Steroids and hormones make up a complex group of bioactive compounds due to their therapeutic utility, their role in metabolic processes, their intricate reactivity profile and structural similarities. The same properties that raise interest in these biologically relevant molecules, however, are also those that make their study intensely challenging. The use of stable isotope labeled steroids and hormones has alleviated some of the difficulties surrounding identification, differentiation and analysis of these compounds.
The labeled compounds shown below have been useful in a broad range of research topics, with an emphasis being applied to improving methods for identification, quantification and mixture analysis. Some of the interesting and important topics to be researched include environmental contamination due to hormone excretion,1 the quantification of therapeutic agents such as corticosteroids2 and identification of biomarkers for liver and intestinal disorders, dehydration and stress.3
Isotec Stable Isotopes stocks nearly 50 different steroids and hormones which are available with 13C and/or deuterium labels. This group includes not only steroids and hormones, but also labeled precursors and metabolites. The variety of compounds offered coupled to the convenient quantities available adds to the utility of these products.
References 1) a) Duong, C.N.; Ra, J.S.; Schlenk, D.; Kim, S.D.; Choi, H.K.; Kim, S.D.; Arch. Environ, Contam. Toxicol. 2010, 59, 147-156. b) Rice, S.L.; Hale, R.C.; Anal. Chem. 2009, 81, 6716-6724. 2) Ionita, I.A.; Fast, D.M.; Akhlaghi, F.; J. Chrom. B, 2009, 877, 765-772. 3) a) Taylor, P.J.; van Rosendal, S.P.; Coombes, J.S.; Gordon, R.D.; Stowasser, M.; J. Chrom. B. 2010, 878, 1195-1198. b) Taylor, P.J.; Cooper, D.P.; Gordon, R.D.; Stowasser, M.; Clin. Chem. 2009, 55, 1155-1162. c) Soldin, O.P.; Sharma, H.; Husted, L.; Soldin, S.J.; Clin. Biochem.2009, 42, 823-827. d) Guo, T.; Taylor, R.L.; Singh, R.J.; Soldin, S.J.; Clin. Chim. Acta, 2006, 372, 76-82. e) Burkard, I.; von Eckardstein, A.; Rentsch, K.M.; J. Chrom. B, 2005, 826, 147-159.
