Abstract

The aim of this study is the evaluation of the interferences produced by urinary endogenous components in the screening for the anabolic steroids 17 α -trenbolone (17TREN), 1-testosterone(1T), 5ß-androst-1-ene-17ß-ol-3-one (BOLDm) and oxandrolone (OXA). Different approaches based on mass spectrometry have been evaluated in order to circumvent these interferences. A methodology for the elucidation of anabolic-androgenic steroids and corticosteroids is also proposed and applied for these endogenous interferences. Although LC-MS/MS is a powerful tool for the urinary detection of anabolic steroids, it can be hampered by the presence of endogenous components. Hence, the straightforward use of the most abundant transition does not always result in a more sensitive determination due to these interferences. The selection of more specific transitions such as the use of unusual homolytical fragmentations can help to circumvent these endogenous interferences. The selection of uncommon precursor ions such as [M+H+MeOH]+ is also useful in order to increase the specificity of the method in a matrix as complex as urine. The developed approach for the identification of steroids and corticosteroids has shown its applicability as it allowed for the identification of 6 up to 9 of the detected interferences. Therefore, it can be useful in the identification of the molecular formula of unknown steroids in other applications such as metabolism studies or in the identification of new designer steroids. Aus dem Text