Quantification of arecoline (areca nut alkaloid) in neonatal biological matrices by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray quadrupole mass spectrometry

Areca nut and smokeless tobacco exposure induces micronucleus, other nuclear abnormalities and cytotoxicity in early chick embryo

Areca nut (AN) and smokeless tobacco (SLT) are indiscriminately consumed among the populations of Southeast and South Asian countries, even by women during the gestational period. This study aimed to investigate the genotoxic and cytotoxic potentials of AN and Sadagura (SG), a unique homemade SLT preparation, alone and in combination in early chick embryos. Fertile white leghorn chicken eggs were randomly divided into five treatment groups: vehicle control, positive control (Mitomycin C, 20 μg/egg), AN, SG, and AN+SG. AN, SG, and AN+SG were given at dosages of 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/egg. The hen's egg test for micronucleus induction (HET-MN) was performed in chick embryos to evaluate the genotoxic potential of the test agents. Furthermore, the cytotoxic potential was assessed by studying erythroblast cell populations and the polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) to normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs) ratio. Our results indicated a significant increase (p < .001) in MN frequency and other nuclear abnormalities, suggesting the potential of AN and SG to cause genotoxicity. Also, AN and SG exposure alone and in combination considerably altered the erythroblast cell population (%) and the PCE to NCE ratio in all the treatment periods. Our findings established the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of both AN and SG alone and in combination during early embryonic development in the chick embryo.

Metabolism of the areca alkaloids - toxic and psychoactive constituents of the areca (betel) nut

Areca nut (AN) is consumed by millions of people for its therapeutic and psychoactive effects, making it one of the most widely self-administered psychoactive substances in the world. Even so, AN use/abuse is associated with myriad oral and systemic side effects, affecting most organ systems in the body. Alkaloids abundant in the nut (e.g. arecoline, arecaidine, guvacoline, and guvacine), collectively called the areca alkaloids, are presumably responsible for the major pharmacological effects experienced by users, with arecoline being the most abundant alkaloid with notable toxicological properties. However, the mechanisms of arecoline and other areca alkaloid elimination in humans remain poorly documented. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide an in-depth review of areca alkaloid pharmacokinetics (PK) in biological systems, and discuss mechanisms of metabolism by presenting information found in the literature. Also, the toxicological relevance of the known and purported metabolic steps will be reviewed. In brief, several areca alkaloids contain a labile methyl ester group and are susceptible to hydrolysis, although the human esterase responsible remains presumptive. Other notable mechanisms include N-oxidation, glutathionylation, nitrosamine conversion, and carbon-carbon double-bond reduction. These metabolic conversions result in toxic and sometimes less-toxic derivatives. Arecoline and arecaidine undergo extensive metabolism while far less is known about guvacine and guvacoline. Metabolism information may help predict drug interactions with human pharmaceuticals with overlapping elimination pathways. Altogether, this review provides a first-of-its-kind comprehensive analysis of AN alkaloid metabolism, adds perspective on new mechanisms of metabolism, and highlights the need for future metabolism work in the field.

Occurrence of areca alkaloids in wastewater of major Chinese cities

Areca nut is a widely used psychoactive product that can cause multiple health problems, such as oral and pharyngeal cancers. Therefore, it is important to estimate areca nut use and the exposure levels of areca alkaloids that are responsible for its health effects. China is a major producer of areca nut and has a large number of areca nut chewers. In this study, occurrence of areca alkaloids and metabolites in wastewater of major cities across China was examined via wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). Arecoline, arecaidine, and their metabolite, N-methylnipecotic acid (NMNA) were detected in the overwhelming majority of wastewater samples, with concentrations up to several μg/L. In contrast, guvacoline was only occasionally detected and guvacine was below detection limit in all samples, possibly due to their low contents in areca nut products, low excretion rates, and/or low stability in sewer systems. Strong positive correlations existed between arecoline, arecaidine, and NMNA concentrations. In addition, their loads were much higher in Central and Southern China. This geographic pattern is consistent with previous survey results on prevalence of areca nut chewing. These results indicate that WBE is a potentially useful method to monitor areca nut consumption and to estimate the exposure levels of areca alkaloids.

Psychoactive Substances of Natural Origin: Toxicological Aspects, Therapeutic Properties and Analysis in Biological Samples

The consumption of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) has been increasing, and this problem affects several countries worldwide. There is a class of NPSs of natural origin, consisting of plants and fungi, which have a wide range of alkaloids, responsible for causing relaxing, stimulating or hallucinogenic effects. The consumption of some of these substances is prompted by religious beliefs and cultural reasons, making the legislation very variable or even ambiguous. However, the abusive consumption of these substances can present an enormous risk to the health of the individuals, since their metabolism and effects are not yet fully known. Additionally, NPSs are widely spread over the internet, and their appearance is very fast, which requires the development of sophisticated analytical methodologies, capable of detecting these compounds. Thus, the objective of this work is to review the toxicological aspects, traditional use/therapeutic potential and the analytical methods developed in biological matrices in twelve plant specimens (Areca catechu, Argyreia nervosa, Ayahuasca, Catha edulis, Datura stramonium, Lophophora williamsii, Mandragora officinarum, Mitragyna speciosa, Piper methysticum Forst, Psilocybe, Salvia divinorum and Tabernanthe iboga).

Overview of the major classes of new psychoactive substances, psychoactive effects, analytical determination and conformational analysis of selected illegal drugs

The misuse of psychoactive substances is attracting a great deal of attention from the general public. An increase use of psychoactive substances is observed among young people who do not have enough awareness of the harmful effects of these substances. Easy access to illicit drugs at low cost and lack of effective means of routine screening for new psychoactive substances (NPS) have contributed to the rapid increase in their use. New research and evidence suggest that drug use can cause a variety of adverse psychological and physiological effects on human health (anxiety, panic, paranoia, psychosis, and seizures). We describe different classes of these NPS drugs with emphasis on the methods used to identify them and the identification of their metabolites in biological specimens. This is the first review that thoroughly gives the literature on both natural and synthetic illegal drugs with old known data and very hot new topics and investigations, which enables the researcher to use it as a starting point in the literature exploration and planning of the own research. For the first time, the conformational analysis was done for selected illegal drugs, giving rise to the search of the biologically active conformations both theoretically and using lab experiments.

Comprehensive microbiome and metabolome analyses reveal the physiological mechanism of chlorotic Areca leaves

As an important economic crop in tropical areas, Areca catechu L. affects the livelihood of millions of farmers. The Areca yellow leaf phenomenon (AYLP) leads to severe crop losses and plant death. To better understand the relationship of microbes and chlorotic Areca leaves, microbial community structure as well as its correlation with differential metabolites was investigated by high-throughput sequencing and metabolomic approaches. High-throughput sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 16S rRNA gene revealed that fungal diversity was dominated by Ascomycota and the bacterial community consisted of Proteobacteria as well as Actinobacteria. The microbiota structure on chlorotic Areca leaves exhibited significant changes based on non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis, which were attributed to 477 bacterial genera and 183 fungal genera. According to the results of the Kruskal-Wallis test, several potential pathogens were enriched on chlorotic Areca leaves. Further analysis based on metabolic pathways predicted by Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States revealed the metabolism of half-yellow leaves and yellow leaves microbiota were significantly elevated in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, partial xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism. Furthermore, 22 significantly variable metabolites in Areca leaves were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry and statistical analysis. Moreover, we further investigated the correlation between the predominant microbes and differential metabolites. Taken together, the association between AYLP and microbiome of Areca leaves was explored from the microecological perspective by omics techniques, and these findings provide new insights into possible prevention, monitoring and control of AYLP in the future.

A Review on Role of Arecoline and Its Metabolites in the Molecular Pathogenesis of Oral Lesions with an Insight into Current Status of Its Metabolomics

Areca nut consumption is a popular habit in Southeast Asian countries. One of the important biologically active alkaloids of areca nut is arecoline, which plays a role in mediating the development of several pathologies of the primary exposure site, the oral cavity. Studies on the metabolism of arecoline revealed the formation of several metabolites which themselves might be toxic. Moreover, polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes involved in the metabolism of arecoline might predispose an organism towards the development of oral cancer. The present review tries to accumulate all the relevant existing literature and then elucidate the molecular mechanism by which arecoline plays a role in the development of oral submucous fibrosis and oral cancer. Existing information regarding arecoline metabolism, enzymes involved in the metabolic process and biological effects of the metabolites of arecoline have also been compiled and compared to study the toxicity of metabolites with its parent compound arecoline and whether they play any role in the pathogenesis of oral cancer mediated by areca nut consumption. A repertoire of molecular targets has come up in the discussion whose expression profile is perturbed by arecoline. Construction of induction cascade from existing literature has given an idea about the process of molecular pathogenesis. The summarized and analysed data can help to determine the molecular mechanism and drug targets, which in turn could be helpful in the prevention or treatment of these pathological conditions. It also brings into light areas where further research needs to be directed.

Testing for Betel Nut Alkaloids in Hair of Papuans Abusers using UPLC-MS/MS and UPLC-Q-Tof-MS

Betel nut is the fruit of Areca palm, growing in Papua New Guinea. Mixed with limestone and stick mustard, arecoline and guvacoline, which are present in betel nut, are hydrolyzed into arecaidine and guvacine, respectively. As part of the study on dietary habits of Papuans residents, our laboratory was asked to analyze the four alkaloids in hair to document long-term exposure. Hair samples were collected from 19 adult subjects (males = 11; females = 8), by some of the authors, and were sent to the laboratory for analysis. The four alkaloids have very similar chemical structures. In order to accurately identify the drugs, two methods were developed. First, the compounds were identified using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Then, they were quantified by an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. After decontamination with dichloromethane, hair samples were cut into very small segments and 20 mg were incubated in methanol for 2 h 30 min in an ultrasound bath. After cooling, the methanol was evaporated to dryness in presence of 20-μL octanol to prevent volatilization. Nicotine-d4 was used as an internal standard. Linearity was observed for concentrations ranging from the limit of quantification to 20 ng/mg for arecoline, arecaidine, guvacine and guvacoline. Measured concentrations were in the range 60 pg/mg to 18 ng/mg for arecoline (n = 19), 14 pg/mg to 2.5 ng/mg for guvacoline (n = 11), 63 pg/mg to 3.8 ng/mg for arecaidine (n = 11) and 100 pg/mg to 3.2 ng/mg for guvacine (n = 6). There was no correlation between concentrations of arecoline and arecaidine (ratio from 0.01 to 0.18) and guvacoline and guvacine (ratio from 0.06 to 3.50). However, the identification of these substances in hair is a good marker of consumption of betel nut and allows us to document a local practice that remains difficult to evaluate just by questioning.

Biomedical analysis of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) of natural origin

New psychoactive substances (NPS) can be divided into two main groups: synthetic molecules and active principles of natural origin. With respect to this latter group, a wide range of alkaloids contained in plants, mainly from Asia and South America, can be included in the class of NPS of natural origin. The majority NPS of natural origin presents stimulant and/or hallucinogenic effects (e.g. Catha edulis and Ayahuasca, respectively) while few of them show sedative and relaxing properties (e.g. kratom). Few information is available in relation to the analytical identification of psychoactive principles contained in the plant material. Moreover, to our knowledge, scarce data are present in literature, about the characterization and quantification of the parent drug in biological matrices from intoxication and fatality cases. In addition, the metabolism of natural active principles has not been yet fully investigated for most of the psychoactive substances from plant material. Consequently, their identification is not frequently performed and produced metabolites are often unknown. To fill this gap, we reviewed the currently available analytical methodologies for the identification and quantification of NPS of natural origin in plant material and, whenever possible, in conventional and non-conventional biological matrices of intoxicated and dead subjects. The psychoactive principles contained in the following plants were investigated: Areca catechu, Argyreia nervosa, Ayahuasca, Catha edulis, Ipomoea violacea, Mandragora officinarum, Mitragyna speciosa, Pausinystalia yohimbe, Piper methisticum, Psilocybe, Rivea corymbosa, Salvia divinorum, Sceletium tortuosum, Lactuca virosa. From the results obtained, it can be evidenced that although several analytical methods for the simultaneous quantification of different molecules from the same plants have been developed and validated, a comprehensive method to detect active compounds from different natural specimens both in biological and non-biological matrices is still lacking.

Arecoline induces TNF-alpha production and Zonula Occludens-1 redistribution in mouse Sertoli TM4 cells

Background

Arecoline, a major alkaloid in Areca nut has the ability to induce oxidative stress. The effect of Areca nut, arecoline on reducing sperm quality and quantity were documented previously using several animal models. Junction disruption by down-regulation of the junction-adhesive protein via oxidative stress is an important route mediating abnormal spermatogenesis. Therefore, in this present study, we investigated the functional role of arecoline on junctional proteins.

Results

To analyze direct effects of arecoline on testis cells, confluent mouse testicular Sertoli cell line TM4 was exposed to arecoline. Arecoline decreased insoluble zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein expression in TM4 cells, however, arecoline treatment increased TNF-alpha production in both TM4 and monocytic THP1 cells. In addition, ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 reversed arecoline effects on TNF-alpha and ZO-1.

Conclusions

Arecoline increases the production of TNF-alpha and induces protein redistribution of ZO-1. All these results explain the role of arecoline in male reproductive dysfunction, besides its cytotoxic induction.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-014-0093-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Alkaloids from areca (betel) nuts and their effects on human sperm motility in vitro

An improved high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established to rapidly and simultaneously determine 3 main alkaloids (arecoline, arecaidine, and guvacine) in areca (betel) nuts (AN), and 12 AN samples from the main betel palm growing areas on the Chinese Mainland were collected and determined. Semen samples from acceptable volunteers were treated in vitro with different concentrations of the 3 alkaloids to evaluate the effects on sperm motility (SM). Highly motile spermatozoa were selected from the samples and divided into 5 equal fractions. Various concentrations of each alkaloid were added to 4 of the 5 fractions, and 1 fraction was used as a control. All fractions were incubated for 4 h. A computer-aided sperm analysis system was used to measure 5 SM parameters, motility, average path velocity, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, linearity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement. The results showed that the contents of the amount of alkaloids in AN differed markedly in different places in China and were higher in the kernel than in the husk, and higher in dried AN than in fresh AN. Arecoline had the strongest reduction effect on human SM and the effect was strongly dose dependent. Arecaidine had a much weaker reduction effect than arecoline, and guvacine had the least reduction effect. These findings also demonstrate that betel quid could have adverse effects on the gonadal functions of betel quid consumers.

Analysis of alkaloids from different chemical groups by different liquid chromatography methods

Alkaloids are biologically active compounds widely used as pharmaceuticals and synthesised as secondary methabolites in plants. Many of these compounds are strongly toxic. Therefore, they are often subject of scientific interests and analysis. Since alkaloids — basic compounds appear in aqueous solutions as ionized and unionized forms, they are difficult for chromatographic separation for peak tailing, poor systems efficiency, poor separation and poor column-to-column reproducibility. For this reason it is necessity searching of more suitable chromatographic systems for analysis of the compounds. In this article we present an overview on the separation of selected alkaloids from different chemical groups by liquid chromatography thus indicating the range of useful methods now available for alkaloid analysis. Different selectivity, system efficiency and peaks shape may be achieved in different LC methods separations by use of alternative stationary phases: silica, alumina, chemically bonded stationary phases, cation exchange phases, or by varying nonaqueous or aqueous mobile phase (containing different modifier, different buffers at different pH, ion-pairing or silanol blocker reagents). Developments in TLC (NP and RP systems), HPLC (NP, RP, HILIC, ion-exchange) are presented and the advantages of each method for alkaloids analysis are discussed.

High-throughput simultaneous analysis of five urinary metabolites of areca nut and tobacco alkaloids by isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with on-line solid-phase extraction

BACKGROUND

Areca nut and tobacco are commonly used drugs worldwide and have been frequently used in combination. We describe the use of on-line solid-phase extraction and isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous measurement of five major urinary metabolites of both areca nut and tobacco alkaloids, namely, arecoline, arecaidine, N-methylnipecotic acid, nicotine, and cotinine.

METHODS

Automated purification of urine was accomplished with a column-switching device. After the addition of deuterium-labeled internal standards, urine samples were directly analyzed within 13 minutes. This method was applied to measure urinary metabolites in 90 healthy subjects to assess areca nut/tobacco exposure. Urinary time course of arecoline, arecaidine, and N-methylnipecotic acid was investigated in five healthy nonchewers after oral administration of areca nut water extracts.

RESULTS

The limits of detection were 0.016 to 0.553 ng/mL. Interday and intraday imprecision were <10%. Mean recoveries of five metabolites in urine were 97% to 114%. Mean urinary concentrations of arecoline, arecaidine, N-methylnipecotic acid, nicotine, and cotinine in regular areca nut chewers also smokers were 23.9, 5,816, 1,298, 2,635, and 1,406 ng/mg creatinine, respectively. Time course study revealed that after administration of areca nuts extracts, the major urinary metabolite was arecaidine with a half-life of 4.3 hours, followed by N-methylnipecotic acid with a half-life of 7.9 hours, and very low levels of arecoline with a half-life of 0.97 hour.

CONCLUSIONS

This on-line solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method firstly provides high-throughput direct analysis of five urinary metabolites of areca nut/tobacco alkaloids.

IMPACT

This method may facilitate the research into the oncogenic effects of areca nut/tobacco exposure.

Arecoline induced disruption of expression and localization of the tight junctional protein ZO-1 is dependent on the HER 2 expression in human endometrial Ishikawa cells

Background

Approximately 600 million people chew Betel nut, making this practice the fourth most popular oral habit in the world. Arecoline, the major alkaloid present in betel nut is one of the causative agents for precancerous lesions and several cancers of mouth among those who chew betel nut. Arecoline can be detected in the human embryonic tissue and is correlated to low birth weight of newborns whose mothers chew betel nut during pregnancy, suggesting that arecoline can induce many systemic effects. However, few reports exist as to the effects of arecoline in human tissues other than oral cancer cell lines. Furthermore, in any system, virtually nothing is known about the cellular effects of arecoline treatment on membrane associated signaling components of human cancer cells.

Results

Using the human Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell line, we investigated the effects of arecoline on expression, localization and functional connections between the ZO-1 tight junction protein and the HER2 EGF receptor family member. Treatment of Ishikawa cells with arecoline coordinately down-regulated expression of both ZO-1 and HER2 protein and transcripts in a dose dependent manner. Biochemical fractionation of cells as well as indirect immunofluorescence revealed that arecoline disrupted the localization of ZO-1 to the junctional complex at the cell periphery. Compared to control transfected cells, ectopic expression of exogenous HER2 prevented the arecoline mediated down-regulation of ZO-1 expression and restored the localization of ZO-1 to the cell periphery. Furthermore, treatment with dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid reported to up-regulate expression of HER2 in Ishikawa cells, precluded arecoline from down-regulating ZO-1 expression and disrupting ZO-1 localization.

Conclusion

Arecoline is known to induce precancerous lesions and cancer in the oral cavity of betel nut users. The arecoline down-regulation of ZO-1 expression and subcellular distribution suggests that arecoline potentially disrupts cell-cell interactions mediated by ZO-1, which may play a role in arecoline-mediated carcinogenesis. Furthermore, our study has uncovered the dependency of ZO-1 localization and expression on HER2 expression, which has therefore established a new cellular link between HER2 mediated signaling and apical junction formation involving ZO-1.

Betel nut chewing during pregnancy, Madang province, Papua New Guinea

INTRODUCTION

In Papua New Guinea, betel nut chewing is very common in the general population and in pregnant women. It has similarities in terms of use and complications of use to chewing tobacco (=smokeless tobacco), as its active agent, arecoline is similar to nicotine. The present study investigates the habits of betel nut chewing and possible impact on pregnancy.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional survey 310 pregnant women attending Alexishafen Health Centre (Madang Province) were interviewed with a survey measuring: detailed demographic data, betel nut chewing habits, other potential addictions (smoking, alcohol and drug use) and a medical examination (weight, height, blood pressure and hemoglobin level were recorded). Their babies have been assessed for birth weight and signs of prematurity.

RESULTS

Among pregnant women, 94% regularly chew betel nut, 9% smoke and 1% used alcohol. 31% are heavy chewers (>10 nuts/day). The principal reasons for pregnant women to chew are: to prevent morning sickness (28%), to prevent having a smelly mouth (26%), the habit of chewing (20%), being addicted (10%). Primigravidity, betel nut chewing and low BMI had a statistically significant impact on birth weight reduction of 467 g (p<0.001), 238 g (p=0.02) and 175 g (p=0.005) respectively. 80% of the women thought that chewing would not have any effect on the fetus.

DISCUSSION

Given the high use of "pure" betel nut among pregnant women, a significant impact on birth weight reduction and a poor knowledge about the adverse health effects of this substance, prevention programs in pregnant women should include betel nut chewing as a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcome.

Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry assay for determination of nicotine and metabolites, caffeine and arecoline in breast milk

A procedure based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is described for the determination of nicotine and its principal metabolites cotinine, trans-3-hydroxycotinine and cotinine-N-oxide, caffeine and arecoline in breast milk, using N-ethylnorcotinine as internal standard. Liquid/liquid extraction with chloroform/isopropanol (95:5, v/v) was used for nicotine, cotinine, trans-3-hydroxycotinine, cotinine-N-oxide and caffeine under neutral conditions and for arecoline under basic conditions. Chromatography was performed on a C(8) reversed-phase column using a gradient of 50 mM ammonium formate, pH 5.0, and acetonitrile as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Separated analytes were determined by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring. Limits of quantification were 5 microg/L for nicotine, cotinine, trans-3-hydroxycotinine, cotinine-N-oxide and caffeine, and 50 microg/L for arecoline using 1 mL human milk per assay. Calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges for all the substances under investigation, with a minimum r(2) > 0.998. At three concentrations spanning the linear dynamic range of the assay, mean recoveries from breast milk ranged between 71.8 and 77.4% for different analytes. This method was applied to the analysis of analytes in human milk to assess substance exposure in breast-fed infants in relation to eventual clinical outcomes. This LC/MS/MS assay provides adequate sensitivity and performance characteristics for the simultaneous quantification of biomarkers of three of the drugs most commonly used worldwide (tobacco, caffeine and areca nut).

Quantification of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its Major Metabolites in Meconium by Gas Chromatographic-mass Spectrometric Assay: Assay Validation and Preliminary Results of the “Meconium Project”

A rapid and simple procedure based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is described for determination of Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-OH) and 11-nor-Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in meconium using Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-THC) and deuterated THC-COOH as internal standards. The biological matrix was subjected to liquid-liquid extraction after enzyme hydrolysis for conjugated analytes.Chromatography was performed on a fused silica capillary column and analytes were determined in the selected-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. The method was validated in the range 20 to 500 microg/g using 1g of meconium per assay. The method was applied to the analysis of meconium in a cohort of newborns to assess eventual fetal exposure to cannabis. Within positive samples, THC-COOH and THC-OH (range: 33.7 to 182.1 and 20.7 to 493.3 microg/g, respectively) were both present in the majority of cases with only 1 specimen with THC-OH as the most abundant metabolite and 2 with THC only.

In vitro effects of arecoline on sperm motility and cyclooxygenase-2 expression

Semen samples were obtained from 30 volunteers who had never consumed betel quid. Swim-up spermatozoa from the 30 seminal samples of non-betel quid chewers and also non-smokers, usually not exposed to passive smoking, were treated in vitro with arecoline at different concentrations to evaluate the action of these drugs on sperm motility. Highly motile sperms were collected and divided into 5 equal fractions. Four fractions were supplemented with various concentrations of arecoline and one as control. The study was carried out at time 0 and +1, +2, +3 and +4 hr of incubation. Sperm cells were also extracted and blotted with COX-2 antibody after arecoline treatment after 4 hr incubation. The sperm motility parameters, i.e., motility, average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity and linearity, were significantly decreased after arecoline treatment. In vitro, arecoline induces the COX-2 expression of sperm cells in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first report to demonstrate that arecoline may mediate COX-2 expression in human sperms, resulting in inflammation response. This situation may act on the structure responsible for the flagellar motion and cause the reduction of sperm motility.

Areca-nut abuse and neonatal withdrawal syndrome

Areca-nut chewing occurs widely in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Here we present a case of neonatal withdrawal syndrome in an infant born to a woman who was a chronic areca-nut user. Arecoline, the principal neuroactive alkaloid in areca nuts, was found in the mother's placenta.

Assessment of exposure to opiates and cocaine during pregnancy in a Mediterranean city: Preliminary results of the “Meconium Project”

For the first time in Europe, the "Meconium Project" aimed to estimate the prevalence of drug use by pregnant women and the effects of exposure to illicit drugs during pregnancy on the fetus and infant. Between October 2002 and February 2004, 1151 (79%) dyads among the 1439 mother-infant dyads from the Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain, met eligibility criteria and agreed to participate in the study. We present preliminary results on the first 830 meconium samples and 549 mother-infant dyads, for which statistical analysis of socio-economic and demographic characteristics and newborn somatometry was completed. The meconium analysis showed an overall 7.9% positivity for drugs of abuse, with 6-monoacetylmorphine and cocaine being the analytes, most frequently found in samples positive for opiates and cocaine. Structured interview disclosed 1.3, 1.8 and 1.3% of mothers exposed to opiates, cocaine and both drugs, while only one mother declared ecstasy consumption. Meconium analysis showed that prevalence of opiates, cocaine and combined drugs exposure was 8.7, 4.4 and 2.2%, respectively, and confirmed the case of ecstasy use. Arecoline, the main areca nut alkaloid, was found in meconium specimens from four Asiatic newborns, whose mothers declared beetle nut consumption during pregnancy. Parental ethnicity was not associated with drug use, nor was the social class, although a higher tendency toward drug consumption was observed in professional and partly skilled mothers. Drug consuming mothers showed a higher number of previous pregnancies and abortions (p<0.05) when compared to non-consumer mothers (meconium negative test), probably due to a lack of family planning. Consumption of opiates and cocaine during pregnancy was associated with active tobacco smoking, a higher number of smoked cigarettes and cannabis use. Exposure status and smoking behavior correlated with significantly lower birth weight in newborns from mothers exposed only to cocaine and to opiates and cocaine simultaneously. Of the four newborns exposed to arecoline, one showed a low birth weight, low intrauterine growth, hyporeflexia and hypotonia.

Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay for determination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylenedioxy derivatives in meconium

A procedure based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is described for determination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylendioxy derivatives in meconium, using 3,4-methylendioxypropylamphetamine as internal standard. The analytes were initially extracted from the matrix by 17 mM methanolic HCl. Subsequently, a solid-phase extraction with Bondelut Certify columns was applied. Chromatography was performed on a C(18) reversed-phase column using a linear gradient of 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate, pH 9.0-methanol as a mobile phase. Analytes were determined in LC-MS single ion monitoring mode with an atmospheric pressure ionization-electrospray interface. The method was validated in the range 0.005-1.00 microg/g using 1 g of meconium per assay. Mean recoveries ranged between 61.1 and 87.2% for different analytes. The quantification limits were 0.005 microg/g meconium for amphetamine, methamphetamine, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine and 0.004 microg/g meconium for 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, and N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine. The method was applied to analysis of meconium in newborns to assess eventual fetal exposure to amphetamine derivatives.