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Feigel B, Adamowicz P, Wybraniec S. Recent advances in analysis of new psychoactive substances by means of liquid chromatography coupled with low-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:107-124. [PMID: 38001373 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05057-z] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The number of methods for the analysis of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is continually increasing, and there is no indication that this trend will change in the near future. The constantly growing market of "designer drugs" makes it necessary to develop new methods of their analysis. The aim of this review is to present the multi-component methods of detection and identification of NPS using low-resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography. For this purpose, 36 articles were selected by applying strictly defined search criteria. Due to the large differences in the matrices and physicochemical properties of the analytes, the described research methods are diverse. These differences are visible in sample preparation methods, chromatographic columns, mobile phases, gradients, or additives to mobile phases used. This work collects and organizes the existing information on the subject of NPS screening analysis methods and will be helpful to forensic scientists working on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Feigel
- Jan Sehn Institute of Forensic Research, Cracow, Poland.
- Cracow University of Technology, Cracow, Poland.
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2
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Ventura MI, Beyramysoltan S, Musah RA. Revealing the presence of tryptamine new psychoactive substances using fused “neutral loss” spectra derived from DART high-resolution mass spectra. Talanta 2022; 246:123417. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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3
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Welz A, Koba M, Kośliński P, Siódmiak J. Comparison of LC-MS and LC-DAD Methods of Detecting Abused Piperazine Designer Drugs. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11071758. [PMID: 35407366 PMCID: PMC8999770 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11071758] [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: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recreational use of piperazine designer drugs is a serious threat to human health. These compounds act on the body in a similar fashion to illegal drugs. They induce psychostimulatory effects as well as visual and auditory hallucinations to varying degrees. In many cases of poisoning and deaths, the presence of two or even several psychoactive substances have been demonstrated. Piperazine derivatives are often found in such mixtures and pose a great analytical problem during their identification. Additionally, some piperazine derivatives can be detected in biological material as a result of metabolic changes to related drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly identify these compounds and ensure repeatability of determinations. This article presents a comparison of the methods used to detect abused piperazine designer drugs using liquid chromatography in combination with a diode-array detector (LC-DAD) or mass spectrometer (LC-MS). Each of methods can be used independently for determinations, obtaining reliable results in a short time of analysis. These methods can also complement each other, providing qualitative and quantitative confirmation of results. The proposed methods provide analytical confirmation of poisoning and may be helpful in toxicological diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Welz
- Department of Toxicology and Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.K.); (P.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marcin Koba
- Department of Toxicology and Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Piotr Kośliński
- Department of Toxicology and Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Joanna Siódmiak
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
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Musiał J, Czarny J, Gadzała-Kopciuch R. Overview of analytical methods for determining novel psychoactive substances, drugs and their metabolites in biological samples. Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:239-258. [PMID: 36040410 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2022.2091424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a growing in interest in psychoactive substances, particularly those available in e-commerce. These have led to an increase in the number of drug-related poisonings, deaths, and road accidents. Illegal drugs are available on an unprecedented scale and cause previously unknown adverse effects, which creates a challenge for analysts to find rapid methods for identifying these substances and taking appropriate action in the shortest possible time. New psychoactive substances (NPSs) can be lethal at very low concentrations, which give particularly serious cause for concern. These drugs are easily accessible and often regarded (or claimed) to be safe, which encourages many people, in particular young people, to try them. The widespread use of these substances is compounded by the awareness that they are difficult to detect with the existing rapid screening tests. Simple, fast, sensitive, and specific methods for determining the largest possible number of black-market psychoactive substances and their metabolites are therefore essential. Such methods will facilitate treatment and increase the effectiveness of measures aiming to reduce drug addiction. The objective of this review article was to critically compare the most commonly used analytical methods for determining NPS and their metabolites in biological material, with special emphasis on the sample preparation process, and to highlight the possibilities offered by the existing analytical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadwiga Musiał
- Institute of Forensic Genetics, Bydgoszcz, Poland.,Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Jakub Czarny
- Institute of Forensic Genetics, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Renata Gadzała-Kopciuch
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
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5
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Rapid Targeted Method of Detecting Abused Piperazine Designer Drugs. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10245813. [PMID: 34945109 PMCID: PMC8704057 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Piperazine derivatives belong to the popular psychostimulating compounds from the group of designer drugs. They are an alternative to illegal drugs such as ecstasy and amphetamines. They are being searched by consumers for recreational use due to their stimulating and hallucinogenic effects. Many NPS-related poisonings and deaths have been reported where piperazines have been found. However, a major problem is the potential lack of laboratory confirmation of the involvement of piperazine derivatives in the occurrence of poisoning. Although many methods have been published, piperazine derivatives are not always included in a routine analytical approach or targeted toxicological analysis. There is an increasing need to provide qualitative evidence for the presence of piperazine derivatives and to ensure reproducible quantification. This article describes a new rapid method of detecting piperazine derivatives in biological material, using LC-MS. All target analytes were separated in a 15 min run time and identified based on the precursor ion, at least two product ions, and the retention time. Stable isotopically labeled (SIL) internal standards: BZP-D7, mCPP-D8 and TFMPP-D4 were used for analysis, obtaining the highest level of confidence in the results. The proposed detection method provides the analytical confirmation of poisoning with piperazine designer drugs.
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6
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Giorgetti A, Barone R, Pelletti G, Garagnani M, Pascali J, Haschimi B, Auwärter V. Development and validation of a rapid LC-MS/MS method for the detection of 182 novel psychoactive substances in whole blood. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:202-223. [PMID: 34599648 PMCID: PMC9298299 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The analysis of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) represents a challenge in forensic toxicology, due to the high number of compounds characterized by different structures and physicochemical properties both among different subclasses and within a single subclass of NPS. The aim of the present work is the development and validation of a targeted liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method for the detection of NPS in whole blood. Materials and methods A protein‐precipitation based LC‐MS/MS method for the detection of more than 180 NPS was developed and validated by assessing the following parameters: selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) recovery, and matrix effect. Then, the method was applied to real forensic samples. Results The method allowed the identification of 132 synthetic cannabinoids, 22 synthetic opioids, and 28 substances among synthetic cathinones, stimulants, and other drugs. Validation was successfully achieved for most of the compounds. Linearity was in the range of 0.25–10 ng/ml for synthetic cannabinoids and 0.25–25 ng/ml for other drugs. Accuracy and precision were acceptable according to international guidelines. Three cases tested positive for fentanyl and ketamine, in the setting of emergency room administration. Conclusions The present methodology represents a fast, not expensive, wide‐panel method for the analysis of more than 180 NPS by LC‐MS/MS, which can be profitably applied both in a clinical context and in postmortem toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Giorgetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rossella Barone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Guido Pelletti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Garagnani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jennifer Pascali
- Department of Legal and Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Belal Haschimi
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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7
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Zhu B, Meng L, Cao J, Yang W, Conlan XA. Simultaneous determination of 10 new psychoactive piperazine derivatives in urine using ultrasound-assisted low-density solvent dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:748-757. [PMID: 33369734 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14624] [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: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
With the rapid development of synthetic drugs, novel piperazine derivatives, as an increasingly important class of new psychoactive substances (NPS), have attracted global attention owing to their increasing demand in the illicit drug market. In this study, ten piperazine derivatives were analyzed in urine samples after pre-treatment with ultrasound-assisted low-density solvent dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-LDS-DLLME) combined with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). This simple approach involved the use of urine samples (1 mL) adjusted to pH 12, which was added to 100 µL of n-hexane and subjected to ultrasonication for 3 min to completely disperse the sample in the n-hexane solution. The resulting turbid suspension was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 3 min, and the supernatant was extracted and analyzed using GC-MS/MS. Under the optimized conditions presented in this study, the linear relationship between the analytes was good within 10-1500 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficient (r) was between .9914 and .9983. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.3-2 ng/mL (S/N = 3), and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 10 ng/mL (S/N = 10) with the recovery of the analytes of interest from the spiked samples being 76.3%-93.3%. This method has been used to analyze real-world samples; our study shows that the UA-LDS-DLLME approach can be used for rapid analysis while consuming minimal solvent for the simultaneous determination of a range of analytes. This method has the potential for use in clinical analyses and forensic toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binling Zhu
- Department of Forensic Science, Fujian Police College, Fuzhou, China.,The Engineering Research Center, Fujian Police College, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liang Meng
- Department of Forensic Science, Fujian Police College, Fuzhou, China.,The Engineering Research Center, Fujian Police College, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Cao
- Department of Forensic Science, Fujian Police College, Fuzhou, China.,The Engineering Research Center, Fujian Police College, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wenrong Yang
- Faculty of Science Engineering, Deakin University School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong, Australia
| | - Xavier A Conlan
- Faculty of Science Engineering, Deakin University School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong, Australia
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8
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Malaca S, Lo Faro AF, Tamborra A, Pichini S, Busardò FP, Huestis MA. Toxicology and Analysis of Psychoactive Tryptamines. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9279. [PMID: 33291798 PMCID: PMC7730282 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of tryptamines is poor due to the lack of data globally. Tryptamines currently are not part of typical toxicology testing regimens and their contribution to drug overdoses may be underestimated. Although their prevalence was low, it is increasing. There are few published data on the many new compounds, their mechanisms of action, onset and duration of action, toxicity, signs and symptoms of intoxication and analytical methods to identify tryptamines and their metabolites. We review the published literature and worldwide databases to describe the newest tryptamines, their toxicology, chemical structures and reported overdose cases. Tryptamines are 5-HT2A receptor agonists that produce altered perceptions of reality. Currently, the most prevalent tryptamines are 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DiPT), 5-methoxy-N,N- diallyltryptamine (5-MeO-DALT) and dimethyltryptamine (DMT). From 2015 to 2020, 22 new analytical methods were developed to identify/quantify tryptamines and metabolites in biological samples, primarily by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The morbidity accompanying tryptamine intake is considerable and it is critical for clinicians and laboratorians to be informed of the latest data on this public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Malaca
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, Via Tronto 10, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (S.M.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.)
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, Via Tronto 10, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (S.M.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.)
| | - Alice Tamborra
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, Via Tronto 10, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (S.M.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.)
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.Le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, Via Tronto 10, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (S.M.); (A.F.L.F.); (A.T.)
| | - Marilyn A. Huestis
- Institute of Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA;
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9
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Lanaro R, Mello SM, da Cunha KF, Silveira G, Corrêa-Neto NF, Hyslop S, Cabrices OG, Costa JL, Linardi A. Kinetic profile of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and β-carbolines in saliva and serum after oral administration of ayahuasca in a religious context. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:664-678. [PMID: 33119972 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a beverage obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi plus Psychotria viridis. B. caapi contains the β-carbolines harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine that are monoamine oxidase inhibitors and P. viridis contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) that is responsible for the visionary effects of the beverage. Ayahuasca use is becoming a global phenomenon, and the recreational use of DMT and similar alkaloids has also increased in recent years; such uncontrolled use can lead to severe intoxications. In this investigation, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to study the kinetics of alkaloids over a 24 h period in saliva and serum of 14 volunteers who consumed ayahuasca twice a month in a religious context. We compared the area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax ), time to reach Cmax (Tmax ), mean residence time (MRT), and half-life (t1/2 ), as well as the serum/saliva ratios of these parameters. DMT and β-carboline concentrations (Cmax ) and AUC were higher in saliva than in serum and the MRT was 1.5-3.0 times higher in serum. A generalized estimation equations (GEEs) model suggested that serum concentrations could be predicted by saliva concentrations, despite large individual variability in the saliva and serum alkaloid concentrations. The possibility of using saliva as a biological matrix to detect DMT, β-carbolines, and their derivatives is very interesting because it allows fast noninvasive sample collection and could be useful for detecting similar alkaloids used recreationally that have considerable potential for intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Lanaro
- Poison Control Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Sueli Moreira Mello
- Poison Control Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Kelly Francisco da Cunha
- Poison Control Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Silveira
- Poison Control Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Stephen Hyslop
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Oscar G Cabrices
- Global Technical Science - Forensics Testing, Sciex, 1201 Radio Road, Redwood City, CA, 94065, USA
| | - Jose Luiz Costa
- Poison Control Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Linardi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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10
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The Clinical Toxicology of 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): The Severity of Poisoning After Exposure to Low to Moderate and High Doses. Ann Emerg Med 2020; 76:303-317. [PMID: 32507489 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We studied the severity of poisoning after exposure to low to moderate and high doses of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B). METHODS Patients for whom the Dutch Poisons Information Centre was consulted for 2C-B exposure from 2016 to 2018 were included in a prospective cohort study. Data were collected through telephone interviews with the physician or patient. Patients were categorized according to the reported 2C-B dose: low to moderate (up to 20 mg), high (greater than 20 mg), or unknown. Presence of 2C-B was analyzed in leftover drug and biological samples with liquid/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The severity of poisoning was graded with the Poisoning Severity Score. RESULTS We included 59 patients, of whom 32 could be followed up. Low to moderate 2C-B doses were reported by 9 patients (28%), high doses by 17 (53%), and unknown doses by 6 (19%). Poisoning was moderate in the majority of patients in both the low- to moderate-dose and high-dose groups. Frequently reported symptoms included mydriasis, agitation or aggression, hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, hypertension, and tachycardia. The presence of 2C-B was confirmed in 5 patients in urine (n=3) or drug samples (n=4). CONCLUSION In this study, most 2C-B poisonings resulted in moderate toxicity even at high reported doses up to 192 mg. No severe cases were observed. The clinical course was usually short-lived (up to 24 hours) and typically involved hallucinations in addition to mild somatic effects.
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11
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Kimble AN, DeCaprio AP. Systematic analysis of novel psychoactive substances. II. Development of a screening/confirmatory LC-QqQ-MS/MS method for 800+ compounds and metabolites in urine. Forensic Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2019.100189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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12
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Gaunitz F, Kieliba T, Thevis M, Mercer‐Chalmers‐Bender K. Solid‐phase extraction–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the qualitative analysis of 61 synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in urine. Drug Test Anal 2019; 12:27-40. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Gaunitz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Tobias Kieliba
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Mario Thevis
- Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Katja Mercer‐Chalmers‐Bender
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Health Department Basel‐Stadt Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Basel Switzerland, Basel Switzerland
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13
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Kiran Kumar H, Yathirajan HS, Foro S, Glidewell C. Twelve 4-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)piperazin-1-ium salts containing organic anions: supra-molecular assembly in one, two and three dimensions. Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun 2019; 75:1494-1506. [PMID: 31636982 PMCID: PMC6775724 DOI: 10.1107/s2056989019012702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Twelve 4-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)piperazin-1-ium salts containing organic anions have been prepared and structurally characterized. The monohydrated benzoate, 4-fluoro-benzoate, 4-chloro-benzoate and 4-bromo-benzoate salts, C11H17N2O+·C7H5O2 -·H2O (I), C11H17N2O+·C7H4FO2 -·H2O (II), C11H17N2O+·C7H4ClO2 -·H2O (III), and C11H17N2O+·C7H4BrO2 -·H2O (IV), respectively, are isomorphous and all exhibit disorder in the 4-meth-oxy-phenyl unit: the components are linked by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bond to form chains of rings. The unsolvated 2-hy-droxy-benzoate, pyridine-3-carboxyl-ate and 2-hy-droxy-3,5-di-nitro-benzoate salts, C11H17N2O+·C7H5O3 - (V), C11H17N2O+·C6H4NO2 - (VI) and C11H17N2O+·C7H3N2O7 - (VII), respectively, are all fully ordered: the components of (V) are linked by multiple N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form a chain of rings; those of (VI) are linked into a three-dimensional framework by a combination of N-H⋯O, C-H⋯O and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and those of (VII), where the anion has a structure reminiscent of the picrate anion, are linked into a three-dimensional array by N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The hydrogensuccinate and hydrogenfumarate salts, C11H17N2O+·C4H5O4 - (VIII) and C11H17N2O+·C4H3O3 - (IX), respectively, are isomorphous, and both exhibit disorder in the anionic component: N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the ions into sheets, which are further linked by C-H⋯π(arene) inter-actions. The anion of the hydrogenmaleate salt, C11H17N2O+·C4H3O3 - (X), contains a very short and nearly symmetrical O⋯H⋯O hydrogen bond, and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the anions into chains of rings. The ions in the tri-chloro-acetate salt, C11H17N2O+·C2Cl3O2 - (XI), are linked into simple chains by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In the hydrated chloranilate salt, 2C11H17N2O+·C6Cl2O4 2-·2H2O (XII), which crystallizes as a non-merohedral twin, the anion lies across a centre of inversion in space group P21/n, and a combination of N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds generates complex sheets. Comparisons are made with the structures of some related compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruvegowda Kiran Kumar
- Department of Studies in Chemistry, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570 006, India
| | - Hemmige S. Yathirajan
- Department of Studies in Chemistry, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570 006, India
| | - Sabine Foro
- Institute of Materials Science, Darmstadt University of Technology, Petersenstrasse 23, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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14
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López-Rabuñal Á, Lendoiro E, Concheiro M, López-Rivadulla M, Cruz A, de-Castro-Ríos A. A LC-MS/MS method for the determination of common synthetic cathinones in meconium. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2019; 1124:349-355. [PMID: 31279971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2019.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances have been introduced into the market in the last years due to their unregulated status. Synthetic cathinones are one of their main representatives, and they have shown to produce neonatal complications. It is important to have objective tools to identify in utero exposure to drugs that have shown to produce neonatal complications. An analytical method was developed and fully validated for the determination of common synthetic cathinones, including methylone, methedrone, mephedrone, 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), (±)-4-fluoromethamphetamine and 4-fluoromethcathinone in meconium. Meconium (0.25 ± 0.02 g) was homogenized with methanol by sonication for 30 min. After centrifugation, the sample was extracted with Oasis MCX columns. The analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS using an Atlantis T3 column (3 μm, 2.1 × 50 mm) and a gradient with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water. Method validation included the following parameters: selectivity (no endogenous or exogenous interferences), limits of detection (n = 3, 0.5-1 ng/g) and quantification (n = 3, 1-2 ng/g), linearity (n = 5, LOQ-200 ng/g), imprecision (n = 15, 0% to 10%), accuracy (n = 15, 87.3% to 97.8%), matrix effect (n = 10, -76% to -28.1%), extraction efficiency (n = 6, 63.7% to 91.3%), total process efficiency (n = 6, 16% to 60.2%) and stability for 72 h in the autosampler (n = 3, %loss = -6.7% to 5.1%). The method was applied to 28 meconium specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela López-Rabuñal
- Servizo de Toxicoloxía, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Elena Lendoiro
- Servizo de Toxicoloxía, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Marta Concheiro
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, USA.
| | - Manuel López-Rivadulla
- Servizo de Toxicoloxía, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Angelines Cruz
- Servizo de Toxicoloxía, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Ana de-Castro-Ríos
- Servizo de Toxicoloxía, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Grumann C, Huppertz LM, Bisel P, Angerer V, Auwärter V. Method validation and preliminary pharmacokinetic studies on the new designer stimulant 3‐fluorophenmetrazine (3‐FPM). Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:1009-1017. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Grumann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Hermann Staudinger Graduate SchoolUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Laura M. Huppertz
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Philippe Bisel
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Verena Angerer
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Forensic ToxicologyInstitute of Forensic Medicine St. Gallen Switzerland
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
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16
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Metternich S, Zörntlein S, Schönberger T, Huhn C. Ion mobility spectrometry as a fast screening tool for synthetic cannabinoids to uncover drug trafficking in jail via herbal mixtures, paper, food, and cosmetics. Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:833-846. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Metternich
- State Office of Criminal Investigation Rhineland‐PalatinateDepartment of Forensic Science Mainz Germany
| | - Siegfried Zörntlein
- State Office of Criminal Investigation Rhineland‐PalatinateDepartment of Forensic Science Mainz Germany
| | | | - Carolin Huhn
- Eberhard Karls Universität TübingenInstitute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Tübingen Germany
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17
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Identification of NBOMe and NBOH in blotter papers using a handheld NIR spectrometer and chemometric methods. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2018.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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18
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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.
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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.
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Graziano S, Anzillotti L, Mannocchi G, Pichini S, Busardò FP. Screening methods for rapid determination of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in conventional and non-conventional biological matrices. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018; 163:170-179. [PMID: 30316062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In the last years, a global awareness has arisen from the reported harmful effects and public health risks associated with the consumption of new psychoactive substances (NPSs). Improving efforts in the detection and identification of these substances have emerged as a global analytical challenge involving the large range of NPSs' chemical structures and the variety of conventional and non-conventional biological matrices. Indeed, detection capabilities and screening tools impact many fields and settings, including seized products analysis, workplace and roadside drug controls, emergency rooms, drug addiction treatment clinics, post-mortem and criminal caseworks, law enforcement and health interventions. Colorimetric, immunochemical and chromatographic-mass spectrometry techniques have been investigated and developed for the rapid identification of NPSs. Considering the continuous emergence of new substances, this review offers a panoramic view on the current status of analytical approaches for the rapid screening of NPSs, including, when available, data on conventional and non-conventional biological matrices. Although some of the presented methods are sound and promising, their applications are still limited, thus proving the importance of further investigations. New screening and sensitive targeted methods for NPS and their metabolites should be developed in different types of biological matrices, where concentration of substances and matrix effects can be significantly different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Graziano
- National Centre on Drug Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Anzillotti
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Giulio Mannocchi
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Drug Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Section of Legal Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Conca 71, Ancona, Italy.
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20
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Koch K, Auwärter V, Hermanns-Clausen M, Wilde M, Neukamm MA. Mixed intoxication by the synthetic opioid U-47700 and the benzodiazepine flubromazepam with lethal outcome: Pharmacokinetic data. Drug Test Anal 2018; 10:1336-1341. [PMID: 29637722 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids and benzodiazepines are an emerging trend on the narcotic drugs market. We present a lethal case of U-47700 and flubromazepam poisoning. A 24-year-old man suffered apnoea after the consumption of the synthetic opioid U-47700 in combination with the benzodiazepine flubromazepam. After reanimation and hospital admission, hypoxic cerebral damage and severe brain oedema were stated. Six days after admission, mechanical ventilation was discontinued, and the patient died. Seven blood serum samples and one urine sample collected during the hospitalisation were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In the sample collected 42 minutes after admission, the concentrations of U-47700 and flubromazepam were 370 and 830 ng/mL, respectively. Three days later, the concentrations of U-47700 and flubromazepam dropped to 4.2 and 280 ng/mL, respectively. The resulting concentration-time-curves allowed calculating a U-47700 elimination half-life of approximately six hours and confirmed the previously reported flubromazepam elimination half-life of around 100 hours. In the presented case, intoxication by the synthetic opioid U-47700 with a contribution of flubromazepam can be assumed as the cause of death. The concentration-time curves allow an estimation of the clinical course of similar cases. Flubromazepam may lead to prolonged central-nervous depressant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maren Hermanns-Clausen
- Poisons Information Center, Departement of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maurice Wilde
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Merja A Neukamm
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
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21
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Kadkhodaei K, Forcher L, Schmid MG. Separation of enantiomers of new psychoactive substances by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Sep Sci 2018; 41:1274-1286. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201701239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kian Kadkhodaei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Graz; Graz Austria
| | - Lisa Forcher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Graz; Graz Austria
| | - Martin G. Schmid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Graz; Graz Austria
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22
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Grumann C, Auwärter V. Separation of positional isomers of nine 2-phenethylamine-derived designer drugs by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Drug Test Anal 2018; 10:1184-1191. [PMID: 29455470 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The synthesis of positional isomers of designer drugs is a common way of bypassing legal restrictions. For forensic case work, and especially for the legal assessment of cases, there is a need for screening methods capable of the unequivocal identification of positional isomers. The presented liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method facilitates separation of positional isomers of 9 2-phenethylamine-derived designer drugs in different matrices including seized materials, hair, serum, and urine specimens. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a biphenyl phase using gradient elution with a total runtime of 26 minutes. The limit of detection was 25 pg/mg for hair samples and ranged from 0.1 ng/mL to 0.5 ng/mL for serum and from 0.2 ng/mL to 1.2 ng/mL for urine samples. The method proved to be selective and sensitive and showed good chromatographic resolution (R ≥ 1.2). The method was successfully applied to routine case samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Grumann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
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23
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Mercieca G, Odoardi S, Cassar M, Strano Rossi S. Rapid and simple procedure for the determination of cathinones, amphetamine-like stimulants and other new psychoactive substances in blood and urine by GC–MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018; 149:494-501. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2017.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Lehmann S, Kieliba T, Beike J, Thevis M, Mercer-Chalmers-Bender K. Determination of 74 new psychoactive substances in serum using automated in-line solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2017; 1064:124-138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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25
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Fleming SW, Cooley JC, Johnson L, Frazee CC, Domanski K, Kleinschmidt K, Garg U. Analysis of U-47700, a Novel Synthetic Opioid, in Human Urine by LC-MS-MS and LC-QToF. J Anal Toxicol 2017; 41:173-180. [PMID: 28035035 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkw131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The illicit drug market has rapidly evolved from synthetic cannabinoids to cathinone derivatives and now a new emerging threat of synthetic opioids. These compounds were mostly developed by pharmaceutical companies during drug discovery. The new psychoactive substances are not routinely covered in drug screening and may go undetected. Recently fentanyl analogous, AH-7921, MT-45 and now U-47700 have been encountered in clinical and forensic casework. U-47700 is gaining popularity on drug user forms as a legal alternative to heroin. It is a µ-receptor agonist that is part of the trans-1-2-diamine opioid analgesic drug class developed by The Upjohn Company in an attempt to develop a non-addicting analgesic. A LC-MS-MS method was developed and validated to detect and quantify U-47700. Additional analysis was conducted with an LC-QToF to identify the presence of the parent drug and metabolites. A total of four cases have been evaluated by the LC-MS-MS methodology which has an analytical range of 1-1,250 ng/mL and limit of detection of 1 ng/mL. The concentration of U-47700 in urine specimens ranged from below the limit of quantification to 224 ng/mL. The ToF analysis detected the presence of suspected phase I demethylated metabolites that may assist future analysis of this compound. The prevalence of designer opioids in casework highlights the importance of analysis for new psychoactive substances. Traditional opiates/opioids were not detected in the presented cases, but the available case histories revealed an opioid toxidrome. These findings suggest that U-47700 drug may cause significant morbidity and mortality within the United States as an emerging drug threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven W Fleming
- Gulfstream Diagnostics, 9301 N Central Expressway, Tower 2, Ste 335, Dallas, TX75231, USA
| | - Justin C Cooley
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics , 2401 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Leonard Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics , 2401 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - C Clinton Frazee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics , 2401 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Kristina Domanski
- North Texas Poison Control Center, Parkland Health and Hospital System, 5201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Kurt Kleinschmidt
- North Texas Poison Control Center, Parkland Health and Hospital System, 5201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Toxicology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Uttam Garg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, 2401 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.,University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, 2411 Holmes St., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
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Waddell S, Fernandez C, Inverarity C, Prabhu R. Extending the capability of forensic electrochemistry to the novel psychoactive substance benzylpiperazine. SENSING AND BIO-SENSING RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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27
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A novel screening method for 64 new psychoactive substances and 5 amphetamines in blood by LC-MS/MS and application to real cases. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2016; 129:441-449. [PMID: 27490334 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Identification and quantification of new psychoactive substances (NPS), both in biological and non-biological samples, represent a hard challenge for forensic toxicologists. NPS are increasingly emerging on illegal drug market. Many cases of co-consumption of NPS and other substances have also been reported. Hence, the development of analytical methods aiming at the detection of a broad-spectrum of compounds (NPS and "traditional" drugs) could be helpful. In this paper, a fully validated screening method in blood for the simultaneous detection of 69 substances, including 64 NPS (28 synthetic cannabinoids, 19 synthetic cathinones, 5 phenethylamines, 3 indanes, 2 piperazines, 2 tryptamines, 2 phencyclidine, methoxetamine, ketamine and its metabolite) and 5 amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, MDA, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine - MDEA-) by a dynamic multiple reaction monitoring analysis through liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is described. This method is very fast, easy to perform and cheap as it only requires the deproteinization of 200μL of blood sample with acetonitrile. The chromatographic separation is achieved with a C18 column. The analysis is very sensitive, with limits of quantification ranging from 0.1 to 0.5ng/mL. The method is linear from 1 to 100ng/mL and the coefficient of determination (R(2)) was always above 0.9900. Precision and accuracy were acceptable at any quality control level and recovery efficiency range was 72-110%. Matrix effects did not negatively affect the analytical sensitivity. This method was successfully applied to three real cases, allowing identification and quantification of: mephedrone and methamphetamine (post-mortem); ketamine, MDMA and MDA (post-mortem); AB-FUBINACA (ante-mortem).
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28
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Mercolini L, Protti M, Catapano MC, Rudge J, Sberna AE. LC–MS/MS and volumetric absorptive microsampling for quantitative bioanalysis of cathinone analogues in dried urine, plasma and oral fluid samples. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2016; 123:186-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2016.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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29
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Salas D, Borrull F, Marcé RM, Fontanals N. Study of the retention of benzotriazoles, benzothiazoles and benzenesulfonamides in mixed-mode solid-phase extraction in environmental samples. J Chromatogr A 2016; 1444:21-31. [PMID: 27040512 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.03.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the capabilities of strong cation-exchange and strong anion-exchange sorbents for solid-phase extraction (SPE) have been evaluated for the selective retention of benzotriazoles (BTRs), benzothiazoles (BTs) and benzenesulfonamides (BSAs), which are a group of neutral analytes with interesting properties such as high polarity and the capability of delocalizing electron density. The retention of these analytes has been compared in both sorbents for the first time, using a SPE procedure specially designed to promote ionic retention of the analytes with the objective of including a washing step with an organic solvent to eliminate interferences retained by hydrophobic interactions. As a result, ionic interactions between the analytes and both sorbents were observed, which allowed the successful introduction of a washing step using methanol in the SPE procedure even when most of the analytes were in their neutral state under SPE conditions. Consequently, a method was developed and further validated for each sorbent using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Apart from the development of an improved method, special attention was paid to the discussion of the interactions present between the sorbents and each group of analytes to explain how these analytes in their neutral state might develop ionic interactions with the sorbents. At the end, the use of these sorbents helped to simplify previous developed methods where hydrophobic/hydrophilic sorbents were used, obtaining enhanced results when evaluated in river water and effluent and influent wastewaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Salas
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Campus Sescelades, Marcel·lí Domingo, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Francesc Borrull
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Campus Sescelades, Marcel·lí Domingo, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Rosa Maria Marcé
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Campus Sescelades, Marcel·lí Domingo, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Núria Fontanals
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Campus Sescelades, Marcel·lí Domingo, s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
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Dziadosz M, Klintschar M, Teske J. Sample pooling as an effective way of simultaneous analysis of new designer drugs together with synthetic cannabinoids in human serum provided by therapy and forensic psychiatric centres. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2016; 56:155-156. [PMID: 27044924 DOI: 10.1177/0025802415587319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marek Dziadosz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Germany
| | | | - Jörg Teske
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Germany
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31
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Férec S, Leborgne I, Bruneau C, Bourgine J, Valette X, Abbara C, Lelièvre B, Boels D, Bretaudeau-Deguigne M, Turcant A. Severe serotoninergic syndrome after ingestion of α-methyltryptamine. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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32
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Wolrab D, Frühauf P, Moulisová A, Kuchař M, Gerner C, Lindner W, Kohout M. Chiral separation of new designer drugs (Cathinones) on chiral ion-exchange type stationary phases. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2016; 120:306-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2015.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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33
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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]
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34
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Odoardi S, Fisichella M, Romolo FS, Strano-Rossi S. High-throughput screening for new psychoactive substances (NPS) in whole blood by DLLME extraction and UHPLC–MS/MS analysis. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2015.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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35
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Groeneveld G, de Puit M, Bleay S, Bradshaw R, Francese S. Detection and mapping of illicit drugs and their metabolites in fingermarks by MALDI MS and compatibility with forensic techniques. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11716. [PMID: 26118853 PMCID: PMC4484357 DOI: 10.1038/srep11716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the proven capabilities of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (MALDI MS) in laboratory settings, research is still needed to integrate this technique into current forensic fingerprinting practice. Optimised protocols enabling the compatible application of MALDI to developed fingermarks will allow additional intelligence to be gathered around a suspect’s lifestyle and activities prior to the deposition of their fingermarks while committing a crime. The detection and mapping of illicit drugs and metabolites in latent fingermarks would provide intelligence that is beneficial for both police investigations and court cases. This study investigated MALDI MS detection and mapping capabilities for a large range of drugs of abuse and their metabolites in fingermarks; the detection and mapping of a mixture of these drugs in marks, with and without prior development with cyanoacrylate fuming or Vacuum Metal Deposition, was also examined. Our findings indicate the versatility of MALDI technology and its ability to retrieve chemical intelligence either by detecting the compounds investigated or by using their ion signals to reconstruct 2D maps of fingermark ridge details.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Groeneveld
- 1] Department of Fingerprint Research, Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague, Netherlands [2] Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - M de Puit
- 1] Department of Fingerprint Research, Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague, Netherlands [2] Technische Natuur Wetenschappen, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - S Bleay
- Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Home Office, Sandridge, UK
| | - R Bradshaw
- Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - S Francese
- Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
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36
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Adamowicz P, Tokarczyk B. Simple and rapid screening procedure for 143 new psychoactive substances by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Drug Test Anal 2015; 8:652-67. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Adamowicz
- Institute of Forensic Research; Westerplatte 9 31-033 Krakow Poland
| | - Bogdan Tokarczyk
- Institute of Forensic Research; Westerplatte 9 31-033 Krakow Poland
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37
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Detection and quantification of 56 new psychoactive substances in whole blood and urine by LC–MS/MS. Bioanalysis 2015; 7:1119-36. [DOI: 10.4155/bio.15.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: New psychoactive substances (NPS) have become increasingly prevalent and are sold in internet shops as ‘bath salts’ or ‘research chemicals’ and comprehensive bioanalytical methods are needed for their detection. Methodology: We developed and validated a method using LC and MS/MS to quantify 56 NPS in blood and urine, including amphetamine derivatives, 2C compounds, aminoindanes, cathinones, piperazines, tryptamines, dissociatives and others. Instrumentation included a Synergi Polar-RP column (Phenomenex) and a 3200 QTrap mass spectrometer (AB Sciex). Run time was 20 min. Conclusion: A novel method is presented for the unambiguous identification and quantification of 56 NPS in blood and urine samples in clinical and forensic cases, e.g., intoxications or driving under the influence of drugs.
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38
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Concheiro M, Castaneto M, Kronstrand R, Huestis MA. Simultaneous determination of 40 novel psychoactive stimulants in urine by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry and library matching. J Chromatogr A 2015; 1397:32-42. [PMID: 25931378 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of novel psychoactive substances is an ongoing challenge for analytical toxicologists. Different analogs are continuously introduced in the market to circumvent legislation and to enhance their pharmacological activity. Although detection of drugs in blood indicates recent exposure and link intoxication to the causative agent, urine is still the most preferred testing matrix in clinical and forensic settings. We developed a method for the simultaneous quantification of 8 piperazines, 4 designer amphetamines and 28 synthetic cathinones and 4 metabolites, in urine by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Data were acquired in full scan and data dependent MS(2) mode. Compounds were quantified by precursor ion exact mass, and confirmed by product ion spectra library matching, taking into account product ions' exact mass and intensities. One-hundred μL urine was subjected to solid phase cation exchange extraction (SOLA SCX). The chromatographic reverse-phase separation was achieved with gradient mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid in water and in acetonitrile in 20 min. The assay was linear from 2.5 or 5 to 500 μg/L. Imprecision (n=15) was <15.4%, and accuracy (n=15) 84.2-118.5%. Extraction efficiency was 51.2-111.2%, process efficiency 57.7-104.9% and matrix effect ranged from -41.9% to 238.5% (CV<23.3%, except MDBZP CV<34%). Authentic urine specimens (n=62) were analyzed with the method that provides a comprehensive confirmation for 40 new stimulant drugs with specificity and sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Concheiro
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Currently Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marisol Castaneto
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Program in Toxicology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert Kronstrand
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden; Division of Drug Research, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Marilyn A Huestis
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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39
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Gwak S, Almirall JR. Rapid screening of 35 new psychoactive substances by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS). Drug Test Anal 2015; 7:884-93. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seongshin Gwak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute; Florida International University; Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Jose R. Almirall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute; Florida International University; Miami FL 33199 USA
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40
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Effects of triglycerides levels in human whole blood on the extraction of 19 commonly used drugs using liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Toxicol Rep 2015; 2:785-791. [PMID: 28962414 PMCID: PMC5598366 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2015.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) is the most commonly sample preparation procedure used by forensic toxicologists in China for screening drugs in whole human blood. It extracts numerous substances from blood including targeted drugs and interfering substances, specifically triglycerides (TG). With increasing prevalence of hyperlipidemia, the influences of TG on LLE and on subsequent analysis with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) may become a major issue for forensic laboratories. This study aims to elucidate the influences of TG on LLE and to provide possible solutions to this problem. Nineteen commonly encountered drugs in forensic cases were spiked to human whole blood with different TG concentrations. Diethyl ether, ethyl acetate/hexane mixed solutions, chlorobutane and several other frequently used solvents were tested for the extraction of drugs from spiked whole blood. The supernatant organic layer was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted with methanol. The resultant products were analyzed by GC–MS, and the extraction recovery was calculated. LLE with diethyl ether, ethyl acetate/hexane (9:1) and chlorobutane all possessed effective and reliable extraction recoveries for blood sample with low TG concentrations (0.63–6.85 mmol/L). At high TG concentrations, diethyl ether produced a highly turbid substance that could not be further analyzed using GC–MS. Extraction recoveries drastically dropped for ethyl acetate/hexane (9:1) mixture at high TG concentrations, while chlorobutane experienced minimal drops in extraction recoveries. In conclusion, TG levels in whole blood noticeably influence drug recovery to variable extents depending on the LLE solvent. Chlorobutane showed minimal influences from TG content in whole blood and thus is the recommended LLE solvent for forensic drug extraction.
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41
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Tittarelli R, Mannocchi G, Pantano F, Romolo FS. Recreational use, analysis and toxicity of tryptamines. Curr Neuropharmacol 2015; 13:26-46. [PMID: 26074742 PMCID: PMC4462041 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666141210222409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Revised: 10/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The definition New psychoactive substances (NPS) refers to emerging drugs whose chemical structures are similar to other psychoactive compounds but not identical, representing a "legal" alternative to internationally controlled drugs. There are many categories of NPS, such as synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, phenylethylamines, piperazines, ketamine derivatives and tryptamines. Tryptamines are naturally occurring compounds, which can derive from the amino acid tryptophan by several biosynthetic pathways: their structure is a combination of a benzene ring and a pyrrole ring, with the addition of a 2-carbon side chain. Tryptamines include serotonin and melatonin as well as other compounds known for their hallucinogenic properties, such as psilocybin in 'Magic mushrooms' and dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in Ayahuasca brews. AIM To review the scientific literature regarding tryptamines and their derivatives, providing a summary of all the available information about the structure of these compounds, their effects in relationship with the routes of administration, their pharmacology and toxicity, including articles reporting cases of death related to intake of these substances. METHODS A comprehensive review of the published scientific literature was performed, using also non peer-reviewed information sources, such as books, government publications and drug user web fora. CONCLUSIONS Information from Internet and from published scientific literature, organized in the way we proposed in this review, provides an effective tool for specialists facing the emerging NPS threat to public health and public security, including the personnel working in Emergency Department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Tittarelli
- Legal Medicine Section, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Mannocchi
- Legal Medicine Section, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Flaminia Pantano
- Legal Medicine Section, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Romolo
- Legal Medicine Section, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institut de Police Scientifique, Université de Lausanne, Batochime, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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42
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Guo L, Lin Z, Huang Z, Liang H, Jiang Y, Ye Y, Wu Z, Zhang R, Zhang Y, Rao Y. Simple and rapid analysis of four amphetamines in human whole blood and urine using liquid–liquid extraction without evaporation/derivatization and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Forensic Toxicol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-014-0257-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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43
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Screening for new psychoactive substances in hair by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2014; 1372C:145-156. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.10.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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44
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de Castro A, Lendoiro E, Fernández-Vega H, Steinmeyer S, López-Rivadulla M, Cruz A. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry determination of selected synthetic cathinones and two piperazines in oral fluid. Cross reactivity study with an on-site immunoassay device. J Chromatogr A 2014; 1374:93-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Revised: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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45
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Kempf J, Traber J, Auwärter V, Huppertz LM. ‘Psychotropics caught in a trap’ – Adopting a screening approach to specific needs. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 243:84-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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46
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Tang MH, Ching C, Lee CY, Lam YH, Mak TW. Simultaneous detection of 93 conventional and emerging drugs of abuse and their metabolites in urine by UHPLC-MS/MS. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2014; 969:272-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2014.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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47
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Švidrnoch M, Lněníčková L, Válka I, Ondra P, Maier V. Utilization of micellar electrokinetic chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry employed volatile micellar phase in the analysis of cathinone designer drugs. J Chromatogr A 2014; 1356:258-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.06.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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48
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Comprehensive analytical strategies based on high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry to identify new psychoactive substances. Trends Analyt Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2014.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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49
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Karlsen M, Liu H, Berg T, Johansen JE, Hoff BH. Synthesis of [13C6]-labelled phenethylamine derivatives for drug quantification in biological samples. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2014; 57:378-87. [DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Revised: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Morten Karlsen
- Department of Chemistry; Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Høgskoleringen 5 NO-7491 Trondheim Norway
- Chiron AS; Stiklestadveien 1 7041 Trondheim Norway
| | - HuiLing Liu
- Chiron AS; Stiklestadveien 1 7041 Trondheim Norway
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Abuse; Norwegian Institute of Public Health; PO Box 4404 Nydalen N-0403 Oslo Norway
| | | | - Bård Helge Hoff
- Department of Chemistry; Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Høgskoleringen 5 NO-7491 Trondheim Norway
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50
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Helander A, Bäckberg M, Hultén P, Al-Saffar Y, Beck O. Detection of new psychoactive substance use among emergency room patients: results from the Swedish STRIDA project. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 243:23-9. [PMID: 24726531 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2013] [Revised: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The "STRIDA" project monitors the occurrence and trends of new psychoactive substances (NPS; "Internet drugs/designer drugs/legal highs") in Sweden, and collects information about their clinical symptoms, toxicity and associated health hazards. The initial results of the project documented a widespread use of many different NPS by mainly adolescents and young (age range 13-63 years, median 20), male (79%) adults, among cases of drug intoxications presenting at emergency departments and intensive care units across the country. The new substances were identified in samples of urine and blood by a multi-component LC-MS/MS method, and the severity of clinical symptoms were graded by the Poisoning Severity Score (PSS). Of the initial 189 samples submitted for laboratory investigation, 156 (83%) tested positive for at least one drug. Besides classical substances such as ethanol, cannabis and amphetamines, many NPS were detected comprising synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists ("Spice"), piperazines, substituted phenethylamines, synthetic cathinones, hallucinogenic tryptamines, piperidines, opioid related substances, ketamine and related substances, and GABA analogues (in total more than 50 substances). About half of the cases were demonstrated to be multiple drug intoxications, sometimes making it hard to associate the clinical presentations with one specific substance. In conclusion, the STRIDA project has documented use of a broad variety of NPS among mainly young people all over Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Helander
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska University Laboratory, Clinical Pharmacology, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Peter Hultén
- Swedish Poisons Information Centre, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yasir Al-Saffar
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olof Beck
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska University Laboratory, Clinical Pharmacology, Stockholm, Sweden
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