Evaluating Paraben Effects on Sulfated Metabolites

We also ran additional standards based on our hypothesis that paraben exposure could alter DME function via nuclear receptor pathways. Because phase II metabolism increases the production of sulfated metabolites in the urine, we examined whether select compounds previously found to be associated with methylparaben exposure in Sprague-Dawley rats were altered in our cohort, including aromatic sulfate conjugates (o-aminophenol sulfate; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, CAS 67845-79-8; catechol sulfate, CAS 4918-96-1; quinol sulfate, CAS 17438-29-8) and sulfonated steroids (pregnenolone sulfate; Sigma-Aldrich, CAS 1247-64-9; 17-hydroxypregnenolone sulfate, Cayman Chemicals, CAS 28901-70-4).^{32 (link)} Standards were unavailable for catechol sulfate and quinol sulfate, so these compounds were assessed by evaluating MSe data from the QC sample using SIRIUS software.^{59 (link)}