An LC/MS method for the quantitative determination of 7α‐OH DHEA and 7β‐OH DHEA: an application for the study of the metabolism of DHEA in rat brain

AbstractDehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an important neurosteroid with neuronal protection and memory enhancement functions. 7α‐OH DHEA and 7β‐OH DHEA are the two important metabolites of DHEA in the brain. We have developed an LC/MS method to quantitatively analyze 7α‐OH DHEA and 7β‐OH DHEA. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a C18 column with gradient elution using mobile phases of formic acid in acetonitrile and in water formic acid. Mass spectral detection was performed with a ThermoFinnigan LCQ advantage quadruple ion trap mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization. Positive ion chromatograms were acquired using single ion monitoring. The protonated molecule was 305 m/z, but the most abundant ion (269 m/z) was used for quantification. This method was validated and applied to investigate the 7‐hydroxylation of DHEA. When incubating DHEA with rat brain microsomes, both 7α‐OH DHEA and 7β‐OH DHEA were observed, but 7α‐OH DHEA was the major metabolite. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.