1
|
Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of mescaline and major metabolites in human plasma. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 220:114980. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
2
|
Yang S, Shi Y, Chen Z, Chen M, Liu X, Liu W, Su M, Di B. Detection of mescaline in human hair samples by UPLC-MS/MS: Application to 19 authentic forensic cases. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2022; 1195:123202. [PMID: 35248899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2022.123202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mescaline, a natural alkaloid found in the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii) in the Americas, has gradually become a drug of abuse in China because of its psychedelic properties. Its intake may lead to hallucinations and confusion or even be life-threatening. Mescaline is classified as a class Ⅰ psychotropic drug in China, which means its use in medicine or scientific research is under strict control of the government. However, studies on surveillance of mescaline abuse in the Chinese population are lacking. A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination and quantification of mescaline in hair. The method had good linearity in the range from 10 to 1000 pg/mg, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 3 pg/mg and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 10 pg/mg. The total runtime was 5 min. Acceptable intraday and interday precision (RSD < 15%) and accuracy (bias, -11.2% ∼ 6.8%) were achieved. The recovery was 85.0-101.0%, and the matrix effect was 92.0-105.0%. The validated method was successfully applied to 19 real forensic cases. The concentrations of mescaline in hair ranged from 10 to 784 pg/mg. The method has the benefits of simple sample preparation, high sensitivity, and short running time, making it suitable for large-scale quantitative surveillance analysis of mescaline in forensic toxicology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Academy of Forensic science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Yan Shi
- Academy of Forensic science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Zhuonan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Academy of Forensic science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Mobing Chen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Academy of Forensic science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Xinze Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Academy of Forensic science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Wei Liu
- Academy of Forensic science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai 200063, PR China.
| | - Mengxiang Su
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China.
| | - Bin Di
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Florou D, Boumba VA. Hair analysis for New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Still far from becoming the tool to study NPS spread in the community? Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:1699-1720. [PMID: 34646750 PMCID: PMC8501677 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The detection of 280 NPS has been reported to be enabled through hair analysis. The LODs/ LOQs for these NPS are as low as pg/mg of hair. The NPS hair concentrations in clinical/forensic samples are considerably higher than the respective LOD. Untargeted-mass spectroscopic detection techniques could advance NPS hair analysis. NPS hair analysis could become the tool to monitor the extent of NPS use worldwide.
In this review article, we performed an overview of extraction and chromatographic analysis methods of NPS in hair from 2007 to 2021, evaluating the limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), limit of reporting (LOR), and limit of identification (LOI) values reported for each NPS. Our review aimed to highlight the limitations of modern hair analytical techniques, and the prerequisites for the proper evaluation and use of analytical results in relation to the objectives of NPS hair analysis. In the selected studies the detection of a total of 280 NPS was reported. The detected NPS belonged to seven classes: synthetic cannabinoids with 109 different substances, synthetic opioids with 58, cathinones with 50, phenethylamines with 34, other NPS with 15, tryptamines with ten, and piperazines with four substances. The NPS hair analysis of real forensic/ clinical cases reported the detection of only 80 NPS (out of the 280 targeted), in significantly higher levels than the respective LODs. The analytical protocols reviewed herein for NPS hair analysis showed continuously growing trends to identify as many NPS as possible; the extraction methods seem to have a limited potential to improve, while the various mass spectroscopic techniques and relevant instrumentation provide an enormous field for development and application. Hair is a biological indicator of the past chronic, sub-chronic, and, even, in certain cases, acute exposure to xenobiotics. Therefore, future research in the field could progress NPS hair analysis and aim the monitoring of NPS expansion and extent of use in the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Florou
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vassiliki A Boumba
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
New Synthetic Cathinones and Phenylethylamine Derivatives Analysis in Hair: A Review. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26206143. [PMID: 34684725 PMCID: PMC8538434 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of psychoactive substances in hair is of great importance for both clinical and forensic toxicologists since it allows one to evaluate past and continuative exposure to xenobiotics. In particular, a new challenge is represented by new psychoactive substances: Among this new class of drugs of abuse, synthetic cathinone and phenethylamine derivatives are often detected in biological samples. Hence, there is a growing need to develop new analytical procedures or improve old ones in order to conduct evaluations of these emerging substances. This study is a systematic review of all the instrumental and experimental data available in the literature. A total of 32 articles were included in the review. Acidic solvents proved to be the most reliable solutions for extraction. Gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometric and high-resolution mass spectrometric systems represent the majority of the involved instrumental techniques. Sensitivity must be maintained at the pg/mg level to detect any occurrences up to occasional consumption. In total, 23 out of 32 articles reported real positive samples. The most frequently detected substance in hair was mephedrone, followed by butylone, methylone, MDPV, and α-pyrrolidinophenone-type substances.
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang H, Wang X, Liu M, Deng H, Yu M, Xiang P. Detection of amfepramone and its metabolite cathinone in human hair: Application to a uthentic cases of amfepramone use. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:101-109. [PMID: 34405558 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, overseas anti-obesity drugs including amfepramone have flowed into China through the internet or personal import by travelers. Amfepramone is controlled in China and is not available as a pharmaceutical product. It is obtainable either through the internet or imported by individuals across the border. The abuse of amfepramone is causing serious health problems. A method for the detection and quantification of amfepramone and its metabolite cathinone in human hair was developed and fully validated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Approximately 10 mg of hair was weighed and pulverized with extraction solvent (a mixture of methanol: acetonitrile: 2 mM ammonium formate [pH 5.3] [25:29:46, v/v/v]). The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 5 and 10 pg/mg, respectively. The method was linear over a concentration range from 10 to 10,000 pg/mg. The accuracy varied from -9.3% to 2.3%, with acceptable intra- and inter-day precision. The validated method was successfully applied to 17 authentic cases. The amfepramone concentrations ranged from 11.7 to 209 pg/mg, with a median of 30.2 pg/mg, and the hair cathinone concentrations ranged from 11.9 to 507 pg/mg, with a median of 54.0 pg/mg. This is the first report of amfepramone concentrations in human hair from amfepramone users. Cathinone can be incorporated into hair after amfepramone use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengxi Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongxiao Deng
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Davies C, Gautam L, Grela A, Morrissey J. Variability associated with interpreting drugs within forensic hair analysis: A three-stage interpretation. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 40:868-888. [PMID: 32126591 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Hair analysis is capable of determining both an individual's long-term drug history and a single exposure to a drug, which can be particularly important for corroborating incidents of drug-facilitated crimes. As a source of forensic evidence that may be used in a court of law, it must be credible, impartial and reliable, yet the pathways of drug and metabolite entry into hair are still uncertain. Many variables may influence drug analysis results, most of which are outside of the control of an analyst. An individual's pharmacokinetic and metabolic responses, hair growth rates, drug incorporation routes, axial migration, ethnicity, age and gender, for example, all display interpersonal variability. At present there is little standardization of the analytical processes involved with hair analysis. Both false positives and negative results for drugs are frequently encountered, regardless of whether a person has consumed a drug or not. In this regard, we have categorized these variables and proposed a three-stage analytical approach to facilitate forensic toxicologists, hair analysis experts, judiciaries and service users in the analytical and interpretation process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Davies
- Forensic and Investigative Studies, School of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lata Gautam
- Forensic and Investigative Studies, School of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Agatha Grela
- School of Human and Social Sciences, University of West London, Brentford, London, UK
| | - Joanne Morrissey
- Forensic and Investigative Studies, School of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Šuláková A, Fojtíková L, Holubová B, Bártová K, Lapčík O, Kuchař M. Two immunoassays for the detection of 2C-B and related hallucinogenic phenethylamines. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2018; 95:36-46. [PMID: 30481558 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of new psychoactive substances as drugs of abuse has dramatically increased over the last years. Hallucinogenic phenethylamines gained particular popularity as they have both stimulating and psychedelic effects. Although generally perceived as safe, these illicit drugs pose a serious health risk; they have been linked to cases of severe poisoning or even deaths. Therefore, simple, cost-effective and reliable methods are needed for rapid determination of abused hallucinogens. METHODS For this purpose, two haptens derived from 2C-H were designed, synthesized and subsequently attached to a carrier protein. Polyclonal antibodies obtained from a rabbit immunized with one of the prepared immunogens were used for the development of two immunoassays. RESULTS In this study, a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of 2C-B and related hallucinogenic phenethylamines in urine were developed. The presented LFIA is primarily suitable for on-site monitoring as it is simple and can provide a visual evidence of 2C-B presence within a few minutes. Its reasonable sensitivity (LODLFIA = 15 ± 7 ng mL-1) allows detection of the drug presence in urine after acute exposure. For greater accuracy, highly sensitive ELISA (LODELISA = 6 ± 3 pg mL-1) is proposed for toxicological quantitative analyses of positive samples captured by the LFIA. DISCUSSION The comparison of the ELISA with the well-established UHPLC-MS-MS method shows excellent agreement of results, which confirms good potential of the ELISA to be used for routine analyses of 2C-B and related hallucinogenic phenethylamines of both main sub-families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Šuláková
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia; Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 3, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia; Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czechia.
| | - Lucie Fojtíková
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 3, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia.
| | - Barbora Holubová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 3, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia.
| | - Kateřina Bártová
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia; Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 3, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia
| | - Oldřich Lapčík
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia.
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia; Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 3, 166 28 Praha 6, Dejvice, Czechia; Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czechia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Khajuria H, Nayak BP, Badiye A. Toxicological hair analysis: Pre-analytical, analytical and interpretive aspects. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2018; 58:137-146. [PMID: 29683043 DOI: 10.1177/0025802418768305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims Hair analysis for drug detection is one of the widely accepted imperative techniques in the field of forensic toxicology. The current study was designed to investigate the efficacy of chromatography for detection of drugs of abuse in hair. Method A comprehensive review of articles from last two decades on hair analyses via PubMed and similar resources was performed. Issues concerning collection, decontamination and analytical techniques are summarised. Physiochemical nature of hair, mechanism of drug incorporation and its stability in hair are briefly discussed. Furthermore, various factors affecting results and interpretation are elucidated. Result A hair sample is chosen over traditional biological samples such blood, urine, saliva or tissues due to its inimitable ability to provide a longer time frame for drug detection. Its collection is almost non-invasive, less cumbersome and does not involve any specialised training/expertise. Recent advances in analytical technology have resulted in better sensitivity, reproducibility and accuracy, thus providing a new arena of scientific understanding and test interpretation. Conclusion Though recent studies have yielded many insights into drug binding and drug incorporation in hair, the major challenge in hair analysis lies in the interpretation of results, which may be affected by external contamination and thus lead to false-positives. Therefore, there is a need for more sensitive and selective analysis methods to be developed in order to minimise factors that induce the effect of melanin, age and so on, and this would certainly provide a new dimension to hair analysis and its applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashish Badiye
- 2 Department of Forensic Science, Government Institute of Forensic Science, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Montesano C, Vannutelli G, Massa M, Simeoni MC, Gregori A, Ripani L, Compagnone D, Curini R, Sergi M. Multi-class analysis of new psychoactive substances and metabolites in hair by pressurized liquid extraction coupled to HPLC-HRMS. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:798-807. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Montesano
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; 00185 Rome Italy
| | | | - Maristella Massa
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Simeoni
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; 64023 Mosciano Sant'Angelo TE Italy
| | - Adolfo Gregori
- Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS); Carabinieri; 00191 Rome Italy
| | - Luigi Ripani
- Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS); Carabinieri; 00191 Rome Italy
| | - Dario Compagnone
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; 64023 Mosciano Sant'Angelo TE Italy
| | - Roberta Curini
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Manuel Sergi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; 64023 Mosciano Sant'Angelo TE Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lendoiro E, Jiménez-Morigosa C, Cruz A, Páramo M, López-Rivadulla M, de Castro A. An LC-MS/MS methodological approach to the analysis of hair for amphetamine-type-stimulant (ATS) drugs, including selected synthetic cathinones and piperazines. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:96-105. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lendoiro
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses; Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; San Francisco s/n 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Cristian Jiménez-Morigosa
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses; Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; San Francisco s/n 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Angelines Cruz
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses; Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; San Francisco s/n 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Mario Páramo
- Servizo de Psiquiatría; Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS); Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Manuel López-Rivadulla
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses; Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; San Francisco s/n 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Ana de Castro
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses; Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; San Francisco s/n 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Development of an analytical method for simultaneous detection of psychotropic phenylalkylamines in hair by LC-MS/MS with a multi-mode reversed-phase column using pH gradient elution. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 259:69-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
12
|
Determination of cathinones and other stimulant, psychedelic, and dissociative designer drugs in real hair samples. Anal Bioanal Chem 2015; 408:2035-42. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-9247-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
13
|
Moreno I, Barroso M, Martinho A, Cruz A, Gallardo E. Determination of ketamine and its major metabolite, norketamine, in urine and plasma samples using microextraction by packed sorbent and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2015; 1004:67-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2015.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
14
|
Kerrigan S, Savage M, Cavazos C, Bella P. Thermal Degradation of Synthetic Cathinones: Implications for Forensic Toxicology. J Anal Toxicol 2015; 40:1-11. [PMID: 26294756 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkv099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthetic cathinones represent an important class of designer drugs. The widespread attention and publicity associated with these psychostimulants have resulted in numerous legislative actions at state and federal levels throughout the USA. These amphetamine-like compounds are characterized by a β-keto functional group. Although the synthetic cathinones share many properties of their phenethylamine counterparts, the presence of the ketone moiety is responsible for a number of unique and distinct differences in terms of their chemical characteristics and properties. Thermal degradation of methcathinone was first reported several decades ago but has received limited attention. In this study, we identified in situ thermal degradation products for 18 cathinones during gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Oxidative degradation arises from the loss of two hydrogens, yielding a characteristic 2 Da mass shift. Degradation products were characterized by prominent iminium base peaks with mass-to-charge ratios 2 Da lower than the parent drug, and in the case of the pyrrolidine-containing cathinones, prominent molecular ions arising from the 2,3-enamine. Chromatographic and mass spectroscopic data are described for 4-ethylmethcathinone, 4-methylethcathinone, buphedrone, butylone, ethcathinone, ethylone, flephedrone, 3,4-methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinobutiophenone, 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone, mephedrone, methcathinone, methedrone, methylone, 4-methyl-α-pyrrolidinobutiophenone, naphyrone, pentedrone, pentylone and pyrovalerone. Degradation was minimized by lowering injection temperatures, residence time in the inlet and eliminating active sites during chromatographic analysis. Chromatographic and mass spectral data for the cathinone degradation products are presented and discussed within the context of forensic toxicological analysis, selection of appropriate instrumental methods and implications for the interpretation of results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kerrigan
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Box 2525, 1003 Bowers Boulevard, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA
| | - Megan Savage
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Box 2525, 1003 Bowers Boulevard, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA
| | - Cassandra Cavazos
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Box 2525, 1003 Bowers Boulevard, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA
| | - Paige Bella
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Box 2525, 1003 Bowers Boulevard, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Urine Mescaline Screening With a Biochip Array Immunoassay and Quantification by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Ther Drug Monit 2015; 37:805-11. [PMID: 25992796 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Mescaline, the primary psychoactive chemical in peyote cactus, has been consumed for thousands of years in ancient religious ceremonies. The US military wanted to determine if mescaline intake was a problem for personnel readiness. Twenty thousand seventeen urine specimens negative for cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines were tested for mescaline with the Randox Drugs of Abuse V (DOA-V) biochip array immunoassay at the manufacturer's recommended cutoff of 6 mcg/L. A sensitive and specific method for mescaline quantification in urine was developed and fully validated. Extracted analytes were derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride and pentafluoropropanol and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with electron impact ionization. Standard curves, using linear least squares regression with 1/x weighting, were linear from 1 to 250 mcg/L with coefficients of determination >0.994. Intra- and inter-assay imprecision was <4.4 coefficient of variation (%CV), with accuracies >90.4%. Mean extraction efficiencies were >92.0% across the linear range. This fully validated method was applied for the confirmation of urinary mescaline in 526 presumptive-positive specimens and 198 randomly selected presumptive-negative specimens at the manufacturer's 6 mcg/L cutoff. No specimen confirmed positive at the GC/MS limit of quantification of 1 mcg/L. Results indicated that during this time frame, there was insufficient mescaline drug use in the military to warrant routine screening in the drug testing program. However, mescaline stability, although assessed, could have contributed to lower prevalence. We also present a validated GC/MS method for mescaline quantification in urine for reliable confirmation of suspected mescaline intake.
Collapse
|
16
|
Liu HC, Liu RH, Lin DL. Simultaneous Quantitation of Amphetamines and Opiates in Human Hair by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 2015; 39:183-91. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bku174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
17
|
Molnár B, Csámpai A, Molnár-Perl I. Hexamethyldisilazane as an Acylation Generator for Perfluorocarboxylic Acids in Quantitative Derivatization of Primary Phenylalkyl Amines Confirmed by GC/MS and Computations. Anal Chem 2014; 87:848-52. [DOI: 10.1021/ac503786j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Molnár
- Doctoral School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Semmelweis University, 1085, Üllői út 26, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
|
19
|
Baciu T, Borrull F, Aguilar C, Calull M. Recent trends in analytical methods and separation techniques for drugs of abuse in hair. Anal Chim Acta 2014; 856:1-26. [PMID: 25542354 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2014.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hair analysis of drugs of abuse has been a subject of growing interest from a clinical, social and forensic perspective for years because of the broad time detection window after intake in comparison to urine and blood analysis. Over the last few years, hair analysis has gained increasing attention and recognition for the retrospective investigation of drug abuse in a wide variety of contexts, shown by the large number of applications developed. This review aims to provide an overview of the state of the art and the latest trends used in the literature from 2005 to the present in the analysis of drugs of abuse in hair, with a special focus on separation analytical techniques and their hyphenation with mass spectrometry detection. The most recently introduced sample preparation techniques are also addressed in this paper. The main strengths and weaknesses of all of these approaches are critically discussed by means of relevant applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Baciu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sescelades Campus, Marcel·lí Domingo, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - F Borrull
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sescelades Campus, Marcel·lí Domingo, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - C Aguilar
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sescelades Campus, Marcel·lí Domingo, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
| | - M Calull
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sescelades Campus, Marcel·lí Domingo, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Role of LC-MS/MS in hair testing for the determination of common drugs of abuse and other psychoactive drugs. Bioanalysis 2013; 5:1919-38. [PMID: 23905865 DOI: 10.4155/bio.13.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hair testing has been used in toxicological investigations for the last two decades, but only recently a remarkable extension of hair analysis to a variety of application fields was observed, besides drug abuse recognition. The dramatic improvements of LC-MS/MS instrumentation make the detection of tiny amounts of almost whatever drug in hair possible, even after single-dose intake. The progresses observed during the last 5 years in the detection of psychoactive substances in hair are reviewed herein. The literature is partitioned according to the target compounds, namely traditional drugs of abuse, new psychoactive substances and pharmaceutical psychoactive substances. The LC-MS/MS methods presented are addressed to determine a single class of drugs, with the primary aim of accurate quantitation, or to perform multiclass analysis, for rapid and effective screening protocols.
Collapse
|
21
|
New challenges and innovation in forensic toxicology: Focus on the “New Psychoactive Substances”. J Chromatogr A 2013; 1287:84-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2012.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
22
|
Cheong JC, Suh S, Ko BJ, Lee JI, Kim JY, Suh YJ, In MK. Screening Method for the Detection of Methamphetamine in Hair Using Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay. J Anal Toxicol 2013; 37:217-21. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkt011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
23
|
Gambelunghe C, Marsili R, Aroni K, Bacci M, Rossi R. GC-MS and GC-MS/MS in PCI Mode Determination of Mescaline in Peyote Tea and in Biological Matrices. J Forensic Sci 2012; 58:270-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02249.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Revised: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Gambelunghe
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Legal and Sports Medicine; University of Perugia; Padiglione W, via E. dal Pozzo; 06123; Perugia; Italy
| | - Remo Marsili
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; L.go F.Vito; 1-00168; Rome; Italy
| | - Kyriaki Aroni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Legal and Sports Medicine; University of Perugia; Padiglione W, via E. dal Pozzo; 06123; Perugia; Italy
| | - Mauro Bacci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Legal and Sports Medicine; University of Perugia; Padiglione W, via E. dal Pozzo; 06123; Perugia; Italy
| | - Riccardo Rossi
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; L.go F.Vito; 1-00168; Rome; Italy
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lee S, Kim J, In S, Choi H, Oh SM, Jang CG, Chung KH. Development of a simultaneous analytical method for selected anorectics, methamphetamine, MDMA, and their metabolites in hair using LC-MS/MS to prove anorectics abuse. Anal Bioanal Chem 2012; 403:1385-94. [PMID: 22460079 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-012-5950-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Revised: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Owing to the tight control of methamphetamine, it is presumed that phentermine, an amphetamine-type anorectic, has recently been considered a supplement for methamphetamine abusers in Korea. In addition, the abuse of other anorectics obtained by inappropriate means has become a social issue. Hair is a useful specimen to prove chronic drug use. Therefore, an analytical method for the simultaneous detection of phentermine, phendimetrazine, amfepramone, fenfluramine, mazindol, methamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), as well as their metabolites, which covers the major amphetamines and anorectic agents in Korea, in hair was established and validated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The drugs and their metabolites in hair were extracted using 1 % HCl in methanol and then filtered and analyzed by LC-MS/MS with electrospray ionization in positive mode. The validation results for selectivity, linearity, matrix effect, recovery, process efficiency, intra- and interassay precision and accuracy, and processed sample stability were satisfactory. The limits of detection ranged from 0.025 to 1 ng/10 mg hair and the limits of quantification were 0.25 ng/10 mg hair for every analyte except mazindol and phentermine, for which they were 10 ng/10 mg hair. The method was successfully applied for the segmental determination of selected anorectics, methamphetamine, MDMA, and their metabolites in hair from 39 drug suspects. Among the anorectics, phentermine and/or phendimetrazine were identified with or without methamphetamine in the hair samples. Closer supervision of the inappropriate use of anorectics is necessary. Also, hair analysis is useful for monitoring the abuse potential of unnoticed drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeun Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Fragmentation Pathways of Trifluoroacetyl Derivatives of Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, and Methylenedioxyphenylalkylamine Designer Drugs by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1155/2011/318148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA), amphetamine (AM), and the methylenedioxyphenylalkylamine designer drugs, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine (MBDB), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and 3,4-(methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine (BDB), are widely abused as psychedelics. In this paper, these compounds were derivatized with trifluoroacetic (TFA) anhydride and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using electron ionization in positive mode. Gas chromatographic separation for TFA derivatives of all compounds was successfully resolved using an Equity-5 fused silica capillary column with a poly (5% diphenyl-95% dimethylsiloxane) stationary phase. Base peaks or prominent peaks of MA, AM, MDMA, MDEA, MBDB, MDA, and BDB appeared at m/z 154, 140, 154, 168, 168, 135, and 135, respectively. These occurred due to α-cleavage from the amide nitrogen, splitting into the TFA imine species and benzyl or methylenedioxybenzyl cations. Further prominent fragment ions at m/z 118 for MA and AM, m/z 162 for MDMA, MDEA, and MDA, and m/z 176 for MBDB and BDB were produced by cleavage of the phenylpropane or methylenedioxypropane hydrocarbon radical cation via a hydrogen rearrangement. These fragmentation pathways for the TFA derivatives of all the compounds are summarized and illustrated in this paper.
Collapse
|
26
|
Kaddoumi A, Wada M, Nakashima K. In vivo incorporation of fenfluramine and norfenfluramine into pigmented and nonpigmented hair of rats measured by HPLC-fluorescence detection. Forensic Toxicol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-010-0105-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
27
|
Lee S, Kim J, In S, Choi H, Chung H, Chung KH. Detection of phentermine in hair samples from drug suspects. Forensic Sci Int 2010; 207:e5-7. [PMID: 21129868 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2010] [Revised: 11/02/2010] [Accepted: 11/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Phentermine (PT) has been widely used as an anti-obesity drug. This drug has to be used with caution due to its close resemblance with amphetamines in its structure and toxicity profile. Recently, PT is in distribution by illegal modes and is found to be available through sources such as the internet, thus their misuse and/or abuse is threatening to be a serious social issue. In the present study, 32 cases of drug suspects were observed for PT abuse, detected using hair samples for drug analysis. PT and other amphetamines, such as methamphetamine (MA), amphetamine (AP), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), were extracted using 1% HCl in methanol for 20 h at 38°C. The extracts were derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Among the 32 cases of PT abuse, MA and its main metabolite, AP were identified in seven cases and MDMA and its main metabolite, MDA were detected in two other cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeun Lee
- National Institute of Scientific Investigation, 331-1 Sinwol-7-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Brown SD, Melton TC. Trends in bioanalytical methods for the determination and quantification of club drugs: 2000-2010. Biomed Chromatogr 2010; 25:300-21. [DOI: 10.1002/bmc.1549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Revised: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 09/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
29
|
Phonchai A, Janchawee B, Prutipanlai S, Thainchaiwattana S. GC-FID optimization and validation for determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and methamphetamine in ecstasy tablets. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2010. [DOI: 10.1134/s106193481009011x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
30
|
Analytical methods for abused drugs in hair and their applications. Anal Bioanal Chem 2010; 397:1039-67. [PMID: 20232061 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-010-3569-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2009] [Revised: 02/08/2010] [Accepted: 02/10/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Hair has been focused on for its usability as an alternative biological specimen to blood and urine for determining drugs of abuse in fields such as forensic and toxicological sciences because hair can be used to elucidate the long intake history of abused drugs compared with blood and urine. Hair analysis consists of several pretreatment steps, such as washing out contaminates from hair, extraction of target compounds from hair, and cleanup for instrumental analysis. Each step includes characteristic and independent features for the class of drugs, e.g., stimulants, narcotics, cannabis, and other medicaments. In this review, recently developed methods to determine drugs of abuse are summarized, and the pretreatment steps as well as the sensitivity and applicability are critically discussed.
Collapse
|
31
|
Rapid and simple determination of psychotropic phenylalkylamine derivatives in human hair by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry using micro-pulverized extraction. Forensic Sci Int 2010; 196:43-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2009] [Accepted: 07/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
32
|
Affiliation(s)
- T. A. Brettell
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cedar Crest College, 100 College Drive, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104-6196
| | - J. M. Butler
- Biochemical Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8312
| | - J. R. Almirall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Beyer J, Drummer OH, Maurer HH. Analysis of toxic alkaloids in body samples. Forensic Sci Int 2009; 185:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2008] [Revised: 09/25/2008] [Accepted: 12/03/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
34
|
Trevorrow P. Launch Editorial. Drug Test Anal 2009; 1:1-3. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
35
|
MENG P, ZHU D, HE H, WANG Y, GUO F, ZHANG L. Determination of Amphetamines in Hair by GC/MS after Small-volume Liquid Extraction and Microwave Derivatization. ANAL SCI 2009; 25:1115-8. [DOI: 10.2116/analsci.25.1115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
36
|
Kim JY, Cheong JC, Ko BJ, Lee SK, Yoo HH, Jin C, In MK. Simultaneous determination of methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine, N,N-dimethylamphetamine, and their metabolites in urine by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Arch Pharm Res 2008; 31:1644-51. [PMID: 19099236 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-001-2163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2008] [Revised: 11/07/2008] [Accepted: 11/14/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous detection and quantification of seven amphetamine derivatives (amphetamine (AP), methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-amphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA), N,N-dimethylamphetamine (DMA), and N,N-dimethylamphetamine-N-oxide (DMANO)) in human urine. Seven deuterium-labeled compounds were prepared for use as internal standards to quantify the analytes. One milliliter of urine was combined with 1 mL of 0.2 M sodium carbonate buffer solution (pH 9.0) before solid phase extraction (SPE). An Oasis HLB SPE column followed by chromatographic separation on a Capcell Pak C18 MG-II column (150 x 2.0 mm I.D., 5 microm) and electrospray mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring were used for selective and sensitive detection. The use of ammonium formate (5 mM, pH adjusted to 4.0 with formic acid, Solvent A) and acetonitrile (Solvent B) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 230 microL/min was found to be the most effective for the separation. The linear ranges were 5.0-1000 ng/mL for AP, MDA, MDMA, MDEA, DMA, and DMANO and 10.0-1000 ng/mL for MA, with good correlation coefficients (r2 > 0.996). The intra-day, inter-day, and interperson precisions were within 14.6%, 12.1% and 15.5%, respectively. The intra-day, inter-day, and interperson accuracies were between -11.6 and 9.0%, -7.9 and 2.3%, and -13.2 and 4.3%, respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) for each analytical compound were lower than 1.95 ng/mL. The recovery ranged from 72.3 to 103.3%. The applicability of the developed method was examined by analyzing several urine samples from confirmed drug abusers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Young Kim
- Drug Analysis Laboratory, Forensic Science Division, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seoul, 137-730, Korea.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Feyissa AM, Kelly JP. A review of the neuropharmacological properties of khat. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2008; 32:1147-66. [PMID: 18561890 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2007] [Revised: 12/21/2007] [Accepted: 12/23/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The psychostimulant khat (Catha edulis Forsk), is a herbal drug cultivated and chewed as a recreational and socializing drug in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. Due to increasing air transportation and the loosening of customs restrictions, it is now readily available in the Western Countries mainly used by immigrants from khat growing areas causing a concern to policy-makers. OBJECTIVE We conducted this review to further gain an insight to the neuropharmacological effects of khat. METHODOLOGY PubMed search engine with key terms 'khat' or 'qat' or 'mirra' or'qaad/jaad' or 'cathinone' was used to obtain articles relevant to khat chewing. In total 284 English written articles published from 1959 to 2007 were screened. RESULTS Most of the studies focused on cathinone, the postulated active psychostimulant alkaloid in khat. There were few studies which investigated the entire plant extract in either in vitro or animal studies. In the majority of the studies it was reported that both cathinone and cathine, another psychoactive constituent, have actions that are similar to those of amphetamine. CONCLUSIONS It seems that the well investigated khat alkaloids have many features similar to amphetamines; however there is a need for a more thorough examination of khat itself in well designed in vitro, animal and human studies with a range of comparator drugs before confirming the claim that khat is a "natural amphetamine".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anteneh M Feyissa
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Simultaneous determination of amphetamine-type stimulants and cannabinoids in fingernails by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Arch Pharm Res 2008; 31:805-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-001-1230-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2008] [Revised: 03/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
39
|
Affiliation(s)
- Kenichiro Nakashima
- Division of Analytical Research for Pharmacoinformatics, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Course of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University
| |
Collapse
|