Qualitative analysis of LGD-4033 and its metabolites in equine plasma using UHPLC-MS(MS) for doping control purposes

Abstract: A new class of drugs has been developed for treatment of muscle and bone mass wasting diseases called non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). Because of their positive androgenic effects such as muscle gain, they are desirable as performance enhancers. One of those substances is LGD-4033 (4-[(2R)-2-[(1R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-2-(trifluoromethyl)- benzonitrile). It has been detected in human samples in routine doping control and another SARM has been detected in an equine blood sample in routine doping control. It is therefore indicated that SARMs need to be screened for in routine testing in equestrian sport. The aim of this project was to identify what metabolites were found in equine plasma after an intra venous administration of LGD-4033 using UHPLC coupled with QToF-MS and determine whether the parent compound or any of its metabolites were most suitable for doping control. With the sample preparation method protein precipitation, six possible metabolites were identified in samples from three horses. Two of the metabolites were identified as phase I-metabolites (monohydroxylated and dihydroxylated). Four of the metabolites were identified as phase II-metabolites, where glucuronidation had occurred. The most suitable species for doping control were determined based on a semi- quantification and were M1a, M2 and M3a.