Targeting misuse of 2-amino- N -ethyl-1-phenylbutane in urine samples: in vitro-in vivo correlation of metabolic profiles and development of LC-TOF-MS method: Metabolism and LC-TOF/MS-analysis of 2-amino-N-ethyl-1-phenylbutane

Metabolic profiling of four synthetic stimulants, including the novel indanyl-cathinone 5-PPDi, after human hepatocyte incubation

Synthetic cathinones are new psychoactive substances that represent a health risk worldwide. For most of the 130 reported compounds, information about toxicology and/or metabolism is not available, which hampers their detection (and subsequent medical treatment) in intoxication cases. The principles of forensic analytical chemistry and the use of powerful analytical techniques are indispensable for stablishing the most appropriate biomarkers for these substances. Human metabolic fate of synthetic cathinones can be assessed by the analysis of urine and blood obtained from authentic consumers; however, this type of samples is limited and difficult to access. In this work, the metabolic behaviour of three synthetic cathinones (4-CEC, 4-CPrC and 5-PPDi) and one amphetamine (3-FEA) has been evaluated by incubation with pooled human hepatocytes and metabolite identification has been performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. This in vitro approach has previously shown its feasibility for obtaining excretory human metabolites. 4-CEC and 3-FEA were not metabolised, and for 4-CPrC only two minor metabolites were obtained. On the contrary, for the recently reported 5-PPDi, twelve phase I metabolites were elucidated. Up to our knowledge, this is the first metabolic study of an indanyl-cathinone. Data reported in this paper will allow the detection of these synthetic stimulants in intoxication cases, and will facilitate future research on the metabolic behaviour of other indanyl-based cathinones.

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In vitro metabolic behaviour of 4-CEC, 4-CPrC, 5-PPDi and 3-FEA has been evaluated.

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Metabolite elucidation has been performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry.

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4-CEC and 3-FEA were not metabolised. Two minor metabolites were obtained for 4-CPrC.

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Twelve phase I metabolites were elucidated for the indanyl-cathinone 5-PPDi.

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Up to our knowledge, this is the first metabolic study of an indanyl-cathinone.

Annual banned-substance review: analytical approaches in human sports drug testing

The aim of improving anti-doping efforts is predicated on several different pillars, including, amongst others, optimized analytical methods. These commonly result from exploiting most recent developments in analytical instrumentation as well as research data on elite athletes' physiology in general, and pharmacology, metabolism, elimination, and downstream effects of prohibited substances and methods of doping, in particular. The need for frequent and adequate adaptations of sports drug testing procedures has been incessant, largely due to the uninterrupted emergence of new chemical entities but also due to the apparent use of established or even obsolete drugs for reasons other than therapeutic means, such as assumed beneficial effects on endurance, strength, and regeneration capacities. Continuing the series of annual banned-substance reviews, literature concerning human sports drug testing published between October 2014 and September 2015 is summarized and reviewed in reference to the content of the 2015 Prohibited List as issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), with particular emphasis on analytical approaches and their contribution to enhanced doping controls.