The use of multiple keratinous matrices (head hair, axillary hair, and toenail clippings) can help narrowing a period of drug exposure: experience with a criminal case involving 25I-NBOMe and 4-MMC

Testing for clomiphene in keratinous matrices using LC-MS/MS in doping purpose: Is a single intake of clomiphene detectable in hair and nail clippings?

Clomiphene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. It is indicated for the treatment of female infertility issues but in sport, it can be misused to stimulate endogenous testosterone secretion in men. Therefore, it has been prohibited at all times by the World Anti-doping Agency. The aim of this study was to get data to be able to interpret concentrations in athletes. A healthy volunteer (male, 62 years-old) ingested a single therapeutic dose of clomiphene (Clomid™, 50 mg). Strands of hair (blond, 4 cm) were collected one month after the ingestion. Body hair (beard, axillary, pubic and chest hair), and finger and toenails were collected over 4-5 months. A previous method was modified to identify and quantify clomiphene in keratinous matrices. 30 mg of specimen were sonicated and incubated in 1 mL of methanol, in presence of 200 pg of clomiphene-D5 (internal standard). After centrifugation and evaporation of the organic phase, the samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Linearity was verified in hair and nail clippings between 1 and 500 pg/mg. The limits of detection and quantification were determined at 0.3 and 1 pg/mg respectively. The study demonstrated that clomiphene tested positive in all the analyzed specimens at 9 pg/mg in head hair, from 28 to 486 pg/mg (body hair) and from 4 to 57 pg/mg (nails). Clomiphene was identified for the first time in multiple keratinous matrices. This study demonstrated that a single oral therapeutic dose is detectable in keratinous matrices over a long period of time.

25X-NBOMe compounds - chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. A comprehensive review

Recently, a growing number of reports have indicated a positive effect of hallucinogenic-based therapies in different neuropsychiatric disorders. However, hallucinogens belonging to the group of new psychoactive substances (NPS) may produce high toxicity. NPS, due to their multi-receptors affinity, are extremely dangerous for the human body and mental health. An example of hallucinogens that have been lately responsible for many severe intoxications and deaths are 25X-NBOMes - N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-substituted phenethylamines, synthetic compounds with strong hallucinogenic properties. 25X-NBOMes exhibit a high binding affinity to serotonin receptors but also to dopamine, adrenergic and histamine receptors. Apart from their influence on perception, many case reports point out systemic and neurological poisoning with these compounds. In humans, the most frequent side effects are tachycardia, anxiety, hypertension and seizures. Moreover, preclinical studies confirm that 25X-NBOMes cause developmental impairments, cytotoxicity, cardiovascular toxicity and changes in behavior of animals. Metabolism of NBOMes seems to be very complex and involves many metabolic pathways. This fact may explain the observed high toxicity. In addition, many analytical methods have been applied in order to identify these compounds and their metabolites. The presented review summarized the current knowledge about 25X-NBOMes, especially in the context of toxicity.

Detection of Morphine and Opioids in Fingernails: Immunohistochemical Analysis and Confirmation with Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

This study aimed to investigate the detection of morphine in fingernails from forensic autopsies using immunohistochemistry (IHC), with confirmation by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). A primary antibody specific to morphine and a secondary antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used. IHC on specimens of Subjects A and B (both drug addicts) resulted in the detection of morphine on a cell layer of the nail plate matrix. UHPLC-HRMS and GC-MS analysis showed that Subject A had a morphine concentration of 0.35 ng/mg in the fingernail and 472 ng/mL in the blood, while Subject B reached 1.23 ng/mg in the fingernail and 360 ng/ml in the blood. Most of those matrices were positive for codeine, methadone, EDDP, and 6-MAM. The use of IHC in Subject C (a former addict) showed no positivity for morphine in the fingernail, while the UHPLC-HRMS analysis confirmed its absence in the fingernail and blood. Additionally, an analysis of the scalp or pubic hair of the subjects was carried out using UHPLC-HRMS. The results suggest that IHC can be used to establish the site of accumulation of morphine in the nail matrix; for postmortem diagnosis; and that basic substances can be detected by UHPLC-HRMS. There are no previous studies on the use of IHC as a technique for forensic purposes in unconventional matrices, such as nails.