Metabolites are small molecules involved in the metabolic processes within a horse's body. They are the intermediates and products of metabolism, encompassing a wide range of compounds, such as amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleotides. These molecules play roles in energy production, growth, and cellular repair. The study of equine metabolites, often conducted through metabolomics, provides insights into the physiological and pathological states of horses. Changes in metabolite levels can indicate alterations in metabolic pathways, potentially reflecting health conditions or responses to environmental factors. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the identification, function, and diagnostic potential of metabolites in equine health.
Johansson M, Anlér EL.A quantitative method for the analysis of flunixin, 2-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethylanilino) nicotinic acid, in equine urine by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection has been developed. Flunixin and the internal standard, mefenamic acid, N-(2,3-xylyl) anthranilic acid, were analysed after extractive methylation of the carboxylic acid group using methyl iodide. The extraction and alkylation conditions of flunixin and mefenamic acid have been studied. The detection limit of the method was 0.25 mumol/l flunixin in urine (74 ng/ml). Flunixin was found to be conjugated to 96.5% in equi...
Weidolf LO, Lee ED, Henion JD.Sulfoconjugated anabolic steroids were separated by micro-bore high-performance liquid chromatography. The eluent was introduced into the atmospheric pressure ion source of the triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer via an ion spray liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface operated in the negative ion mode. The limit of detection was 10 pg on-column by selected ion monitoring of the molecular ion and the response increased linearly over a concentration range of 2.4 orders of magnitude. Following work-up by a liquid-solid extraction procedure of equine urine samples, full-scan daughter ion...
Rose RJ, Hodgson DR, Kelso TB, McCutcheon LJ, Reid TA, Bayly WM, Gollnick PD.This study determined maximal O2 uptake (VO2max), maximal O2 deficit, and O2 debt in the Thoroughbred racehorse exercising on an inclined treadmill. In eight horses the O2 uptake (VO2) vs. speed relationship was linear until 10 m/s and VO2max values ranged from 131 to 153 ml.kg-1.min-1. Six of these horses then exercised at 120% of their VO2max until exhaustion. VO2, CO2 production (VCO2), and plasma lactate (La) were measured before and during exercise and through 60 min of recovery. Muscle biopsies were collected before and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, and 60 min after exercis...
Jaussaud P, Courtot D, Guyot JL, Paris J.The main metabolite of flunixin, a hydroxylated product, has been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy in equine urine and plasma. The method also permits the qualitative monitoring of the urinary elimination of the drug and its metabolite. The two products are detected up to 175 and 54 h, respectively, after a single intravenous administration at the dose of 1 mg/kg. Simultaneous detection of the two compounds increases the reliability of anti-doping control analysis.
Pösö AR, Soveri T, Alaviuhkola M, Lindqvist L, Alakuijala L, Mäenpää PH, Oksanen HE.Previous studies in humans have shown that alanine is released from the skeletal muscle in proportion to the work load. We have measured plasma alanine and urea concentrations in well-trained Standardbred and Finnish-bred (cold-blooded) trotters after a graded-intensity exercise and during recovery to study metabolic responses to exercise in this animal model. As controls we measured blood lactate, pyruvate, and glucose concentrations as well as hematocrit values. Metabolic responses to exercise were closely reflected in all these parameters. Plasma alanine increased relatively more than plasm...
Beretta C, Fadini L, Stracciari JM, Montesissa C.Febantel and one of its main metabolites, febantel sulphoxide, are chemically modified to only a slight extent when incubated in vitro with sheep and cattle ruminal fluids; other major metabolites, fenbendazole and oxfendazole, are respectively, oxidized to oxfendazole and reduced to fenbendazole. Febantel is negligibly metabolized by hepatic cytosol fractions but microsome preparations effect more extensive metabolic transformations. Important differences in this respect were found between microsome preparations from rat, horse, pig, cattle, sheep, chicken and trout livers.
Watson ED, Stokes CR, Bourne FJ.The influence of arachidonic acid metabolites on migration of equine neutrophils under agarose was investigated. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was chemotactic at concentrations between 0.1 and 1000 ng ml-1 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) at 1 and 10 ng ml-1 but not at higher or lower concentrations. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) was not chemotactic for equine neutrophils at any concentration. Random migration was significantly inhibited (P less than 0.05) by suspension of neutrophils in LTB4 (0.1 to 1000 ng ml-1) and PGF2 alpha (0.1 ng ml-1) but not at high concentrations. There was a significant po...
Hardee GE, Tshabalala MA, Moore JN, Gokhales RD.Separate high performance liquid chromatographic methods were developed for thiabendazole (TBZ) and 5-hydroxy thiabendazole (5-OH-TBZ) determination in horse plasma using 1-methyl-2-phenyl benzimidazole (MPBZ) as an internal standard. In both methods TBZ and 5-OH-TBZ were extracted from plasma using organic solvents, injected on to a C-18 column, and eluents monitored by a fluorescence detector. However, mobile phase composition, extraction solvent as well as detector wavelength differed in the two methods. The linear range for TBZ was 0.02 to 0.77 microgram ml-1 while that for 5-OH-TBZ was 0....
Beaumier PM, Fenwick JD, Stevenson AJ, Weber MP, Young LM.Plasma and urinary levels of salicylic acid were examined in Standardbred mares after administration of various feeds, containing different compositions of hay. In addition, horses were administered acetylsalicylic acid orally and methyl salicylate topically. Elevated salicylic acid levels were observed in horse urine and plasma in animals fed lucerne hay. The plasma and urinary elimination of salicylic acid exhibited a diurnal pattern which was related to the type of feed and the feeding schedule. Within 24 h after oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid, plasma and urine salicylic acid l...
Smith ML, Chapman CB.An acepromazine (ACP) hapten was synthesised, coupled to bovine serum albumin and injected into a horse to produce antibodies to the drug. A competitive ELISA was developed whereby ACP attached to the solid phase via lysozyme competed with free ACP present in phosphate buffered saline, horse serum or horse urine for limiting amounts of antibody. The assay could detect the presence of ACP and, or, some of its metabolites in horse urine for at least 25 hours after intravenous injection of 0.1 mg kg-1 ACP maleate, but because of non-specific interference, horse serum could not be used. As little ...
Vakkuri O, Salonen JS, Leppäluoto J, Anttila M, Karjalainen A, Järvensivu P.A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay was developed for detomidine, 4(5)-(2,3-dimethylbenzyl)imidazole. The antibodies were raised in rabbits against a conjugate of detomidine and bovine thyroglobulin prepared by diazo reaction. Detomidine was iodinated with chloramine-T and immunoreactive tracer was purified in cation exchange chromatography. The sensitivity of the RIA was 1.6 fmol/tube allowing direct detomidine measurements from minute serum and urine samples (0.1-0.2 microliter) as well as tissue homogenates (10 microliters). For concentrations below 16 pmol/ml chloroform extraction wa...
Lees P, Taylor JB, Maitho TE, Millar JD, Higgins AJ.The pharmacokinetics, metabolism, excretion and tissue residues of phenylbutazone (PBZ) in the horse were studied following both intravenous and oral administration of the drug at a dose rate of 4.4 mg/kg. A 72-hour blood sampling schedule failed to demonstrate a third exponential phase; the plasma disposition following intravenous injection being described by a two compartment open model, with the following elimination phase parameters: beta = 0.13h-1, t1/2 beta = 5.46h, Vdarea = 0.141 1/kg and C1B = 17.9 ml/kg/h. The hydroxylated metabolites oxyphenbutazone (OPBZ) and gamma-hydroxyphenylbuta...
Sams R, Pizzo P.The possibility exists that ketamine, or ketamine in combination with xylazine, is being used illicitly to affect the performance of racehorses. This study was undertaken to identify the metabolites of ketamine in the urine of adult horses and to evaluate methods for detecting and confirming ketamine administration. Detection of ketamine and two ketamine metabolites is described using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and their identities are confirmed by comparing their mass spectra and gas chromatographic retention times with those of authentic standards.
Nouws JF, Firth EC, Vree TB, Baakman M.Plasma disposition, protein binding, urinary recovery, and renal clearance of sulfamethazine (SMZ), sulfamerazine (SMR), and sulfadiazine (SDZ) and their N4-acetyl and hydroxy derivatives were studied in 4 horses in a crossover trial. The plasma concentration-time curves of the metabolites paralleled those of the parent drug in the elimination phase. Sulfamethazine and SMR were extensively metabolized. In plasma and urine, the main metabolite of the 3 sulfonamides tested was the 5-hydroxypyrimidine derivative, which was highly glucuronidated. Difference in elimination half-life of SMZ, SMR, an...
Smith SJ, Cox JE, Houghton E, Dumasia MC, Moss MS.Deuterium, 14C- and 3H-labelled steroid substrates were incubated with minced testicular tissue from stallions of different ages. After extraction and separation of the neutral and phenolic fractions the metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of the expected C19 neutral and C18 phenolic steroids was confirmed. An isomer of 5(10)-oestrene-3,17-diol was also identified.
Silver M, Fowden AL, Knox J, Ousey JC, Franco R, Rossdale PD.The effects of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia on plasma catecholamines, cortisol and metabolites have been examined in newborn and 7-14-day-old foals. The fall in plasma glucose elicited by the highest dose of insulin (1.0 i.u./kg) given to the neonates was slower in onset and less severe in effect than 0.5 i.u./kg in the older foals. There was a significant inverse correlation between the concentrations of glucose and adrenaline (but not noradrenaline) in plasma once the glucose level had fallen below 2 mmol/l; the adrenergic response to hypoglycaemia was greater in the 7-14-day-old foals than...
Higgins AJ, Lees P, Sedgwick AD, Buick AR, Churchus R.In a two-part cross-over experiment in six ponies, an acute inflammatory reaction was generated by injecting carrageenin solution into subcutaneously-implanted tissue-cages lined with fibrovascular granulation tissue. In each part of the cross-over, half of the ponies received a novel phenylpyrazoline anti-inflammatory agent (BW540C) orally and half received a placebo treatment. BW540C inhibited platelet cyclo-oxygenase for 24 h but the reductions in exudate eicosanoid concentrations were less pronounced. A significant suppression in the rise of surface skin temperature in BW540C-treated ponie...
Houghton E, Dumasia MC, Teale P, Moss MS, Sinkins S.Esters of 19-nortestosterone form an important group of anabolic preparations used in veterinary practice. Based upon results from detailed metabolic studies for 19-nortestosterone in the horse, a method to confirm the administration of anabolic preparations of this steroid to castrated male horses and fillies is described; the method is based upon the use of multiple analytes. Following administration of the anabolic preparations, solid-phase extraction of urinary conjugates and the separation of the conjugate groups prior to hydrolysis allow for the determination of specific metabolites conj...
Dumasia MC, Houghton E, Moss MS, Chakraborty J, Marks V.The pro-drugs of dexamethasone, a potent glucocorticoid, are frequently used as anti-inflammatory steroids in equine veterinary practice. In the present study the biotransformation and urinary excretion of tritium labelled dexamethasone were investigated in cross-bred castrated male horses after therapeutic doses. Between 40-50% of the administered radioactivity was excreted in the urine within 24 h; a further 10% being excreted over the next 3 days. The urinary radioactivity was largely excreted in the unconjugated steroid fraction. In the first 24 h urine sample, 26-36% of the total dose was...
Lees P, Higgins AJ, Mawhinney IC, Reid DS.The absorption pattern of phenylbutazone was studied in five horses during administration of the drug in a paste formulation on days 1, 5, 8 and 12 of a 12-day dosing schedule. Since two or more plasma concentration peaks were usually obtained following each oral dose, it was concluded that phasic absorption was a particular feature of the oil:water formulation of the product. Possible causes of this unusual absorption pattern are discussed and the therapeutic implications of both phasic absorption and the recorded values of Cmax, tmax and AUC024 for phenylbutazone and its active metabolite ox...
Lees P, Taylor JB, Higgins AJ, Sharma SC.The clinically recommended dose rate of phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg) was administered intravenously as a single dose to five Welsh Mountain ponies. Distribution of phenylbutazone and its active metabolite oxyphenbutazone into body fluids was studied by measuring concentrations in plasma, tissue-cage fluid, peritoneal fluid and acute inflammatory exudate harvested from a polyester sponge model of inflammation. The ready penetration of phenylbutazone into inflammatory exudate was demonstrated by the relatively high mean value for Cmax of 12.4 micrograms/ml occurring at a time of 4.6 h and a mean A...
Fornstedt B, Rosengren E, Carlsson A.The 5-S-cysteinyl derivatives of dopamine, dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) and dopac (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) were synthesized and used as reference compounds in high performance liquid chromatography analyses of extracts from various brain regions of eight mammalian species. All three metabolites were detected in the brains of all the species studied. The regional distribution of the metabolites was similar to that of dopamine; the metabolite concentrations ranged from less than 0.1 percent to more than 1 percent of the dopamine level, the highest ratios generally being found in sub...
Tobin T, Chay S, Kamerling S, Woods WE, Weckman TJ, Blake JW, Lees P.Phenylbutazone is an acidic, lipophilic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is extensively metabolized in the horse. The metabolites so far identified, oxyphenbutazone, gamma-hydroxyoxyphenbutazone, account for some 25-30% of administered dose over 24 h. The plasma half-life of phenylbutazone and termination of its pharmacological action are determined primarily by its rate of hepatic metabolism. Phenylbutazone acts by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme system, which is responsible for synthesis of prostanoids such as PGE2. It appears to act on prostaglandin-H synthase and pros...
Johansson IM, Anlér EL, Bondesson U, Schubert B.Two metabolites of meclofenamic acid have been isolated from equine urine. Both metabolites are found to be monohydroxylated forms of meclofenamic acid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after extractive alkylation. The parent drug and the metabolites are separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography on a Spherisorb ODS column, using methanol-phosphate buffer eluents and UV detection at 280 nm. The structure of the metabolites is discussed on the basis of LC, TLC and GC-MS data.
Skrabalak DS, Henion JD.Betamethasone and its major unconjugated metabolite, 6-beta-hydroxybetamethasone, were detected in equine urine by thin-layer chromatography and characterized by micro-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (micro-LC/MS). Their structures were confirmed by a combination of infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Christensen JM, Blythe LL, Craig AM.Phenylbutazone was administered to six Thoroughbred horses in a cross-over study in which the horses received cimetidine pretreatment or no cimetidine pretreatment. Blood samples were collected at various times for 48 h after phenylbutazone administration and the plasma was analysed for phenylbutazone. Cimetidine pretreatment elevated phenylbutazone plasma concentrations during the first 8 h after phenylbutazone administration. The absorption rate, maximum phenylbutazone plasma concentrations and AUC were significantly greater with cimetidine pretreatment. The half-life of phenylbutazone did n...
Skrabalak DS, Cuddy KK, Henion JD.Micro-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (micro-LC-MS) was utilized to quantitatively determine betamethasone and its major unconjugated metabolite, 6 beta-hydroxybetamethasone, in equine plasma and urine. The advantage of micro-LC-MS over conventional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in corticosteroid determination is illustrated and the reliable, steadfast nature of micro-LC-MS is demonstrated through example.
Houghton E, Dumasia MC, Teale P, Smith SJ, Cox J, Marshall D, Gower DB.Stable isotope gas chromatography/mass spectrometry has been used successfully in the elucidation of structures of urinary steroid metabolites in the horse and in the identification of metabolites isolated from in vivo perfusion and in vitro incubation studies using equine tissue preparations. Deuterium-labeled steroids, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and 5-androstene-3 beta,17 beta-diol have been synthesized by base-catalyzed isotope exchange methods and the products characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. [16,16(-2)H2]Dehydroepiandrosterone (plus radiolabeled dehydroepi...
Hunt JP, Haywood PE, Moss MS.A gas chromatographic screening procedure for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group of drugs is described. The method invovles on-column methylation of the carboxylic acid group using trimethylanilinium hydroxide as the methylating reagent. Fifteen such drugs were studied. Eight of these were detected in urine collected from horses that had received these compounds orally and for these drugs, rates of urinary excretion are recorded. Seven other members of this group of drugs were shown to be detectable by this procedure but in these cases the drug was added to urine and not administered to...
Lehner AF, Almeida P, Jacobs J, Harkins JD, Karpiesiuk W, Woods WE, Dirikolu L, Bosken JM, Carter WG, Boyles J, Holtz C, Heller T, Nattrass C....Remifentanil (4-methoxycarbonyl-4-[(1-oxopropyl)phenylamino]-1-piperidinepropionic acid methyl ester) is a mu-opioid receptor agonist with considerable abuse potential in racing horses. The identification of its major equine urinary metabolite, 4-methoxycarbonyl-4-[(1-oxopropyl)phenylamino]-1-piperidinepropionic+ ++ acid, an ester hydrolysis product of remifentanil is reported. Administration of remifentanil HCl (5 mg, intravenous) produced clear-cut locomotor responses, establishing the clinical efficacy of this dose. ELISA analysis of postadministration urine samples readily detected fentany...
Edlund PO, Bowers L, Henion J.Monitoring steroid use requires an understanding of the metabolism in the species in question and development of sensitive methods for screening of the steroid or its metabolites in urine. Qualitative information for confirmation of methandrostenolone and identification of its metabolites was primarily obtained by coupled-column high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The steroids and a sulphuric acid conjugate were isolated and identified by their daughter ion mass spectra in the urine of both man and the horse following administration of methandrostenolone. Spontaneo...
Sanclemente JL, Rivera-Velez SM, Horohov DW, Dasgupta N, Sanz MG.Foals that develop pulmonary ultrasonographic lesions on Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) endemic farms are treated with antibiotics because those at risk of developing clinical pneumonia (~20%) cannot be recognised early. Candidate biomarkers identified using metabolomics may aid targeted treatment strategies against R. equi. Objective: (1) To describe how foal ageing affects their plasma metabolome (birth to 8 weeks) and (2) to establish the effects that experimental infection with Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) has on foal metabolome. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Nine healthy newborn foals...
Kwok KY, Chan GHM, Kwok WH, Wong JKY, Wan TSM.Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are chemicals that possess the anti-oestrogenic activities that are banned 'in' and 'out' of competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in human sports, and by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in horseracing. SERMs can be used as performance-enhancing drugs to boost the level of androgens or to compensate for the adverse effects as a result of extensive use of androgenic anabolic steroids (AASs). SERMs have indeed been abused in human sports; hence, a similar threat can be envisaged in horseracing. Numerous an...
Houghton E, Copsey J, Dumasia MC, Haywood PE, Moss MS, Teale P.As part of a continuing research program associated with the detection of anabolic steroid residues in horse urine, normal samples from entire male horses have now been investigated. Isomers of three C-18 neutral steroids; 4-estren-17-ol-3-one (1), estrane-3,17-diol (2) and an unsaturated estranediol having a possible structure (3), have been identified in urine samples from two male horses aged 8 and 14 years. Of these three steroids, compound (2) was not detected in the urine of a 2.5 yr old entire male nor in the majority of post-race urine samples from entire male horses average age 3.8 yr...
Marland A, Sarkar P, Leavitt R.Tenoxicam (Mobiflex) was administered orally to four standardbred mares at a dose of 200 mg. Elimination profiles of tenoxicam and hydroxytenoxicam were generated based on quantitation of these analytes in urine and serum by liquid chromatography (LC) with ultraviolet detection. Tenoxicam was confirmed by LC-tandem mass spectrometry daughter ion mass spectra in the last postadministration sample in which tenoxicam was detected. The tenoxicam and hydroxytenoxicam urinary elimination profiles had the same shape for the same horse; however, each horse was significantly different from the others. ...
Brotherton HO, Yost RA.A screening and confirmation procedure for drugs and metabolites in the blood serum and urine of racing animals was developed. Equine blood serum was spiked with low concentrations of several drugs of interest. Canine blood serum and urine were collected following oral doses of diethylcarbamazine, procaine, and phenylbutazone. Serum, urine, and extracts of each were analyzed, using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Simultaneous screening of up to 50 drugs was possible in a single sample, in less than 2 minutes. Detection limits for most compounds were in the ng/ml to microgram/ml range, u...
Vonaparti A, Lyris E, Panderi I, Koupparis M, Georgakopoulos C.Two simple and rapid LC/MS methods with direct injection analysis were developed and validated for the quantification and identification of hydrocortisone in equine urine using the same sample preparation but different mass spectrometric systems: ion trap mass spectrometry (IT-MS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS). The main advantage of the proposed methodology is the minimal sample preparation procedure, as particle-free diluted urine samples were directly injected into both LC/MS systems. Desonide was used as internal standard (IS). The linear range was 0.25-2.5 microg ml(-1) for...
Karatt TK, Sathiq MA, Laya S, Philip M, Karakka Kal AK, Subhahar MB.An effective alternative to testosterone therapy is selective androgen receptor modulators, a class of compounds that has a tissue-specific effect on muscle and bone. These drugs, which enhance performance, pose a severe abuse risk in competitive sports. GLPG0492 is one of the selective androgen receptor modulators discovered in recent decades. This compound has a unique tissue-specific action for muscle and bone against steroid receptors and acts as a partial agonist for androgen receptors. This study examined GLPG0492 and its metabolites in vitro using equine liver microsomes. Liquid chromat...
Camargo FC, Robinson NE, Dirikolu L, Berney C, Eberhart S, Derksen FJ, Lehner AF, May J, Hughes C, Tobin T.Trimetoquinol (TMQ) is a very potent and fast acting bronchodilator in horses with heaves. This study assessed the plasma and urinary concentrations of TMQ in horses with heaves following administration via the intravenous (IV, 0.2 microg/kg) and intra-tracheal (IT, 2 microg/kg) routes. TMQ was administered to six horses affected with heaves (RAO - Recurrent Airway Obstruction, used interchangeably) by the above routes and plasma and urine samples collected and stored at -20 degrees C until analyzed. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) of TMQ was followed by highly sensitive ESI(+)-LC-MS-MS (ElectroS...
Stanley SD, McKemie D, Skinner W.A rapid, sensitive, and rugged method for detecting drugs and drug metabolites in extracts of horse urine is described. The use of large-volume injection (LVI) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for analysis of horse urine extracts allowed automation of the derivatization procedure and reduction of the sample volume from 5 mL to 1 mL of urine. An autosampler and temperature-programmable inlet were used to automatically dissolve the sample extract and form trimethylsilyl derivatives of over 200 analytes. The suitability of this procedure for routine GC-MS detection of approximately 80...
Singh AK, Gordon B, Hewetson D, Granley K, Ashraf M, Mishra U, Dombrovskis D.Gas chromatography with chemical ionization mass spectrometry and selected-ion monitoring provided a sensitive method for the screening and confirmation of steroids in horse urine and plasma. Chemical ionization mass spectrometry was more sensitive than the electron impact ionization mass spectrometry for most of the steroids except for testosterone, prednisone-metabolite-2 and prednisolone-metabolite-2. The chromatographic conditions used in this study provided clean separation of different natural and synthetic steroids. Approximately 75-85% of the steroids added to plasma and approximately ...
Elbourne M, Cawley A, Stanley S, Bowen C, Fu S.Equine urine analysis has evolved over time to detect thousands of urinary compounds for doping control in the horse racing industry. The longitudinal assessment of 3-methoxytyramine to tyramine ratio (3-MT/T) values in equine urine by GC-MS profiling was investigated to support the Racing NSW Equine Biological Passport (EBP) for detection of dopaminergic manipulation in racehorses. This involved comparison of routine urine samples to administration studies of Sinemet, a common Parkinson's disease medication containing levodopa. Using an endogenous reference compound (ERC) in a urinary ratio e...
Harkins JD, Karpiesiuk W, Tobin T, Dirikolu L, Lehner AF.Ropivacaine is a local anesthetic that has a high potential for abuse in racing horses. It can be recovered from urine collected after administration as a hydroxylated metabolite following beta-glucuronidase treatment of the urine. Based on these findings, it has been inferred that ropivacaine is present in equine urine as a glucuronide metabolite; however, these metabolites have never been directly identified. Using ESI+/MS/MS, the presence of a [M+H]+ molecular ion of m/z 467 was demonstrated in urine corresponding to the calculated mass of a hydroxyropivacaine glucuronide +1. The abundance ...
Tueshaus T, McKemie DS, Kanarr K, Kass PH, Knych HK.Codeine and acetaminophen in combination have proven to be an effective analgesic treatment for moderate-to-severe and postoperative pain in humans. Studies have demonstrated that codeine and acetaminophen, when administered as sole agents, are well tolerated by horses. In the current study, we hypothesized that administration of the combination of codeine and acetaminophen would result in a significant thermal antinociceptive effect compared with administration of either alone. Six horses were administered oral doses of codeine (1.2 mg/kg), acetaminophen (20 mg/kg), and codeine plus aceta...
Appolonova SA, Baranov PA, Mesonzhnik NV, Brazhnikova DO, Rodchenkov GM.A method is described for the determination of mesocarb abuse in equestrian sport by combining gradient liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Mesocarb was administrated orally to two horses at a dose of 50 µg/kg. Urine samples were collected up to 120 h post administration. Hydrolyzed and conjugated urine fractions were handled using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The identity of the parent drug and metabolites was confirmed using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Mesocarb and seven metabolites were detected in horse...
Brown MP, Kelly RH, Gronwall RR, Stover SM.Six healthy adult mares were given a single IV dose (25 mg/kg of body weight) of chloramphenicol sodium succinate. Chloramphenicol concentrations in serum, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, and urine were measured serially over a 48-hour period. The highest measured serum chloramphenicol concentration was 6.21 micrograms/ml at 0.5 hour. Chloramphenicol was detected in synovial and peritoneal fluids, with mean peak concentrations of 3.89 micrograms/ml and 3.50 micrograms/ml, respectively, at 0.5 hour. Serum and synovial concentrations declined rapidly and were not measurable at 3 hours. Chloram...
Dumasia MC.The in vivo phase I biotransformation of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone in the horse leads to the formation of a complex mixture of regio- and stereoisomeric C(20)O(2), C(20)O(3) and C(20)O(4) metabolites, excreted in urine as glucuronide and sulphate phase II conjugates. The major pathways of in vivo metabolism are the reduction of the A-ring (di- and tetrahydro), epimerisation at C-17 and oxidations mainly at C-6 and C-16. Some phase I metabolites have been identified previously by positive ion electron ionisation capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/EI + MS) mainly from the chara...
Wenzel R, Major D, Hesp K, Doble P.Regulating authorities in the racing industry have restricted the administration of potentially performance enhancing cobalt salts to horses. There are severe penalties for trainers presenting horses with elevated urine cobalt concentrations, and compliance is ensured via analysis of total urinary cobalt at thresholds of 100 μg/L. When cobalt is present as part of the cobalamin molecule it is not considered performance enhancing. This paper demonstrates that a horse can excrete a significant proportion of a commercially available vitamin B12 injection in urine without metabolic modification...
Salonen JS, Vuorilehto L, Gilbert M, Maylin GA.Horse urine was investigated for metabolites by chromatography and mass spectrometry following the oral administration of the large animal analgesic sedative detomidine to two stallions and intravenous administration of [3H]-detomidine to a mare. Detomidine carboxylic acid and hydroxydetomidine glucuronic acid conjugate were identified in the urine after the oral doses. In addition, traces of free hydroxydetomidine were observed. About half of the radioactivity of [3H]-detomidine was excreted in the urine in 12 h after the i.v. dose (80 micrograms/kg). Most of the excretion occurred between 5 ...
Dyke TM, Sams RA, Hinchcliff KW.To measure renal clearance of antipyrine and urinary excretion of antipyrine (AP) metabolites in horses by use of validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. Methods: 8 Standardbred mares. Methods: HPLC methods for measurement of AP in equine plasma and AP and its metabolites in equine urine were validated. Antipyrine (20 mg/kg of body weight) was administered i.v., and blood samples and urine specimens were collected over 24 hours. Results: Median plasma clearance of AP in horses was 6.2 ml/min/kg, of which < 2% could be attributed to renal clearance. Urinary excretion...
Fernández-Hernández P, García-Marín LJ, Bragado MJ, Domingo A, González-Fernández L, Macías-García B.In the horse, a repeatable protocol for in vitro fertilization has not been developed, possibly due to incomplete sperm capacitation. We have previously identified the metabolites present in equine oviductal fluid (OF). We aimed to test the effects of different metabolites found in equine oviductal fluid on quality parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Different concentrations of myoinositol (5-25 mM), lactate (6-60 mM), glycine (0.1-5 mM), β-alanine (1-6 mM), and histamine (0.05-0.4 mM) were added independently to modified Whitten's medium (pH = 7.25). Thawed equine spermatozoa (three s...
Knych HK, Weiner D, Steinmetz S, Flynn K, McKemie DS.Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine and cetirizine, a second-generation antihistamine and active metabolite of hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine is commonly used in performance horses and as such its use in closely regulated; however, there are no published studies suitable for establishing appropriate regulatory recommendations. In the current study, 12 exercised Thoroughbred research horses received a single oral administration of 500 mg of hydroxyzine. Blood and urine samples were collected prior to and up to 96 hr postdrug administration and concentrations of hydroxyzine and cetirizin...
Dumasia MC, Houghton E.The metabolism of 19-nor[4-14C]testosterone has been studied in the equine castrate. Following XAD-2 extraction of aliquots of the 0-24 h urine samples, the glucuronic acid and sulphate conjugates were separated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. After hydrolysis of the conjugates, the neutral phase I metabolites of 19-nortestosterone were extracted, purified and identified by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. In phase I metabolism stereospecificity was observed in the reduction of the A-ring with the formation of the 5 alpha, 3 beta-isomers of estranediol. Epimerization at C-17 and hydroxylatio...
Aramaki S, Ishidaka O, Suzuki E, Momose A, Umemura K.In a doping test for racing horses, it is useful for the elucidation of the illegal use of drugs if one can estimate the time at which the detected drug was administered. In order to estimate the time which has elapsed after the administration of caffeine (CA) into horses, the ratios of concentration for the respective metabolites to the unchanged CA in the plasma or the urine were determined. These ratios have been known to be independent of the dose of CA. The relationship between [plasma or urinary concentration of a metabolite]/ [plasma or urinary concentration of the unchanged drug] and t...
So YM, Wong JKY, Wong ASY, Tse ATL, Wan TSM, Ho ENM.The erythropoietin mimetic peptide 1 linear form (EMP1-linear), GGTYSCHFGPLTWVCKPQGG-NH , was identified in an unknown preparation consisting of white crystalline powder contained in sealed glass vials using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). The white crystalline powder, allegedly used for doping racehorses, was found to contain around 2% (w/w) of EMP1-linear. EMP1-linear can be cyclised in equine plasma at physiological temperature of 37°C by forming an intramolecular disulfide bond to give EMP1, which is a well-known erythropoiesis st...
Chapman DI, Close PM, Moss MS, Snow DH.A radioimmunological method was used as a screening procedure to determine the period of detection or "clearance time", for the horse, of therapeutic doses of the synthetic anabolic steroid nandrolone phenylpropionate. Seven horses, either at rest or being exercised, were given a course of weekly intramuscular injections of the steroid. On the separate occasion, some of the horses were given a single intramuscular injection of the same compound. The weekly injections maintained a high plasma concentration of nandrolone and/or metabolites. The mean (+/- sd) period of detection in plasma of thes...
