With mucous in the urine (mucoiduria), depending upon the amount of urinary mucous (which is composed primarily of glycoproteins and epithelial cells), it can potentially interfere with the analysis of heavy metals, mycotoxins, and toxic elements in urine when using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methodology.
Such interference may arise from matrix effects (where co-eluting substances affect the ionization efficiency of target analytes), filtration challenges, and binding interactions, leading to inaccurate quantification.
This relationship is “concentration-dependent” upon the concentration of mucous present in the sample. Mucous interference follows a proportional relationship, where greater mucous content increases the likelihood of analytical disruption.
Additionally, UDS can impact the urinary excretion of heavy metals, mycotoxins, toxic elements, and xenobiotics in several ways. UDS procedures alter the normal urinary physiology and can lead to metabolic and excretory changes (e.g., altered renal clearance, bacterial metabolism and biotransformation, changes in urinary pH that influence solubility and ionization of metals and mycotoxins, altered absorption and recirculation). These changes may influence how the body eliminates toxic substances.
