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Luo X, Huang Z, Huang K, Liu X, Yang N, Luo Q. Metabolic characteristic profiling of 1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl-derived indole and indazole synthetic cannabinoids in vitro. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 250:116385. [PMID: 39116582 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116385] [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: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Characterizing the metabolic profiles of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), a type of new psychoactive substances, is of particular importance for forensic detection and analysis. Although the metabolism of individual SCs derived from 1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl (ADB-SCs) has been reported, their metabolites also undergo a continuous change and combination of their tail and core regions. Therefore, elucidating the metabolic characteristics and effects of these structures is essential to enhance our understanding. In this study, the human liver microsome was used as the model for studying the in vitro phase I metabolism of 12 ADB-SCs, and the metabolites obtained were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem four-level rod-electrostatic field orbital ion trap mass spectrometry to determine type, structure, and relative contents. The results indicated that hydroxylation and N-dealkylation were the major metabolic pathways in 12 ADB-SCs. The effects of the core and tail on the metabolism of these ADB-SCs were studied using theoretical calculations. For N-dealkylation metabolism, the strong electron-withdrawing conjugative effect of the -N= moiety in the pyrazole ring, steric hindrance of the tail, and electronic effect of substituents on the tail significantly affected metabolism. Further, it changed the relative contents of N-dealkylation metabolites. For hydroxylation, the reaction types were inconsistent at different parts. For instance, the phenyl group of the core is electrophilic, and its electron cloud density determines whether the phenyl group can be hydroxylated at the specific metabolic sites. Meanwhile, hydroxylation of the neopentyl moiety of the linked group involves the oxidation of aliphatic C-H bonds, whereas amide-hydroxylamine tautomerism affects hydroxylation metabolism. When the alkyl chain in the tail contains functional groups (such as -F and >CC<), oxidative defluorination or dihydrodiol metabolites are produced. Taken together, we systematically determined d the effect of functional groups in the core and tail of ADB-SCs on their metabolism, validating confirmed the feasibility of ADB-SC metabolism prediction based on their structural characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Luo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China; Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry Technology and Resource Development, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.
| | - Zihan Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
| | - Kejian Huang
- Institute of Forensic Science, Public Security Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi 500012, PR China.
| | - Xiaofeng Liu
- Institute of Forensic Science, Public Security Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi 500012, PR China
| | - Ning Yang
- Institute of Forensic Science, Public Security Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi 500012, PR China
| | - Qiulian Luo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
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2
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Magny R, Lefrère B, Roulland E, Auzeil N, Farah S, Richeval C, Gish A, Vodovar D, Labat L, Houzé P. Feature-Based Molecular Network for New Psychoactive Substance Identification: The Case of Synthetic Cannabinoids in a Seized e-Liquid and Biological Samples. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024. [PMID: 39186500 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
The comprehensive detection of new psychoactive substances, including synthetic cannabinoids along with their associated metabolites in biological samples, remains an analytical challenge. To detect these chemicals, untargeted approaches using appropriate bioinformatic tools such as molecular networks are useful, albeit it necessitates as a prerequisite the identification of a node of interest within the cluster. To illustrate it, we reported in this study the identification of synthetic cannabinoids and some of their metabolites in seized e-liquid, urine, and hair collected from an 18-year-old poisoned patient hospitalized for neuropsychiatric disorders. A comprehensive analysis of the seized e-liquid was performed using gas chromatography coupled with electron ionization mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution tandem mass spectrometry combined with data processing based on molecular network strategy. It allowed researchers to detect in the e-liquid known synthetic cannabinoids including MDMB-4en-PINACA, EDMB-4en-PINACA, MMB-4en-PINACA, and MDMB-5F-PICA. Compounds corresponding to transesterification of MDMB-4en-PINACA with pentenol, glycerol, and propylene glycol were also identified. Regarding the urine sample of the patient, metabolites of MDMB-4en-PINACA were detected, including MDMB-4en-PINACA butanoic acid, dihydroxylated MDMB-4en-PINACA butanoic acid, and glucurono-conjugated MDMB-4en-PINACA butanoic acid. Hair analysis of the patient allowed the detection of MDMB-4en-PINACA and MDMB-5F-PICA in the two investigated hair segments. This untargeted analysis of seized materials and biological samples demonstrates the utility of the molecular network strategy in identifying closely related compounds and metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids. It also emphasizes the need for developing strategies to anchor molecular networks, especially for new psychoactive substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Magny
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Fédération de Toxicologie, AH-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, 75010 Paris, France
- INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Lefrère
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Fédération de Toxicologie, AH-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, 75010 Paris, France
| | | | - Nicolas Auzeil
- CNRS, CiTCoM, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Soha Farah
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Fédération de Toxicologie, AH-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, 75010 Paris, France
- INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Camille Richeval
- CHRU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, 59000 Lille, France
- ULR 4483-IMPECS-IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Alexandr Gish
- CHRU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, 59000 Lille, France
- ULR 4483-IMPECS-IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Dominique Vodovar
- INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Centre antipoison de Paris, Hôpital Fernand Widal, AP-HP, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Laurence Labat
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Fédération de Toxicologie, AH-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, 75010 Paris, France
- INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Pascal Houzé
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Fédération de Toxicologie, AH-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, 75010 Paris, France
- INSERM UMRS-1144, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
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3
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Di Trana A, Sprega G, Kobidze G, Taoussi O, Lo Faro AF, Bambagiotti G, Montanari E, Fede MS, Carlier J, Tini A, Busardò FP, Di Giorgi A, Pichini S. QuEChERS Extraction and Simultaneous Quantification in GC-MS/MS of Hexahydrocannabinol Epimers and Their Metabolites in Whole Blood, Urine, and Oral Fluid. Molecules 2024; 29:3440. [PMID: 39065018 PMCID: PMC11279433 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29143440] [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: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) was posed under strict control in Europe due to the increasing HHC-containing material seizures. The lack of analytical methods in clinical laboratories to detect HHC and its metabolites in biological matrices may result in related intoxication underreporting. We developed and validated a comprehensive GC-MS/MS method to quantify 9(R)-HHC, 9(S)-HHC, 9αOH-HHC, 9βOH-HHC, 8(R)OH-9(R)-HHC, 8(S)OH-9(S)HHC, 11OH-9(R)HHC, 11OH-9(S)HHC, 11nor-carboxy-9(R)-HHC, and 11nor-carboxy-9(S)-HHC in whole blood, urine, and oral fluid. A novel QuEChERS extraction protocol was optimized selecting the best extraction conditions suitable for all the three matrices. Urine and blood were incubated with β-glucuronidase at 60 °C for 2 h. QuEChERS extraction was developed assessing different ratios of Na2SO4:NaCl (4:1, 2:1, 1:1, w/w) to be added to 200 µL of any matrix added with acetonitrile. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a 7890B GC with an HP-5ms column, (30 m, 0.25 mm × 0.25 µm) in 12.50 min. The analytes were detected with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer in the MRM mode. The method was fully validated following OSAC guidelines. The method showed good validation parameters in all the matrices. The method was applied to ten real samples of whole blood (n = 4), urine (n = 3), and oral fluid (n = 3). 9(R)-HHC was the prevalent epimer in all the samples (9(R)/9(S) = 2.26). As reported, hydroxylated metabolites are proposed as urinary biomarkers, while carboxylated metabolites are hematic biomarkers. Furthermore, 8(R)OH-9(R)HHC was confirmed as the most abundant metabolite in all urine samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annagiulia Di Trana
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.D.T.); (S.P.)
| | - Giorgia Sprega
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Giorgi Kobidze
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Omayema Taoussi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Giulia Bambagiotti
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Eva Montanari
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Maria Sofia Fede
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Jeremy Carlier
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Anastasio Tini
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Alessandro Di Giorgi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Surgery of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.S.); (G.K.); (O.T.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (M.S.F.); (J.C.); (A.T.); (A.D.G.)
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.D.T.); (S.P.)
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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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5
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Deventer MH, Persson M, Norman C, Liu H, Connolly MJ, Daéid NN, McKenzie C, Gréen H, Stove CP. In vitro cannabinoid activity profiling of generic ban-evading brominated synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists and their analogs. Drug Test Anal 2024; 16:616-628. [PMID: 37903509 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3592] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Following the enactment of a generic ban in China in 2021, the synthetic cannabinoid market has been evolving, now encompassing even wider structural diversity. Compounds carrying a brominated core such as ADB-5'Br-BUTINACA (ADMB-B-5Br-INACA) and tail-less analogs, such as ADB-5'Br-INACA (ADMB-5Br-INACA), MDMB-5'Br-INACA, and ADB-INACA (ADMB-INACA), have been detected since late 2021. This study investigated the cannabinoid receptor (CB) activation potential of synthesized (S)-enantiomers of these substances, as well as of two predicted analogs MDMB-5'Br-BUTINACA (MDMB-B-5Br-INACA) and ADB-5'F-BUTINACA (ADMB-B-5F-INACA), using CB1 and CB2 β-arrestin 2 recruitment assays and a CB1 intracellular calcium release assay. Surprisingly, the tail-less (S)-ADB-5'Br-INACA and (S)-MDMB-5'Br-INACA retained CB activity, albeit with a decreased potency compared to their tailed counterparts (S)-ADB-5'Br-BUTINACA and (S)-MDMB-5'Br-BUTINACA, respectively, which were potent and efficacious CB1 agonists. Also, at CB2, tail-less analogs showed a lower potency but increased efficacy. Removing the bromine substitution ((S)-ADB-INACA) resulted in a reduced activity at CB1; however, this effect was less prominent at CB2. Looking at tailed analogs, replacing the bromine with a fluorine substitution ((S)-ADB-5'F-BUTINACA) resulted in an increased potency and efficacy at both receptors. Furthermore, as ADB-5'Br-INACA and MDMB-5'Br-INACA have been frequently detected together in Scottish prisons, this study also evaluated the CB1 receptor activation potential of different mixtures of their respective reference standards, showing no unexpected cannabimimetic effect of combining both substances. Lastly, two powders seized by Belgian Customs and confirmed to contain ADB-5'Br-INACA and MDMB-5'Br-INACA, respectively, were assessed for CB activity. Based on the comparison with their reference standards, varying degrees of purity were suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie H Deventer
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mattias Persson
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Caitlyn Norman
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | - Niamh Nic Daéid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Craig McKenzie
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Chiron AS, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Xu Y, Li X, Xu P, Yan F, Wang D. Comparative pharmacokinetic and intracerebral distribution of MDMB-4F-BICA in mice following inhalation ('vapor') and subcutaneous injection. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 241:115988. [PMID: 38301574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.115988] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
MDMB-4F-BICA, also known as 4F-MDMB-BICA, is a new psychoactive substance that emerged in 2020. It is often illegally added to electronic cigarette oil for inhalation abuse, leading to serious adverse symptoms and even death. There are significant differences in pharmacokinetics between inhalation administration and conventional drug delivery methods. Inhalation administration can pass through the blood-brain barrier to enter the brain directly. However, the specific distribution of the drug in the brain following inhalation has not been well investigated. In order to scientifically compare the absorption and distribution of MDMB-4F-BICA after two administration methods (inhalation and subcutaneous injection), this study analyzed the drug concentration in mice blood and brain by LC-MS/MS after systemic exposure inhalation in the form of electronic cigarettes. The aim was to conduct the pharmacokinetics study of MDMB-4F-BICA after inhalation('vapor') administration. Pharmacokinetics and distribution of the compound revealed that the maximum concentrations in blood of this compound were reached at 0.5 min and 15 min, respectively, and the concentration in the brain reached the maximum at the same time after two modes of administration. The drug concentration in the brain was higher than that of subcutaneous injection, and the drug remained at a low concentration in the brain for a long period (20 ng/g brain tissue) with a significant distribution in several olfactory primary cortex brain regions. Taken together, the pharmacokinetics of the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-4F-BICA after single systemic exposure inhalation were investigated for the first time in this study. A basis for subsequent evaluation research of inhalation-related harmfulness is provided by comparing the distribution of drugs in the brain after the two administration modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Xu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiangyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Peng Xu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fang Yan
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Dan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, China.
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7
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Akca AA, Couchman L, Frinculescu A, Johnston A. Analysis of drug-impregnated paper samples seized in English prisons between 2018 and 2020. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 357:111991. [PMID: 38513529 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111991] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the form of impregnated papers delivered to prisoners are of particular concern in prison settings, where they are commonly used by vaping. The purpose of this study was to create a qualitative method for identifying the various emerging NPS impregnated onto paper samples sent to prisoners. It helps to demonstrate that these findings can be used to predict drug prevalence and trends in prisons. Between 2018 and 2020, 1250 non-judicial paper samples seized from 12 English prisons were analysed to determine the NPSs being circulated. Approximately 1 cm2 paper were cut and added to 50 % (v/v) methanol in LCMS-grade water. Vortex-mixing was used to prepare extracts (30 min). Q-TOF LC/MS was used to screen the extracts. This study showed that synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) was the most common drug group detected in impregnated paper seizures in English prisons between 2018 and 2020, followed by cocaine, heroin type drugs (A) and amphetamine, ketamine type drugs (B). Male prisons had a higher prevalence of SCRAs, whereas female prisons had a higher prevalence of A drugs. Furthermore, lower security prisons were found to have a higher prevalence of B drugs, pregabalin, gabapentin type drugs (C), and abused and prescription drugs than higher security prisons which unveiled a higher prevalence of nicotine. The findings of this study have revealed new information about drug use in prisons. This study will also aid in the identification of drug smuggling routes into jails, keeping prison staff up to date with the trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asena Avci Akca
- Department of Biology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkiye; Institute of Forensic Sciences, Department of Forensic Toxicology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkiye; Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Lewis Couchman
- Analytical Services International Ltd, St. George's University of London, London, UK; Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Anca Frinculescu
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; TICTAC Communications Ltd., St. George's University of London, London, UK.
| | - Atholl Johnston
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Analytical Services International Ltd, St. George's University of London, London, UK.
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8
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Pulver B, Fischmann S, Gallegos A, Christie R. EMCDDA framework and practical guidance for naming cathinones. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38389255 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Cathinones are often sold as "legal" alternatives to controlled stimulants such as amphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. Cathinones are the second largest group of new psychoactive substances (NPS), with close to 170 monitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Although all cathinones are related to the parent compound cathinone, one of the psychoactive principles in khat, assigning consistent, informative and user-friendly common names to these substances is challenging. Over time different naming approaches have been applied, leading to cathinones being known by several names. This work provides a framework and practical examples for the consistent naming of cathinones which is easy to understand and can be applied by the forensic community, researchers, clinical practitioners, and policy makers. The scope of the issue and rationale for earlier naming approaches are also discussed. The new naming framework has been developed based on established naming approaches and centered around the common "cathinone," and "phenone" motifs/scaffolds. The proposed framework establishes clear rules to derive the EMCDDA framework names for cathinones. Each name is, in turn, composed by a principal name containing a parent letter, derived after the "cathinone" or the "phenone" scaffold. Additional substitutions are prepended to the principal name. The framework also provides for exceptions for several cathinones and structural analogs scheduled under UN and EU legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Pulver
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Forensic Science Institute, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Svenja Fischmann
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Forensic Science Institute, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ana Gallegos
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rachel Christie
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
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Di Trana A, Di Giorgi A, Sprega G, Carlier J, Kobidze G, Montanari E, Taoussi O, Bambagiotti G, Fede MS, Lo Faro AF, Tini A, Busardò FP, Pichini S. Disposition of Hexahydrocannabinol Epimers and Their Metabolites in Biological Matrices following a Single Administration of Smoked Hexahydrocannabinol: A Preliminary Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:249. [PMID: 38399464 PMCID: PMC10892555 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020249] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2023, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) attracted the attention of international agencies due to its rapid spread in the illegal market. Although it was discovered in 1940, less is known about the pharmacology of its two naturally occurring epimers, 9(R)-HHC and 9(S)-HHC. Thus, we aimed to investigate the disposition of hexahydrocannabinol epimers and their metabolites in whole blood, urine and oral fluid following a single controlled administration of a 50:50 mixture of 9(R)-HHC and 9(S)-HHC smoked with tobacco. To this end, six non-user volunteers smoked 25 mg of the HHC mixture in 500 mg of tobacco. Blood and oral fluid were sampled at different time points up to 3 h after the intake, while urine was collected between 0 and 2 h and between 2 and 6 h. The samples were analyzed with a validated HPLC-MS/MS method to quantify 9(R)-HHC, 9(S)-HHC and eight metabolites. 9(R)-HHC showed the highest Cmax and AUC0-3h in all the investigated matrices, with an average concentration 3-fold higher than that of 9(S)-HHC. In oral fluid, no metabolites were detected, while they were observed as glucuronides in urine and blood, but with different profiles. Indeed, 11nor-9(R)-HHC was the most abundant metabolite in blood, while 8(R)OH-9(R) HHC was the most prevalent in urine. Interestingly, 11nor 9(S) COOH HHC was detected only in blood, whereas 8(S)OH-9(S) HHC was detected only in urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annagiulia Di Trana
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Di Giorgi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Giorgia Sprega
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Jeremy Carlier
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Giorgi Kobidze
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Eva Montanari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Omayema Taoussi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Giulia Bambagiotti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Maria Sofia Fede
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Anastasio Tini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.D.G.); (G.S.); (J.C.); (G.K.); (E.M.); (O.T.); (G.B.); (M.S.F.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.); (F.P.B.)
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
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