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 urine. Mono- and two di-hydroxylated metabolites were the main metabolites observed in horse urine samples. Based on the differences in MS/MS spectra it was supposed that these metabolites were been formed by the hydroxylation of the phenylisopropyl moiety of mesocarb whilst the main process of hydroxylation of mesocarb in human occurred in the phenylcarbamoyl moiety. The main metabolites were almost completely glucuroconjugated. Minor metabolites such as p-hydroxymesocarb and three di-hydroxylated metabolites together with parent mesocarb were also presented in the free urine fraction. This study has shown that two mono- and two di-hydroxylated metabolites are useful for controlling the abuse of mesocarb in horses.

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It was found that Nitroproston is rapidly hydrolyzed in rodent compared to human plasma incubations. Whereas Nitroproston is relatively stable in human plasma an enhanced hydrolytic activity was observed in whole human blood incubations. Extensive metabolism of Nitroproston in human whole blood was mainly associated with red blood cells. The observed interspecies variability highlights the need of suitable animal model selection for Nitroproston follow-up PK/PD studies.

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We studied the effect of succinic acid on the process of glucuronidation of 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine after peroral and intraperitoneal administration in the form of succinate or a base. Since the basic form of 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine is insoluble in water, it was administered in 5% Tween-80. It was necessary to evaluate also the effect of Tween-80 on glucuronidation of 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine in different administration routes. Quantitative assay of glucuronidated fractions was performed by the method of reversed-phase HPLC with fluorometrical detection. The detection limit for this method was 10 ng/ml. We confirmed that the major excretion pathway for 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine is conjugation with glucuronic acid. It was found that succinic acid increased excretion of glucuronidated metabolite after both peroral and intraperitoneal administration of 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine in the form of succinate and base in 5% Tween-80. The effect of Tween-80 was detected only after peroral administration, which was probably related to its effect on absorption of this compound. Tween-80 increased excretion of glucuronate after peroral administration of 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine in the form of succinate and in 5% Tween solution.