Beta endorphin (β-END) is recognised as one of the most significant endogenous neuropeptides, responsible for a wide range of biological activities in the body. However, within the body β-END is exposed to hydrolysis by a variety of enzymes. In this study, we investigated the metabolism and fragmentation pattern of β-END in rat inflamed tissue, in rat serum and in trypsin solution. β-END (1-31)-rat was incubated at 37 °C in each matrix for different incubation times. The resultant fragments were separated using a C4 column and detected by mass spectrometry using total ion current mode. Structural information for the fragments was elucidated using tandem mass spectrometry. Incubation of β-END (1-31)-rat in trypsin solution and in rat serum resulted in 8 and 13 fragments, respectively. Incubation in inflamed rat paw tissue resulted in 22 fragments at pH 7.4 and 26 fragments at pH 5.5. Some of these fragments were common to both pH values. The degradation of β-END (1-31)-rat in inflamed tissue at pH 5.5 was faster than that at pH 7.4. Secondary fragmentation of some larger primary fragments was also observed in this study.

Dynorphin A 1-17 (DYN A) is an endogenous neuropeptide that is of interest due to its diverse roles in analgesia, inflammation and addiction. Upon release, DYN A is subject to metabolism by a range of enzymes and its biotransformation is dependent on the site and environment into which it is released. In this study, we investigated the biotransformation of DYN A in rat inflamed tissue at pH 7.4 and 5.5, in rat serum and in trypsin solution. DYN A-porcine was incubated at 37 °C in each matrix over a range of incubation periods. The resultant fragments were separated using a C4 column and detected by mass spectrometry using total ion current mode. Incubation of DYN A in trypsin solution and in rat serum resulted in 6 and 14 fragments, respectively. Incubation in inflamed rat paw tissue occasioned 21 fragments at pH 7.4 and 31 fragments at pH 5.5. Secondary breakdown of some larger primary fragments was also observed in this study.

Beta-endorphin was used as a model peptide to study the effect of solvent and electrospray mass spectrometer parameters in the optimisation of an assay method for multiply charged compounds using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Unlike with singly charged compounds, the charge state distribution has a significant impact in the method development of multiply charged compounds such as peptides. Using a 50% acetonitrile/water solvent mixture, we found that the ion spray voltage had no influence on the charge state distribution. However, increasing declustering potential led to deprotonation of the higher charge states of the peptide thus causing a shift to lower charge states. The mechanism leading to the deprotonation was examined. It was concluded that the deprotonation is due to endoergic proton transfer from the peptide to solvent molecules clustered to the peptide that occurs in the declustering region. The extent of deprotonation increases with increasing proton affinity of the molecules of the non-aqueous solvent component used. Thus, if desired, deprotonation can be avoided by selecting a low proton affinity solvent such as methanol. The focusing potential was also found to have a great influence on the charge state distribution observed. The results of this study enabled us to select the optimum ion to be used in single ion/reaction monitoring mode. They also provided the most favourable parameter values to be used in the method to obtain the best sensitivity for the ion of choice. The results demonstrate the importance of considering the charge state distribution in the optimisation of electrospray LC/MS methods for multiply charged compounds.

The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column is capable of enrichment/pre-concentration of trace impurities in the mobile phase during the column equilibration, prior to sample injection and elution. These impurities elute during gradient elution and result in significant chromatographic peaks. Three types of purified water were tested for their impurity levels, and hence their performances as mobile phase, in HPLC followed by total ion current (TIC) mode of MS. Two types of HPLC-grade water produced 3-4 significant peaks in solvent blanks while LC/MS-grade water produced no peaks (although peaks were produced by LC/MS-grade water also after a few days of standing). None of the three waters produced peaks in HPLC followed by UV-Vis detection. These peaks, if co-eluted with analyte, are capable of suppressing or enhancing the analyte signal in a MS detector. As it is not common practice to run solvent blanks in TIC mode, when quantification is commonly carried out using single ion monitoring (SIM) or single or multiple reaction monitoring (SRM or MRM), the effect of co-eluting impurities on the analyte signal and hence on the accuracy of the results is often unknown to the analyst. Running solvent blanks in TIC mode, regardless of the MS mode used for quantification, is essential in order to detect this problem and to take subsequent precautions.

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the awareness of usage of sunscreens among school children in Kandy, Sri Lanka.Methods: School children (138) who do outdoor sports were recruited from six schools. Knowledge and attitudes towards the usage and application of sunscreens were assessed using a researcher administered questionnaire. Statistical analyses were done using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS version-16).Results: Among the school children who do outdoor sports, 71 (51.4%) of participants used sunscreens and 67 (48.6%) of participants did not use sunscreens. Conclusion:According to the results most of the school children have a lack of knowledge, attitudes and practice towards the usage of sunscreens.