A novel tool to screen for treatments with clenbuterol in bovine: Identification of two hepatic markers by metabolomics investigation. (15th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stella, Roberto; Bovo, Davide; Mastrorilli, Eleonora; Manuali, Elisabetta; Pezzolato, Marzia; Bozzetta, Elena; Lega, Francesca; Angeletti, Roberto; Biancotto, Giancarlo
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 353(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08-15
• Subjects: CBT clenbuterol -- HRMS high resolution mass spectrometry -- MS/MS tandem mass spectrometry -- HCD higher energy C-trap dissociation -- ACN acetonitrile -- LC liquid chromatography -- FWHM full width at half maximum -- PRM parallel reaction monitoring -- PCA principal component analysis, PLS-DA, partial least square discriminant analysis -- QC quality control; Metabolomics -- β-Agonists -- Bulls -- Liver -- Food safety; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: Metabolomics analysis underscored markers of clenbuterol administration. Clenbuterol administration affect metabolic pathways in liver. Quantification of liver metabolites indirectly reveal clenbuterol administration. A diagnostic tool to detect abuse of clenbuterol was developed and validated. Abstract: Surveillance of illegal use of growth promoters such as β2 -agonists in food producing animals rely on the detection of drug residues by LC-MS/MS. Screening strategies focusing on indirect physiological responses following administration of active compounds are promising approaches to strengthen existing targeted methods and ensure food safety. A metabolomics analysis based on LC-HRMS was carried out on liver extracts from bulls experimentally treated with clenbuterol combined with dexamethasone (n = 8) to mimic a potential anabolic practice, and control animals (n = 8). Nicotinic acid and 5′-deoxy-5′-methylthioadenosine were identified as biomarkers of treatment. Ratio values of such markers to others of the same metabolic pathways (nicotinamide or methionine) were used to develop a classification model to assign animals as treated with clenbuterol or non-treated. The classification model was tested on an external validation set comprising 74 animals either treated with different anabolic compounds (β2 -agonists, sexual steroids, corticosteroid), or non-treated, showing 100% sensitivity and specificity.