synthesized mtatmlites through it at a flaw-ate of l-2 drops/set, according to schme sham in Table 2.
Table
1.N
Chtxmtograplic bkthylprainisolaz
ad
37 20 77 71 54 34 84
MF 2Oo-an3 205DHMP 20 6DHMP~cetonide 20a-DHMP-acetonide Mm 2owmlFu 2W-DHWO-acetonide Solvent system: roan temperature. + sign indicates
Table
2.
Florisil prednisol~
Fractim # and wqx3sitirmb (VolmE collected) l/p/ (10 mL) 2/s% (10 mL) 3/16;/. ( 10 frL) 4/26;b (10 n-L) 5/20% (10 mL) 6/2cp/. (10 n-L) 7/20% (10 mL) 8/2d;b (10 d)
a&antitations colum is b0.5 mL of Carposition
Characteristerics HAxAites
9:l
(v/v)
spray
Cohn and
with
+ -
+ -
refractive
index
is
1.42
at
steroid.
&mmtography tMhylprednisolcm
percentage
bkthylprwhisol~
+ + + + -
chloroform/methanol; reacts
of
the
of
w
Mm
63 32 4 1
38 to 2 -
Umacteristics Eletabolites
Steroid
in
tsxbm4P
of
bthyl-
Fractiona 2om
-
-
-
3 55 42
1 61 34 3 1 -
4 52 36 8 -
determined by HPLC. Maxim amount of any steroid on the 15 pg. Steroids were added to the calm in three aliquots of 5% methanol in dichlorunethane. expressed as percentage of methanol in dichlormethane.
S
S’DEOXDI
759
Five grams of Sephadex IX-20 (bead size:2>103 microns; Sigma Chemical Co.) was equilibrated in 95:5 dichlorcmthaw/methanol for 30 tin ad the gel poured into a glass colum (1.3 am internal diameter x 31 on). The Sephadex was further equilibrated overnight before being stardardized (see Table 3). With the stopcock fully open the flow rate was about 1 drop/set. After each elution the Sephadex was regenerated with Xl I& of 50:X1 (v/v) dichlorawthane/methanol follwd by 50 mL of 95:5 (v/v) dichlorawthane/methanol. Table 3.SephadaUK2OColumolnmatograPry~teristics prednisol~ aml kthylprednisolaw
of
Methyl-
IWabAites
Stervic?
v01lnle Eluted Solvent
ME0 16-24
the
2cb2a
W-mQ 36-46
2cb-mw 4U-52
(mL) composition
%xiTRPT~anxxnt. to
w 266
m-
calm
of in
is any three
95:5 (v/v) dichloranethane/methanol. steroid on the colum is 15 pg. Steroids aliquots of 0.5 mL of eluting solvent.
were
added
All analyses were performed using a Waters HPLC system consisting of a &45 pwp, Model UtK manual injector, M73Cl data module an3 a Waters Model 440 fixed wavelength detector set at 254 m. The steroids wre separated on a 10 micron Radial-PM C(H) colmm (8 m internal diameter x 10 cm) by three different mbile phases. See Table 4 for details. Ultraviolet
UV/VIS
(UV)Sp?ctroscqry W spectra were spectrophotcmeter.
measured
in methanol
with
a Perkin-Elmer
Lambda
3
M3s.s spectra were obtained via electron inpact ionization with a Finnigan O&I 1020 autmted CC/l% system equipped with an Incas data system. Steroids ware chraratographed on a 2 nm internal diameter x 31 cm glass colum packed with 3% OV-1 on SO-100 mesh Chrmsorb W (Chramtographic Specialties Limited, Brockville, Ontario). The tenperature
carrier gas was helix at was 220 C and the injection
a flow rate mode was
of 20 mL/min; the inlet splitless; the terrperature
S
760
WDEOXDI
of the separator an3 manifold colum oven t-rature uas 280°C at 25’C/min.
current kerosene acquired
wre 250°C and so”C, held at loO°C for 1 tin
respectively. ard then
Electron inpact ionization was performd at 7&V The mass spectrcmeter was calibrated of 500 PA. ard was tuned using decafluorotriphenylphosphine. fran 103 am to 700 am at 4 seclscan.
with with
Liquid Ummatography&xzteristics lhble4.Hi~Rxformarre prednisol~~*thylprednisol~MetabolitesanaC
MP 2ot?-DHMP 2co-DHMP 2OWXMP-acetonide 2CWIHMP~cetonide MFO 2cx3-DHMm 2WHMKkacetonide Mobile phase 1 mL/min. While phase at a flow rate labile pbse at a flow rate kbile phase 1 ml/rain.
Relative A
mtentimtime B
11.48
11.08
7.92 7.28
7.92 7.36
12.40 8.32
1% acetic
1Plplmie D
5.64 4.04 3.80 16.68 16.68 4.56 3.50 13.96
9.48 8.80 10.60
65:35
a flow
rate
of
B is of C is of D is
60:20:20 (v/v/v) 1% acetic acid/methanol/tetrahydrofuran 1 ml/rain. 60:20:20 (v/v/v) 1% acetic acid/rrethanol/tetrahydrofuran 2 ml/tin. 40:&J (v/v) 1% acetic acid/acetonitrile at a flew
rate
of
amiSmple
acid/acetonitrile
an mission perfluoroAll data were
A is
Drugkhinistratim
(v/v)
to
of plethyl-
(mi.n)inmbile C
8.96 6.60 27.20
The programed
at
Collection
One healthy standardbred mre was administered 100 mg of Mp acetate (Veterinary Depo-kkdrol) intraarticularly into the left carpaletacarpal joint. Urine sarrples wzre collected by indwllmg catheters before drug administration ard at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 24, 30, 48, 72 and 96 hours post-administration. All samples were frozen until analyzed.
Isolatim
excreted
of Steroids To determine throughout
fnm ltrim the the
relative 96 hr
amounts collection
of unconjugated MF and metabolites period, 10 mL samples of urine
S
761
WDEOXDI
fran each of the 15 post-administration sampling intervals ware pooled, adjusted to pH 9.0 with borate buffer, saturated with scdiun sulfate an3 extracted twice with 150 mL of 9:l dichloranethane/isopropanol. After centrifugation, the aqueous phase was saved for cmjugate hydrolysis and the canbined organic extracts were filtered through whatman siliconetreated filter paper (previously soaked in dichloruasthane), concentrated --in vacua and evaporated to dryness in a 50°C water bath under nitrogen. The residue was extracted into 0.5 I& of 95:5 dichlorawthane/methanoanol three times and each aliquot was transferred to the top of a 4% Florisil The (4 g) colum, prewashed with 10 mL of 5% methanol in dichlorcmthane. steroids were eluted according to the schem in Table 2. Fractious 3-5, which contain greater than 95% of MF, MRI and 2OEDHMRl and greater than 5% of 206-DW, wre ccmbined. Fractions 6-g combined contain 20~ aw.d 2oB-Dw.
The residues remaining after removal of the solvent were extracted into 0.5 n-L of 5%mthanol in dichlorawthane three times ard further ‘hm fractions were collected: chronatographed on 5 g of Sephadex IA-20. fraction 15-29 mb contains MFO, ZOfc-DI-MQ and about 30% of t-P,and fraction 29-52 mL contains 20a- and ZOB-DHMPand about 7CfL of MP. After evaporation of the solvent the residues wre chrmatographed and the steroids quantified by HPLC. To determine the relative amunts of conjugated MP and metab olites excreted, the renaining urine uas adjusted to pH 4.5 with acetate buffer ard incubated with 1.5 mb of B-glucuronidase at 37’C for 16 hr. The pH was increased to 9.0 by adding 5cp/,NaOH and borate buffer ard work-up proceeded identically to the unconjugated samples.
MP and three jugates
were excreted
intraarticular
in urine
ware first for
and their sqles
cleaved
analysis
identification.
tization
to
those
not been confirmed observed.
A
fourth
and acetonide
by the other
acid cm96 hr after
glucuronic
acid
enzyme to release
the free
were identified
as MPD,
frcm HFW, TLC, IJV and
standards.
of ZCB-DHMFCand 2@-DHMP and K&S
gested by HPLC analysis
The
data obtained
of the synthesized
glucuronic
fran 0 through
The three rmstabolites
also aided the identification.
metabolite
collected
by B-glucuronidase
2C&DHMKI and 2@3-DHM?by curparing E/MS
respective
of 100 mg of MF’ acetate.
injection
conjugates steroids
metabolites
Acetonide
derivatization
metabolite,
derivatization,tut
deriva-
of MP and MH)
2oO-DHMP, was sugits
methods due to the 1~ levels
identity of the
has
S
‘762
The results
T-BOXDI
v.ere expected because prednisolone
follcms
similar
hhhhh reversible -DW
metabolism
is further
to MKI [2].
supported
The presence of trace
because trace
of 2C&dihydroprednisone
amunts
(17,2Oa,21-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ll-dione) treatmsnt
of hmms
11,20-trione)
with prednisone
are inferred
(17 ,2ldihydroxy-l+pregnadiene-3,
af I&hylprednisolaneaditsI42tablites
HPLC was used to estimate bolites
excreted
bolites
were prepared
equal response
throughout
the relative
only in analytical
factors
mking
the values
purely
(36.7%) follmd
t@ (2UX).
by uncharged
at 96 hr post-administration.
drug being excreted
in excretion in higher
administration
of MFU to rabbits
the metabolite
Mp [2].
Table 5.lklati~2~~ metabolites-tedas steroids
[5].
results
mount
Mp was still metabolite
prednisone with
On the other in higher
plasm
detectable besides
.
Mp
or prednisolone the administered hand, intravenous concentrations
of
ofrlrShylpn?dnisolaleandmethylprednisolone lmcon-ted ad glucuronide lxmwted
Conjugated
36.7
1.4
-
Unconjugated
20.0
4.5
0.4
aCslculated fran HPLC area responses each ccrrpound. The most efficient
assuning
method of isolating
an 8 or 10 hr post-administration
All metabolites
Nevertheless,
in the greatest
of both steroids,
anmnts
were based on
qualitative.
In fact, either
Since the meta-
estimations
The most abmdant
wes ZCf!-DHMIo. In humns, results
period.
amunts,
t@ was excreted
administration
amounts of MP and its meta-
the 96 hr collection
Table 5 shaJs that conjugated
tractig
by TLC after
[5].
Relati~kxmts
glucuronide
amounts of 2Ca
ware isolated
in identifiable
1.4
3.5
14.2
17.8
equal response factors
the n-etabolites
sarrple of unhydrolyzed
for
was exurine.
amounts fro-n 100 mL of urine.
763
Tentative collectiq
identification
the appropriate
carparirlg
‘IX Rf values
concurrently,
of the mtabolites
Florisil
ard Sephadex fractions
and HPLC retention
to those obtained
sumsrise
the chrcmstcgra&ic
retention
times of the steroids
fran
star&t&
(Table
1).
plates
were remved,
icularly
by ‘IT.L
of the steroids. 206-DHMFU (Table
recovery
by tiss
fran
corticosteroids
2GDHMP, regardless For further each Sqhadex
In this
study,
of whether
and the steroid
chrcm-
were hindered, wre
separated
The steroids
also
partpurified provided
fran MFO,
separated
well
on
to that
for differentiating
colour
the
with
after
the a-ketol
heating,
whereas
howaver,
PTA reagent
reacted
only with
such as MP and
a C-20 Ret0 or hydroxy group is present. residue
cmtainirg
unlike
reacts
a C-11 hydroxy group,
fran
one-half
of the eluate
2GDRMP and 2O-DHMpDwas converted
‘Ihe 2C!o- and 20R-acetonide
uare stable
and chrcmtographed
the s&es
‘IZB reagent
identification,
using 60:40 acetonitrile/l%
zones on the TLC
as in 2O-Dl4P and 2O-DRMF0, prevents
possessirg
fraction
+ 0.05 set
Sephadex chrmtography
very useful
The camm
9:l chloroform/methanol,
derivatives
unless
the
[l].
of the C-20 keto group, with TZB.
with methanol
to produce a purple
those corticosteroids
All
gel was about 60%, similar
wre
studied.
group of corticosteroids
acetonide.
3).
I-4
+ 0.04 of the
the appropriate
MP kas clearly
silica
ard Rylance
TII: spray reagents
within
RPLC ard TLC analysis
clean-up.
TLC but their
wre
RPLC peak MS collected
Frequently
and Sephadex colum
and 2O-DHMPfran
reaction
eluted
samples,
the best separation
reduction
either
the steroids
Tables
of the standards.
the Rf values
Additiooslly,
run
standards,
samples.
by
anl then
fran urine were within
with enyme hydrolyzed
by Florisil
observed
the urine
isolated
(Table 4) and all
atographed
times of the
characteristics
of the standards
by RPE or the appropriate
was accomplished
their
acetic to hydrolysis
isaners
could be separated
of
to the
by TIE in
underivatized
anakgues,
or by HPLC
acid as the nobile
phase.
‘Ihe acetcmide
in the acidic
mobile
phase.
Ultraviolet
Spectro6mpy ‘Ihe W spectra
shift
the C-11 oxo fran
the C-11
Both Ml?0 ard 2Os-DHMpDabsorb at 237.5 nn whereas
hydroxy steroids. reduction
could only differentiate
of the C-11 0x0 group to an hydroxy group produces a bathochranic
to 242 na for W and to 243.5 ms for ZO-DHMF’.
c&i QlrcNmtm
spectwtry
Mass spectranetry steroids
synthesized
tra and retention
wds required
fran IQ and those isolated
tinxas of the steroids
to those of the pure standards. to prevent
to confirm
thermal
the thermally
labile
acetonide
derivatives.
All
the basis of their under electron
inpact
of the Ihe mass spec-
fran urine were identical
the Cc/t%.
required Suitable
derivatization derivatives
C-17 side chain are t%I-‘lW and G20, the derivatized
molecular
fran urine.
isolated
All the steroids
breakdown inside
stabilize
the identity
wzights
conditions
steroids
which 21-
were characterized
on
even though they responded poorly
ard the spectra
showad only
1a.1 intensity
ions in the high nass region. Ihe msss spectra very similar tm atanic
of 2OPDHMRl acetonide
in the 1~ rrass region mass units
duce molecular
(l-270
appear in the high mass region.
Some of the sarrples analyzed
mass spectrcmetry ferent
difficult.
pro-
and diagnostic
contained
Houaver,
small anounts of steroid making confirmation
their
Cc retention
so
based on
times are dif-
(11.00 min for 206-DHMFU and 12.13 min for 2OWHMP) thus aiding identification. ‘lhe mass spectra
useful
are by
(<3X of the ccnnon base peak m/e
that these ions were absent in the spectra,
their
Both steroids
ions (M+ at m/e 416 for 206-DHMRI acetonide)
(M-15)+ ions all of very low intensity 135).
and ZOE-DHMPacetonide
Amy) but peaks differing
for explaining
hydrochloride the sterically
of the MD-‘It% derivatives
their
structure.
to produce only a bis-oxime hindered
with trimethylsilylimidazole which shows the molecular
Cl1
of MP and Mpo were
MFO reacted
with methoxylamine
derivative.
Like prednisone
0x0 group does not react. gave the 2M&2lt%
derivative,
Further
[9],
treatment
the spectnm
ion (M+ m/e 574; 5% of the base peak m/e 229))
of
S m+ow1+;m/e base
peak).
543),
m/e
646;
2% of
the
the
peak
base of
silylimidazole is
gave barely
diagnostic m/e
(6X
the
the
m/e
base
present.
Negative
sensitive
and
is
enol
methoxylamine
323
of
(96/.
in
the
trimethyl-
ether
hydrochloride
derivative. than m/e
The
1% of
6171,
corticosteroid
only ion
m/e
derivative
(M+
the
and
trimathyl-
molecular
base
ion
peak
m/e
([M-Obk-HCEik3]+;
(M+ m/e Other
163.
m/e
527)
and
peak).
analyzing
method
and
derivative
272).
less
the
453)
2f+2R1s
trimthylsilyl
2l4?-3’IX
([M-QI+]+;
765
m/e
the
Cl1
MP with
are
of
As for Cc/a
of
discernible,
ions
276
heating
prccluced
Reaction
648)
([MXX&-HOSiMe3]+;
Extended
silylimidazole
TPEIEOXD131
useful chemical
selective
if
derivatives microgram
ionization
by electron
quantities Cc/E
has
of been
iqxct
steroid shaJn
are to
be rrore
[8].
This study was funded entirely by the Race Track Division of Agriculture Canada as part of their Equine Drug Evaluation Program. We thank Dr. M. Weber and the staff of Agriculture Canada’s Equine Center for supplying the samples and A. Stevenson, supervising chemist of Race Track Division, for organizing the equine drug research program and for editorial assistance.
1. 2.
Moss, Ebling, lJ,
3. 4. 5.
7.
8. 9.
296
H.J., J. ENDRIXIIN. S.J. and Jusko, W.J.,
7, 129 (1967). DRUG METAB. DISKIS.
(1985).
Szefler, S.J, Rose J.Q., Ellis, E.F., Spector, S.L., Green, A.W. and Jusko, W.J., J. ALLERGY CLIN. IMEmL. 66, 447 (1980). Wagner, J.G., Disanto, A.R., Gillespie, W.R. and Albert, K.S., RES. COW. CHR% PATH. PHARMACCL. 2, 387 (1981). Gray, C.H., Green, M.A.S., Holness, N.J. and Iunnon, J.B., J. ENIXXIN. 14,
6.
M.S. and Rylance, W.F., Szefler,
146
(1956).
Bailey, E., STEROIDS lo, 527 (1967). Lewbart, M.L. and Schneider, J.L., J.ORG. CtIEM. y’, 3513 (1969). Houghton, E., Teale, P., IhoMsia, M.C. and Wellby. J.K., BIOMED. SPECIROM. 2, 459 (1982). Thenot, J.P. and Homing, E. C. ANAL. LETT. 1, 21 (1972).
MASS