?:abstract
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Methylnortestosterone is a progestin and synthetic androgenic anabolic steroid, prohibited by WADA. Methylnortestosterone misuse is commonly detected by monitoring the parent compound and its main metabolites, 17α-methyl-5α-estrane-3α, 17β-diol (M1) and 17α-methyl-5β-estrane-3α, 17β-diol (M2), in the glucuronide fraction. In the current study, a direct detection of methylnortestosterone sulfo-conjugated metabolites after ethyl acetate extraction and analysis by LC/Q/TOF-MS in negative ionization mode was performed, detecting two main sulfate metabolites (S1, S2). For the characterization of metabolites, samples from the excretion study, were additionally analyzed by GC-MS, after solvolysis and per TMS derivatization. RT and MS data collected, were compared with RT and MS data from metabolites of 17z-methyl-5α/β-estrane-3α/β, 17z-diols structures with prefixed stereochemistry at 3 and 5 positions, synthesized through Grignard reaction from 19-noretiocholanolone, 19-norandrosterone and 19-norepiandrosterone. Confirmed sulfate metabolites were S1, 17α-methyl-5α-estrane-3α, 17β-diol 3α sulfate (detected up to 72 h) and S2, 17α-methyl-5β-estrane-3α, 17β-diol 3α sulfate (detected up to 192 h). Furthermore, applying targeted analysis based on RT and MS data of the synthesized metabolites two additional metabolites M3, 17β-methyl-5β-estrane-3α, 17α-diol and M4, 17β-methyl-5α-estrane-3α, 17α-diol were detected in the glucuronide fraction and one more metabolite (S3) 17β-methyl-5β-estrane-3α, 17α-diol was detected in the sulfate fraction in lower abundance until the end of the excretion study (192h). Interestingly, S2 could also be detected after the direct analysis of non-hydrolyzed steroid by GC-MS/MS as artifact, following normal ProcIV anabolic steroid procedure and using diethylether as extraction solvent.
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