Description: Nitrofurans are antibiotics that have been banned in the European Union for use as veterinary drugs, due to their toxic an suspected carcinogenic properties. It is important that chemical methods are available to check on the use of these illegal drugs. Upon administration nitrofurans are very rapidly metabolised. In this process reactive metabolites are formed which can react with proteins, RNA and DNA. Nitrofuran protein adducts are quite stable, staying in the body up to several weeks or months after use. Due to the complexity of the formed adducts it was not possible in the past to analyse these nitrofuran protein adducts directly. If the identity of the adducts is established they can be used as biomarkers. Analysis of these markers in animal tissues (blood, muscle, liver) can prove unequivocally the illegal use of nitrofurans, even if these drugs have been administered in the past.
Research objectives: The aim of this project is to determine if with the use of modern mass spectrometric techniques it is possible to analyse thes protein adducts in sufficient detail and to develop methods for their detection in animal tissues. Acitivities:
- Development of a microsomal incubation system for the preparation of nitrofuran protein adducts. Furazolidon is used as representative of the nitrofurans and albumin (BSA) as model protein. - Isolation of the albumin protein fraction with gel electrophoresis and preparation of protein digests (tryptic digests). - Analysis of the tryptic digests with nano-LC-Orbitrap-MS (Department of Biochemistry, Dr. Jacques Vervoort). - Identification of the most important nitrofuran protein adducts. - Application of the method on incurred samples from previous animal studies. Determination of applicability (proof of principle), detection limits. - Extention to other nitrofurans and other target proteins (for example muscle and liver proteins).
Results and products:
- The microsomal test system has been developed and adducts of furazolidon with albumin have been produced. - The isolation of the albumin fraction has been carried out, as well as the preparation of tryptic digests. - Analysis of the protein digests has resulted in the identification of some promishing furazolidon albumin adducts, that will be investigated in more detail. - In 2009 the results will be verified by means of incurred samples obtained in previous animal studies. Based on the outcome of these experiments recommendations will be made for further research and/or application to official control. - Within the project it will not be possible to look into adduct formation of nitrofurans with other relevant proteins. |