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Mernissi T, Demagny J, Le Guyader M, Renou M, Choukroun G, Kamel S, Liabeuf S, Bodeau S. Quantitative determination of plasma free and total concentrations of antivitamin K drugs using a new sensitive and rapid LC-MS/MS method: Application in hemodialysis patients. Clin Chim Acta 2023; 548:117498. [PMID: 37482192 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the first-line anticoagulants used in end stage renal disease. This population experiences a significant variability in their International Normalized Ratio (INR) over time. There is a need for methods allowing the study of the pharmacokinetics of free and total concentrations of VKAs to explain INR variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed and validated a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method allowing the quantification of warfarin and fluindione free and total plasma concentrations. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a raptor biphenyl column and the spectrometry acquisition was set in multiple reaction monitoring mode after negative electrospray ionization. We then applied it in describing the plasma free and total concentrations of VKAs in samples from 50 hemodialysis patients. RESULTS The developed method is rapid, sensitive and specific. Our cohort results showed a correlation between free and total VKA concentrations. The free VKA concentrations tended to be higher in patients with higher INR. Although VKAs are highly albumin-bound drugs, albumin concentration did not totally explain the high inter-individual total VKA concentrations variability. CONCLUSION This opens the door to further studies to understand the factors involved in their variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Touria Mernissi
- MP3CV Laboratory, EA7517, Jules Verne University of Picardie, Amiens, F-80000 Amiens, France; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Amiens University Medical Center, F-80000 Amiens, France
| | - Julien Demagny
- Department of Hematology, Amiens University Medical Center, F-80000 Amiens, France
| | - Mailys Le Guyader
- Department of Hematology, Amiens University Medical Center, F-80000 Amiens, France
| | - Marianne Renou
- Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Amiens University Medical Center, F-80000 Amiens, France
| | - Gabriel Choukroun
- MP3CV Laboratory, EA7517, Jules Verne University of Picardie, Amiens, F-80000 Amiens, France; Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Amiens University Medical Center, F-80000 Amiens, France
| | - Saïd Kamel
- MP3CV Laboratory, EA7517, Jules Verne University of Picardie, Amiens, F-80000 Amiens, France; Department of Biochemistry, Amiens University Medical Center, F-80000 Amiens, France
| | - Sophie Liabeuf
- MP3CV Laboratory, EA7517, Jules Verne University of Picardie, Amiens, F-80000 Amiens, France; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Amiens University Medical Center, F-80000 Amiens, France
| | - Sandra Bodeau
- MP3CV Laboratory, EA7517, Jules Verne University of Picardie, Amiens, F-80000 Amiens, France; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Amiens University Medical Center, F-80000 Amiens, France.
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Yang FS, Lee HH, Tseng LP, Lee YH, Lan YS, Lee YC, Chou YC, Lin YC. Simultaneous Determination and Stability Analysis of Ten New Psychoactive Substances including Synthetic Cathinones, Phenethylamines, and Ketamine Substitutes in Urine Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Int J Anal Chem 2023; 2023:9895595. [PMID: 37492520 PMCID: PMC10365918 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9895595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowing the stability of drugs is important to ensure accurate and reliable results of drug concentrations. This study evaluated the stability of ten new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in urine and methanol/water at different storage temperatures. Quantitative analyses were performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Three replicates of each storage condition were analyzed at day 0 and after 7, 14-, 30-, 60-, and 90 days with storage at +25°C, +4°C, and -20°C. For each analyte, the percent difference at each time interval from day 0 was calculated for each storage condition. Para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), para-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), deschloroketamine (DCK), and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) were stable in urine, even when stored for 90-day periods at various temperatures. For synthetic cathinones, the concentrations declined over time at room temperature (+25°C) in urine but were relatively stable in methanol solvent with 0.1% formic acid. The significant degradation was found at +25°C, and the most excellent stability was shown by samples stored at -20°C. Phenethylamines (PMA and PMMA) and ketamine substitutes (DCK and 2-FDCK) were relatively more stable than synthetic cathinones (mephedrone, butylone, pentylone, ephylone, 4-MEAPP, and eutylone).
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Shuo Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hei-Hwa Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ping Tseng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Hung Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Sheng Lan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Chou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Doctoral Degree Program of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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Niu W, Ren T, Wang Y, Wang Z, Zhang C, Jia J, Wei Z, Su H, Guo Z, Guo X, Yun K. Forensic toxicokinetics of difenidol hydrochloride in vivo verified by practical lethal cases. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11190. [PMID: 37433899 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38246-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for the determination of difenidol hydrochloride in biological specimens has been developed. The method exhibited excellent recovery (> 90%) and precision (RSD < 10%), and the LOD was 0.05 μg/mL or μg/g, which met the requirements of bioanalytical method. Through the animal model of the forensic toxicokinetics, the dynamic distribution, postmortem redistribution (PMR) and stability in specimen preservation process of difenidol in animals were studied. The experimental results showed that after intragastric administration, the difenidol's concentrations in the heart-blood and various organs increased over time except stomach, and then decreased gradually after reaching the peaks of concentration. The toxicological kinetics equation and toxicokinetic parameters were established by processing the data of the mean drug concentration of difenidol changing with time. In PMR experiment, the concentrations of difenidol in some organs closer to the gastrointestinal tract (heart-blood, heart, liver, lung, kidney, and spleen) changed significantly at different time points. But the concentration of difenidol in brain tissues which were far away from the gastrointestinal tract and muscles with larger overall mass was relatively stable. PMR of difenidol was therefore confirmed. Thus, the effect of PMR on the concentration of difenidol in the specimens should be considered in cases involving difenidol poisoning or death. Furthermore, the stability of difenidol in heart-blood samples from poisoned rats was investigated at various time points and under different preservation conditions (20 °C, 4 °C, - 20 °C and 20 °C (1% NaF)) for a period of two months. Difenidol was stable and did not decompose in the preserved blood. Therefore, this study provided the experimental basis for the forensic identification of the cases of difenidol hydrochloride poisoning (death). PMR has been verified by practical lethal cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifen Niu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongxi Ren
- Institute of Forensic Science of Tianjin Public Security Bureau, Tianjin, 300384, People's Republic of China
| | - Yandan Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheyu Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Jia
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Wei
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongliang Su
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongyuan Guo
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangjie Guo
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Keming Yun
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology of Ministry of Public Security, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
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Efeoglu Ozseker P, Yucel SP, Daglioglu N. Optimization of biochip assay for illegal substances on drug abusers' whole blood: Randox Evidence vs LC-MS/MS. J Immunoassay Immunochem 2023; 44:313-325. [PMID: 36921120 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2023.2189451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunoassay tests are used in clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories to determine illicit drug use in biological samples. Therefore, this study aims to optimize the cutoff concentrations of DOA I Plus in the blood and compare the LC-MS/MS results. 680 authentic forensic whole blood specimens with Randox Evidence DOA I Plus array were screened for drug of abuse and confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Regarding the manufacturer recommended threshold values, 139 out of 680 authentic blood samples were positive for one or more analytes, while 541 were negative. Nearly all of the 139 positive blood samples confirmed by LC-MS/MS were true positive for one or more analytes, while 522 of the 541 negative blood samples were true negative. The overall sensitivity and the specificity were 87.8% and 99.6%, respectively. THC was considered in detail, and a receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the optimum cutoff for THC, as it accounts for 78% of all positive results according to the manufacturer's recommended thresholds. The optimal threshold value for THC was determined at a concentration of 23 ng/mL, while these values for other parameters were defined as recommended by the manufacturer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Efeoglu Ozseker
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Sevinc Puren Yucel
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Nebile Daglioglu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
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Rodrigues CHP, Mariotto LS, Castro JS, Peruquetti PH, Silva-Junior NC, Bruni AT. Acute, chronic, and post-mortem toxicity: a review focused on three different classes of new psychoactive substances. Forensic Toxicol 2023; 41:187-212. [PMID: 36604359 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00657-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE New psychoactive substances (NPS) are not controlled under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 or the 1971 Convention, but they may pose a public health threat. Knowledge of the main properties and toxicological effects of these substances is lacking. According to the current Drugs Law (Law n. 11.343/2006), the Brazilian Surveillance Agency issues directives for forbidden substances in Brazil, and structural classes of synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and phenylethylamines are considered illicit drugs. Considering that data on these controlled substances are scattered, the main objective of this work was to collect and organize data to generate relevant information on the toxicological properties of NPS. METHODS We carried out a literature review collecting information on the acute, chronic, and post-mortem toxicity of these classes of NSP. We searched info in five scientific databases considering works from 2017 to 2021 and performed a statistical evaluation of the data. RESULTS Results have shown a general lack of studies in this field given that many NPS have not had their toxicity evaluated. We observed a significant difference in the volume of data concerning acute and chronic/post-mortem toxicity. Moreover, studies on the adverse effects of polydrug use are scarce. CONCLUSIONS More in-depth information about the main threats involving NPS use are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio H P Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Lívia S Mariotto
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Jade S Castro
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Paulo H Peruquetti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Newton C Silva-Junior
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Aline T Bruni
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil.
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil.
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Kuwayama K, Miyaguchi H, Kanamori T, Tsujikawa K, Yamamuro T, Segawa H, Okada Y, Iwata YT. Evaluation of applicability of micro-segmental analysis to hair treated with heat and haircare products. Forensic Toxicol 2023; 41:260-271. [PMID: 37060498 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-023-00663-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Micro-segmental analysis (MSA), which enables the measurement of detailed drug distributions in hair by segmenting a single hair strand at 0.4 mm intervals, is indispensable for estimating the day of drug ingestion. However, haircare with dryers and various products can influence drug concentrations in hair. Therefore, the applicability of MSA to hair that was treated with heat or various haircare products was evaluated. METHODS Reference hair strands containing drugs consistently along the hair shafts were collected from patients who ingested four hay-fever medicines (fexofenadine, epinastine, cetirizine, and loratadine) daily for 4 months. The hair strands were divided into eight 4 mm regions from the proximal end, and each region was placed on an electric hot plate at 100-200 °C or soaked in haircare products, such as shampoo and bleaching agent. The hair regions were subjected to MSA. Moreover, after a patient was administered midazolam at a single dose and the hair was bleached, the day of midazolam administration was estimated using MSA. RESULTS Repetitive heating for 1 min and daily haircare products, such as shampoo, hardly affected the drugs in hair, whereas bleaching products containing H2O2 decreased the amounts of hay-fever medicines in the hair up to 58%. However, the amount of midazolam did not decrease in bleached hair and the day of midazolam administration was successfully estimated. CONCLUSIONS The analytes used in this study were minimally affected by ordinary haircare and could be detected even in bleached hair. Therefore, MSA can be applicable regardless of haircare history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Kuwayama
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Hajime Miyaguchi
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Tatsuyuki Kanamori
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kenji Tsujikawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Tadashi Yamamuro
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Hiroki Segawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Yuki Okada
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Yuko T Iwata
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
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Huang Y, Jia W, Chen Y, Liu C, Liu S, Su M, Hua Z. A comprehensive analytical strategy based on characteristic fragments to detect synthetic cannabinoid analogs in seized products and hair samples. Talanta 2023; 265:124830. [PMID: 37339539 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids, one of the most widely abused new psychoactive substances (NPS), are now placed under national control generally in China. Due to continuous modification of synthetic cannabinoid structure, an ongoing dilemma in the forensic laboratory is that newly emerging substances cannot be detected by established methods. Thus, the screening methods for simultaneous detection of known or unknown substances have become research hotspots. In this study, the ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MS) with precursor ion scan (PIS) as acquisition mode was used for prescreening purposes of all possible synthetic cannabinoids-related substances. In detail, four common characteristic fragments, m/z of 144.0, 145.0, 135.1, and 109.0 corresponding to acylium-indole, acylium-indazole, adamantyl, and fluorobenzyl cation respectively, were selected for PIS mode, and their collision energies were optimized by 97 available synthetic cannabinoids standards with relevant structures. Those suspicious signals observed in the screening experiment were confirmed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) via high-resolution MS and MS2 data obtained by full scan (TOF MS) and product ion scan mode. After methodological validation, the integrated strategy established above was applied to the screening and identification of the seized e-liquids, herbal blends and hair samples, confirming the presence of multiple synthetic cannabinoids in these samples. In particular, a novel synthetic cannabinoid was identified as 4 F-ABUTINACA, for which no relevant high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data has been retrieved until now, making this study the first to report the cleavage pattern of this compound in electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. In addition, four other suspected by-products of the synthetic cannabinoids were found in the herbal blends and e-liquids, and their possible structures were also deduced via the information from high-resolution mass spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Wei Jia
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Nanjing, 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yuemeng Chen
- Drug Control Unit of Guiyang Public Security Bureau of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Cuimei Liu
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Nanjing, 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Drug Control Unit of Guiyang Public Security Bureau of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Mengxiang Su
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Zhendong Hua
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Nanjing, 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Hernández F, Fabregat-Safont D, Campos-Mañas M, Quintana JB. Efficient Validation Strategies in Environmental Analytical Chemistry: A Focus on Organic Micropollutants in Water Samples. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2023; 16:401-428. [PMID: 37068748 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-091222-112115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This article critically reviews analytical method validation and quality control applied to the environmental chemistry field. The review focuses on the determination of organic micropollutants (OMPs), specifically emerging contaminants and pesticides, in the aquatic environment. The analytical technique considered is (gas and liquid) chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), including high-resolution MS for wide-scope screening purposes. An analysis of current research practices outlined in the literature has been performed, and key issues and analytical challenges are identified and critically discussed. It is worth emphasizing the lack of specific guidelines applied to environmental analytical chemistry and the minimal regulation of OMPs in waters, which greatly affect method development and performance, requirements for method validation, and the subsequent application to samples. Finally, a proposal is made for method validation and data reporting, which can be understood as starting points for further discussion with specialists in environmental analytical chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Hernández
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain;
| | - David Fabregat-Safont
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain;
- Applied Metabolomics Research Laboratory, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Campos-Mañas
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain;
| | - José Benito Quintana
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Rial-Berriel C, Ramos-Luzardo Á, Acosta-Dacal A, Macías-Montes A, Fernández-Valerón P, Henríquez-Hernández LA, Zumbado M, Boada LD, Luzardo OP. Validation of a Method Scope Extension for Simple Biomonitoring of 353 Pollutants in Serum Samples. TOXICS 2023; 11:498. [PMID: 37368598 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Animals and humans are exposed to various residues that can have a detrimental impact on health, including carcinogenic potential, endocrine disruption, or fatal toxicity. The toxic burden can be evaluated in several biological samples, with serum being one of the preferred and most convenient options. In this study, we have applied and validated a method for detecting several hundred toxins in serum samples. This technique involved a single-step QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) extraction followed by analysis using gas and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. With this methodology, we could detect and quantify up to 353 compounds, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and rodenticides, using just 250 µL of serum. Among them, 92% could be measured at concentrations below 1.25 ng/mL, making it ideal for biomonitoring. We applied this method to samples collected from camels (n = 40) and humans (n = 25). We detected naproxen, ketoprofen, paracetamol, levamisole, and some POPs in these samples. This study validated the ability to simultaneously detect a broad range of compounds in small volumes of serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Rial-Berriel
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Álvaro Ramos-Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Andrea Acosta-Dacal
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ana Macías-Montes
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Pilar Fernández-Valerón
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Luis Alberto Henríquez-Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Zumbado
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis D Boada
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Nuñez-Montero M, Lombroni C, Maida NL, Rotolo MC, Pichini S, Papaseit E, Hladun O, Ventura M, Poyatos L, Pérez-Mañá C, Farré M, Marchei E. GC-MS/MS Determination of Synthetic Cathinones: 4-chloromethcathinone, N-ethyl Pentedrone, and N-ethyl Hexedrone in Oral Fluid and Sweat of Consumers under Controlled Administration: Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119387. [PMID: 37298339 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This study presents a validated GC-MS/MS method for the detection and quantification of 4-chloromethcathinone or clephedrone (4-CMC), N-ethyl Pentedrone (NEP), and N-ethyl Hexedrone (NEH, also named HEXEN) in oral fluid and sweat and verifies its feasibility in determining human oral fluid concentrations and pharmacokinetics following the administration of 100 mg of 4-CMC orally and 30 mg of NEP and NEH intranasally. A total of 48 oral fluid and 12 sweat samples were collected from six consumers. After the addition of 5 μL of methylone-d3 and 200 μL of 0.5 M ammonium hydrogen carbonate, an L/L extraction was carried out using ethyl acetate. The samples, dried under a nitrogen flow, were then derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride and dried again. One microliter of the sample reconstituted in 50 μL of ethyl acetate was injected into GC-MS/MS. The method was fully validated according to international guidelines. Our results showed how, in oral fluid, the two cathinones taken intranasally were absorbed very rapidly, within the first hour, when compared with the 4-CMC which reached its maximum concentration peak in the first three hours. We observed that these cathinones were excreted in sweat in an amount equivalent to approximately 0.3% of the administered dose for 4-CMC and NEP. The total NEH excreted in sweat 4 h after administration was approximately 0.2% of the administered dose. Our results provide, for the first time, preliminary information about the disposition of these synthetic cathinones in the consumers' oral fluid and sweat after controlled administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melani Nuñez-Montero
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Claudia Lombroni
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, Univesità degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Nunzia La Maida
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Rotolo
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Olga Hladun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Mireia Ventura
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08012 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Poyatos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Magí Farré
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Emilia Marchei
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
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61
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Pereira I, Monaghan J, Abruzzi LR, Gill CG. PAMAM-Functionalized Paper as a New Substrate for the Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry Measurement of Proteins. Anal Chem 2023; 95:7134-7141. [PMID: 37115227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Paper surface functionalization with polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers has been developed for increased sensitivity analysis of proteins by paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS). PAMAM is a branched polymeric compound with an ethylenediamine core linked to repeating PAMAM units that generates an outer surface rich in primary amines. These positively charged amine groups can interact electrostatically with negatively charged residues (e.g., aspartate, glutamate) on the protein surface. PAMAM inner amide moieties can also promote hydrogen bonding with protein surface oxygens, making PAMAM a useful material for protein extraction. PAMAM-functionalized PS-MS paper strips were used to extract proteins from biofluids, dipped in acetonitrile to remove unbound constituents, dried, and then measured with PS-MS. The use of this strategy was optimized and compared with unmodified paper strips. PAMAM-functionalized paper substrates provided sixfold greater sensitivity for albumin, 11-fold for hemoglobin, sevenfold for insulin, and twofold for lysozyme. The analytical performance of the functionalized paper substrate was evaluated through the analysis of albumin in urine, achieving linearity with R2 > 0.99, LOD of 1.1 μg mL-1, LOQ of 3.8 μg mL-1, precision better than 10%, and relative recovery 70-83%. The method was applied to quantify urinary albumin from nine anonymous patient samples (concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 77.4 μg mL-1), illustrating its potential for the diagnosis of microalbuminuria. These data demonstrate the utility of paper modification with the PAMAM dendrimer for sensitive PS-MS analysis of proteins, opening a path for further applications in clinical diagnosis through the analysis of disease-related proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Pereira
- Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Chemistry Department, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5S5, Canada
| | - Joseph Monaghan
- Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Chemistry Department, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5S5, Canada
- Chemistry Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Lucas R Abruzzi
- Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Chemistry Department, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5S5, Canada
- Chemistry Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Chris G Gill
- Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Chemistry Department, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5S5, Canada
- Chemistry Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
- Chemistry Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1618, United States
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62
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Jang M, Lee M, Yang H, Lee H, Park SB, Jeon H, Hwang SY, Kim HJ, Oh DX, Park J. Method to analyze phthalate esters from soft toys dissolving into water mimicking infant playing. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 330:138695. [PMID: 37080474 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Along with bisphenol-A (BPA), conventional phthalate esters (PAEs) have been reported as environmental hormones, despite their functional usefulness as plasticizers. Nevertheless, they are frequently found in various products, including children's utensils and toys made of poly (vinyl chloride). This is tremendously important because PAEs are harmful to infants. In addition, gel/slime-type toys made of poly (vinyl alcohol) are currently popular for developing infant' tactile senses. In this study, we developed a method to qualitatively and quantitatively detect PAEs in gel/slime-type toys mimicking, infants playing with them in a bathtub. As a result, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH), one of the PAE alternatives, transferred into the water from the toys and was detected most commonly (108-719 μg g-1; 0.01-0.07 wt%) among PAEs. The detected DINCH levels were below the universally accepted levels for PAEs (0.1 wt%). However, the amount of DINCH detected could still be toxic, in accordance with toxicity tests using water fleas. Furthermore, unpleasant odors were emitted when the toys containing toxic volatile organic compounds were unpacked. This is the first study to develop a method to analyze PAE in gel/slime-type toys and determine that alternatives to conventional PAEs cannot be unconditionally regarded as safe chemicals. Therefore, the revised standards for regulating PAEs and their alternatives must be reconsidered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jang
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyung Lee
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyemin Yang
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Huichan Lee
- Core Research Facilities, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Bae Park
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonyeol Jeon
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Yeon Hwang
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea; Department of Plant & Environmental New Resources and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jeong Kim
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongyeop X Oh
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea; Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jeyoung Park
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea.
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Eggertsen PP, Hansen J, Andersen ML, Nielsen JF, Olsen RKJ, Palmfeldt J. Simultaneous measurement of kynurenine metabolites and explorative metabolomics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: A novel accurate method applied to serum and plasma samples from a large healthy cohort. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 227:115304. [PMID: 36827735 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Kynurenine metabolites are emerging as promising clinical biomarkers in several diseases, especially within psychiatry. Unfortunately, they are difficult to detect, particularly the challenging neurotoxic metabolite quinolinic acid (QUIN). The aim of this study was twofold: First, to develop a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method (LC-MS) for simultaneous targeted quantification of key kynurenine metabolites together with untargeted metabolomics, and second, to demonstrate the feasibility of the method by exploring serum/plasma and gender differences in 120 healthy young adults between 18 and 30 years of age. A range of analytical columns (C18 and biphenyl columns) and mobile phases (acidic and alkaline) were systematically evaluated. The optimized LC-MS method was based on a biphenyl column, a water-methanol gradient with 0.2% formic acid, and authentic isotope-labeled standards for each kynurenine metabolite. Precision and accuracy of targeted quantification of the key kynurenine metabolites tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), and QUIN were excellent, far exceeding the acceptance criteria specified by international guidelines. Median inter- and intra-day precision were < 6% in serum and plasma; the median accuracy was 2.4% in serum and 8% in plasma. Serum concentrations were ≤ 10% different from the corresponding concentrations in plasma for all kynurenine metabolites in healthy young adults. Men had higher levels (8-18%) of TRP, KYN, and KYNA than women (p ≤ 0.009), while no differences were observed for 3-HK and QUIN (p > 0.70). Incurred sample reanalysis of 10% of the samples yielded a median difference < 5% from the initial measurement, demonstrating the robustness of the method. Besides the targeted quantification of key kynurenine metabolites, our method was found to be suitable for simultaneous untargeted metabolomics analyses of hundreds of metabolites. A range of compound classes could be detected including amino acids, nucleic acids, dipeptides, antioxidants, and acylcarnitines, making explorative studies highly feasible. For example, we identified an additional kynurenine metabolite, 2-Quinolinecarboxylic acid, which was 47% higher in males than females (adjusted p-value = 0.001). In conclusion, in this study, we present a reliable and robust LC-MS method for simultaneous targeted and untargeted metabolomics ready for both research and clinical use. We show that both serum and plasma can be used for kynurenine studies, and the reported gender differences are in accordance with the literature. Future studies should consider using biphenyl-based LC-MS columns to successfully detect QUIN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Preben Eggertsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Research Unit for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Hammel Neurorehabilitation Centre and University Research Clinic, Denmark.
| | - Jakob Hansen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Malene Lundfold Andersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Research Unit for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Feldbæk Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Hammel Neurorehabilitation Centre and University Research Clinic, Denmark
| | - Rikke Katrine Jentoft Olsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Research Unit for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Johan Palmfeldt
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Research Unit for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
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64
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Øiestad EL, Øiestad ÅML, Middelkoop G, Brochmann GW, Thaulow CH, Vindenes V. Comparative Study of Postmortem Concentrations of Benzodiazepines and Z-Hypnotics in Several Different Matrices. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:287-298. [PMID: 36542823 PMCID: PMC10037634 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics are detected in the majority of fatal overdose cases in Norway, often in combination with other drugs of abuse, and their concentrations in peripheral blood (PB) might be important to elucidate the cause of death. In some forensic autopsies, PB is however not available. The aim of the present study was to compare concentrations of benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics in five alternative matrices to assess whether these concentrations are comparable to concentrations in PB. A total of 109 forensic autopsy cases were included. PB, cardiac blood (CB), pericardial fluid (PF), psoas muscle (PM), lateral vastus muscle (LVM) and vitreous humor (VH) from each case were analyzed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry. We were able to detect clonazepam, 7-aminoclonazepam, flunitrazepam, 7-aminoflunitrazepam, nitrazepam, 7-aminonitrazepam, diazepam, nordiazepam, oxazepam, alprazolam, midazolam, zopiclone and zolpidem in all the analyzed matrices. Concentrations measured in VH were generally much lower than those of PB for all compounds except zopiclone. 7-Amino metabolite concentrations were high compared to the parent compounds, although less so for the muscle samples. Concentrations of the parent nitrobenzodiazepines in muscles were higher than those in PB, but for the other compounds, concentrations in muscle showed good correspondence with PB. Both CB and PF were viable alternative matrices for PB, although a larger variation and a tendency for higher concentrations in PF were observed. This study shows that CB, PM, LVM and PF can give comparable concentrations to PB for benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics, while VH was less suitable. The concentrations in alternative matrices must, however, be interpreted carefully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Leere Øiestad
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Oslo N-0424, Norway
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, Oslo N-0316, Norway
| | - Åse Marit Leere Øiestad
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Oslo N-0424, Norway
| | - Gerrit Middelkoop
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Oslo N-0424, Norway
| | - Gerd-Wenche Brochmann
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Oslo N-0424, Norway
| | - Cecilie Hasselø Thaulow
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Oslo N-0424, Norway
| | - Vigdis Vindenes
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Oslo N-0424, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1171 Blindern, Oslo 0318, Norway
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65
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Simão AY, Oliveira P, Rosendo LM, Rosado T, Andraus M, Barroso M, Gallardo E. Microextraction by Packed Sorbent as a Clean-up Approach for the Determination of Ketamine and Norketamine in Hair by Gas Chromatography--Tandem Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:227-235. [PMID: 36124733 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of new psychoactive substances has been increasing and constitutes a social and public health problem, and hence, toxicological analysis has become of utmost importance for the detection of such substances. In this article, we present the development and full validation of a simple, user and environmentally friendly, cheap and suitable method for the determination of ketamine and its main metabolite norketamine in hair samples. The procedure included using a miniaturized procedure-microextraction by packed sorbent with mixed-mode sorbent-for sample clean-up. Organic solvents use was minimal, and it was possible to obtain a linear method (0.05-10 ng/mg for both analytes). The extraction efficiency ranged from 32 to 61%, which did not impair sensitivity. The method proved to be selective, precise, accurate and suitable for routine analysis for the determination of said compounds in 50-mg hair samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Y Simão
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Covilhã 6200-506, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã 6200-000, Portugal
| | - P Oliveira
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Covilhã 6200-506, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã 6200-000, Portugal
| | - L M Rosendo
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Covilhã 6200-506, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã 6200-000, Portugal
| | - T Rosado
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Covilhã 6200-506, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã 6200-000, Portugal
| | - M Andraus
- Chromatox/Dasa Laboratory Ltda, Sumaré, São Paulo-SP 01259-000, Brazil
| | - M Barroso
- Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses-Delegação do Sul, Lisboa 1169-201, Portugal
| | - E Gallardo
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Covilhã 6200-506, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã 6200-000, Portugal
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66
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de Oliveira AFB, de Melo Vieira A, Santos JM. Trends and challenges in analytical chemistry for multi-analysis of illicit drugs employing wastewater-based epidemiology. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023:10.1007/s00216-023-04644-4. [PMID: 36952026 PMCID: PMC10034891 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04644-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for quantification of illicit drug biomarkers (IDBs) in wastewater samples is an effective tool that can provide information about drug consumption. The most commonly quantified IDBs belong to different chemical classes, including cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, opioids, and cannabinoids, so the different chemical properties of these molecules pose a challenge in the development of analytical methods for multi-analyte analysis. Recent workflows include the steps of sampling and storage, sample preparation using solid-phase extraction (SPE) or without extraction, and quantification of analytes employing gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The greatest difficulty is due to the fact that wastewater samples are complex chemical mixtures containing analytes with different chemical properties, often present at low concentrations. Therefore, in the development of analytical methods, there is the need to simplify and optimize the analytical workflows, reducing associated uncertainties, analysis times, and costs. The present work provides a critical bibliographic survey of studies published from the year 2020 until now, highlighting the challenges and trends of published analytical workflows for the multi-analysis of IDBs in wastewater samples, considering sampling and sample preparation, method validation, and analytical techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Flávia Barbosa de Oliveira
- Petroleum, Energy and Mass Spectrometry Research Group (PEM), Chemistry Department, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, PE, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Aline de Melo Vieira
- Petroleum, Energy and Mass Spectrometry Research Group (PEM), Chemistry Department, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, PE, 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Jandyson Machado Santos
- Petroleum, Energy and Mass Spectrometry Research Group (PEM), Chemistry Department, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, PE, 52171-900, Brazil.
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Orfanidis A, Gika H, Theodoridis G, Chatziioannou AC, Raikos N. Analysis, Stability and Distribution of Pharmaceuticals and Drugs of Abuse over a Period of One Year in Formalin-Fixed Liver and Formalin Solutions. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:182-190. [PMID: 35957494 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study reports a thorough research on the stability of drugs of abuse and pharmaceuticals over a time period of 12 months. Fixed-liver tissues and formalin solutions where the tissues were preserved were analyzed using an ultra high performance liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry method that has been developed and validated for this purpose. The method monitors 84 drugs in a 13-minute run. The concentrations of the drugs found were compared with their concentrations determined in the fresh liver tissues in a previous study. In the study, 14 cases with forensic interest were included with the main objective of the analysis and the study of the stability and the distribution of drugs of abuse and pharmaceuticals in the human liver and the formalin solution during preservation. The results showed that the number of detected compounds in the first month was significantly lower than the compounds found in fresh tissues. The effect of formalin was catalytic, and few substances could be detected. Specifically, out of the 86 positive detections of the monitored substances in the fresh tissues (in which 25 different substances were found), only 32 (37%) remained detectable 3 months after, 20 (23%) 6 months after and 15 (17%) 12 months after.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amvrosios Orfanidis
- School of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
- Bioanalysis and Omics Lab, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, CIRI-AUTH B1.4, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi road, Thessaloniki 57001, Greece
| | - Helen Gika
- School of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
- Bioanalysis and Omics Lab, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, CIRI-AUTH B1.4, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi road, Thessaloniki 57001, Greece
| | - Georgios Theodoridis
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
- Bioanalysis and Omics Lab, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, CIRI-AUTH B1.4, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi road, Thessaloniki 57001, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos Raikos
- School of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
- Bioanalysis and Omics Lab, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, CIRI-AUTH B1.4, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi road, Thessaloniki 57001, Greece
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68
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Rydberg M, Dowling S, Manicke NE. Automated and High-Throughput Urine Drug Screening Using Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:147-153. [PMID: 35866550 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) has been shown to be a rapid, simple and inexpensive alternative to traditional forensic drug screening methods. It can address the limitations of both immunoassays and chromatography-based techniques due to its non-reliance on sample preparation and its ability to rapidly screen for a wide array of compounds. In this study, an automated PS-MS system was employed to semi-quantitatively screen for 40 commonly abused drugs and metabolites in urine after a 15-min glucuronidase reaction. The target compounds included common prescription opioids, fentanyl and norfentanyl, stimulants including methamphetamine and cocaine, benzodiazepines and antidepressants. The enzyme, buffer and internal standard solution were combined in one spiking solution to minimize sample handling. Analysis was carried out using a commercially available automated paper spray system coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. This method may prove useful for clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories as it allows for automated screening of complex samples for drugs without extraction, separation and sample cleanup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Rydberg
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N Blackford St Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sarah Dowling
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N Blackford St Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Nicholas E Manicke
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N Blackford St Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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69
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Saurat D, Raffy G, Bonvallot N, Monfort C, Fardel O, Glorennec P, Chevrier C, Le Bot B. Determination of glyphosate and AMPA in indoor settled dust by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and implications for human exposure. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 446:130654. [PMID: 36608580 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The widespread application of glyphosate leads to significant contamination of outdoor environmental compartments, notably air and soil, which can contaminate indoor air and dust. This study assessed the contamination of indoor household dust for the first time in France and potential exposure to glyphosate through the inadvertent ingestion of dust. A specific and new analytical method was developed using HILIC MS/MS (hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) to measure polar pesticides, such as glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid, and glufosinate, in indoor dust, with a low quantification limit (25 ng/g). The dust from vacuum cleaner bags of 60 rural and urban households (Brittany, France) was analyzed. All samples contained glyphosate (median 1675 ng/g for rural dwellings (n = 29), 457 ng/g for urban dwellings (n = 31)), more than 90 % contained aminomethylphosphonic acid, and none contained glufosinate. Concentrations were influenced by the rural or urban setting, the proximity of crops, and the use of weed killers on driveways or lawns. Glyphosate exposure via indoor dust ingestion was < 1 % of both acceptable daily intake and dietary intake. However, the high quantification limit of the glyphosate concentration in the food analysis method probably leads to overestimation of the dose from food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Saurat
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; Ecole du Val-de-Grâce, Service de Santé des Armées, Paris, France.
| | - Gaëlle Raffy
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Nathalie Bonvallot
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Christine Monfort
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Olivier Fardel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Philippe Glorennec
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Cécile Chevrier
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Barbara Le Bot
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
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70
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Fabric phase sorptive extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of favipiravir in biological and forensic samples. ADVANCES IN SAMPLE PREPARATION 2023. [PMCID: PMC9985823 DOI: 10.1016/j.sampre.2023.100058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Favipiravir, a pyrazine analog, is proposed as providential antiviral agent against the COVID-19 infection during 2020 pandemic emergency. For the first time, a fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been developed and applied for the determination of favipiravir (FAV) in biological samples (human plasma, blood and urine), pharmaceutical and forensic samples. The method comprises of extraction of FAV by FPSE followed by its derivatization with N, O-bis (trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and GC-MS analysis. Design of experiment-based optimization was performed using Placket-Burman Design (PBD) and Central Composite Design (CCD) for the screening of significant factors of FPSE and their optimization, respectively. Among all tested membranes, sol-gel polyethylene glycol (PEG) has offered the best extraction efficiency for FAV. Under optimum conditions, the proposed method was found to be linear in the range of 0.01–10 µg mL−1 by GC-MS. The LODs and LOQs were as low as 0.001-0.0026 μg mL−1 and 0.003-0.0086 μg mL−1, respectively by GC-MS. Intra-day and inter-day precisions were less than 5 and 10 %, respectively, showing good method precision. The proposed method has been successfully applied to detect and quantify FAV in human urine, whole blood and plasma samples along with seized forensic samples. In addition, the proposed method has been evaluated for its green character by ComplexGAPI index.
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71
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Zhai W, Qiao Z, Xiang P, Dang Y, Shi Y. A UPLC-MS/MS methodological approach for the analysis of 75 phenethylamines and their derivatives in hair. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 229:115367. [PMID: 37018959 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
A rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the targeted analysis of 75 phenethylamines and their derivatives from the hair matrix. The monitored classes of phenethylamines included the 2C series, D series, N-benzyl derivatives, mescaline-derived compounds, MDMA analogs, and benzodifurans. Approximately 20 mg of hair was weighed and pulverized with 0.1% formic acid in methanol by cryogenic grinding. After ultrasonication, centrifugation, and filtration, the supernatant was analyzed by LC-MS/MS operating in the scheduled multiple reaction monitoring mode. Phenethylamines and their derivatives were separated in 13 min on a biphenyl column (2.6 µm, 100 Å, 100 × 3.0 mm) using a gradient eluting mobile phase composed of 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. The developed and validated method showed good selectivity, sensitivity (LOD: 0.5-10 pg/mg and LOQ: 1-20 pg/mg), linearity (R2 > 0.997), accuracy and precision (< 20%), and stability. The method also showed good recovery and acceptable matrix effects for most of the targeted compounds. This analytical approach was successfully applied for the identification and quantification of phenethylamines in hair from authentic forensic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Zhai
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China; College of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Zheng Qiao
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonghui Dang
- College of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China.
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72
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Determination of 27 Glucocorticoids in Urine by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Using UniSprayTM Source. SEPARATIONS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/separations10030155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a group of the most important and commonly used anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, and immunosuppressive drugs. Like narcotics, they can be addictive if taken at increasing doses to achieve greater analgesic effects. The purpose of the study was to develop initial and confirmation testing analytical methods that would allow for the identification of glucocorticoid class substances in human urine to be used for routine analyses for the purposes of prosecution in the case of abuse, for clinical toxicology, medical jurisprudence, as well as for routine testing of athletes for the presence of prohibited substances in sports by means of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) using a new generation ionization source UniSprayTM (U.S). This new method allows for the simultaneous detection of 27 glucocorticoids in human urine using LC-MS/MS. The tests conducted yielded relatively low LOD and LOQ values, ranging from 0.06 ng/mL to 0.14 ng/mL and 0.75 ng/mL for LOD and LOQ, respectively.
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73
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Barone R, Giorgetti A, Cardella R, Rossi F, Garagnani M, Pascali JP, Mohamed S, Fais P, Pelletti G. Development and validation of a fast UPLC-MS/MS screening method for the detection of 68 psychoactive drugs and metabolites in whole blood and application to post-mortem cases. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 228:115315. [PMID: 36889130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
We report a rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method that allows the simultaneous detection of 68 commonly prescribed antidepressants, benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, and metabolites in whole blood with a small sample volume after a rapid protein precipitation. The method was also tested on post-mortem blood from 85 forensic autopsies. Three sets of commercial serum calibrators containing a mix of prescription drugs of increasing concentration were spiked with red blood cells (RBC) to obtain 6 calibrators (3 "serum calibrators" and 3 "blood calibrators"). Curves obtained from serum calibrators and from blood calibrators were compared using a Spearman correlation test and by analyzing slopes and intercepts, to assess if the points from six calibrators could be plotted together in a single calibration model. The validation plan included interference studies, calibration model, carry-over, bias, within-run and between-run precision, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), matrix effect and dilution integrity. Four deuterated Internal Standards (Nordiazepam-D5, Citalopram-D6, Ketamine-D4 and Amphetamine-D5) and two different dilutions were assessed. Analyses were performed using an Acquity UPLC® System coupled with triple quadrupole detector Xevo TQD®. The degree of agreement with a previously validated method was calculated on whole blood samples of 85 post-mortem cases, by performing a Spearman correlation test with a Bland-Altman plot. Percentage error between the two methods was evaluated. Slopes and intercepts of curves obtained from serum calibrators and from blood calibrators showed a good correlation, and the calibration model was built plotting all points together. No interferences were found. The calibration curve appeared to provide a better fit of the data using an unweighted linear model. Negligible carry-over was observed, and very good linearity, precision, bias, matrix effect and dilution integrity were achieved. The LOD and the LOQ were at the lower limits of the therapeutic range for the tested drugs. In a series of 85 forensic cases, 11 antidepressants, 11 benzodiazepines and 8 neuroleptics were detected. For all analytes, a very good agreement between the new method and the validated method was demonstrated. The innovation of our method consists in the use of commercial calibrators, readily available to most forensic toxicology laboratories, for the validation of a fast, inexpensive, wide-panel LC-MS/MS method that can be used as a reliable and accurate screening for psychotropic drug in postmortem samples. As observed in the implementation on real cases, this method could be profitably applied in forensic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Barone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Arianna Giorgetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rachele Cardella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Garagnani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jennifer Paola Pascali
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Susan Mohamed
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Fais
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Guido Pelletti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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74
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Flament E, Guitton J, Gicquel T, Paret N, Jarrier N, Creusat G, Tournoud C, Labadie M, Gaulier JM, Gaillard Y. Determination of Orellanine in Human Biological Matrices Using Liquid Chromatography with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Detection: A Validated Method Applied to Suspected Poisoning Cases. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:26-32. [PMID: 35294965 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Consumption of mushrooms can become unsafe for the consumer in case of confusion. Some fungi of Cortinarius genus contain the nephrotoxic mycotoxin orellanine responsible for their toxicity. Related case poisoning diagnosis is a challenge for both clinicians and analysts because of a long latency period between intake and toxic syndrome, the lack of available information in literature and the numerous pitfalls of orellanine identification/quantification in biological samples. In this situation, we propose an analytical method designed for the orellanine detection and/or quantification in biological matrices such as plasma, urine and whole blood, in a context of related intoxication suspected case. Using 1 mL biological sample volume, this liquid chromatographic with high-resolution mass spectrometry detection method (i) exhibits a limit of quantification for orellanine of 0.5 µg/L in plasma and urine and (ii) enables orellanine detection in whole blood with a limit of detection of 0.5 µg/L. This validated analytical method was successfully applied to 10 suspected intoxication cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Flament
- Laboratory LAT LUMTOX, 800 Avenue Marie Curie, La Voulte-sur-Rhône F-07800, France
| | - Jérôme Guitton
- Medical Unity Pharmacology-Pharmacogenetic-Toxicology, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud-HCL, 165 Rue du Grand Revoyet, Pierre Bénite F-69495, France.,Toxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy Lyon, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, Lyon F-69373, France
| | - Thomas Gicquel
- Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, Rennes F-35033, France
| | - Nathalie Paret
- Poison Control Center of Lyon, SHUPT, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Nathalie Jarrier
- Poison Control Center of Lyon, SHUPT, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Gaelle Creusat
- Poison Control Center of Nancy, University Hospital, 29 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, Nancy F-54000, France
| | - Christine Tournoud
- Poison Control Center of Nancy, University Hospital, 29 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, Nancy F-54000, France
| | - Magali Labadie
- Poison Control Center of Bordeaux, University Hospital, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux F-33076, France
| | - Jean-Michel Gaulier
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, CHU Lille, Bd Pr. J. Leclercq, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Yvan Gaillard
- Laboratory LAT LUMTOX, 800 Avenue Marie Curie, La Voulte-sur-Rhône F-07800, France
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75
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Hanzlíková I, Mráz J, Tvrdíková M, Chrástecká H, Moulisová A, Linhart I. HPLC-ESI-HRMS2 Determination of N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-l-valyl-l-leucine in Human Urine: Method Validation. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:43-51. [PMID: 35388429 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomonitoring of human exposure to reactive electrophilic chemicals such as ethylene oxide (EO) has been commonly based on the determination of adducts with N-terminal valine in blood protein globin, but a systematic search has also been undertaken to find surrogate markers enabling non-invasive sampling. Recently, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-L-valyl-L-leucine (HEVL) has been identified as an ultimate cleavage product of EO-adducted globin in the urine of occupationally exposed workers. Herein, full validation of the analytical procedure consisting of solid-phase extraction of HEVL from urine samples (2 mL) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-high-resolution mass spectrometry determination using deuterium-labeled HEVL as an internal standard (IS) is described. Method limit of quantitation is 0.25 ng/mL, and its selectivity is excellent as demonstrated by the invariable ratio of the qualifier and quantifier ion intensities across diverse urine samples and synthetic standard. The linear calibration model was applicable over the whole concentration range tested (0.25-10 ng/mL). The method accuracy assessed as a recovery of HEVL using a spiking experiment was 98-100%. Within-day precision of the method ranged from 1.8% to 3.0%, while the results from consecutive analytical runs conducted within 1 week or within 10-150 weeks differed in the range of 2.2-9.7%. The stability study on urine samples (-20°C up to 3 years, freeze-and-thaw up to 10 cycles) as well as on aqueous solutions (5°C up to 4 months) indicated no relevant changes in HEVL concentration (≤4%) over the time tested. Analytical responses of both HEVL and IS correlated with urinary creatinine as an index of matrix composition, but this matrix effect was mostly eliminated using the HEVL/IS peak area ratio, attaining the IS-normalized relative matrix effect <3%. In conclusion, the method complied successfully with the bioanalytical method validation criteria, making it a reliable tool for HEVL determination in human biomonitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Hanzlíková
- Centre of Occupational Health, National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Mráz
- Centre of Occupational Health, National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Tvrdíková
- Centre of Occupational Health, National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chrástecká
- Centre of Occupational Health, National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Moulisová
- Centre of Toxicology and Health Safety, National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Igor Linhart
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 1905, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
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76
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Júlio S, Ferro RA, Santos S, Alexandre A, Caldeira MJ, Franco J, Barroso M, Gaspar H. Synthesis of emerging cathinones and validation of a SPE GC-MS method for their simultaneous quantification in blood. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:571-589. [PMID: 36494605 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04440-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, synthetic cathinones have emerged as an important class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) worldwide. The proliferation of these psychostimulants and their sought-after effects among recreational drug users pose a serious threat to public health and enormous challenges to forensic laboratories. For forensic institutions, it is essential to be one step ahead of covert laboratories, foreseeing the structural changes possible to introduce in the core skeleton of cathinones while maintaining their stimulating activity. In this manner, it is feasible to equip themselves with standards of possible new cathinones and validated analytical methods for their qualitative and quantitative detection. Therefore, the aim of the work herein described was to synthesize emerging cathinones based on the evolving patterns in the illicit drug market, and to develop an analytical method for their accurate determination in forensic situations. Five so far unreported cathinones [4'-methyl-N-dimethylbuphedrone (4-MDMB), 4'-methyl-N-ethylbuphedrone (4-MNEB), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylpentedrone (4-MDMP), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylhexedrone (4-MDMH), and 4'-methyl-N-diethylbuphedrone (4-MDEB)] and a sixth one, 4'-methyl-N-ethylpentedrone, already reported to EMCDDA and also known as 4-MEAP, were synthesized and fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). An analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of these cathinones in blood, using solid phase extraction (SPE) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and validated. The results prove that this methodology is selective, linear, precise, and accurate. For all target cathinones, the extraction efficiency was higher than 73%, linearity was observed in the range of 10 (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) to 800 ng/mL, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99, and the limits of detection (LODs) were 5 ng/mL for all target cathinones. The stability of these cathinones in blood matrices is dependent on the storage conditions; 4-MNEB is the most stable compound and 4-MDMH is the least stable compound. The low limits obtained allow the detection of the compounds in situations where they are involved, even if present at low concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Júlio
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel A Ferro
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Santos
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrea Alexandre
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Caldeira
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Franco
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Barroso
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Helena Gaspar
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal. .,MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2520-630, Peniche, Portugal.
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77
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Manaloto FR, Meneses VM, Mata DC. A Two-Year Evaluation of Flualprazolam Concentrations in Orange County Drivers: Effects on Driving and Field Sobriety Test Performance. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:1038-1044. [PMID: 35244711 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Starting in early 2017, flualprazolam was detected in toxicology and seized drug cases across the USA. Due to the addition of fluorine to alprazolam, flualprazolam's chemistry was enough to bypass targeted toxicology confirmations, and it has become increasingly available for purchase both on the dark web and in counterfeit pills. Flualprazolam was added to the exact mass screening regiment of the Orange County forensic laboratory in December 2018. Through data mining of previously analyzed cases, data were evaluated beginning from August 2018. Flualprazolam was subsequently added to the laboratory's validated quantitative liquid chromatography dual mass spectrometry method in the summer of 2020, and all driving cases from August 2018 to June 2020 were re-analyzed to obtain concentrations. The police and drug recognition evaluation (if available) reports were collected and reviewed for all cases where flualprazolam was detected. Of the 203 cases containing quantifiable drug, the average flualprazolam concentration (median, range) was 22.8 ng/mL (15.4 ng/mL, 4.0-133.3 ng/mL). Only two cases had flualprazolam detected with no other drugs. The other most common drugs detected were cannabinoids (62%), ethanol (20%) and cocaine and/or methamphetamine (32%). The most common reason for the police investigation was an accident/collision (50%), and the most common time of officer contact was evening (18:00 to 23:59). The field sobriety test (FST) results were evaluated and showed a higher frequency of impaired performance in cases of flualprazolam in combination with other drugs. No conclusion could be made regarding the effect of flualprazolam alone on FST performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando R Manaloto
- Orange County Crime Lab, Toxicology Unit, 320 N Flower Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703, USA
| | - Vanessa M Meneses
- Orange County Crime Lab, Toxicology Unit, 320 N Flower Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703, USA
| | - Dani C Mata
- Orange County Crime Lab, Toxicology Unit, 320 N Flower Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703, USA
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78
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Pieprzyca E, Skowronek R, Czekaj P. Toxicological Analysis of Cases of Mixed Poisonings with Synthetic Cathinones and Other Drugs of Abuse. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:1008-1015. [PMID: 34849994 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Some of the most commonly used new psychoactive substances (NPSs) are synthetic cathinones (SCs). The literature increasingly indicates that SCs have a significant addictive potential and pose a high risk to human health and life. The vast majority of SC users take a number of substances simultaneously. This article lists the detected concentrations in 26 fatal and 2 non-fatal real cases, in which SCs or an SC along with other substances were determined in blood and other biological materials. The following SCs were found most often: α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone, α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone, N-ethylpentedrone (NEP), 4-methyl-α-ethylaminopentiophenone and N-ethylhexedrone. In addition to detected SCs, the analyzed samples showed the presence of conventional drugs such as methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, amphetamine and NPSs from groups other than SCs, such as synthetic cannabinoids (UR-144 and 5F-AMB), synthetic opioids (AH-7921, U-47700 and 4-fluorobutyrfentanyl) and others (desoxypipradrol and etizolam). The quantitative analyses were carried out by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). This study presents pioneering data on concentrations and effects of 4-ethylmethcathinone, NEP, N-ethylbuphedrone and mexedrone. Also noteworthy are the data on SCs that until now have rarely been described in the literature together with specified blood concentrations. The analyzed cases of taking SCs were associated with fatal intoxication (n = 26), driving under the influence of drugs (n = 2) and death caused by beating (n = 1). Taking SCs has serious side effects that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. The use of more than one psychoactive substance simultaneously (including at least one SC) contributes to increased SC toxicity. These data could be valuable for further interpretation of other results from toxicological analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Pieprzyca
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, Katowice 40-752, Poland
| | - Rafał Skowronek
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, Katowice 40-752, Poland
| | - Piotr Czekaj
- Department of Cytophysiology, Chair of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, Katowice 40-752, Poland
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79
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Banaszkiewicz L, Woźniak MK, Domagalska E, Kaliszan M, Kot-Wasik A. Long-Term Stability of Benzodiazepines and Z-Hypnotic Drugs in Blood Samples Stored at Varying Temperatures. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:1073-1078. [PMID: 35102409 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) and Z-drugs are among the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals in the world and are considered standard care for various mental illnesses and for the treatment of sleeping and anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms and epilepsy. Some BZDs are not allowed as pharmaceuticals in many countries, and they are used as designer benzodiazepines (DBZDs). All these compounds are typically screened in routine toxicological analyses for forensic purposes. Knowledge of time-dependent decreases in drug concentrations during storage or transport of samples is of considerable significance and allows forensic toxicologists to achieve reliable data, proper interpretation and high-quality results. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the amounts of selected BZDs, DBZDs and Z-drugs in blood samples stored at various temperatures. The study involved BZDs (19), DBZDs (3) and Z-drugs (2) spiked into blank blood. Subsequently, the blood samples were stored at various temperatures (room temperature, 4°C, -20°C and -80°C) for up to 6 months. Analyses were performed at 1- to 2-week intervals using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The stability of compounds was evaluated under four temperature conditions over a 6-month period. Some BZDs were stable at all temperatures tested (e.g., diazepam, oxazepam, nordazepam and prazepam) with a degradation rate of only 0-10%. The highest instability was observed for analyte samples kept at room temperature, and the losses in content for some compounds, e.g., lorazepam and chlordiazepoxide, were almost 100%. For other compounds, the stability was clearly different at each tested temperature. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first such comprehensive study of the long-term stability of BZDs covering a wide range of different storage temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Banaszkiewicz
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza Str., Gdańsk 80-233, Poland
| | - Mateusz Kacper Woźniak
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, 3A Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie Str., Gdańsk 80-210, Poland
| | - Ewa Domagalska
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, 3A Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie Str., Gdańsk 80-210, Poland
| | - Michał Kaliszan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, 3A Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie Str., Gdańsk 80-210, Poland
| | - Agata Kot-Wasik
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza Str., Gdańsk 80-233, Poland
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80
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Tegner M, Ott IR, Guterres FDS, de Barros VM, Linden R, Antunes MV. Determination of Ethyl Glucuronide and Ethyl Sulfate in Dried Blood Spots by UHPLC-MS-MS: Method Validation and Assessment of Ethanol Exposure in Postmortem Samples from Road Traffic Victims. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:e223-e231. [PMID: 36087096 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The determination of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) in blood has been proposed in clinical and forensic applications to identify recent alcohol consumption. Also, there is a growing interest on the use of dried blood spots (DBS) in toxicological analysis, allowing increased stability of the analytes and simplifying sample transportation and storage. This study presents the development and validation of a method for quantifying EtG and EtS in DBS using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS-MS). The DBS samples were extracted with a mixture of methanol and acetonitrile (80:20 v/v) and analyzed using UHPLC-MS-MS with electrospray source in negative mode, after separation with a fluoro-phenyl stationary phase. Validation was performed according to the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) guidelines, with calibrations ranging from 0.10 to 18 µg/mL for EtG and 0.02 to 6 µg/mL for EtS. The analytes were stable in DBS stored from -20 to 45°C for 21 days. The method was successfully applied to capillary and venous DBS samples from 20 volunteers after ethanol ingestion and to DBS samples from 99 fatal victims of road traffic injuries. Capillary DBS was comparable to venous DBS and fresh whole blood in Passing-Bablok and Bland-Altman analysis, with correlation coefficients >0.91 (P < 0.001) for all comparisons. In postmortem application, the DBS EtG and EtS analysis indicated positive exposure to ethanol in 72.7% of the cases (EtG: 0.10-24.0 µg/mL and EtS: 0.03-4.11 µg/mL). The identification of ethanol consumption from blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and EtG/EtS in DBS was in agreement in 98.6% of positive and 96.3% of negative cases (kappa 0.877, P < 0.001), indicating a high level of concordance with BAC in assessing alcohol use in postmortem samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Tegner
- Postgraduate Program on Toxicology and Analytical Toxicology, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil.,Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, Institute of Health Sciences, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ritter Ott
- Postgraduate Program on Toxicology and Analytical Toxicology, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil.,Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, Institute of Health Sciences, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil
| | - Fernanda de Souza Guterres
- Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, Institute of Health Sciences, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Monteagudo de Barros
- Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, Institute of Health Sciences, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil
| | - Rafael Linden
- Postgraduate Program on Toxicology and Analytical Toxicology, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil.,Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, Institute of Health Sciences, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil
| | - Marina Venzon Antunes
- Postgraduate Program on Toxicology and Analytical Toxicology, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil.,Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, Institute of Health Sciences, Feevale University, ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93525-075, Brazil
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81
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Yamaguchi K, Ohno Y, Kanawaku Y. Simultaneous Analysis of Zolpidem, Four Hydroxyzolpidems and Two Zolpidem Carboxylic Acids in Postmortem Urine Using Liquid Chromatography--Tandem Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:1059-1065. [PMID: 35139209 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Zolpidem (ZOL) is a short-acting hypnotic that is sometimes used in drug-facilitated crimes such as sexual assaults, robbery and homicides. Therefore, it is important to understand the metabolism of ZOL. This study quantified ZOL and its metabolites, including two carboxylic acids (zolpidem phenyl-4-carboxylic acid [M1] and 6-carboxylic acid [M2]) and four hydroxyzolpidems (4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl zolpidem [M3], 6-hydroxymethyl zolpidem [M4], 7-hydroxyzolpidem [7OH] and 8-hydroxyzolpidem [8OH]) in postmortem urine using liquid chromatography--triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The concentration of M1 was highest in all cases, followed by total 7OH in five of six samples. The concentrations of M2 and total M4 were relatively high. Most of M4 and 8OH were excreted as conjugates, whereas up to 55% of 7OH was excreted in its free form. Peaks corresponding to zolpidem dihydrodiol (ZHDH), dihydro(hydroxy)zolpidem cysteine adduct (DHZCys) and zolpidem cysteine adduct (ZCys) were also detected in all the urine samples. ZDHD was excreted as conjugates, whereas almost all DHZCys and ZCys were in their free form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Yamaguchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1715 Kamagari, Inzai, Chiba 270-1694, Japan
| | - Youkichi Ohno
- Department of Legal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1715 Kamagari, Inzai, Chiba 270-1694, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Kanawaku
- Department of Legal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1715 Kamagari, Inzai, Chiba 270-1694, Japan
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82
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Seywright A, Irvine AFD, McKeown DA, Wylie FM, Torrance HJ. Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists in Postmortem Casework in Scotland. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:1066-1072. [PMID: 34994788 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) have been a concern to forensic toxicologists since their emergence as drugs of abuse in the mid-late 2000s. The extent of their use in Scotland appears to be low especially when compared to other drug groups such as opioids and benzodiazepines. There is a concern, however, that the use is widespread in prison populations in particular. In this work, samples of blood and urine collected during routine postmortem examination between April 2017 and March 2019 were subjected to analysis of SCRA compounds. Circumstantial and demographic information was collected on positive cases to build up a body of evidence for where SCRAs may be most likely to contribute to the cause of death. Thirteen out of 133 cases (10%) tested were positive for one or more compound in one or more matrix. Overall, the detection of 5F-MDMB-PINACA or its O-desmethyl acid metabolite was most common, followed by the metabolite shared by AB-FUBINACA and MMB-FUBINACA. SCRA-positive cases were predominantly males (92%), and the age range of all decedents was 21-49 years old (median 36 years). The majority of cases were certified as drug-related deaths (DRDs, 38%), natural/medical (31%) or suicide (23%), and two of the DRDs mentioned SCRAs specifically in the cause of death. The concentrations of SCRAs detected did not seem to be as important to the determination of the cause of death as their mere presence, but quantitative results were reported (where possible) in order to build up a body of evidence for SCRA concentrations in different case types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Seywright
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Place, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Alexander F D Irvine
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Place, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Denise A McKeown
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Place, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Fiona M Wylie
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Place, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Hazel J Torrance
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Place, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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83
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Bordin DM, Bishop D, de Campos EG, Blanes L, Doble P, Roux C, De Martinis BS. Analysis of Stimulants in Sweat and Urine Using Disposable Pipette Extraction and Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry in the Context of Doping Control. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:991-998. [PMID: 34792146 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Urine is initially collected from athletes to screen for the presence of illicit drugs. Sweat is an alternative sample matrix that provides advantages over urine including reduced opportunity for sample adulteration, longer detection-time window and non-invasive collection. Sweat is suitable for analysis of the parent drug and metabolites. In this study, a method was developed and validated to determine the presence of 13 amphetamine- and cocaine-related substances and their metabolites in sweat and urine using disposable pipette extraction (DPX) by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The DPX extraction was performed using 0.1 M HCl and dichloromethane:isopropanol:ammonium hydroxide (78:20:2, v/v/v) followed by derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide at 90°C for 20 min. DPX extraction efficiencies ranged between 65.0% and 96.0% in urine and 68.0% and 101.0% in sweat. Method accuracy was from 90.0% to 104.0% in urine and from 89.0% to 105.0% in sweat. Intra-assay precision in urine and in sweat were <15.6% and <17.8%, respectively, and inter-assay precision ranged from 4.70% to 15.3% in urine and from 4.05% to 15.4% in sweat. Calibration curves presented a correlation coefficient -0.99 for all analytes in both matrices. The validated method was applied to urine and sweat samples collected from 40 professional athletes who knowingly took one or more of the target illicit drugs. Thirteen of 40 athletes were positive for at least one drug. All the drugs detected in the urine were also detected in sweat samples indicating that sweat is a viable matrix for screening or confirmatory drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayanne Mozaner Bordin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil.,The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - David Bishop
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Eduardo Geraldo de Campos
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, Brazil.,Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, 13083-888, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Blanes
- Laboratory for Applied Science and Technology in Health, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rua Prof. Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350010, Brazil
| | - Philip Doble
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Claude Roux
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Bruno Spinosa De Martinis
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, Brazil
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84
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Rubicondo J, Scuffi L, Pietrosemoli L, Mineo M, Terranova F, Bartucca M, Trignano C, Bertol E, Vaiano F. A New Multi-Analyte LC-MS-MS Screening Method for the Detection of 120 NPSs and 49 Drugs in Hair. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:e262-e273. [PMID: 36453750 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been increasingly used for screening purposes in forensic toxicology. High versatility and low time/resource consumption are the main advantages of this technology. Numerous multi-analyte methods have been validated in order to face the analytical challenge of new psychoactive substances (NPSs). However, forensic toxicologists must focus the attention also on "classical" NPSs and medicines, such as benzodiazepines (BDZs) and prescription opioids. In this paper, a new method for the simultaneous detection of 169 substances (120 NPSs and 49 other drugs) in hair by LC-MS-MS is described. After the decontamination of hair samples with dichloromethane, a 20-mg aliquot of the sample was mixed with 1 mL of methanol (MeOH; 0.1% of formic acid) and then sonicated at room temperature for 2 h. The mixture was then dried under nitrogen stream and reconstituted with 100 µL of MeOH. LC separation was achieved with a 100-mm-long C18 column in 35 min, and mass acquisition was performed in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring mode and in positive ionization. The analysis results were very sensitive, with the limit of quantification ranging from 0.07 to 10.0 pg/mg. Accuracy and precision were always within the acceptable criteria. Matrix effect and recovery rate ranges were from -21.3 to + 21.9% and from 75.0 to 99.3%, respectively. The new method was successfully applied in a preliminary study on the prevalence of NPSs, BDZs and other substances in case of driving license issuance. In 14% of cases, BDZs/antidepressants (mainly trazodone, diazepam/nordiazepam and flunitrazepam) were found. Codeine, ketamine, methylone and mephedrone were also detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rubicondo
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - L Scuffi
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - L Pietrosemoli
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - M Mineo
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - F Terranova
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - M Bartucca
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - C Trignano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43c, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - E Bertol
- U.R.I.To.N.-Unit of Research, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - F Vaiano
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy.,U.R.I.To.N.-Unit of Research, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
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85
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Turkmen Z, Zengin S, Kuloglu Genc M, Yayla M, Tekin Bulbul T, Mercan S. The Role of Forensic Veterinary Toxicology in Pet Custody Cases. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:e239-e242. [PMID: 36355788 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Forensic veterinary toxicology has become a popular branch of toxicology, dealing with animal cruelty (e.g., malicious poisoning), regulatory issues (e.g., contamination of the feed supply chain), insurance litigation or wildlife poisoning. The current study highlights the importance of the toxicological aspects of animal health-related disagreements in a pet custody case following a divorce. In this study, the custody case of three dogs and a cat was concluded with the aid of toxicological test results that were obtained from the pets' blood samples for the first time in Turkey. The results confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine in one of the blood samples, as alleged by one of the owners. The study also aims to raise the veterinarians', as well as the judicial system members', awareness of drug abuse in pets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Turkmen
- Department of Science, Institute of Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Buyukcekmece, Istanbul 34500, Turkey
| | - Simge Zengin
- Department of Science, Institute of Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Buyukcekmece, Istanbul 34500, Turkey
| | - Merve Kuloglu Genc
- Department of Science, Institute of Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Buyukcekmece, Istanbul 34500, Turkey
| | - Murat Yayla
- Department of Science, Institute of Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Buyukcekmece, Istanbul 34500, Turkey
| | - Tugba Tekin Bulbul
- Department of Science, Institute of Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Buyukcekmece, Istanbul 34500, Turkey
| | - Selda Mercan
- Department of Science, Institute of Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Buyukcekmece, Istanbul 34500, Turkey
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86
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Iqbal M, Alshememry A, Imam F, Kalam MA, Akhtar A, Ali EA. UPLC-MS/MS Based Identification and Quantification of a Novel Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist in Plasma Samples by Validated SWGTOX Guidelines. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11020109. [PMID: 36850983 PMCID: PMC9959124 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Lemborexant (LEM) is a novel dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA), recently approved for the treatment of insomnia. As with other DORAs, LEM has potential of abuse and therefore placed in Schedule IV class by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA). In this study, a sensitive and accurate UPLC-MS/MS assay was developed for the quantification of LEM in human plasma sample using losartan as an internal standard (IS). The chromatographic separation was performed by using gradient elution of mobile phase, comprising of 10 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile with a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. An Acquity UPLC BEH C18 (1.7 μm, 2.1 × 50 mm) column was used for separation of LEM and IS by maintaining the oven temperature of 40 °C. The electrospray ionization in positive mode was used for sample ionization. The precursor to product ion transition of 411.12 > 175.09 (qualifier) and 411.1 > 287.14 (quantifier) was used for detection and quantification of LEM, respectively, in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Being a drug of abuse, the assay was validated according to "Scientific Working Group for Toxicology" (SWGTOX) guidelines, including limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision and bias, calibration model, interferences, carry-over effects, matrix effects, and stability parameters. The LOD and LOQ of the assay were 0.35 and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. The linear range was between 1-300 ng/mL with correlation coefficient of ≥0.995. The method was also cross validated in rat plasma samples with acceptable ranges of precision and accuracy before its application for pharmacokinetic study in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzaffar Iqbal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alshememry
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Imam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Abul Kalam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Akhtar
- College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Essam A. Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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87
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Feliu C, Konecki C, Cazaubon Y, Binet L, Vautier D, Fouley A, Gozalo C, Djerada Z. Development and Validation of a Non-Targeted Screening Method for Most Psychoactive, Analgesic, Anaesthetic, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Coagulant and Anti-Hypertensive Drugs in Human Whole Blood and Plasma Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16010076. [PMID: 36678573 PMCID: PMC9865759 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: In toxicological laboratories, various screening methods can be used to identify compounds involved in intoxication. High-resolution mass spectrometry has been increasingly used in this context for the last years, because of its sensitivity and reliability. Here, we present the development and validation of a screening method that uses liquid chromatography coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer. (2) Methods: This method required only 100 µL of whole blood or plasma sample. Pretreatment consisted of a rapid and simple deproteinisation with methanol/acetonitrile and zinc sulphate. This new assay was validated according to international guidelines. (3) Results: To perform the method validation, 53 compounds were selected. The selection criteria were as follows: various chemical structures and therapeutic families (>15), large m/z distribution, positive or negative ionisation mode, and various elution times. The assays showed high selectivity and specificity, with optimal process efficiency. The identification limits, determined using predefined criteria, were established at sub-therapeutic or therapeutic concentrations. Applicability was evaluated using spiked plasma controls and external quality controls. (4) Conclusions: The new method was then successfully applied to routine clinical and forensic samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Feliu
- Department of Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR CAP-Santé, Reims University Hospital, 51 Rue Cognacq-Jay, CEDEX, 51095 Reims, France
- Correspondence: (C.F.); (Z.D.)
| | - Celine Konecki
- Department of Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR CAP-Santé, Reims University Hospital, 51 Rue Cognacq-Jay, CEDEX, 51095 Reims, France
| | - Yoann Cazaubon
- Institute Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health, INSERM, Montpellier University, Department of Pharmacology, Montpellier University Hospital, Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Binet
- Department of Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR CAP-Santé, Reims University Hospital, 51 Rue Cognacq-Jay, CEDEX, 51095 Reims, France
| | - Damien Vautier
- Department of Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR CAP-Santé, Reims University Hospital, 51 Rue Cognacq-Jay, CEDEX, 51095 Reims, France
| | - Aurélie Fouley
- Department of Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR CAP-Santé, Reims University Hospital, 51 Rue Cognacq-Jay, CEDEX, 51095 Reims, France
| | - Claire Gozalo
- Department of Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR CAP-Santé, Reims University Hospital, 51 Rue Cognacq-Jay, CEDEX, 51095 Reims, France
| | - Zoubir Djerada
- Department of Pharmacology, EA 3801, SFR CAP-Santé, Reims University Hospital, 51 Rue Cognacq-Jay, CEDEX, 51095 Reims, France
- Correspondence: (C.F.); (Z.D.)
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88
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Fabresse N, Faltot M, Roux P, Becam J, Doudon E, Lacarelle B, Solas C, Pelissier-Alicot AL. Determination of cannabinoids content in light cannabis inflorescences sold in France. Drug Test Anal 2023. [PMID: 36597181 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In the last 2 years, the number of shops selling CBD-rich THC-deprived cannabis flowers (CrTd) has increased considerably in France as in many European countries. The objective of this study was to determine the actual composition of the samples sold in these stores and to discuss regulatory consequences that may affect users. Samples were provided from shops in the region Provence-Alpes Cote d'Azur (PACA), France. Pictures of the samples were taken before they were weighed then crushed. Twenty milligrams were diluted in 10 ml heptane ethyl acetate (7:1; v:v) for analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method was validated according to SWGTOX guidelines for the quantification of cannabidiol (CBD), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN). Thirty-nine samples obtained between November 2021 and January 2022 in the PACA region were analyzed in this study. Mean content was 0.32% (0.03%-0.77%; STDV = 0.17%; n = 39) for THC, 2.23% (0.01%-5.97%; STDV = 1.29%; n = 39) for CBD and 0.01% (0.004%-0.025%; STDV = 0.01%; n = 19) for CBN. THC content over the threshold defined by the European legislation (>0.3%) was found in 18 of the 39 samples analyzed together with a CBD content <1% in nine samples (23%). None of the products analyzed had health risk messages on the packaging. The consumption of these products may lead to the presence of THC in biological fluids, which can be detected by screening. Users may then find themselves in breach of the law particularly when driving. Consumers should therefore be informed both about the actual composition of these products and about the legal and health risks they run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Fabresse
- Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology, La Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille University, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Economic and Social Sciences of Health and Medical Information Processing, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Faltot
- Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology, La Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Perrine Roux
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Economic and Social Sciences of Health and Medical Information Processing, Marseille, France
| | - Jenny Becam
- Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology, La Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Emilie Doudon
- Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology, La Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Lacarelle
- Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology, La Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Caroline Solas
- Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology, La Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
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89
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Boronat Ena MDM, Cowan DA, Abbate V. Ambient ionization mass spectrometry applied to new psychoactive substance analysis. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2023; 42:3-34. [PMID: 34036620 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade a plethora of drugs with similar effects to controlled psychoactive drugs, like cannabis, amfetamine (amphetamine), or lysergic acid diethylamide, have been synthesized. These drugs can collectively be classified under the term new psychoactive substances (NPS) and are used for recreational purposes. The novelty of the substances, alongside the rapid rate of emergence and structural variability, makes their detection as well as their legal control highly challenging, increasing the demand for rapid and easy-to-use analytical techniques for their detection and identification. Therefore, interest in ambient ionization mass spectrometry applied to NPS has grown in recent years, which is largely because it is relatively fast and simple to use and has a low operating cost. This review aims to provide a critique of the suitability of current ambient ionization techniques for the analysis of NPS in the forensic and clinical toxicology fields. Consideration is given to analytical performance and ease of implementation, including ionization efficiency, selectivity, sensitivity, quantification, analyte chemistry, molecular coverage, validation, and practicality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Del Mar Boronat Ena
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, London, UK
| | - David A Cowan
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, London, UK
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, London, UK
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90
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Development and validation of an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of 25 psychoactive drugs in cerumen and its application to real postmortem samples. Forensic Toxicol 2023; 41:94-104. [PMID: 36652062 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00640-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the present study, a method for the detection of 25 psychoactive substances in cerumen was developed and validated. This method targets opiates, cocaine, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and antiparkinsons. METHODS Analysis was performed on a SCIEX Triple Quad 6500+ system after liquid-liquid extraction. Methanol with 1% acetic acid was chosen as the extraction solvent. After the addition of the solvent, samples were vortexed, sonicated, centrifuged and directly injected into the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system. RESULTS The method was found to be selective and sensitive (limit of detection: 0.017 ng-0.33 ng/mg), the assay was linear for all analytes with linear regression coefficient ranging 0.9911-1.00. The values for intra-assay precision was between 4.34 and 14.6% and inter-assay precision between 5.81 and 17.7%, with accuracy within the acceptable criteria for all analytes. All analytes in cerumen specimens were stable for 48 h at 4 °C and 72 h at - 20 °C, whilst no significant matrix effect or carryover was observed. Applicability was proven by analyzing cerumen samples from 25 deceased with a history of drug abuse. All analytes were detected in real samples, thus confirming the sensitivity of the developed method. CONCLUSIONS According to our knowledge, it is the first time that a method for the simultaneous detection of 25 psychoactive drugs in cerumen was developed, fully validated and finally applied to 25 postmortem samples.
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91
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Madia MAO, de Oliveira LO, Baccule NS, Sakurada JY, Scanferla DTP, Aguera RG, Moreira PP, Bando É, Junior MM, Marchioni C, Mossini SAG. Amphetamine, methamphetamine, and MDMA in hair samples from a rehabilitation facility: Validation and applicability of HF-LPME-GC-MS. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2023; 119:107212. [PMID: 36028047 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2022.107212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is known that drug abuse jeopardizes economic and social development. Toxicological analyses can guide prevention and treatment strategies in rehabilitation facilities. The current greatest challenge is finding easily adaptable and less costly sensitive methods that meet the principles of green chemistry. Hair, as a biological matrix, has several advantages, and its ability to detect consumption for longer periods keeping the matrix stable and unaltered stands out. This manuscript addresses the use of a miniaturized technique in an alternative matrix, by making use of a reduced amount of solvents to quantify amphetamines, aiming to guide prevention and treatment strategies in rehabilitation facilities. METHODS A Hollow Fiber Liquid-phase Microextraction (HF-LPME) technique for extracting amphetamines from hair samples with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (CG-MS) was validated, adapted, and applied to ten samples from patients of a rehabilitation facility. RESULTS The technique proved to be sensitive, accurate, precise, and not affected by interference from the biological matrix and the linear range for the analytes was 0.2 to 20 ng mg -1. The three analytes were quantified in the samples analyzed. It is worth stressing that the patients were young. CONCLUSION The HF-LPME-GC-MS technique complied with the principles of green chemistry, and proved to be a sensitive technique, adaptable to the routine of common laboratories. Validation in the analysis phase with authentic samples, thus, showed that it can be an important tool for preventing and controlling drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana A O Madia
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Luís O de Oliveira
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil; State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Nicole S Baccule
- State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Y Sakurada
- State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Deborah T P Scanferla
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Raul G Aguera
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Paula P Moreira
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Érika Bando
- Laboratory of Toxicology. Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Miguel Machinski Junior
- Laboratory of Toxicology. Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Camila Marchioni
- Department of Pathology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis - Santa Catarina, Brazil, R. Eng. Agronômico Andrei Cristian Ferreira, s/n - Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis - Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Simone A G Mossini
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil; State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
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Cheng JYK, Hui JWS, Chan WS, So MH, Hong YH, Leung WT, Ku KW, Yeung HS, Lo KM, Fung KM, Ip CY, Dao KL, Cheung BKK. Interpol review of toxicology 2019-2022. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2022; 6:100303. [PMID: 36597440 PMCID: PMC9799715 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bobbie Kwok-keung Cheung
- Corresponding author. Government Laboratory, 7/F, Homantin Government Offices, 88 Chung Hau Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, SAR, Hong Kong, China. http://www.govtlab.gov.hk/
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93
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Development and Validation of the LC-MS/MS Method for Determination of 130 Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids in Cannabis Oil. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27238601. [PMID: 36500694 PMCID: PMC9736437 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary supplements are widely available products used by millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, the procedure of adding pharmaceutical and psychoactive substances has recently been observed, in order to increase the effectiveness of supplements in the form of hemp oils. For this reason, it is extremely important to develop analytical methods for the detection of substances prohibited in dietary supplements and food products. In the present study, using the LC-MS/MS technique, an innovative method for the detection and quantification of 117 synthetic cannabinoids and 13 natural cannabinoids in dietary supplements and food products in the form of oils during one 13-min chromatographic run was developed. Each method was fully validated by characterization of the following parameters: The limit of detection was set to 0.1 ng/mL (100 µg/g, 0.01%). The limit of quantification ranged from 0.05 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL. The criteria assumed for systematic error caused by methodological bias (±20%) resulting from the recovery of analytes after the extraction process, as well as the coefficient of variation (CV) (≤20%), were met for all 130 tested compounds. The positive results of the validation confirmed that the developed methods met the requirements related to the adequacy of their application in a given scope. Additionally, methods developed using the LC-MS/MS technique were verified via proficiency tests. The developed analytical procedure was successfully used in the analysis of hemp oils and capsules containing them in the studied dietary supplements.
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94
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Application of Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction (FPSE) Engaged to Tandem LC-MS/MS for Quantification of Brorphine in Oral Fluid. J Xenobiot 2022; 12:356-364. [PMID: 36547469 PMCID: PMC9782742 DOI: 10.3390/jox12040025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Brorphine (1-[1-[1-(4-bromophenyl) ethyl]-piperidin-4-yl]-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo [d]imidazol-2-one) is one of the most recent novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) on the novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) market, involved in over 100 deaths in 2020. Brorphine is a substituted piperidine-benzimidazolone analogue that retains structural similarities to fentanyl, acting as a full agonist at the μ-opioid receptor. Oral Fluid (OF) is an alternative matrix, frequently analyzed for the detection of NPS. Fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) is a superior, green-sample -preparation technology recently applied for drug analysis. This contribution presents the development and validation of a method, based on the application of FPSE and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), to determine/quantitate brorphine in OF. The method's linearity ranged between 0.05 and 50 ng/mL (R2 = 0.9993), the bias ranged between 12.0 and 16.8%, and inter- and intra-day precisions ranged between 6.4 and 9.9%. Accuracy and extraction efficiency lied between 65 and 75%. LOD/LOQ were 0.015 ng/mL/0.05 ng/mL. Analyte's post-preparative stability was higher than 95%, while no matrix interferences and carryover between runs were observed. This is the first report introducing the application of FPSE for NPS determination, specifically, the quantification of brorphine in OF, thereby presenting a simple, rapid, sensitive, specific, effective, and reliable procedure engaged to LC-MS/MS that is suitable for routine application and the analysis of more NPSs.
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95
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Validation of a simple and quick method for determination of psychoactive substances, drugs and their metabolites from human blood by LC-MS/MS. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.107922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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96
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Reynaud N, Belz L, Béal D, Bacqueville D, Duplan H, Géniès C, Questel E, Josse G, Douki T. DNA photoproducts released by repair in biological fluids as biomarkers of the genotoxicity of UV radiation. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:7705-7720. [PMID: 36063170 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04302-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
UV-induced formation of photoproducts in DNA is a major initiating event of skin cancer. Consequently, many analytical tools have been developed for their quantification in DNA. In the present work, we extended our previous liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method to the quantification of the short DNA fragments containing photoproducts that are released from cells by the repair machinery. We designed a robust protocol including a solid-phase extraction step (SPE), an enzymatic treatment aimed at releasing individual photoproducts, and a liquid chromatography method combining on-line SPE and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography for optimal specificity and sensitivity. We also added relevant internal standards for a better accuracy. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, and reproducibility. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be in the fmol range. The proof of concept of the use of excreted DNA repair products as biomarkers of the genotoxicity of UV was obtained first in in vitro studies using cultured HaCat cells and ex vivo on human skin explants. Further evidence was obtained from the detection of pyrimidine dimers in the urine of human volunteers collected after recreational exposure in summer. An assay was designed to quantify the DNA photoproducts released from cells within short fragments by the DNA repair machinery. These oligonucleotides were isolated by solid-phase extraction and enzymatically hydrolyzed. The photoproducts were then quantified by on-line SPE combined with UHPLC-MS/MS with isotopic dilution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Reynaud
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IRIG, SyMMES, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Laura Belz
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IRIG, SyMMES, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - David Béal
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IRIG, SyMMES, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Daniel Bacqueville
- Service Recherche Pharmaco-Clinique, Département Recherche Appliquée, Centre R&D Pierre Fabre, 31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Hélène Duplan
- Service Recherche Pharmaco-Clinique, Département Recherche Appliquée, Centre R&D Pierre Fabre, 31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Camille Géniès
- Service Recherche Pharmaco-Clinique, Département Recherche Appliquée, Centre R&D Pierre Fabre, 31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Emmanuel Questel
- Centre de Recherche sur la Peau, Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique, 31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Gwendal Josse
- Centre de Recherche sur la Peau, Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique, 31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Thierry Douki
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IRIG, SyMMES, F-38000, Grenoble, France.
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97
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Development and Validation of a Uplc-Qtof-Ms Method for Blood Analysis of Isomeric Amphetamine-Related Drugs. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9100285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of isomeric drugs is gaining increasing importance in forensics and doping control. Isomers vary in terms of safety, effectiveness, and regulation, particularly for amphetamine-related drugs (ARDs). This study developed and validated a pseudo-isocratic UPLC-qTOF-MS analytical method for the identification of isomeric Amphetamine-related drugs (ARDs) in blood following mixed-mode solid-phase extraction (MMSPE). The procedure requires 250 μL of blood to achieve a limit of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD) of 20 ng/mL for all analytes. In aged animal blood samples, extraction recoveries of 63–90% and matrix effects of 9–21% were observed. Precision and accuracy for all analytes were within 20% and 89–118%, respectively. The analytical method was developed and validated in accordance with the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) Standard. It has acceptable accuracy and precision for use in doping control and forensic toxicology.
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Tan Z, Wen Y, Yang K, Zhao X, Yang X, He J. Development and validation of the UPLC-MS method for simultaneous determination of six new psychoactive substances. RSC Adv 2022; 12:26704-26711. [PMID: 36320845 PMCID: PMC9490772 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra04869h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The combined abuse of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics has become a global problem, and to develop a highly sensitive and selective method for monitoring of benzodiazepine hypnotics and antipsychotics is urgently necessary. In this work, we established a rapid method for the simultaneous determination of benzodiazepines (diazepam, alprazolam, triazolam, and estazolam) and antipsychotic drugs (clozapine, and chlorpromazine) based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). The accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), specificity, matrix effect and carry-over effect were verified in detail. The results of the recovery and repeat experiments proved that the proposed UPLC-MS method possessed very satisfactory accuracy and precision. The LOD and LOQ of the six psychoactive substances were as low as 0.001-0.005 and 0.005-0.01 μg L-1, respectively. The proposed method was employed to analyze urine samples which were pretreated with a protein precipitation process. The potential influences of precipitants on the analysis results were evaluated statistically, and 0.1% formic acid/acetonitrile/water was selected as the optimum precipitation agent. The detection of the targets was free from matrix and carryover effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouhong Tan
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University Dali 671000 Yunnan P. R. China
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Forensic Science Kunming 650223 Yunnan P. R. China
| | - Yunbo Wen
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Forensic Science Kunming 650223 Yunnan P. R. China
| | - Kai Yang
- Public Security Bureau Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Dali 671000 Yunnan P. R. China
| | - Xia Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University Dali 671000 Yunnan P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University Dali 671000 Yunnan P. R. China
| | - Jieli He
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University Dali 671000 Yunnan P. R. China
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Forensic Science Kunming 650223 Yunnan P. R. China
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99
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Odoardi S, Biosa G, Mestria S, Valentini V, De Giovanni N, Cittadini F, Strano Rossi S. DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING AND TRAFFIC COLLISIONS: STUDY ON A CROSS SECTION OF THE ITALIAN POPULATION. Drug Test Anal 2022; 15:477-483. [PMID: 36082405 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study focuses on the association between road accidents and the presence of drugs of abuse markers in the biological fluids of the drivers. Biological fluids collected from 1,236 drivers involved in road accidents (54 fatal and 1,182 non-fatal crashes) in the Rome area were analysed for alcohol and psychotropic drugs, as required by judicial authorities. The substance most frequently detected was alcohol (in 19% of non-fatal and 32% of fatal crashes), followed by cannabinoids (12% of non-fatal crashes) and cocaine (9% of non-fatal and 20% of fatal crashes). The results obtained for cocaine and cannabinoids in blood and urine were compared. We observed the absence or low concentrations of the active drug in blood (cocaine was often below 5 ng/mL and THC below 1 ng/mL), whereas urinary concentrations of metabolites were generally high (benzoylecgonine 250 - above 5000 ng/mL, THCCOOH 15-270 ng/mL). The risk of being involved in a road accident if cocaine or cannabis markers were present in the urine specimens was evaluated compared to a control population. The odds ratios calculated, being 8.13 for cannabis and 5.32 for cocaine, suggest a strong association between the presence of these drugs in the urine of drivers and traffic accidents, regardless of their presence in blood samples. The present data suggest that the chance of being involved in a road accident is higher than in the control population even if the subject is no longer "under the influence" of cannabis or cocaine at the time of the accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Odoardi
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Biosa
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Mestria
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Valentini
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia De Giovanni
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cittadini
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Strano Rossi
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
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100
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Jang M, Yang H, Park SA, Sung HK, Koo JM, Hwang SY, Jeon H, Oh DX, Park J. Analysis of volatile organic compounds produced during incineration of non-degradable and biodegradable plastics. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:134946. [PMID: 35569634 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As plastic consumption has increased, environmental problems associated with the accumulation of plastic wastes have started to emerge. These include the non-degradability of plastic and its disintegration into sub-micron particles. Although some biodegradable plastic products have been developed to relieve the landfill and leakage burden, a significant portion of discarded plastics are inevitably still incinerated. The concern here is that incinerating plastics may result in the emission of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Moreover, lack of policy and the limited market share contributes to the indiscriminate discarding of biodegradable plastics, whereby it is mixed and subsequently incinerated with non-degradable plastics. The aim of this study was therefore to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the VOCs emitted from both non-degradable and biodegradable plastics during combustion employing gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Here, non-degradable poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) emitted 10-115 and 6-22 ppmv of VOCs, respectively. These emission levels were more than 100 times higher than the VOC concentrations of 0.1-0.5 and 0.1-1.8 ppmv obtained for biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate and polylactic acid, respectively. Notably, due to the presence of a repeating butylene group in both non-degradable and biodegradable plastics, 1,3-butadiene accounted for the highest concentration among the VOCs identified, with concentrations of 6-116 ppmv and 0.5-558 ppmv obtained, respectively. During the evaluation of gas barrier films employed for food packaging purposes, non-degradable aluminum-coated multilayered films emitted 9-515 ppmv of VOCs, compared to the 2-41 ppmv VOCs emitted by biodegradable nanocellulose/nanochitin-coated films. Despite the significantly lower levels of VOCs emitted during the incineration of biodegradable plastics, this does not represent suitable waste treatment solution because VOCs are still emitted during incomplete combustion. This study aims to encourage further research into diverse combustion conditions for plastics and stimulate discussions on the fate of discarded plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jang
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyemin Yang
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul-A Park
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Kyeong Sung
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Mo Koo
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Yeon Hwang
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea; Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonyeol Jeon
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dongyeop X Oh
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea; Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jeyoung Park
- Research Center for Bio-Based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea; Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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