Brain metabolites of lindane and related isomers: identification by negative ion mass spectrometry

The application of a new method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to the study of some aspects of the metabolism of hexachlorocyclohexanes is presented. Instead of the classical mode of ionization (Electron Impact, EI), this method uses chemical ionization, recording only the negative ions produced. This enables a tremendous enhancement of the signal when chlorinated compounds elute from the chromatographic column. The mass spectra obtained consist generally in the ions corresponding to the molecular weight of the compound analyzed. The sensitivity of the method is higher than any other GC method described: the limit of detection of several organochlorine compounds can be as low as 60 femtograms. Using this method we have been able to identify several Lindane metabolites (tetra-, penta- and hexachlorocyclohexenes, tetra- and pentachlorobenzene) in rat brain homogenates without any purification step. Using this method, a quantitative study of the main metabolites found in brain after treatment with 4 different HCH isomers has been performed. This study reveals that the HCH isomers are cleared from the brain via different metabolic pathways, with a rate of production of metabolites which is inversely correlated to their half lives in brain.