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Barone R, Pelletti G, Giorgetti A, Mohamed S, Pascali JP, Sablone S, Introna F, Pelotti S. Validation and application of a method for the quantification of 137 drugs of abuse and new psychoactive substances in hair. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 243:116054. [PMID: 38422647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116054] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the dynamic universe of new psychoactive substances (NPS), the identification of multiple and chemically diverse compounds remains a challenge for forensic laboratories. Since hair analysis represents a gold-standard to assess the prevalence of NPS, which are commonly detected together with classical drugs of abuse (DoA), our study aimed at developing a wide-screen method to detect and quantify 127 NPS and 15 DoA on hair. MATERIALS AND METHODS A multi-analyte ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method for the identification and quantification of 127 NPS (phenethylamines, arylcyclohexylamines, synthetic opioids, tryptamines, synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, designer benzodiazepines) and 15 DoA in hair samples was developed. A full validation was performed according to the European medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines, by assessing selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of quantification (LOQ), limit of detection (LOD), matrix effect and recovery. As a proof of the applicability, the method was applied to 22 authentic hair samples collected for forensic purposes. RESULTS Successful validation was achieved, by meeting the required technical parameters, for 137 compounds (122 NPS and 15 DoA), with LOQ set at 4 pg/mg for 129 compounds, at 10 pg/mg for 6 and at 40 pg/mg for 2. The method was not considered validated for 5 NPS, as LLOQ resulted too high for a forensic analysis (80 pg/mg). Among authentic forensic samples, 17 tested positive for DoA, and 10 to NPS, most samples showing positivity for both. Detected NPS were ketamine and norketamine, 5-MMPA, ritalinic acid, methoxyacetyl fentanyl, methylone and RCS-4. CONCLUSION The present methodology represents an easy, low cost, wide-panel method for the quantification of 122 NPS and 15 DoA, for a total of 137 analytes, in hair samples. The method can be profitably applied by forensic laboratories. Similar multi-analyte methods on the hair matrix might be useful in the future to study the prevalence of NPS and the co-occurrence of NPS-DoA abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Barone
- Unit of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Guido Pelletti
- Unit of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Arianna Giorgetti
- Unit of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Susan Mohamed
- Unit of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Jennifer Paola Pascali
- Unit of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Sara Sablone
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), University-Hospital of Bari, Giulio Cesare square 11, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Francesco Introna
- Section of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), University-Hospital of Bari, Giulio Cesare square 11, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Susi Pelotti
- Unit of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna 40126, Italy
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Makhdoom HS, Afzal S, Sultana K, Shah SNH, Mujahid M, Hassan ZU, Munir F, Jahan F, Abbas Z, Abid AI, Khan NUH. SPE-UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS Analysis of Cocaine and Its Metabolites in Conventional and Alternative Biological Specimens: Application to Real Samples. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:23355-23363. [PMID: 38854579 PMCID: PMC11154955 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
An increase in cocaine abuse has been observed globally since the past decade. Cocaine is among the commonly abused stimulants used for recreational purposes. In this study, the SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to be applied on real specimens of 20 chronic cocaine abusers to quantify cocaine/metabolites in conventional as well as alternative biological matrices. Cocaine was extracted from biological specimens using solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Poroshell120EC-18 column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 2.7 μm particle size) using water-acetonitrile in 0.1% formic acid as a mobile phase in gradient elution mode. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 0.5 mL/min with a gradient varying the percentage of acetonitrile linearity ranging 15-95% in 6.0 min acquisition time, and the injection volume was set at 5 μL. Positive electrospray ionization with multireaction ion monitoring mode using two ion transitions for cocaine/metabolites and one for cocaine-d3 was employed. The quantification method demonstrated good linear ranges of 0.025-250 ng/mL in blood, urine, and oral fluid (ng/mg for hair and nail) with a ≥0.991% determination coefficient. The detection limit and lower quantification limit were 0.005 and 0.025 ng/mL in all matrices, respectively. The mean extraction recovery and ionization suppression ranged from 89.3 to 99.8% and -4.6 to -14.4% in the studied matrices. Within-run and between-days precisions were 1.8-7.2% and 1.9-6.1%, respectively. This study will not only help in quantifying cocaine/metabolites in alternative specimens (hair, nail, and oral fluid) but also guide clinical and forensic toxicologists in interpretation of exhumation cases. Furthermore, multiple specimens' analyses can be of significance in estimating the time/manner of drug exposure, in confirming the results of laboratories in cases of doubtful clinical histories, or in aiding medico-legal investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humera Shafi Makhdoom
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, Lahore 44000, Pakistan
- Clinical
and Forensic Toxicology Department, Chughtai
Healthcare, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Saira Afzal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, Lahore 44000, Pakistan
| | - Kishwar Sultana
- Department of Pharmacy, Iqra
University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad 440000, Pakistan
| | | | - Majida Mujahid
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, Lahore 44000, Pakistan
- Drug
Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | | | - Farida Munir
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, Lahore 44000, Pakistan
| | - Faryal Jahan
- Shifa Tameer e Millat University Islamabad, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Zeerak Abbas
- Clinical
and Forensic Toxicology Department, Chughtai
Healthcare, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Ali Imran Abid
- Department of Regenerative
Nanomedicine, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67081, France
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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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Calvetti C, Salomone A, Verzeletti A, Di Nardo F, Begni PMG, Vezzoli S. Are the NPS commonly used? An extensive investigation in Northern Italy based on hair analysis. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:574-579. [PMID: 37506041 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are present on the Italian illicit markets, but data from the analysis of biological samples to evaluate their real consumption are rare. For this reason, an epidemiological study was carried out by means of a ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) method for the determination of 115 NPS on the keratin matrix. A total of 847 hair samples were collected in 2020 and 2021 and analyzed. The sample donors were in the age range of 18-40 years, from both genders, and were tested either for driving relicensing or for drug withdrawal monitoring. The UPLC-MS-MS system consisted of a Waters ACQUITY UPLC® I-Class, coupled with a Waters XEVO TQ-XS triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The method was developed and fully validated according to international guidelines. Limits of detection were set as the minimum criterion to identify positive samples. Overall, 56 samples resulted positive for ketamine, 35 for norketamine, 6 for fentanyl, 3 for norfentanyl, 3 for 4-ANPP, 3 for MDMB-4en-PINACA, 2 for N,N-DMT, 2 for 5-chloro AB-PINACA, 1 for α-PHP and 1 for methcathinone. NPS were detected in a small part of samples (8.4%), which seems in contrast with their apparent wide diffusion in Italy, yet it is congruent with similar investigations based on hair analysis. Future studies will be performed to expand the investigated population, especially in terms of age and origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Calvetti
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, via P. Giuria 5, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Andrea Verzeletti
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Nardo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, via P. Giuria 5, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Paola Maria Giulia Begni
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Sara Vezzoli
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
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5
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Ayyildiz E, Kayabeşler H, Gülü M, Yagin FH, Aldhahi MI, García-Grimau E, Al-Mhanna SB. Examining mindfulness and moral disengagement in doping: Perspective of Turkish wrestlers. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1142343. [PMID: 37057162 PMCID: PMC10086358 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1142343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionStudies related to attitudes toward the use of prohibited substances in Turkish athletes are scarce. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has implemented anti-doping educational policies emphasizing doping-related education in studies conducted among Turkish wrestlers. However, it is still unclear the extent to which the wrestlers comply and adhere to these anti-doping policies. No research has previously examined the effect of anti-doping education on athletes' mindfulness and moral disengagement in doping (MDD). Therefore, the present study has a two-fold objective: first, to examine whether doping-related education (DRE) and the status of being a national athlete (NA) have an effect on athlete mindfulness and MDD. Second, to analyze the relationship between each sub-dimensions of athlete mindfulness: awareness (ASD), judgment (JSD), and refocus (RSD) with MDD.MethodsA total of 409 male wrestlers participated in this study. MANOVA analysis showed that NA and DRE alone have no effect on MDD but have a general effect on mindfulness.ResultsThe highest effect was on the ASD of being an NA (ηp2 = 0.173). When the interaction effect of NA*DRE was examined, significant difference in MDD (F = 8.218, p = 0.004), ASD (F = 8.476, p = 0.004), JSD (F = 5.844, p = 0.016), and RSD (F = 11.476, p = 0.001) were found. MDD has a weak negative relationship with ASD (r = −0.126) and RSD (r = −0.041) and a weak positive relationship with the JSD sub-dimension (r = 0.140). Those results suggest that being a NA and having received anti-doping education affect moral disengagement in doping and athletes' mindfulness.DiscussionAs a conclusion, it is recommended to increase awareness and anti-doping education among national-standard Turkish wrestlers to prevent them from engaging in doping behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdem Ayyildiz
- Sports Science Faculty, Tekirdağ Namik Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Türkiye
- *Correspondence: Erdem Ayyildiz
| | | | - Mehmet Gülü
- Department of Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Türkiye
| | - Fatma Hilal Yagin
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Türkiye
| | - Monira I. Aldhahi
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elena García-Grimau
- Department of Physical Education, Sport, and Human Movement, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna
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Zhai W, Qiao Z, Xiang P, Dang Y, Shi Y. A UPLC-MS/MS methodological approach for the analysis of 75 phenethylamines and their derivatives in hair. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 229:115367. [PMID: 37018959 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
A rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the targeted analysis of 75 phenethylamines and their derivatives from the hair matrix. The monitored classes of phenethylamines included the 2C series, D series, N-benzyl derivatives, mescaline-derived compounds, MDMA analogs, and benzodifurans. Approximately 20 mg of hair was weighed and pulverized with 0.1% formic acid in methanol by cryogenic grinding. After ultrasonication, centrifugation, and filtration, the supernatant was analyzed by LC-MS/MS operating in the scheduled multiple reaction monitoring mode. Phenethylamines and their derivatives were separated in 13 min on a biphenyl column (2.6 µm, 100 Å, 100 × 3.0 mm) using a gradient eluting mobile phase composed of 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. The developed and validated method showed good selectivity, sensitivity (LOD: 0.5-10 pg/mg and LOQ: 1-20 pg/mg), linearity (R2 > 0.997), accuracy and precision (< 20%), and stability. The method also showed good recovery and acceptable matrix effects for most of the targeted compounds. This analytical approach was successfully applied for the identification and quantification of phenethylamines in hair from authentic forensic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Zhai
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China; College of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Zheng Qiao
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonghui Dang
- College of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Barone R, Giorgetti A, Cardella R, Rossi F, Garagnani M, Pascali JP, Mohamed S, Fais P, Pelletti G. Development and validation of a fast UPLC-MS/MS screening method for the detection of 68 psychoactive drugs and metabolites in whole blood and application to post-mortem cases. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 228:115315. [PMID: 36889130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
We report a rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method that allows the simultaneous detection of 68 commonly prescribed antidepressants, benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, and metabolites in whole blood with a small sample volume after a rapid protein precipitation. The method was also tested on post-mortem blood from 85 forensic autopsies. Three sets of commercial serum calibrators containing a mix of prescription drugs of increasing concentration were spiked with red blood cells (RBC) to obtain 6 calibrators (3 "serum calibrators" and 3 "blood calibrators"). Curves obtained from serum calibrators and from blood calibrators were compared using a Spearman correlation test and by analyzing slopes and intercepts, to assess if the points from six calibrators could be plotted together in a single calibration model. The validation plan included interference studies, calibration model, carry-over, bias, within-run and between-run precision, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), matrix effect and dilution integrity. Four deuterated Internal Standards (Nordiazepam-D5, Citalopram-D6, Ketamine-D4 and Amphetamine-D5) and two different dilutions were assessed. Analyses were performed using an Acquity UPLC® System coupled with triple quadrupole detector Xevo TQD®. The degree of agreement with a previously validated method was calculated on whole blood samples of 85 post-mortem cases, by performing a Spearman correlation test with a Bland-Altman plot. Percentage error between the two methods was evaluated. Slopes and intercepts of curves obtained from serum calibrators and from blood calibrators showed a good correlation, and the calibration model was built plotting all points together. No interferences were found. The calibration curve appeared to provide a better fit of the data using an unweighted linear model. Negligible carry-over was observed, and very good linearity, precision, bias, matrix effect and dilution integrity were achieved. The LOD and the LOQ were at the lower limits of the therapeutic range for the tested drugs. In a series of 85 forensic cases, 11 antidepressants, 11 benzodiazepines and 8 neuroleptics were detected. For all analytes, a very good agreement between the new method and the validated method was demonstrated. The innovation of our method consists in the use of commercial calibrators, readily available to most forensic toxicology laboratories, for the validation of a fast, inexpensive, wide-panel LC-MS/MS method that can be used as a reliable and accurate screening for psychotropic drug in postmortem samples. As observed in the implementation on real cases, this method could be profitably applied in forensic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Barone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Arianna Giorgetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rachele Cardella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Garagnani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jennifer Paola Pascali
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Susan Mohamed
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Fais
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Guido Pelletti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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New Psychoactive Substances Intoxications and Fatalities during the COVID-19 Epidemic. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020273. [PMID: 36829550 PMCID: PMC9953068 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic in March 2020. Stringent measures decreased consumption of some drugs, moving the illicit market to alternative substances, such as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). A systematic literature search was performed, using scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and institutional and government websites, to identify reported intoxications and fatalities from NPS during the COVID-19 pandemic. The search terms were: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, coronavirus disease 2019, intox*, fatal*, new psychoactive substance, novel psychoactive substance, smart drugs, new psychoactive substance, novel synthetic opioid, synthetic opioid, synthetic cathinone, bath salts, legal highs, nitazene, bath salt, legal high, synthetic cannabinoid, phenethylamine, phencyclidine, piperazine, novel benzodiazepine, benzodiazepine analogue, designer benzodiazepines, tryptamine and psychostimulant. From January 2020 to March 2022, 215 NPS exposures were reported in Europe, UK, Japan and USA. Single NPS class intoxications accounted for 25, while mixed NPS class intoxications represented only 3 cases. A total of 130 NPS single class fatalities and 56 fatalities involving mixed NPS classes were published during the pandemic. Synthetic opioids were the NPS class most abused, followed by synthetic cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids. Notably, designer benzodiazepines were frequently found in combination with fentalogues. Considering the stress to communities and healthcare systems generated by the pandemic, NPS-related information may be underestimated. However, we could not define the exact impacts of COVID-19 on processing of toxicological data, autopsy and death investigations.
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Antunes M, Barroso M, Gallardo E. Analysis of Cannabinoids in Biological Specimens: An Update. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2312. [PMID: 36767678 PMCID: PMC9915035 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoids are still the most consumed drugs of abuse worldwide. Despite being considered less harmful to human health, particularly if compared with opiates or cocaine, cannabis consumption has important medico-legal and public health consequences. For this reason, the development and optimization of sensitive analytical methods that allow the determination of these compounds in different biological specimens is important, involving relevant efforts from laboratories. This paper will discuss cannabis consumption; toxicokinetics, the most detected compounds in biological samples; and characteristics of the latter. In addition, a comprehensive review of extraction methods and analytical tools available for cannabinoid detection in selected biological specimens will be reviewed. Important issues such as pitfalls and cut-off values will be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Antunes
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506 Covilha, Portugal
- Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, Delegação do Sul, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa 3, 1169-201 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mário Barroso
- Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, Delegação do Sul, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa 3, 1169-201 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eugenia Gallardo
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506 Covilha, Portugal
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, EM506, 6200-284 Covilha, Portugal
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10
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Rubicondo J, Scuffi L, Pietrosemoli L, Mineo M, Terranova F, Bartucca M, Trignano C, Bertol E, Vaiano F. A New Multi-Analyte LC-MS-MS Screening Method for the Detection of 120 NPSs and 49 Drugs in Hair. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:e262-e273. [PMID: 36453750 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been increasingly used for screening purposes in forensic toxicology. High versatility and low time/resource consumption are the main advantages of this technology. Numerous multi-analyte methods have been validated in order to face the analytical challenge of new psychoactive substances (NPSs). However, forensic toxicologists must focus the attention also on "classical" NPSs and medicines, such as benzodiazepines (BDZs) and prescription opioids. In this paper, a new method for the simultaneous detection of 169 substances (120 NPSs and 49 other drugs) in hair by LC-MS-MS is described. After the decontamination of hair samples with dichloromethane, a 20-mg aliquot of the sample was mixed with 1 mL of methanol (MeOH; 0.1% of formic acid) and then sonicated at room temperature for 2 h. The mixture was then dried under nitrogen stream and reconstituted with 100 µL of MeOH. LC separation was achieved with a 100-mm-long C18 column in 35 min, and mass acquisition was performed in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring mode and in positive ionization. The analysis results were very sensitive, with the limit of quantification ranging from 0.07 to 10.0 pg/mg. Accuracy and precision were always within the acceptable criteria. Matrix effect and recovery rate ranges were from -21.3 to + 21.9% and from 75.0 to 99.3%, respectively. The new method was successfully applied in a preliminary study on the prevalence of NPSs, BDZs and other substances in case of driving license issuance. In 14% of cases, BDZs/antidepressants (mainly trazodone, diazepam/nordiazepam and flunitrazepam) were found. Codeine, ketamine, methylone and mephedrone were also detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rubicondo
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - L Scuffi
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - L Pietrosemoli
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - M Mineo
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - F Terranova
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - M Bartucca
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - C Trignano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43c, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - E Bertol
- U.R.I.To.N.-Unit of Research, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - F Vaiano
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy.,U.R.I.To.N.-Unit of Research, University of Florence, L.go Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy
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11
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Palamar JJ, Salomone A. On the challenges of hair testing to detect underreported substance use in research settings. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:1-4. [PMID: 36812241 PMCID: PMC10026183 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2166414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Palamar
- Department of Population Health, New York University
Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Turin,
Italy
- Centro Regionale Antidoping, Orbassano (TO), Italy
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12
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Wolde A. Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Factors Among Elderly in Ethiopia. Subst Abuse 2023; 17:11782218231158031. [PMID: 36875744 PMCID: PMC9983104 DOI: 10.1177/11782218231158031] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude and associated factors of alcohol use disorder among the elderly living in 3 towns in South West Ethiopia. Method Cross-sectional community-based study was done among 382 elderly people aged 60 or more from February to March 2022 in South West Ethiopia. The participants were selected by a systematic random sampling method. Alcohol use disorder, quality of sleep, cognitive impairment, and depression were assessed by using AUDIT, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Standardized Mini Mental State Examination, and geriatric depression scale, respectively. Also, suicidal behavior, elder abuse, and other clinical and environmental factors were assessed. The data was entered into Epi Data Manager Version 4.0.2 before being exported to SPSS Version 25 for analysis. A logistic regression model was used, and variables with a P-value less than .05 in the final fitting model were stated as independent predictors of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Result The magnitude of alcohol use disorder, current alcohol use, and life-time alcohol use among the elderly was 27.5%, 52.4%, and 89.3%, respectively. Also, 7%, 23%, 8.9%, and none of the elderly had nicotine, khat, inhalants, and cannabis use disorder, respectively. Furthermore, AUD was associated with cognitive impairment (AOR, 95% CI; 2.79 (1.47-5.30)), poor sleep quality (AOR, 95% CI; 3.27 (1.23-8.69)), chronic medical illness (AOR, 95% CI; 2.12 (1.20-3.74)), and suicidal ideation (AOR, 95% CI; 5.27 (2.21-12.60)). Conclusion Problematic alcohol use was higher among the elderly, and cognitive impairment, poor sleep quality, having chronic medical illness, and suicidal ideation were risk factors for AUD. Therefore, community level screening for AUD and comorbid risk factors among this particular age group and managing them is crucial to prevent further complications due to AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asrat Wolde
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Mizan Tepi University, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia
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13
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Sabbioni G, Castaño A, Esteban López M, Göen T, Mol H, Riou M, Tagne-Fotso R. Literature review and evaluation of biomarkers, matrices and analytical methods for chemicals selected in the research program Human Biomonitoring for the European Union (HBM4EU). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107458. [PMID: 36179646 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Humans are potentially exposed to a large amount of chemicals present in the environment and in the workplace. In the European Human Biomonitoring initiative (Human Biomonitoring for the European Union = HBM4EU), acrylamide, mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1), diisocyanates (4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate), and pyrethroids were included among the prioritized chemicals of concern for human health. For the present literature review, the analytical methods used in worldwide biomonitoring studies for these compounds were collected and presented in comprehensive tables, including the following parameter: determined biomarker, matrix, sample amount, work-up procedure, available laboratory quality assurance and quality assessment information, analytical techniques, and limit of detection. Based on the data presented in these tables, the most suitable methods were recommended. According to the paradigm of biomonitoring, the information about two different biomarkers of exposure was evaluated: a) internal dose = parent compounds and metabolites in urine and blood; and b) the biologically effective = dose measured as blood protein adducts. Urine was the preferred matrix used for deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1, and pyrethroids (biomarkers of internal dose). Markers of the biological effective dose were determined as hemoglobin adducts for diisocyanates and acrylamide, and as serum-albumin-adducts of aflatoxin B1 and diisocyanates. The analyses and quantitation of the protein adducts in blood or the metabolites in urine were mostly performed with LC-MS/MS or GC-MS in the presence of isotope-labeled internal standards. This review also addresses the critical aspects of the application, use and selection of biomarkers. For future biomonitoring studies, a more comprehensive approach is discussed to broaden the selection of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Sabbioni
- Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Research and Transfer Service, Lugano, Switzerland; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Toxicology, Airolo, Switzerland; Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Argelia Castaño
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain.
| | - Marta Esteban López
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain.
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (IPASUM), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Hans Mol
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Margaux Riou
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Santé publique France, The National Public Health Agency, Saint-Maurice, France.
| | - Romuald Tagne-Fotso
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Santé publique France, The National Public Health Agency, Saint-Maurice, France.
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14
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Quantification of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors and Metabolites in Urine and Hair of Patients and Their Relatives. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101379. [PMID: 36290285 PMCID: PMC9598937 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as dorzolamide, brinzolamide, and acetazolamide are prescription drugs prohibited in sports. Detecting these substances and their biomarkers of consumption in urine and hair is crucial to documenting misuse in doping. We quantified dorzolamide, brinzolamide, acetazolamide, and their metabolites in the urine and hair of 88 patients under treatment, and samples of the patients’ relatives were analyzed to assess potential for accidental exposure. We found that cutoff concentrations of urinary dorzolamide and brinzolamide are necessary to preclude false positives due to contamination or passive exposure. Additionally, we reported the first concentrations of brinzolamide in hair. Abstract Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) are prescription drugs also used in doping to dilute urine samples and tamper with urinalyses. Dorzolamide, brinzolamide, and acetazolamide are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Detecting CAIs and their metabolites in biological samples is crucial to documenting misuse in doping. We quantified dorzolamide, brinzolamide, acetazolamide, and their metabolites in the urine and hair of 88 patients under treatment for ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Samples of the patients’ relatives were analyzed to assess potential for accidental exposure. After washing, 25 mg hair was incubated with an acidic buffer at 100 °C for 1 h. After cooling and centrifugation, the supernatant was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Urine (100 μL) was diluted and centrifuged before UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. Run time was 8 min through a reverse-phase column with a mobile phase gradient. MS/MS analysis was performed in a multiple-reaction monitoring mode after positive electrospray ionization. Median urinary concentration was 245 ng/mL (IQR: 116.2–501 ng/mL) for dorzolamide, 81.1 ng/mL (IQR: 35.9–125.3 ng/mL) for N-deethyl-dorzolamide, 0.77 ng/mL (IQR: 0.64 ng/mL–0.84 ng/mL) for N-acetyl-dorzolamide, 38.9 ng/mL (IQR: 20.4–79.2 ng/mL) for brinzolamide, and 72.8 ng/mL (IQR: 20.7–437.3 ng/mL) for acetazolamide. Median hair concentration was 0.48 ng/mg (IQR: 0.1–0.98 ng/mg) for dorzolamide, 0.07 ng/mg (IQR: 0.06–0.08 ng/mg) for N-deethyl-dorzolamide, 0.40 ng/mL (IQR: 0.13–1.95 ng/mL) for brinzolamide. Acetazolamide was detected in only one hair sample. Dorzolamide and brinzolamide were detected in the urine of three and one relatives, respectively. Cutoff concentrations of urinary dorzolamide and brinzolamide are necessary to preclude false positives due to contamination or passive exposure. We reported the first concentrations of brinzolamide in hair.
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15
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Scanferla DTP, Sano Lini R, Marchioni C, Mossini SAG. Drugs of abuse: A narrative review of recent trends in biological sample preparation and chromatographic techniques. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Liu P, Liu W, Qiao H, Jiang S, Wang Y, Chen J, Su M, Di B. Simultaneous quantification of 106 drugs or their metabolites in nail samples by UPLC-MS/MS with high-throughput sample preparation: Application to 294 real cases. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1226:340170. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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17
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Varì MR, Ricci G, Cavallo M, Pichini S, Sirignano A, Graziano S. Ketamine: from prescription anaesthetic to New Psychoactive Substance. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:1213-1220. [PMID: 35538799 DOI: 10.2174/1381612828666220510115209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Discovered in the United States of America (USA) in the 1960s, ketamine was introduced as an anaesthetic drug to specifically replace phencyclidine. Briefly, the substance moved from the medical world to recreational users, since it was discovered that intense psychedelic experiences were obtained with dosages lower than those prescribed for anesthesia. At the end of the 90's, circulated in London nightclubs as a drug itself and as counterfeit 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine tablets. In 1997, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) alerted the United States (US) government to the increasing diffusion of ketamine in American 'clubs', and in 1999, the substance was added to Schedule III of drugs controlled by federal authorities. In 2002, ketamine epidemics moved to Europe, and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction carried out a risk assessment monitoring of the phenomenon. An estimated ninety-nine percent of all global ketamine seizures occurred in Asia. Its growing popularity is due to the fact that this new psychoactive substance is cheaper than other stimulants such as MDMA that the amount used for recreational purposes does not cause respiratory depression and its legal use as a drug makes it widely available for a diversion towards illicit markets. Nevertheless, acute intoxication and several deaths have been related to exclusive ketamine use both in Europe and internationally. Since 2015, there has been and increasing rise of the illicit ketamine market and currently the drug is being used with unprecedented peaks and a consequent significant increase in seizures and clinical cases worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Varì
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Cavallo
- Central Directorate for Antidrug Services, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Graziano
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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18
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New Psychoactive Substances Consumption in Opioid-Use Disorder Patients. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050645. [PMID: 35625373 PMCID: PMC9138226 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary We applied a toxicological screening on 187 urine samples collected from patients with opioid-use disorder treated with opioid agonists in Barcelona and Badalona addiction care services, Spain. We found that 27.3% of urine samples were positive for any type of new psychoactive substance and 8.6% of samples were positive for a new synthetic opioid (NSO). These results show a new trend of consumption in patients with opioid-use disorder that requires social and political actions to stem associated health threats. Abstract (1) Background: Since the beginning of the 21st century, the large number and wide chemical variety of new psychoactive substances (NPS) that enter the market every year has become a public health problem. Given the rapidity with which the drug market is changing, many NPS are not clinically investigated and their effects and health risks are unknown. Drug testing is a very useful tool for this purpose, but, unfortunately, it is not very widespread in individuals with opioid-use disorder under detoxification treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of illicit drugs and NPS in opioid-use disorder (OUD) patients on opioid agonist treatment. (2) Methods: A multicenter, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at two addiction care services in Barcelona and Badalona, Spain. Urine samples were collected from OUD individuals attending these two centers, who anonymously donated a urine sample at the time of a periodical visit. Samples were analyzed by high-sensitivity gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high –resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). (3) Results: Out of the 187 collected and analyzed urine samples, 27.3% were positive for any type of NPS and 8.6% were positive for new synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and its derivatives (NSO). Other frequently detected substances were benzodiazepines in 46.0% of samples, antipsychotics in 27.8% of samples, or cocaine and cannabis in 23.5% of samples. (4) Conclusion: A wide number of NPS, including NSO, have been detected in urine samples from an OUD population. A lack of NPS detection in standard drug screening among drug users can hide the identification of a potential public health problem.
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Carelli C, Radogna A, Bolcato V, Vignali C, Moretti M, Merli D, Morini L. Old and New Synthetic and Semi-synthetic Opioids Analysis in Hair: A Review. TALANTA OPEN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talo.2022.100108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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20
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Chen JY, Chen GY, Wang SY, Fang CC, Chen LY, Weng TI. Development of an analytical method to detect simultaneously 219 new psychoactive substances and 65 other substances in urine specimens using LC-QqQ MS/MS with CriticalPairFinder and TransitionFinder. Talanta 2022; 238:122979. [PMID: 34857319 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Emerging new psychoactive substances (NPS) poses a great risk to public health. Analyzing these large numbers of NPS and other associated substances often relies on liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ-MS) with multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. However, the differentiation of critical pairs, coeluted isobaric and/or isomeric species, is one of the challenges for this analytical platform. MRM transitions with poor selectivity can jeopardize accurate quantification and lead to biased interpretation. Herein, we refined a novel workflow for developing an MRM-based method with in-house CriticalPairFinder and TransitionFinder tools for the effective identification of unique and selective MRM transitions. Transitions selected by TransitionFinder showed much better accuracies than those selected only by fragment abundance in some mixtures of critical pairs. Using the proposed analytical strategy, a method that can simultaneously determine 219 NPS and 65 other substances across a variety of NPS classes in urine samples was developed, validated and applied to analyze clinical urine samples. This automated workflow is anticipated to facilitate method development for analyzing complex analytes while considering selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Yu Chen
- Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department and Graduate Institute of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Yuan Chen
- Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department and Graduate Institute of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - San-Yuan Wang
- Master Program in Clinical Genomics and Proteomics, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chung Fang
- Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Yu Chen
- Department and Graduate Institute of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Kunming Prevention Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Te-I Weng
- Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department and Graduate Institute of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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21
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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.
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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
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22
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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.
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23
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A comprehensive UHPLC-MS/MS screening method for the analysis of 98 New Psychoactive Substances and related compounds in human hair. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 205:114310. [PMID: 34391138 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the targeted analysis of 98 New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) from the hair matrix. The monitored compounds included various chemical classes (7 phenethylamines, 10 tryptamines, 18 cathinones, 24 synthetic opioids, and 38 synthetic cannabinoids) with emphasis given to newly emerged NPS. The method employed a direct extraction process through the incubation of hair samples (25 mg) and internal standards with M3® reagent at 100 °C for 60 min, followed by extract purification through acid and basic liquid-liquid micro-extraction (LLME). Extracted compounds were analyzed through LC-MS/MS system operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode. NPS were separated in 9.5 min with a Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (2.7 μm, 4.6 × 50 mm) using a gradient eluting mobile phase composed of water and acetonitrile/water (95:5) both containing 0.1 % of formic acid. The developed and validated method shows a good precision (≤ 15 %), linearity (R2 between 0.993 and 0.999), selectivity, and sensitivity (LOD: 0.6-10.3 pg mg-1 and LOQ: 2.1-34.4 pg mg-1). The method showed also reduced matrix effect and acceptable recovery for most of the targeted compounds. Our results showed that this method is suitable for quantifying NPS in hair matrix and could be employed in the context of routine analyses in analytical laboratories.
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24
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Cobo-Golpe M, de-Castro-Ríos A, Cruz A, Páramo M, López-Rivadulla M, Lendoiro E. Determination of antidepressants and benzodiazepines in paired hair and nail samples. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 326:110935. [PMID: 34333195 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Hair and nails are keratinized matrices that can be used in Toxicology as matrices for the long-term detection of substances. Whereas hair is an established matrix with decades of use in this field, nails have been less studied, especially including a comparison to hair samples. Specifically in the case of antidepressant and benzodiazepine drugs, very few publications analyzing these drugs in nail samples exist as of yet. For this reason, in the present study a method for the detection of 12 antidepressant and benzodiazepine drugs in hair and nail samples was developed. Samples were decontaminated with 3 washes of dichloromethane, and 25 or 30 mg of hair and nails, respectively, were pulverized. Then, the samples were incubated with 1.5 mL water:ACN (50:50, v/v) with horizontal agitation for 90 min. The supernatant was evaporated and reconstituted in 200 µL of methanol and 2 mL of 2% FA in water, submitted to solid phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis MCX cartridges and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The method was satisfactorily validated in nail and hair samples for the following parameters: linearity, LOD (0.005-0.02 ng/mg), LOQ (0.01-0.02 ng/mg), selectivity, carryover, accuracy, imprecision, matrix effect, extraction efficiency, process efficiency and autosampler stability. Matched fingernail, toenail and hair samples were obtained from 21 patients under treatment with any of the studied drugs and analyzed with the developed method. The most frequently detected drugs were venlafaxine (n = 11), trazodone (n = 6), zolpidem (n = 5), alprazolam (n = 5) and nordiazepam (n = 5). Concentrations in hair, fingernails and toenails, respectively, were 44.31 ng/mg, 8.05-43.35 ng/mg and 7.02-22.69 ng/mg for venlafaxine; 5.40-19.08 ng/mg, 0.13-1.00 ng/mg and 0.42-1.04 ng/mg for trazodone; 13.86 ng/mg, 5.19 ng/mg and 9.11 ng/mg for fluoxetine; 7.42 ng/mg, 1.85 ng/mg and 0.03-2.81 ng/mg for sertraline; 0.40-1.42 ng/mg, 0.12 ng/mg and 0.16 ng/mg for zolpidem; and 0.02-0.11 ng/mg, 0.07-1.07 ng/mg and 0.05 ng/mg for alprazolam for the patients under active treatment. Hair concentrations were higher than nail concentrations for most drugs in patients under active treatment, with the exception of diazepam (n = 1; 0.12 ng/mg in hair and 0.41 ng/mg in fingernails). Fingernail concentrations were lower than toenail concentrations in patients under active treatment in most compared cases. Comparison of fingernails and toenails of a patient with antifungal treatment did not show an observable effect in concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cobo-Golpe
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana de-Castro-Ríos
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Angelines Cruz
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade 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, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Elena Lendoiro
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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25
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La Maida N, Mannocchi G, Giorgetti R, Sirignano A, Ricci G, Busardò FP. Optimization of a rapid sample pretreatment for the quantification of COCAINE and its main metabolites in hair through a new and validated GC-MS/MS method. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 204:114282. [PMID: 34325248 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We developed and validated a new rapid and sensitive gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of cocaine and its metabolites benzoylecgonine, norcocaine, ecgonine methyl esther and cocaethylene in hair of consumers. Hair samples were firstly decontaminated with three subsequent dichloromethane washes, then incubated for one hour with M3® buffer to promote analytes solubilization and stabilization and finally solid phase extracted. All extracts were derivatized and injected into GC-MS/MS with electron impact ionization. Multiple Reaction Monitoring was used for the acquisition of characteristic analytes ion transitions reaching a high sensitivity 0.01 ng/mg COC and metabolites limit of quantification. The method was linear in the COC and metabolites calibration ranges (LLOQ-10 ng/mg and LLOQ-1 ng/mg, respectively). Intra-assay and inter-assay precision were always lower than 15 %, accuracy never exceeded ± 6.6 %. The main advantages of the presented method are the fast, simple and innovative pretreatment procedure together with the instrumental sensitivity that allowed to measure also less concentrated metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia La Maida
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, University "Politecnica Delle Marche" of Ancona, Via Tronto 71, 60124, Ancona, Italy.
| | | | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, University "Politecnica Delle Marche" of Ancona, Via Tronto 71, 60124, Ancona, Italy.
| | | | | | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, University "Politecnica Delle Marche" of Ancona, Via Tronto 71, 60124, Ancona, Italy.
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26
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Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and High-Sensitivity Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Screening of Classic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances and Metabolites in Urine of Consumers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084000. [PMID: 33924438 PMCID: PMC8069063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of the new psychoactive substances is continuously growing and the implementation of accurate and sensible analysis in biological matrices of users is relevant and fundamental for clinical and forensic purposes. Two different analytical technologies, high-sensitivity gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) were used for a screening analysis of classic drugs and new psychoactive substances and their metabolites in urine of formed heroin addicts under methadone maintenance therapy. Sample preparation involved a liquid-liquid extraction. The UHPLC-HRMS method included Accucore™ phenyl Hexyl (100 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm, Thermo, USA) column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of mobile phase A (ammonium formate 2 mM in water, 0.1% formic acid) and mobile phase B (ammonium formate 2 mM in methanol/acetonitrile 50:50 (v/v), 0.1% formic acid) and a full-scan data-dependent MS2 (ddMS2) mode for substances identification (mass range 100–1000 m/z). The GC-MS method employed an ultra-Inert Intuvo GC column (HP-5MS UI, 30 m, 250 µm i.d, film thickness 0.25 µm; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and electron-impact (EI) mass spectra were recorded in total ion monitoring mode (scan range 40–550 m/z). Urine samples from 296 patients with a history of opioid use disorder were examined. Around 80 different psychoactive substances and/or metabolites were identified, being methadone and metabolites the most prevalent ones. The possibility to screen for a huge number of psychotropic substances can be useful in suspected drug related fatalities or acute intoxication/exposure occurring in emergency departments and drug addiction services.
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27
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Overview of the major classes of new psychoactive substances, psychoactive effects, analytical determination and conformational analysis of selected illegal drugs. OPEN CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2021-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The misuse of psychoactive substances is attracting a great deal of attention from the general public. An increase use of psychoactive substances is observed among young people who do not have enough awareness of the harmful effects of these substances. Easy access to illicit drugs at low cost and lack of effective means of routine screening for new psychoactive substances (NPS) have contributed to the rapid increase in their use. New research and evidence suggest that drug use can cause a variety of adverse psychological and physiological effects on human health (anxiety, panic, paranoia, psychosis, and seizures). We describe different classes of these NPS drugs with emphasis on the methods used to identify them and the identification of their metabolites in biological specimens. This is the first review that thoroughly gives the literature on both natural and synthetic illegal drugs with old known data and very hot new topics and investigations, which enables the researcher to use it as a starting point in the literature exploration and planning of the own research. For the first time, the conformational analysis was done for selected illegal drugs, giving rise to the search of the biologically active conformations both theoretically and using lab experiments.
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28
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Lagoutte-Renosi J, Richeval C, Phanithavong M, Wiart JF, Castex E, Vanhoy X, Hakim F, Deheul S, Tournebize J, Allorge D, Gaulier JM. Hair analysis can support the follow-up addiction care after acute New Psychoactive Substances intoxication: Illustration by two cases. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:227-234. [PMID: 33140585 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Camille Richeval
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille, France.,Univ. Lille, URL 4483-IMPECS-IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Lille, France
| | | | | | - Eugénie Castex
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille, France
| | - Xavier Vanhoy
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille, France
| | - Florian Hakim
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille, France.,Univ. Lille, URL 4483-IMPECS-IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Lille, France
| | - Sylvie Deheul
- CHU Lille, Centre d'addictovigilance des Hauts-de France-CEIP-A, Lille, France
| | | | - Delphine Allorge
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille, France.,Univ. Lille, URL 4483-IMPECS-IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Lille, France
| | - Jean-Michel Gaulier
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille, France.,Univ. Lille, URL 4483-IMPECS-IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Lille, France
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29
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Alexandridou A, Mouskeftara T, Raikos N, Gika HG. GC-MS analysis of underivatised new psychoactive substances in whole blood and urine. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2020; 1156:122308. [PMID: 33038866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Herein a method was develop and validated for the detection and quantification of five new psychoactive substances (NPS) belonging to three categories: synthetic cathinones (mephedrone, 3,4-MDPV), opioids (AH-7921) and cannabinoids (JWH-018, AM-2201) by EI GC-MS. Target analytes were quantified in whole blood; in urine the same compounds plus methylone were detected. Liquid-liquid extraction by MTBE - butyl acetate (1:1, v/v) in blood and butyl acetate in urine was applied for the recovery of analytes, while no derivatization was necessary for their sensitive detection and quantification. The method showed good linearity for all analytes within a concentration range from 0.25 to 2 μg/mL for mephedrone, from 0.02 to 0.16 μg/mL for 3,4-MDPV and AH-7921 and from 0.005 to 0.04 μg/mL for JWH-018 and AM-2201. LOD ranged from 0.002 μg/mL (JWH-018 and AM-2201 in blood and urine), to 0.08 μg/mL (mephedrone in urine). LOQ in blood ranged from 0.005 μg/mL for JWH-018 and AM-2201 to 0.25 μg/mL for mephedrone. Accuracy was within acceptable limits with % bias ranging from +20% to -17.98% for intra-assay study and from +18.87% to -11.16% for inter-assay study. Precision was found to be between 2.60% and 17.17% (CV%) for intra-assay study and from 6.03% to 13.72% (CV%) for inter-assay study. An intra laboratory comparison provided proof of the method robustness. The developed method can be used for the reliable and fast quantification of five NPS in blood and the detection of six NPS in urine within the practice of a clinical or forensic toxicology laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Alexandridou
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomai Mouskeftara
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Raikos
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Helen G Gika
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Cobo-Golpe M, de-Castro-Ríos A, Cruz A, López-Rivadulla M, Lendoiro E. Determination and Distribution of Cannabinoids in Nail and Hair Samples. J Anal Toxicol 2020; 45:969-975. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hair has been used for decades in toxicology as a biological matrix for long-term detection of substances. Nails are another keratinized matrix that is being studied as an alternative when hair cannot be obtained. Although cannabis is the most prevalent illicit drug in the world, cannabinoid distribution in nails compared with hair has been scarcely studied. In this work, we described two methods for the determination of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and main metabolites of THC [11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH), 11-hydroxy-THC (OHTHC) and 8-β-11-dihydroxyTHC (diOHTHC)] in nail and hair samples. After an alkaline hydrolysis, samples were submitted to solid-phase extraction and analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS). The methods were fully validated, with good linearity (r2 > 0.99) in the range of 20 to 100 to 20,000 pg/mg. No endogenous or exogenous interferences were found. Accuracy was from 99.5% to 109.8%, and imprecision was <6.9%. Ion suppression (up to −74.4%) was observed for all the analytes, except for diOHTHC at low concentrations in hair (46.1%). Extraction efficiency ranged from 21.5% to 84.5%. The methods were applied to matched nail and hair specimens from 23 cannabis users to study the incorporation and distribution of the cannabinoids into these matrices. Only CBD, CBN and THC were detected in the samples, with much higher concentrations in fingernails than in toenails and hair. Correlations between analyte concentrations in the different matrices and with reported drug consumption were studied. A preliminary cut-off for THC in toenails was calculated using the cut-off proposed by the Society of Hair Testing in hair for the identification of chronic cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cobo-Golpe
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Ana de-Castro-Ríos
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Angelines Cruz
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Manuel López-Rivadulla
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Elena Lendoiro
- Servicio de Toxicología, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
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31
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Pichini S, Lo Faro AF, Busardò FP, Giorgetti R. Medicinal Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoid Use. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56090453. [PMID: 32906770 PMCID: PMC7558594 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56090453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis products have been used for centuries by humans for recreational and medical purposes. Resent research, proposed the promising therapeutic potential of cannabis and related cannabinoids for a wide range of medical conditions, including psychiatric and neurological diseases. This Special Issue presents the latest updates on medicinal cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids pharmacology, toxicology and new analytical methods to identify and quantify these compounds in conventional and non-conventional biological matrices. Moreover, it provides current data regarding their adverse effects, safety, application for medical purposes and their harmful effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Pichini
- Analytical Pharmacotoxicology Unit, National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità V.Le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, “Politecnica delle Marche” University of Ancona, Via Tronto 10/a, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.F.L.F); (R.G.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, “Politecnica delle Marche” University of Ancona, Via Tronto 10/a, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.F.L.F); (R.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0712206274
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, “Politecnica delle Marche” University of Ancona, Via Tronto 10/a, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (A.F.L.F); (R.G.)
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32
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Cobo-Golpe M, de-Castro-Ríos A, Cruz A, Páramo M, López-Rivadulla M, Lendoiro E. Determination of antipsychotic drugs in nails and hair by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and evaluation of their incorporation into keratinized matrices. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 189:113443. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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