Urinary 8-epi-PGF2α and its endogenous β-oxidation products (2,3-dinor and 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro) as biomarkers of total body oxidative stress

Although measurements of plasma F2-isoprostanes are established markers of oxidative stress, their quantification only reflects acute non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation. In this study, a new approach is described for the rapid isolation and measurement of urinary 8-epi-PGF2α and its endogenous β-oxidation metabolites (2,3-dinor-8-epi-PGF2α and 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-PGF2α) for use as index of total body oxidative stress. Isoprostanes were partitioned with ethyl acetate and subsequently purified by chromatography on an aminopropyl (NH2) and silica (Si) cartridge. Final analysis of F2-isoprostanes as trimethylsilyl-ester/pentafluorobenzyl ester derivatives was carried out by stable isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Overall recovery of F2-isoprostanes was 80 ± 4%. Inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were 5% and 7%, respectively. In a group of healthy humans, the mean excretion rates expressed as nmol/mmol creatinine for 2,3-dinor-8-epi-PGF2α, 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-8-epi-PGF2α, and 8-epi-PGF2α were 5.43 ± 1.93, 2.16 ± 0.71, and 0.36 ± 0.16, respectively. Correlations were obtained between 8-epi-PGF2α and 2,3-dinor-8-epi-PGF2α or 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-8-epi-PGF2α (r = 0.998 and r = 0.937, respectively). A strong relationship was also seen between 2,3-dinor-8-epi-PGF2 and 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-8-epi-PGF2α (r = 0.949). The new technique allows for high sample throughput and avoids the need for HPLC and/or other expensive equipment required for the initial sample preparation. Simultaneous analysis of urinary 8-epi-PGF2α and its metabolites should provide unique tool in clinical trials exploring the role of oxidant injury in human disease.