BNN27, a C17-spiroepoxy derivative of DHEA, was shown to have antiapoptotic properties via mechanisms involving the nerve growth factor receptors (tropomyosin-related kinase A [TrkA]/neurotrophin receptor p75 [p75]). In this study, we examined the effects of BNN27 on neural/glial cell function, apoptosis, and inflammation in the experimental rat streptozotocin (STZ) model of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The ability of BNN27 to activate the TrkA receptor and regulate p75 expression was investigated. BNN27 (2,10, and 50 mg/kg i.p. for 7 days) administration 4 weeks post-STZ injection (paradigm A) reversed the diabetes-induced glial activation and loss of function of amacrine cells (brain nitric oxide synthetase/tyrosine hydroxylase expression) and ganglion cell axons via a TrkA receptor (TrkAR)-dependent mechanism. BNN27 activated/phosphorylated the TrkA residue in the absence but not the presence of TrkAR inhibitor and abolished the diabetes-induced increase in p75 expression. However, it had no effect on retinal cell death (TUNEL cells). A similar result was observed when BNN27 (10 mg/kg i.p.) was administered at the onset of diabetes, every other day for 4 weeks (paradigm B). However, BNN27 decreased the activation of caspase-3 in both paradigms. Finally, BNN27 reduced the proinflammatory (TNFα and IL-1β) and increased the anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-4) cytokine levels. These findings suggest that BNN27 has the pharmacological profile of a therapeutic for DR, since it targets both the neurodegenerative and inflammatory components of the disease.

Phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens (PBs), organic chemicals widely used in everyday products, are considered to be endocrine disruptors. We propose a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of seven phthalate metabolites, six PBs and BPA in human urine. All three categories of the above endocrine disruptors were simultaneously extracted from 1 mL of human urine using solid phase extraction. In addition, with a conventional reversed phase LC column, we achieved for the first time the separation of three pairs of structural isomers, namely iso-/n-butyl paraben, propyl paraben and monobutyl phthalate. LC-MS/MS was operated and tested in both electrospray ionisation (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI). ESI was selected for the analysis due to its superior stability and repeatability. The method limit of detection (mLOD), achieved for a single set of high-performance LC conditions, ranged from 0.01 to 0.84 ng/mL for phthalate metabolites, from 0.06 to 0.24 ng/mL for PBs and was 2.01 ng/mL for BPA. Derivatisation of BPA with dansyl chloride lowered its mLOD to 0.007 ng/mL. Blank contamination was non-detectable. The present method was successfully applied for the analysis of the above-mentioned compounds in 80 male human urine samples.

This is the first time that the use of HPLC/SSI-MS/MS has been reported for the detection and quantitation of chlorate, perchlorate and bromate in water samples. In addition, the exceptionally low LODs achieved using SSI render the technique competitive with the established and dominating electrospray ionization technique. Here, we have demonstrated that a commercially available high-efficiency glass pneumatic nebulizer can also be used, without any further modification, as an efficient gas-phase ion source. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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