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Semiquantitative determination of meldonium and emoxypine in human urine by HPLC–MS/MS after receiving a single therapeutic dose of Brainmax® and milk from cows receiving a preventive course of Emidonol®

https://doi.org/10.32362/2410-6593-2025-20-4-382-398

EDN: GJESKG

Abstract

Objectives. Emidonol® is a veterinary drug used to treat pathological conditions associated with hypoxia in cattle. In addition tomeldonium, which is included in the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency, the biotransformation product of Emidonol® in animals is the antioxidant and antihypoxant emoxypine, which can act as a marker of contamination of food products with the above-mentioned widely known metabolic modulator. The study set out to semiquantitatively determine emoxypine and meldonium levels, as well as to compare the excretion profiles of these substances by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) in urine samples of volunteers after receiving a single oral administration of a therapeutic dose of Brainmax® and after consuming a large amount of milk from cows that had received a prophylactic course of Emidonol®.

Methods. Sample preparation of urine samples for the determination of meldonium was carried out using the “dilute and shoot” approach. Enzymatic hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase followed by purification by solid-phase extraction was used to determine emoxypine. Identification of meldonium and emoxypine was carried out by HPLC–MS/MS under conditions of electrospray ionization with registration of positively charged ions in the selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode for the following transitions and collision energies: for meldonium, 147.1 > 147.1 (15), 147.1 > 132.1 (17), 147.1 > 58.1 (17), 147.1 > 59.1 (17), 147.1 > 42.1 (60); for emoxypine, 138.1 > 138.1 (7), 138.1 > 123.1 (15), 138.1 > 110.1 (20), 138.1 > 95.1 (20).

Results. The possibility of simultaneous identifying meldonium and emoxypine obtained after enzymatic hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase in urine samples of volunteers after oral intake of single dose of Brainmax® and consuming a large amount of Emidonol®-contaminated milk using the HPLC–MS/MS method with different numbers and variants of SRM transitions was demonstrated. Differences in the excretion profiles of these substances were found after ingestion of large amounts of contaminated milk and a single oral dose of Brainmax® 15–18 h later and further. After taking contaminated milk 12 h or more later, emoxypine is detected in concentrations 5 or more times higher than meldonium concentrations and is excreted for a longer period of time. Conversely, after taking a single dose of Brainmax®, which contains both substances, the content of meldonium in urine samples of volunteers 15–18 h after taking it is several times higher in relation to emoxypine. The constant ratio of estimated concentrations of meldonium and emoxypine in Emidonol® was found to be approximately 1 : 2.

Conclusions. Identification of meldonium in the presence of emoxypine in urine under certain conditions can be used to distinguish contamination of food products with a prohibited metabolic modulator from intentional ingestion of real doping.

About the Authors

Pavel V. Postnikov
M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, National Anti-Doping Laboratory (Institute) (NADL MSU)
Russian Federation

Pavel V. Postnikov, Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Head of the Doping Control Department

10-1, Elizavetinskii per., Moscow, 105005

Scopus Author ID 57021610900


Competing Interests:

Авторы заявляют об отсутствии конфликта интересов



Alexander D. Askretkov
M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, National Anti-Doping Laboratory (Institute) (NADL MSU)
Russian Federation

Alexander D. Askretkov, Cand. Sci. (Pharm.), Senior Specialist, Doping Control Department

10-1, Elizavetinskii per., Moscow, 105005

Scopus Author ID 57196465758


Competing Interests:

Авторы заявляют об отсутствии конфликта интересов



Andrey V. Polosin
M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, National Anti-Doping Laboratory (Institute) (NADL MSU)
Russian Federation

Andrey V. Polosin, Chief Specialist, Doping Control Department

10-1, Elizavetinskii per., Moscow, 105005


Competing Interests:

Авторы заявляют об отсутствии конфликта интересов



Yuliya A. Efimova
MIREA – Russian Technological University (M.V. Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies)
Russian Federation

Yuliya A. Efimova, Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Assistant Professor, I.P. Alimarin Department of Analitical Chemistry

78, Vernadskogo pr., Moscow, 119454

Scopus Author ID 25228417800


Competing Interests:

Авторы заявляют об отсутствии конфликта интересов



Elena S. Mochalova
MIREA – Russian Technological University (M.V. Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies)
Russian Federation

Elena S. Mochalova, Acting Director

10-1, Elizavetinskii per., Moscow, 105005

Scopus Author ID 56416432400

 


Competing Interests:

Авторы заявляют об отсутствии конфликта интересов



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Review

For citations:


Postnikov P.V., Askretkov A.D., Polosin A.V., Efimova Yu.A., Mochalova E.S. Semiquantitative determination of meldonium and emoxypine in human urine by HPLC–MS/MS after receiving a single therapeutic dose of Brainmax® and milk from cows receiving a preventive course of Emidonol®. Fine Chemical Technologies. 2025;20(4):382-398. https://doi.org/10.32362/2410-6593-2025-20-4-382-398. EDN: GJESKG

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ISSN 2410-6593 (Print)
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