A targeted neurotransmitter quantification and nontargeted metabolic profiling method for pharmacometabolomics analysis of olanzapine by using UPLC-HRMS

Neurotransmitters (NTs) are specific endogenous metabolites that act as “messengers” in synaptic transmission and are widely distributed in the central nervous system. Olanzapine (OLZ), a first-line antipsychotic drug, plays a key role in sedation and hypnosis, but, it presents clinical problems with a narrow therapeutic window, large individual differences and serious adverse effects, as well as an unclear mechanism in vivo. Herein, a simultaneous targeted NT quantification and nontargeted metabolomics method was developed and validated for pharmacometabolomics analysis of OLZ by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). Considering the low physiological concentrations of NTs, a full MS scan and target selective ion monitoring (tSIM) scan were combined for nontargeted metabolomics and targeted NT quantification, respectively. By using this strategy, NTs at a very low physiological concentration can be accurately detected and quantified in biological samples by tSIM scans. Moreover, simultaneously nontargeted profiling was also achieved by the full MS scan. The newly established UPLC-HRMS method was further used for the pharmacometabolomics study of OLZ. Statistical analysis revealed that tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid etc. were significantly downregulated, while tyrosine was significantly upregulated, which suggested that OLZ could promote the downstream phase II reaction of 5-hydroxytryptamine, inhibit tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and increase the activity of γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase. In conclusion, this method could provide novel insights for revealing the pharmacodynamic effect and mechanism of antipsychotic drugs.