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Cheng WC, Dao KL, Wong WC. Fluorodeschloroketamine found as a street drug in drug seizures and drug driving cases in Hong Kong. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 361:112075. [PMID: 38850618 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112075] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the decline of the use of ketamine, one of the common drugs of abuse in Hong Kong, detection of ketamine-related analogues in local laboratories has been encountered. AIM A brief account of the occurrence of fluorodeschloroketamine (FDCK) in forensic cases is reported through a retrospective study of all drug seizures and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases since its first appearance. METHODS Identification of FDCK in drug seizures was achieved through gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and/or liquid chromatography - diode array detection (LC-DAD) methods while its quantification was performed using gas chromatography - flame ionization detection (GC-FID). For the analysis of blood samples in DUID cases, identification and quantification were performed using LC-MS/MS by monitoring the respective transitions of FDCK and fluorodeschloronorketamine (FDCNK) using ketamine-d4 and norketamine-d4 respectively as internal standards. RESULTS Since its first submission in November 2018, a total of 74 drug seizure cases (151 items) and 6 drug driving cases were encountered till December 2019. Drug seizures found with FDCK were physically similar to those of ketamine seizures. The majority of items were detected with FDCK only (103 items, ∼67%) or as a mixture of FDCK with ketamine (42 items, ∼28%). The drug purity detected with either FDCK only or FDCK mixed with ketamine was high which was similar to those purity found in ketamine seizures. The blood drug concentrations of FDCK of the 6 drug driving cases were in the range of <0.002-1.1 μg/mL and other psychoactive drug(s)/metabolite(s) were also identified. Except for one case where the analysis of the metabolite, fluorodeschloronorketamine (FDCNK), was not conducted due to insufficient sample, the FDCK (FDCNK) concentrations in blood found in the 6 cases were <0.002 (0.005), 0.002 (0.002), 0.002 (0.003), 0.02 (0.035), 0.87 (0.44) and 1.1 (not determined) μg/mL. CONCLUSIONS With the drug seizures found with FDCK resembled in physical appearance with ketamine seizures, users might likely misuse it as ketamine. Though complicated by other drugs found, it is speculated that the two cases with higher concentration of FDCK found in blood (1.1 and 0.87 μg/mL) might have contributed to the impairment observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing-Chi Cheng
- Forensic Science Division, Government Laboratory, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Kwok-Leung Dao
- Forensic Science Division, Government Laboratory, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wing-Cheong Wong
- Forensic Science Division, Government Laboratory, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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Magny R, Mégarbane B, Chevillard L, Roulland E, Bardèche-Trystram B, Dumestre-Toulet V, Labat L, Houzé P. A combined toxicokinetic and metabolic approach to investigate deschloro-N-ethylketamine exposure in a multidrug user. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 243:116086. [PMID: 38518457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116086] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The use of new psychoactive substances derived from ketamine is rarely reported in France. A chronic GHB, 3-MMC, and methoxetamine consumer presented a loss of consciousness in a chemsex context and was referred to the intensive care unit with a rapid and favorable outcome. To investigate the chemicals responsible for the intoxication, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on the ten plasma samples collected over a 29.5-hour period, urine obtained upon admission, a 2-cm hair strand sample, and a seized crystal. These analyses were performed using liquid chromatography hyphenated to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry operating in targeted and untargeted modes. Additionally, analyses using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were conducted to probe the composition of the seized crystal. The molecular network-based approach was employed for data processing in non-targeted analyses. It allowed to confirm a multidrug exposure encompassing GHB, methyl-(aminopropyl)benzofuran (MAPB), (aminopropyl)benzofuran (APB), methylmethcathinone, chloromethcathinone, and a new psychoactive substance belonging to the arylcyclohexylamine family namely deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine (O-PCE). Molecular network analysis facilitated the annotation of 27 O-PCE metabolites, including phase II compounds not previously reported. Plasma kinetics of O-PCE allowed the estimation of the elimination half-life of ∼5 hours. Kinetics of O-PCE metabolites was additionally characterized, possibly useful as surrogate biomarkers of consumption. We also observed marked alterations in lipid metabolism related to poly consumption of drugs. In conclusion, this case report provides a comprehensive analysis of exposure to O-PCE in a multidrug user including kinetic and metabolism data in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Magny
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie Biologique, Fédération de Toxicologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, Paris 75010, France; INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, Paris 75006, France
| | - Bruno Mégarbane
- INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, Paris 75006, France; Réanimation Médicale et Toxicologique, Fédération de Toxicologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, Paris 75010, France.
| | | | | | - Benoit Bardèche-Trystram
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie Biologique, Fédération de Toxicologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, Paris 75010, France
| | | | - Laurence Labat
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie Biologique, Fédération de Toxicologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, Paris 75010, France; INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, Paris 75006, France
| | - Pascal Houzé
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie Biologique, Fédération de Toxicologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, Paris 75010, France; INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, Paris 75006, France.
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Riess S, Chèze M, Muckensturm A, Klinger N, Roussel O, Cirimele V. 2-Fluorodeschloroketamine consumption: About two deaths and a case of self-mutilation. J Anal Toxicol 2024; 48:398-404. [PMID: 38619360 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkae021] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
2-Fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) is a new psychoactive substance (NPS), close to the ketamine structure. Few cases of 2-FDCK intake are described in the forensic literature, especially concerning death cases. We report here a case of self-mutilation (Case 1) and two forensic deaths linked to 2-FDCK consumption. The second case involved a man found dead in the street, having been stabbed. The third case was a man found dead following a suspected overdose and in an advanced state of putrefaction. For all three cases, biological fluids such as blood and urine were analyzed, as was hair for the two fatal cases. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify 2-FDCK and its main metabolites in different matrices. Biological fluids and hair were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry after decontamination and extraction. Seized products were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and assayed, when possible, by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. 2-FDCK was detected and quantified in the peripheral blood of Cases 1, 2 and 3 (457, 758 and 5885 µg/L, respectively), as were its main metabolites nor-2-FDCK, dihydro-nor-2-FDCK and dihydro-2-FDCK. In the 1 cm long hair of Cases 2 and 3, 2-FDCK was also detected (approximately 4149 and 79824 pg/mg, respectively). Deschloroketamine (DCK) was found in the biological fluids of Cases 1, 2 and 3 (10, 8 and 350 µg/L, respectively), as well as in hair of Cases 2 and 3 (65 and around 8119 pg/mg, respectively). In Case 3, as a small bag containing DCK powder was seized from his home, we can assume that DCK was taken. On the contrary, to our knowledge, it has not been established that Case 2 took DCK alone, so we can assume that it may be the first case to report DCK from 2-FDCK metabolism in fluids as well as in hair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salomé Riess
- Laboratoire Toxlab, 7 rue Jacques Cartier, Paris 75018, France
| | - Marjorie Chèze
- Laboratoire Toxlab, 7 rue Jacques Cartier, Paris 75018, France
| | | | - Nadine Klinger
- Laboratoire ChemTox, 3 Rue Gruninger, Illkirch-Graffenstaden 67400, France
| | - Olivier Roussel
- Laboratoire ChemTox, 3 Rue Gruninger, Illkirch-Graffenstaden 67400, France
| | - Vincent Cirimele
- Laboratoire Toxlab, 7 rue Jacques Cartier, Paris 75018, France
- Laboratoire ChemTox, 3 Rue Gruninger, Illkirch-Graffenstaden 67400, France
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4
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Xu L, Yan H, Tang Y, Liu Y, Xiang P, Hang T. In vitro and in vivo metabolic study of three new psychoactive β-keto-arylcyclohexylamines. J Anal Toxicol 2024; 48:217-225. [PMID: 38619371 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkae020] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the 2000s, an increasing number of new psychoactive substances have appeared on the illicit drug market. β-Keto-arylcyclohexylamine compounds play important pharmacological roles in anesthesia; however, because these new psychoactive substances have rapidly increasing illicit recreational use, the lack of detailed toxicity data are of particular concern. Therefore, analysis of their metabolites can help forensic personnel provide references and suggestions on whether a suspect has taken an illicit new psychoactive β-keto-arylcyclohexylamine. The present study investigated the in vitro and in vivo metabolism and metabolites of three β-keto-arylcyclohexylamines: deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, fluoro-N-ethyl-ketamine and bromoketamine. In vitro and in vivo models were established using zebrafish and human liver microsomes for analysis of Phase I and Phase II metabolites by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Altogether, 49 metabolites were identified. The results were applied for the subject urine samples of known fluoro-N-ethyl-ketamine consumer screen analysis in forensic cases. Hydroxy-deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, hydroxy-fluoro-N-ethyl-ketamine and hydroxy-bromoketamine were recommended as potential biomarkers for documenting intake in clinical and forensic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhao Xu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Avenue 639, Jiangning District, Nanjing 211198, China
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, No.1347 Guangfu Xi Road, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Hui Yan
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, No.1347 Guangfu Xi Road, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Yiling Tang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Avenue 639, Jiangning District, Nanjing 211198, China
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, No.1347 Guangfu Xi Road, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, No.1347 Guangfu Xi Road, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, No.1347 Guangfu Xi Road, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Taijun Hang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Avenue 639, Jiangning District, Nanjing 211198, China
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5
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Pelletier R, Le Daré B, Le Bouëdec D, Bourdais A, Ferron PJ, Morel I, Porée FH, Gicquel T. Identification, synthesis and quantification of eutylone consumption markers in a chemsex context. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:151-158. [PMID: 37833490 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03615-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Eutylone is a cathinone-derived synthetic amphetamine scheduled by the World Health Organization and European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction since 2022 due to its growing consumption. We report here an eutylone intoxication involving a 38-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman in a chemsex context. A bag containing a white crystalline powder labelled as a research product was found in their vehicle. Nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analyses identified the powder as eutylone and confirmed purity superior to 99%. LC-HRMS data analysis using molecular networking allowed to propose new eutylone metabolites in blood samples in a graphical manner. We described 16 phase I (e.g. hydroxylated or demethylated) and phase II metabolites (glucuroconjugates and sulfoconjugates). The same metabolites were found both in male and female blood samples. Toxicological analyses measured eutylone concentration in blood samples at 1374 ng/mL and 1536 ng/mL for the man and the woman, respectively. A keto-reduced metabolite (m/z 238.144) was synthesized to permit its quantification at 67 ng/mL and 54 ng/mL in male and female blood samples, respectively. Overall, the identification of these metabolites will increase the knowledge of potential drug consumption markers and allow to implement mass spectrometry databases to better monitor future drug abuse or consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Pelletier
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France.
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Brendan Le Daré
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Pharmacy Departement, CHU Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Diane Le Bouëdec
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Alexis Bourdais
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Ferron
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Isabelle Morel
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - François-Hugues Porée
- ISCR UMR CNRS 6226, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rennes University, 2 Avenue du Pr Léon Bernard, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Thomas Gicquel
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
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6
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Resnik KN, Babb KN, Bekenstein LW, Moeller FG, Peace MR, Alves EA. Case report: Identification of AP-238 and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in internet available powder samples sold as bucinnazine. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 348:111732. [PMID: 37216788 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111732] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) are a class of opioid agonists that include analogs of fentanyl and structurally distinct non-fentanyl compounds normally used as standalone products, heroin adulterants, or constituents of counterfeit pain pills. Most NSOs are not currently scheduled in the U.S., are predominantly illegally synthesized, and sold on the Darknet. Among them, the cinnamylpiperazine derivatives such as bucinnazine (AP-237), AP-238, and 2-methyl-AP-237 and the arylcyclohexylamine derivatives, analogs of ketamine, such as 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine (2 F-DCK) have appeared in several monitoring systems. Two white powders purchased on the internet as bucinnazine were first analyzed with polarized light microscopy followed by direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both powders were white crystals with no other significant microscopic properties. The DART-MS analysis showed the presence of 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in powder #1, and AP-238 in powder #2. Identification was confirmed by GC-MS. The purity of each substance was 78.0% for powder #1, and 88.9% for powder #2, respectively. The toxicological risk associated with the misuse of NSOs still needs further study. The absence of bucinnazine and the presence of different active compounds in internet purchased samples raises public health and safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karissa N Resnik
- Special Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory, Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed forces Medical Examiner System, Dover, DE, United States; Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Kala N Babb
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Lori W Bekenstein
- University Student Health Services, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - F Gerard Moeller
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Michelle R Peace
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Emanuele Amorim Alves
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States; National School of Public Health Sérgio Arouca, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Pelletier R, Le Daré B, Ferron PJ, Le Bouëdec D, Kernalléguen A, Morel I, Gicquel T. Use of innovative, cross-disciplinary in vitro, in silico and in vivo approaches to characterize the metabolism of chloro-alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (4-Cl-PVP). Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:671-683. [PMID: 36469093 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03427-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones constitute a family of new psychoactive substances, the consumption of which is increasingly worldwide. A lack of metabolic knowledge limits the detection of these compounds in cases of intoxication. Here, we used an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to study the metabolism of the newly emerging cathinone chloro-alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (4-Cl-PVP). Three complementary approaches (in silico, in vitro, and in vivo) were used to identify putative 4-Cl-PVP metabolites that could be used as additional consumption markers. The in silico approach used predictive software packages. Molecular networking was used as an innovative bioinformatics approach for re-processing high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry data acquired with both in vitro and in vivo samples. In vitro experiments were performed by incubating 4-Cl-PVP (20 µM) for four different durations with a metabolically competent human hepatic cell model (differentiated HepaRG cells). In vivo samples (blood and urine) were obtained from a patient known to have consumed 4-Cl-PVP. The in silico software predicted 17 putative metabolites, and molecular networking identified 10 metabolites in vitro. On admission to the intensive care unit, the patient's plasma and urine 4-Cl-PVP concentrations were, respectively, 34.4 and 1018.6 µg/L. An in vivo analysis identified the presence of five additional glucuronoconjugated 4-Cl-PVP derivatives in the urine. Our combination of a cross-disciplinary approach with molecular networking enabled the detection of 15 4-Cl-PVP metabolites, 10 of them had not previously been reported in the literature. Two metabolites appeared to be particular relevant candidate as 4-Cl-PVP consumption markers in cases of intoxication: hydroxy-4-Cl-PVP (m/z 282.1254) and dihydroxy-4-Cl-PVP (m/z 298.1204).
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Pelletier
- INSERM, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1241, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France.
- Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Rennes University Hospital, 35033, Rennes, France.
| | - Brendan Le Daré
- Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Rennes University Hospital, 35033, Rennes, France
- Pharmacy, Rennes University Hospital, 35033, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Ferron
- INSERM, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1241, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Diane Le Bouëdec
- Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Rennes University Hospital, 35033, Rennes, France
| | - Angéline Kernalléguen
- INSERM, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1241, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Isabelle Morel
- INSERM, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1241, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
- Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Rennes University Hospital, 35033, Rennes, France
| | - Thomas Gicquel
- INSERM, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1241, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
- Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Rennes University Hospital, 35033, Rennes, France
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Arylcyclohexylamine Derivatives: Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, Clinical and Forensic Aspects. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415574. [PMID: 36555217 PMCID: PMC9779550 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415574] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the 2000s, an increasing number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have appeared on the drug market. Arylcyclohexylamine (ACH) compounds such as ketamine, phencyclidine and eticyclidine derivatives are of particular concern, given their rapidly increasing use and the absence of detailed toxicity data. First used mainly for their pharmacological properties in anesthesia, their recreational use is increasing. ACH derivatives have an antagonistic activity against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, which leads to dissociative effects (dissociation of body and mind). Synthetic ketamine derivatives produced in Asia are now arriving in Europe, where most are not listed as narcotics and are, thus, legal. These structural derivatives have pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties that are sometimes very different from ketamine. Here, we describe the pharmacology, epidemiology, chemistry and metabolism of ACH derivatives, and we review the case reports on intoxication.
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Yen YT, Tsai YS, Su WL, Huang DY, Wu HH, Tseng SH, Wang HH, Chiu CY, Wang CF, Liu CY, Chyueh SC. New ketamine analogue: 2-fluorodeschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine and its suggested metabolites. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 341:111501. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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A Transversal Approach Combining In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Describe the Metabolism of the Receptor Interacting Protein 1 Kinase Inhibitor Sibiriline. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122665. [PMID: 36559159 PMCID: PMC9787481 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122665] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sibiriline is a novel drug inhibiting receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase (RIPK1) and necroptosis, a regulated form of cell death involved in several disease models. In this study, we aimed to investigate the metabolic fate of sibiriline in a cross-sectional manner using an in silico prediction, coupled with in vitro and in vivo experiments. In silico predictions were performed using GLORYx and Biotransformer 3.0 freeware; in vitro incubation was performed on differentiated human HepaRG cells, and in vivo experiments including a pharmacokinetic study were performed on mice treated with sibiriline. HepaRG culture supernatants and mice plasma samples were analyzed with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). The molecular networking bioinformatics tool applied to LC-HRMS/MS data allowed us to visualize the sibiriline metabolism kinetics. Overall, 14 metabolites, mostly produced by Phase II transformations (glucuronidation and sulfation) were identified. These data provide initial reassurance regarding the toxicology of this new RIPK1 inhibitor, although further studies are required.
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Carbofuran self-poisoning: forensic and analytic investigations in twins and literature review. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:1585-1596. [PMID: 36050422 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02885-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Carbofuran is a pesticide widely used in agricultural context to kill insects, mites, and flies by ingestion or contact. Along with literature review, we aimed to (i) present the clinical, autopsy, and toxicological findings of carbofuran self-poisonings in two 69-year-old twins, resulting in the death of one of them and (ii) assess carbofuran metabolite distribution using molecular networking. Quantitative analysis of carbofuran and its main metabolites (3-hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran) was carried out using an original liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method on biological samples (cardiac or peripheral blood, urine, bile, and gastric contents). Toxicological analysis of post-mortem samples (twin 1) highlighted high concentrations of carbofuran and its metabolites in cardiac blood, bile, and gastric contents. These compounds were also quantified in blood and/or urine samples of the living brother (twin 2), confirming poisoning. Using molecular networking approach to facilitate visualization of mass spectrometry datasets and sample-to-sample comparisons, we detected two more metabolites (7-phenol-carbofuran and 3-hydroxycarbofuran glucuronide) in bile (twin 1) and urine (twin 2). These results highlight the value of (i) these compounds as carbofuran consumption markers and (ii) bile samples in post-mortem analysis to confirm poisoning. From an analytical point of view, molecular networking allowed the detection and interpretation of carbofuran metabolite ammonium adducts which helped to confirm their identification annotations, as well as their structural data. From a clinical point of view, the different outcomes between the two brothers are discussed. Overall, these cases provide novel information regarding the distribution of carbofuran and its metabolites in poisoning context.
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Gish A, Baes D, Richeval C, Wiart JF, Hakim F, Grenier C, Allorge D, Gaulier JM. 2-MeOPP dans les cheveux d’un patient traité par urapidil. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Klingberg J, Keen B, Cawley A, Pasin D, Fu S. Developments in high-resolution mass spectrometric analyses of new psychoactive substances. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:949-967. [PMID: 35141767 PMCID: PMC8921034 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has necessitated the development and improvement of current practices for the detection and identification of known NPS and newly emerging derivatives. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is quickly becoming the industry standard for these analyses due to its ability to be operated in data-independent acquisition (DIA) modes, allowing for the collection of large amounts of data and enabling retrospective data interrogation as new information becomes available. The increasing popularity of HRMS has also prompted the exploration of new ways to screen for NPS, including broad-spectrum wastewater analysis to identify usage trends in the community and metabolomic-based approaches to examine the effects of drugs of abuse on endogenous compounds. In this paper, the novel applications of HRMS techniques to the analysis of NPS is reviewed. In particular, the development of innovative data analysis and interpretation approaches is discussed, including the application of machine learning and molecular networking to toxicological analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Klingberg
- Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, Racing NSW, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.
| | - Bethany Keen
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Adam Cawley
- Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, Racing NSW, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
| | - Daniel Pasin
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shanlin Fu
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
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Luo X, Zhang D, Luo Q, Huang K, Liu X, Yang N, Qin Z, Feng C, Li J. Structure identification and analysis of the suspected chemical precursor of 2-fluorodeschloroketamine and its decomposition products. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1065-1078. [PMID: 35088572 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3229] [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: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In this work, 1-[(2"-fluorophenyl)(methylimino) methyl]cyclopentan-1-ol (2-fluorodeschlorohydroxylimine) was identified as a suspected chemical precursor of 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) using GC-MS and GC-Q/TOF-MS and comparing the data with those of ketamine and its chemical precursor, hydroxylimine. Furthermore, the entire fragmentation pathway of 2-fluorodeschlorohydroxylimine was theorized from the GC-MS spectrum recorded using an electron ionization (EI) source, and the mechanisms and decomposition pathways of 2-fluorodeschlorohydroxylimine were elucidated. In protic solvents, the nitrogen atom in the C=N group of 2-fluorodeschlorohydroxylimine underwent a protonation reaction. Thereafter, the traces of water present in protic solvents promoted the hydrolysis of the protonated imine, and a carbon cation was obtained following the loss of methylamine. The carbon cation could follow the classical decomposition mechanism of imines and yield an α-hydroxyl ketone, which was the major decomposition product, (2'-fluorophenyl)(1"-hydroxycyclopentyl) methanone. The cation could also undergo a loop expansion rearrangement and yield another α-hydroxyl ketone, 2-(2'-fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxycyclohexan-1-one. The structures of the two aforementioned decomposition products were elucidated using several techniques including theoretical calculation, GC-MS, NMR, the prediction and assistance elucidation functions of ACDLabs-Structure Elucidator Suite, and the virtual separation technology of diffusion-ordered spectroscopy. The aforementioned study revealed important information about the chemical precursor of 2-FDCK and its decomposition. Furthermore, a set of methods for the qualitative analysis of 2-fluorodeschlorohydroxylimine was established, which facilitated accurate analysis of 2-fluorodeschlorohydroxylimine samples following decomposition or destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Luo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, P. R. China.,Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry Technology and Resource Development, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Di Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, P. R. China
| | - Qiulian Luo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, P. R. China
| | - Kejian Huang
- Institute of Forensic Science, Public Security Department of Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Liu
- Institute of Forensic Science, Public Security Department of Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Ning Yang
- Institute of Forensic Science, Public Security Department of Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Zuzeng Qin
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, P. R. China
| | - Chunli Feng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, P. R. China
| | - Junbo Li
- Anti-drug detachment, Public Security Bureau of Nanning, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
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